How to Treat a Lady

Essay by Jose Machado

A lady is someone special who deserves respect and good treatment. After all, life in this world would not be interesting without them. Therefore, it is important to understand that there are many types of women, and that they have different tastes and desires. In other words, a guy may be likeable for some of them, but not for all of them. Having this in mind, many things have to be considered when dealing with such nice creatures. Listening to what they have to say is necessary, in order to understand what their hobbies, way of thinking, tastes, among other things, are. After having gathered all the important information about them, steps can be taken to attempt to make a closer successful approach on the female. If the girl reacts positively to the approach, then comes the time for the treatment that she deserves depending on her unique personality.

Initially, listening to what the lady has to say is fundamental when it comes to understanding her mind and personality. Nevertheless, most of them are enigmatic and difficult to comprehend in some cases. Eventually, after a long conversation or many of these verbal exchanges, some clues are given as to what she actually thinks and likes. Thus, allowing for a better understanding of the girl, which can help to proceed with confidence. For that matter, the information acquired from these conversations can facilitate on the following step.

Subsequently, after understanding her mind and desires, an approach attempt is the natural step that would come next. Depending on the personality of the girl, an approach could be successful or not. Simply knowing her likes or dislikes is vital when it comes to gaining her confidence. The value of confidence has no equal and no comparison. If it’s lost, then recovering it might be very difficult, and sometimes when confidence is recovered, it is never as it used to be. Therefore, honesty must always be upfront at the beginning of a relationship if it is to last and be taken seriously.

Ultimately, the treatment given to the lady will define the characteristic of the relationship. Depending on the type of girl and her personality, a certain style of treatment can be implemented. For example, some girls like to be treated like a queen, but others do not. So it is mandatory to realize which type is being dealt with. Regardless, it has to be understood that there are limits to the treatment decided upon. If a female who likes to be treated very well is given everything all the time, she will either get spoiled or will get bored very quickly. Thus, it is key not to waste all the resources at the same time, but to please her in small quantities from time to time. Don’t show too much interest, but at the same time show some. A balance must be kept, to keep her interest alive.

To culminate, women are not so easy to interact with, due to their mysterious nature and the variety of personalities among them. Ironically, those are the traits that make interacting with them more interesting and intriguing. Moreover, the challenge presented with treating a lady makes it rewarding when success, by gaining her total interest, is achieved. Hence, listening carefully to what she says and understanding her personality will eventually help when it comes to taking a successful approach; and also, in the treatment she likes and deserves.

Simple College Survival Guide

Essay by Ghazi Alfadhli

Going to a new place is hard. People start searching and reading about the place they are going to, but it is hard to find something simple and easy. Today I will try to help you in a simple way.

First, book your tickets at least a month earlier than your orientation and book a ride that will take you to your destination. I don't recommend you to sign a lease for an apartment. Instead, book a hotel for a few days and make sure they have transportation services. Then, when you reach there, remember, (keep your passport in a safe place). Then start searching for an apartment. That way you will get cheaper and a better deal.

Then, get a phone number. Getting a phone number is tricky, so I recommend you to go to T-MOBILE and get a prepaid program. They have good deals, like you pay $50 a month and you will get unlimited calls, texts and data. Getting a phone number is very important. You will have to use it in everything you will go through.

Once you get your phone number, start looking for an apartment. So look for an agent, some do it for free and some ask for money. If you have a family there, then dont worry, but if you don't, you should contact an agent to help you. Once you contact them, set up a date to look at the apartments. Choose an apartment according to your budget and style. Once you do that, sign your lease, but make sure the bus stop is close to your apartment or you will suffer.

Once you move into your new apartment. try to settle in. If you have a roommate, don't rely on him helping you. Help yourself. If you don't have a roommate, try to socialize. Once you settle in, get snacks and drinks to survive. Now you need to know the city.

Knowing the city and the campus is very important and it will ease your movement once you start your semester. So try to find if the bus has an application or at least get familiar with their timings and routes. Then get on the bus and get to know the city. Go to places, interact with people and get informations from locals.

Once you are settled and became an expert in your city, get a debit card. Try to look for banks who give special offers to college students. Open an account and get your debit card. Then go get your groceries and all your needs.

Finally, you are settled. But remember, don't rely on anyone, help yourself, don't get into dark places, do your assignments on time, try to stay healthy and if you feel anything, go to the health center on campus immediately, keep a folder for your important papers, memorise your phone number, keep a good relation and respect your instructors, and again, keep your passport safe. And, be safe. I wish you a happy semester.

How to write a statement of purpose

Photo and essay by Carlos Montero

Thinking about giving a good impression at the first moment can increase the pressure while you are starting the application process as a graduate for a master program in a prestigious university, regardless of which program you are trying to get into. The statement of purpose is probably a common requirement but it is the most important in a checklist of documents to submit, because it is your presentation card to the admission department and it is always best to have a powerful essay to describe yourself.

The first step to start writing is that key word we learned in composition class, brainstorm. You have to start thinking about your past and how you developed an interest in this program. Also, think about those experiences that are most related to this area and make you feel confident. Remember this is just the brainstorming stage, but try to be accurate with those words you are writing down so you don’t get confused in the composition phase. Your career goals are a fundamental part of your statement of purpose; so do not forget to express the big ideas going through your mind. Questions like “Why do I need this degree?” and “What skills do you have?” are very helpful to squeeze your brain and make you feel able to cover every detail of your history.

Immediately after you have gathered all the ideas about your academic and personal life, organize them chronologically and start reading carefully to clean up all the little details. You are the author of your own story so feel free to make every change you consider necessary.

Complete the previous part talking about the university you chose and do research about it showing them you are really interested in this program. Characteristics of the school you may love and how this specific program will help you to achieve your goals are topics you can develop to write a powerful essay.

Last but not least, take your time to review your entire essay and go through every sentence you wrote to state your ideas. Make sure all the sentences are related in order to form a brief but satisfying essay about you and your goals to catch people’s attention and above all to be capable of standing out from the rest.

The best advice to write a statement of purpose is just be yourself and organize your ideas. If you follow these steps, you will have a great presentation card.

How to Apply for a University in the United States

Photo and essay by Lourivaldo Domingos

If you are an international student who wishes to study in the United States, you probably need more information about applications for universities in this country. The application process is required for all international students and Americans as well. However, the application process for international students is more complex compared to Americans. There are several steps that international students have to follow in order to complete the application process.

First, as international students, we need to find a university that we want to apply to and look at the requirements. We must do research to find a good university. Once we find a university, we have to open the website of the university and look for admissions. Then, we have to look for international students admissions. After we find international students admissions, we have to click on it in order to open a new page and see the requirements. Then, the requirements for undergraduate and graduate programs will appear. Immediately after, we have to click on one of those programs.

Second, we have to look carefully at the requirements in order to determine if we meet the minimum requirements to be admitted. For example, universities require the TOEFL test for all international students. However, the minimum test score varies from one institution to another. Universities also require other types of test according to the program or field of study such as the SAT for undergraduate programs and the GRE for graduate programs. Some universities require a high score on these tests. Other requirements include our certificate from high school or college and a statement of purpose or an essay. They usually ask us to talk about general topics and our goals. Universities also require a good Grade Point Average (GPA). The GPA requirements vary from universities to universities. For example, some universities require a GPA from 2.5 to 4.0, whereas other universities require a GPA between 3.0 and 4.0.

Next, we can start filling in the application form. This step is done online, but we have to create an account on the university’s website first. The option to create an account is normally on the homepage of this website. After we create an account, we should be able to fill out the application form. However, we have to choose our major before we start filling out the application form. Universities ask us to choose two majors. Afterwards, we are asked to provide some personal information such as nationality, race and gender. We also have to provide information about our previous high school as well. Universities also require information about our countries such as permanent address. When we finish filling in the information required, the university will provide us some topics so that we can write an essay. The essays are optional, but it is important to write them because the university can measure our ability to communicate in English. In addition, essays increase our chances to get admission.

Finally, international students have to pay the application fee established by the university in order to submit the application. The payment of this fee can be done online by two methods such as credit/debit card or PAYPAL. The most common way to pay the fee is by credit/debit card.

As we have seen, the application process for international students is very complex. It is not easy to complete and takes a large amount of time from students. However, international students need to know this process in order to apply to a university early enough. Universities have deadlines for submissions. Nevertheless, if we submit the application process in advance, we have more chances to receive a quick response from the university. Even though the application process is stressful, I encourage all international students to start this process early so that they can finish early and relax until they get admission.

PROCESS ESSAY (Finding an apartment)

Essay by Matteo Quadrifoglio

Finding an apartment by yourself can save you a lot of money.

First of all you need to set a limit to your budget. This is the most important thing to do before looking for an apartment. For instance, if you bring home $1,000 monthly you should not exceed over 40% of the total budget for the rent. Remember that in this percentage you should also consider the price for the utility bills (for example water, electricity, and internet).

The next step is to decide if you want to live on campus or off campus. Probably, because of your low budget, the best choice is to do it by yourself looking for an off campus solution. Usually this solution can save you a lot of money, but at the same time you need to pay attention to some little, but significant, particulars. Living off campus has a lot of benefits (you have more independence, you can cook by yourself in your own kitchen, you can choose your roommates) but you also need to look for a furnished apartment close to the university or a bus stop, not far from a supermarket and, if you want to go out during the night, not far from pubs or restaurants.

Did you set all your preferences? Well, now is time to find the apartment. Where? Obviously on the web! Online, in fact, there are a lot of well organized websites that could help you to find the best solution for you. Probably, the best web resource is craigslist.com (but there are others good solutions such as apartmentfinder.com).

Then make sure you understand the lease, because it is a contract. Talk with the landlord and ask him everything you need to. Unfortunately there are no tips about this topic because there are a lot of different leases. So, read the lease carefully!

Another tip: try to visit as many apartments as you can. I know that this could be frustrating but this is not a waste of time; keep in mind that this research can save you a lot of money during the next months.

Finally, take notes while you are visiting apartments. Make also a list and try to get the answers to these simple questions:

1. Can you afford the apartment? In other words, is it in your budget?

2. Is it in good conditions?

3. Is it close to the college or near a bus stop?

4. Is it near a supermarket?

5. Is it furnished?

6. Is the bathroom shared?

7. Is there a washer and dryer?

8. Did you read the lease carefully?

9. And again: did you read the lease carefully?

Good luck!

How to Get Accustomed to a New Life

Essay by Karla Mata Pacheco

Are you going to be a new student in the English Language Institute, and you do not know how it is going to be? How do you feel about it? Well, there are some aspects that you have to consider if you are planning to come to this new country (United States of America). As soon as you arrive, you will notice that everything is going to be different. You have to start a new life. It is a big step because you will have to start all over again. It is a big change. You can get accustomed easily, if you decide to work on it. These are some of the aspects you need to know.

First is that you will have a new life. Why? Well, the reason is obvious. You are coming to another country. Maybe you are coming from another continent. Sometimes you are coming alone. That is why you will have to get accustomed to new responsibilities that you do not use to have. For example, you will have to learn how to do laundry. When I came here, I did not know how to do that, and I made many of my clothes to shrink. Also, you will have to start to cook, if you do not have a meal plan in the place that are you going to live. You should make sure that you have at least something to eat. Another responsibility is cleaning your room. At first it is hard, but you will get accustomed to that with time.

Second is that you will meet a lot of new people that could be from a different country, city, or even from a different continent. It can be hard to find friends very fast, but you have to be open minded with everything. Sometimes, people from other countries do not have the same culture or religion. When I came here I did not know that there were a lot of people from other countries. I thought that it would be hard for me to find friends, because sometimes I can be very shy. Now, you can see me talking with people that you could never imagine, although some of them have a different religion or culture. You can learn a lot of things from them, as they can learn from you. It is a multicultural exchange. The “ELI” has some cultural activities for all the students. That is a good way to start to meet people from the program.

Lastly, but no less important, is the language. All of the people are coming for the same reason as you, to learn English. You have to improve your skills, even if you do not have a good English level. Do not worry that is why you are coming here, to learn English. One of the most common pieces of advice I have heard is that it is not good to be shy. A good way to improve your English is talking with other people, doing all your assignments, and practicing. “The more you practice, the more you learn.” That is something that some of the people who have helped me with my English have been telling me. It is a good start, if you are determined to improve it.

Finally, you have to know that it can be a different and interesting experience. You are coming because you want to be good, or better with this language. You will learn a lot of things, and you will notice that it is worth it to come to learn English, even if you have to have more responsibilities. This experience has changed my life in a positive way. I am glad that my parents convinced me to come to the English Language Institute to improve my English. I am definitely going to miss the people who have been helping me, and the experiences I have had with them.

How to Use the University Writing Center (UWC)

essay by Donghyun Kang

Are you tearing your hair out now? I can see your situation. Maybe you have a writing assignment and the due date is coming soon, but you haven’t even stared it yet. Why don’t you do it as the way I often do? My advice to you is: First book in the UWC, and then start your writing! The reservation can give you time limit, so you can much more concentrate on your assignment.

First, open you laptop immediately and punch the address: writingcenter.tamu.edu in the address window. It appears the UWC’s web page, and you will find ‘Make an Appointment’. Please click the box, and then click the quick link to make an appointment for a consultation. Let’s click ‘Continue’ and type in your Net ID and Password. (Don’t worry about this one. If you enroll in ELI, you will get your own Net ID and Password.)

If you typed in your ID and Password correctly, you will see the sentence ‘How can we help you?’ There are two types of sessions that are provided by the UWC, and those are ‘In Person’ and ‘Online Submission’. I don’t have an experience using ‘Online Submission’, so I want to recommend that you use the ‘In Person’ way. This is because you can discuss your writing with a consultant in person and work face to face with them for 45 minutes in each session. Anyway, let’s complete your reservation. Click the green box labeled ‘Evans Library’, and then the blue box that says ‘I confirm and agree to these terms.’

The UWC has its own policies and terms. There are more than six rules that you can check on the website, but I would like to emphasize one rule. If you are not able to attend your reserved session for a personal reason, it will be regarded as one missed appointment unless you cancel it. If you have three missed appointments, you will be blocked from booking.

Let’s keep going! Choose a date and time period available and fill out the ‘entry survey’. There are some questions about the purpose of your writing, related courses, focus of the session, things like that. Next, when your answers are finished, submit them and book an appointment. After that, you will receive an e-mail via your email address about the appointment details.

Now, start your writing and try to do your best. If your writing has been done, print out two hard copies for you and your consultant and head to the Evans library. The UWC is located on the second floor in Evans. Tell your name to the front desk and sit on a waiting chair. A consultant who is assigned to your session will call your name and you will go into a room with her or him. First, grab your pen! This means that you should lead your session. You should set up your own direction and be responsible for the content. In other words, you are supposed to be an active writer instead of a passive writer who just listens and writes down a consultant’s advice. Do not expect your consultant to correct your writing as our composition teachers do.

If you need more sessions to revise and edit your writing, you can repeat this procedure. However, the policy says you can attend only one session per a day. On the other hand, if you think that’s enough, read the corrections thoroughly two or three times and try to remember them. Then, open your laptop again and revise and edit by yourself like your composition teachers. In this way, you can remember the corrections well and know them by heart, so you will apply them in other writings afterward.

Please use the UWC as many times as you can! I have heard from my friends that the UWC also can help you prepare your presentation for oral skills class. About this, I will give more information to you after I use the UWC for this purpose later. Welcome, everyone, to the UWC!

The path to success

Photo and essay by Isabella Ferrero

The English Language Institute is a part of the success and the other part belongs to you. There are a lot of advantages while being an ELI student. Everyone knows that English is needed in the entire world; for studies, communication, and for business especially. It is certain that knowing English can help you succeed in different aspects of life.

I am studying in the ELI because I want to major in business administration in Texas A&M University. The first step is to apply to ELI to polish my English. In the English Language Institute we learn to comprehend English texts, speak fluent English and write essays. With these goals being set, I can continue my path to success, which is Blinn College. After two years in Blinn College, I will finish the last two more years in Texas A&M University.

Applying to the ELI is quite simple, just look for the steps in the university page which is www.tamu.edu, follow the ten steps that are required, and you will receive the i-20 to get the Student Visa. After that happily you will be able to come here and get started with English Language Institute. This is an advice for you, I hope you will use this steps while you are in the process to come here.

This program has many surprising things that you will discover once you form part of the ELI program. Throughout the program you will communicate with people from different parts of the world, so you will have to be prepared to speak with them in English. That will help you a lot with your English skills. My weakness is speaking English fluently to other students, so I try to learn the most from these sessions and even have fun with the international students I talk to. By the end of the semester my goal is to be able to have a fluent conversation in English with other students and people who live here. Communication is important in order to create relationship with others. English not only helps you communicate with Americans, but also with many people around the world.

In order to succeed you must be organized with your time. If you get a job during your studies you could spend a lot of time there and not focus on your studies as it should be. Simply you will study around two hours or maybe three per day. This is one of your willingness, work hard, but it will be for your own good. Always having a good attitude on doing well your homework, and assignments will help you absolutely.

The hard work will be worth it, because there are many advantages to knowing English. After your studies, you could do business in your country or maybe in another. Do not forget that you have one advantage, knowing English. Perhaps, with fluent English you could begin looking for jobs in the US or in another English speaking country. Most jobs require English in order to communicate with foreigners who speak English. Although it might not be their native language, you can communicate with them through English.

Finally, taking this course is one of the best things that I did. This is one of the keys that will open doors for you, where you can find success in your studies, work and communications. Living this experience is really awesome. I am very happy to have the opportunity to be here and to choose English Language Institute in Texas A&M University. As you see I am on the path of the success.

A new life abroad

Photo and essay by Jehova Arenas Reyes

The US Department of Homeland Security reported that from 2000 to 2005, nearly eight million immigrants entered the United States.

When you decide to study abroad, not only choose to start a new degree in your professional career, but also to build a new life because you have to change all that you are in order to be part of a new society.

If you decide to earn a master’s degree in the United States, you have to consider that you will need a valid U.S. identification in order to: lease a house, have credit cards, buy a new phone, pay for health insurance for you and family, sign a contract for the utilities of your new house, and to buy a new car. Likewise, in the process of starting a new life, you have to establish priorities to obtain the best results and to reduce the probability of losing of time and money. Therefore, in my experience I recommend following the next five steps, in order to have a successful process.

First, you have to open a bank account; it is very simple and fast. For this process, you will only need your passport, visa, and $ 100 dollars. In the United States you will find a wide variety of banks to complete this activity.

Second, you have to obtain an ID of the state in which you are going to live. For this procedure, you will need your visa and two documents, as evidence that you have lived in the state for more than 30 days. Thus, for this process you can use the contract of the car’s insurance or a bank statement.

Third, before you arrive in the country, you have to do research of the variety of houses that are available for rent or lease in the city where you will live. The international student’s office of the University is the best resource to support you in this activity. Hence, you have to make a pre-selection of the best options that you find, in order to visit them at your arrival. Thus, you will save money and time because you are going to be in a hotel for the shortest time possible.

Fourth, before you rent a house, you have to establish a budget of how much you will have to pay for the utilities because you will have to pay around $ 300 dollars for these services. You have to consider the principal utilities of a house: electricity, water, garbage service, cable, and internet.

Finally, you have to buy health insurance for you and your family; this is one the most important responsibilities that you have when you are a foreign student. Therefore, I recommend that you analyze and understand the process of the health system in the United States because is complicated and I’m sure that it is more expensive than in your country.

I hope that you can find useful, at least, one of these pieces of advice because I'm sure that these will help you to have a better beginning in this beautiful country.