University of Michigan International Center

Ann Arbor’s grocery scene may not be as vibrant and diverse as those in bustling cities like New York, or Singapore (where I’m from), but it is more than sufficient to meet a university student’s basic needs. Most people I know depend primarily on Kroger as an economical supply of food but there are various other supermarkets worth visiting too. In my opinion, Kroger and Meijer have the best prices around for the meats and produce you’d typically find in an American grocery store. The quality of items there is middling but they offer a good variety and will suffice if you prefer to get all of your groceries and other household necessities in a single place – without burning a huge hole in your pocket. However, do note that their ethnic offerings are exceedingly limited and slightly overpriced. If price is your main concern, or if you are feeling adventurous and keen to try new foods, you may want to check out the various ethnic supermarkets in Ann Arbor. Way One Market is ...

About a month ago I went to LeaderShape as a participant. I signed up for it pretty early, but I was worried sick for what I might run into in an activity that was totally new for me. Everyone who had experience told me to relax, “Just go, it’s great.” Carrying my worries and excitement, there I went. I met a friend in one info session of LeaderShape so we agreed to “stick together” during that week. However, we got split up on step one—we were not in same dorm. I was afraid I didn’t have much to say or share with my roommates so my friend and I went to staff Sarah and asking for exchange. Sarah said to us this “random” assignment of roommates was actually strategic so there was no room for negotiation. That was when I realized this was time for me to step out of my comfort zone. The first day was very tiring because I can’t go to sleep so I ended up getting up early. When I lay on bed I couldn’t get rid of the thought that this could be my milestone of life, which turned out ...

While winter in Ann Arbor and Michigan in general can be a harsh, horrendous time that will encourage you to never leave your house or apartment to traverse the long or short route to work or class, the spring and summers here at Ann Arbor are surprisingly pleasant and beautiful. Granted, there is the occasional light snowfall (gasps!) or chilly days that occur throughout the spring and summer, so don’t stow away your jackets just yet, and always, always be prepared for the weather in Ann Arbor! Other than that, experiencing spring/summertime in Ann Arbor feels like you’ve been transported to a different state/country altogether, and you’ll be blessed with warm, sunny days most of the time. In this article, I attempt to discuss and share with you several activities and fun things to do during the spring and summer that I have been fortunate enough to be a part of. 1. Outdoor sports! One of the most exciting experiences I had during my first spring at Ann Arbor was kayaking...

Congratulations on getting into the University of Michigan, one of the top public universities in world! Whether you were a high school graduate who had to spend countless hours studying for the SAT and TOEFL/IELTS while simultaneously finishing your school exams, or you were an undergraduate who had to give the GRE/GMAT (and TOEFL/IELTS as well) to get into graduate school. For what it's worth, your hard work and determination brought you into this fine institution and now you will get to work with the Leaders and Best . Since I mentioned TOEFL/IELTS, I would like to take this chance to enlighten my fellow incoming students that the speaking portion of those tests is not a true reflection of how people speak in the United States. Just like other languages, English is filled with various idioms and phrases that do not follow the usual definition of the word itself. For example, during my first year here, people used the word ‘steal’ when they wanted to borrow something. S...

Finding the right place to live is not always easy as there are so many factors that need to be considered. Some of the things that need to be considered are rent, location, convenience, etc. Certain homes satisfy most of your needs but may be higher in price. Certain homes may be budget friendly but may make your commute to school a terrible experience. It is important that you balance out all these factors in making your decision. Here are a few steps I took in my decision making process. 1.  Living on-campus vs. Living off-campus First things first, you may want to decide whether you want to live in a dorm on campus, or live somewhere off campus. The dorms are located in various locations around North and Central Campus and function as small accessible communities within the university. About 97% of the incoming freshmen decide to live in the dorms because it allows a smooth transition from high school to college. Also, as the meal plans are included in the housing price,...

Winter might not be the best season to travel around in Michigan, yet there are a lot of places to see when it gets warmer. If you are new to Michigan, and are interested in exploring the Northern Michigan area, the following places would make perfect sense to you! 1. Sleeping Bear Dune National Lakeshore Sleeping Bear Dune National Park is voted as the “Most Beautiful Place in America.” It is a must-see of the Michigan Upper Peninsula. The park features sand dunes about 300 feet (91.4 meters) tall that eventually end into Lake Michigan. The Dune Climb is a fun activity to kick your shoes off and embrace the giant sandbox. The spectacular views across the lake are definitely worth the effort once you reach the top. However, it would be a good idea to evaluate the physical strengths before you actually start. And if you ever get tired before reaching the top, the picnic area is always there waiting for you to slide down for a nice relax! 2. Holland If you would like t...