University of Michigan International Center

For international graduate students whose fellowships cover the fall and winter terms and not the spring/summer term, the prospect of spending 4 months without a steady paycheck could be intimidating. Going home is certainly an option, but if you want to stick around and maybe travel around the United States, then having a little extra money during the summer months can be very helpful. Depending on your interests and skills, there are several opportunities that are available in the University. For a stress-free summer job hunt, it is best to start early. Speaking with your adviser and your department and letting them know that you are available to work in the summer can go a long way in helping you to find suitable opportunities within your area of interest. The Rackham Graduate School administered summer awards are usually not available for first year students and since you can work full-time (up to 40 hours per week) in the summer, you may also consider other work options outside...

After living abroad for a couple years, I realized that moving to a foreign country as an international is just like being transplanted as a tree. When you plant a seedling, it will grow and thrive as long as the environment is suitable. However, international students usually move to a foreign country in their 20s or 30s, an age that is considered a full-grown tree in their home country. To transplant a full-grown tree, you first need to dig a trench around the tree, cut off part of the root system, then excavate a root ball of dirt. Next, the excavated tree is transported tens of thousands of miles away to a completely foreign land. It takes careful steps and many critical conditions for a transplanted tree to survive and thrive in the new environment; the same is true for an international student moving abroad in their 20s or 30s. The right soil, appropriate temperature, and water are just a few of the necessary conditions to ensure the tree starts to grow new roots in the ne...

Looking for the right place to live in Ann Arbor may feel challenging as you prepare to move to Michigan. Starting your search as early as possible is certainly helpful since it allows you to consider a larger number of housing options. No matter when your search starts, however, there are a few important trade-offs to take into consideration. Below are the ones I took into account when I moved to Michigan for the first time and to a new place while already living in Ann Arbor. Location The University of Michigan offers a variety of options in terms of housing on both North and Central campus – dorms, furnished apartments (Northwood I & II), unfurnished townhouses (Northwood IV & V), and the Munger Graduate Residences. Living on campus gives you quick access to your classes as well as university facilities. However, many students choose to live off campus. Free access to public transportation through your Mcard indeed makes it possible to reach campus relatively easily....

Have you ever felt frustrated in finding an ideal study space?  Study spaces need not to be designated as one particularly; it depends on your preference and study requirements.  Before you seek out study spaces on campus, ask yourself some questions: Do you want to study individually or as part of a group?  Do you need access to campus computers with the appropriate software?  Do you want to pull an all-nighter?  Or do you just want to do some quick review?  In my experience, the University of Michigan has various study spaces that meet every need one may have. Let me introduce them to you! Two of the most popular libraries on campus are Shapiro Library, located on central campus, and Engineering library, in the Duderstadt center on North campus.  Both libraries are available 24/7 during Fall and Winter semesters, and provide large tables for group discussion; quiet study areas; and easy access to a pervasive computing environment, special labs, ...