TakeMyCoffeeBlack

I guess we can't forget either that "competency" as defined by programs is not always proficiency at a level that will provide you incredible insight that you otherwise wouldn't have. There's a difference between being able to work through foreign language texts and being fluent in and familiar with the intricacies of another language. For certain courses of studies, one or the other may be necessary, in others maybe neither. Again, I'm not a philosopher, but that's certainly the case in political science.

Full disclosure: I'm not a philosopher (but I enjoy reading what you all have to say - you have the most interesting trolls!) However, I took two philosophy courses in German recently, and having access both to English and German versions of the text proved invaluable. Even the best English translations cannot provide, without extensive footnotes, explanations about the specific uses of words in the original language. When we read Hannah Arendt, for example, we spent a lot of time considering the critiques of Arendt in the English speaking world (and German speaking) against her diction. That is, although her English translations may have used the appropriate English word, the English word's roots and history (i.e. etymology) does not always carry the same connotations as that of the German, complicating issues at a very deep level (especially for Arendt). Or, a bit simpler, I'm reading War and Peace right now, and the edition I'm using has extensive endnotes, almost all of which elaborate on Russian or French words used in the original text that don't translate perfectly - which could be avoided if I read Russian. Were I a scholar of Tolstoy and War and Peace, I'd be rather mediocre if I had to rely on other scholars' footnotes to understand the variations. It may be worth considering, too, that there's evidence to suggest that learning another language (or more) improves the cognitive capabilities of the mind. I'd imagine that's as important to philosophers as it is to political scientists. ... And what about untranslated letters, essays, or lesser writings of prominent philosophers (when discovered or made available by kin)? Without that language, you're almost certainly not going to be the scholar invited to analyze the collection.

Hands down, the cheapest, best coffee you will find (assuming you're trying to save money...) is rather simple: 1.) Small electric coffee grinder (~$20) 2.) Decent drip brew machine (I have a small 6 cup, which I usually use to make a half pot (3 cups)). Not all brands are equal. Mr. Coffee's cheap machines aren't half bad - they take a bit longer to run the water through the beans than, say, a cheap Hamilton Beach, making a fuller brew (~$20-40 depending on size) 3.) Fresh roasted coffee beans (~$6-12 depending on store, roaster, source, etc.) Far superior than Keurig or Senseo etc. as far as the flavor and robustness of the coffee itself. Sure, I aspire to a top quality machine (and would love an espresso machine someday, too), but this is all you really need to make a coffee better than Starbucks. I also like French Press (key: fresh ground coffee! as in minutes before brewing). I think what's more important than the brewing equipment is the beans and that they are freshly ground. The Keurig type machines are great if you don't have 10 minutes to brew in the morning, but the coffee is about half the quality (my mother has one, and I've been guilty of using it on my way out the door). Here in Germany I use the method I described above, alternating between drip brew and French press.

Look into the Jesuit Volunteer Corps too, if you're okay working with a religious organization. They do most of their work stateside (or maybe you get to choose?). I have friends doing this.

This is great. If I weren't out of my quota, I'd up vote this. p.s. Because I checked out that baby thread... Holy crap, I can't believe that I wasted any energy responding to Pinkster (in private messages, too!). What a jackass (and a troll, whether intentionally or not).

Pinkster: Your laundry issue (as an example of your concerns) is not at all unique. A lot of people don't learn laundry until they go away to college. But then I have to ask: does your mother do it? Maybe this is the perfect time to open up to her (or your father?) about your worries, and ask for help adjusting now into taking on responsibilities like laundry, cooking and cleaning that will help you to handle all this stuff while beginning graduate school. It's also a good chance to develop a stronger relationship with your parents.

I guess I can try to answer the original intention of the thread... I'm living in a foreign country for the second time right now. The first time, I went through serious homesickness. I was away from family, friends and my girlfriend, living in a studio by myself, in a tiny town and my language skills were good, but I wasn't confident. So this time, I made sure that I was living with other people (natives to the country), that I was actively engaged in social life (especially with my housemates) and that I kept my mind busy. Half a year to go still, but so far so good. In some ways it's easier in the U.S. (or an English speaking country in general), because there are fewer barriers. At the same time, that probably also means you are not forced to make new relationships in the same way. So you might need to take an extra step to put yourself in those types of situations. If you're a naturally social person who would benefit academically from living on your own, by all means! But if you have a natural tendency to retreat to your apartment and lock yourself up after class, maybe living with other people is not a bad idea. There are also financial considerations. I know that if I end up at one of my schools, my gf and I will probably have to find a room in a house with other people. In other areas, we could find a small one bedroom and be fine.

Look, I honestly felt for Pinkster for a long time and hoped that everything would work out - and I still do. But this is a new low for her, and it's so unbelievably offensive that I can't feel bad for her anymore. I feel bad for her friend, who is clearly in a situation that could work out wonderfully or turn into a terribly troubling experience, and she doesn't even have her best friend to support her through it. Who needs enemies?

It doesn't make her any less of an indecent human being if she abandons the person she calls "best friend."

The part where you said now that your "best friend" is pregnant you don't want to continue your friendship - at a time when she could probably seriously benefit from having a good friend around - is where I stopped caring about what you want for yourself. You have a lot of maturing to do, and you need to stop making yourself the center of the universe. It's beyond unattractive.

Germany is still very formal in this regard, but I've found that whenever a course is taught in English, or you have a somewhat informal relationship with a professor and communication is in English, first names are appropriate. It's rather odd to move between Herr Dr. Prof. Gutmann to Josef or something like that.

For the schools you're applying to, you're in fine condition. Your GPA isn't an issue given your ranking, your GREs could be higher, but you're applying appropriately given the scores, and you have great credentials otherwise. Good luck!

But the studies themselves and the quality of intellect of the individual student are not synonymous, no? That BA in Medieval Studies (why is this the example? no different than a BA in classics, history or anthropology, if you ask me - and I have unbelievable respect for those fields) is not intrinsically without value, even if the student holding that BA in Medieval Studies doesn't know the difference between the Spanish Inquisition and Mel Brooks's parody.

That doesn't in any way indicate that the BA in Medieval Studies is useless anywhere other than the degree-related job market. But if you're applying for a job with a BA - and it's not in education or something else requiring licensing - Corporate Bank of USA doesn't care what you studied. But BA/BS studies are less about creating knowledge and more about learning what's already out there, and the OP seems less about that and more about continued education (most likely in the pursuit of contributing to the surrounding discussion, i.e. graduate school).

There's nothing wrong with knowledge for knowledge's sake, folks.

What do you think about reaching out to the program hosting the conference? I can see it being an issue, on the one hand, if they notice I turn it down (if I have to), and they may see my name among the accepted papers already? Not quite sure...

Actually, on that topic... my US adviser suggested I update my application info to include the accepted paper. Of course, I've already submitted everything... Any thoughts?

So, for those who have Windows 8, the mail app gives a top right corner pop up when there's new mail. The preview read: University of XYZ Graduate... Dear TMCB, We are pleased to inform you that... So in a hurried panic I opened my e-mail. It was a conference acceptance for a paper proposal (that I'll likely have to turn down, unless I find lots of money hiding somewhere) at one of the universities I applied to. Horror story of the day. Merry Christmas (Happy Holidays, Happy Festivus, Happy Belated Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa (which originated in my hometown))!

Sounds fine, but you're sure to get a better evaluation and advice from the government affairs section of Grad Cafe. This part of the forum is mostly interested in academic political science (Ph.D.s and research). For what it's worth, you sound like you're in good shape. Study for the GREs. Maybe start learning another language (if European, German, but otherwise consider Turkish, Arabic, Chinese, etc.).

You could send both. If anything, it shows you went from amazing to even more amazing at the Q section, and you've got a nice V range, while your AWA clearly indicates strong writing/vocabulary based on the ETS guidelines.

Most programs will accept LORs late. I inquired with Northwestern (which was due on 13) for this reason. I'm sure you're fine!

Comparative, mostly, and law at a few (though since so many are American based, I indicated law typically as second to Comp). If I apply to Urbana-Champaign it will be in IR.

Oh wow. I'm really interested in comparative judicial politics, but more generally in European integration theory, international law, and democratization (and the role of international/supranational organizations in that process).

What do you research??? I'm taking master's seminars, but I'm here on a Fulbright fellowship. I could have pursued a degree, but I decided that keeping myself free to pursue my own research/interests and fill in the blanks in my training would be more valuable in my long term pursuit of a Ph.D. However, given my research interests, it would be very useful for me to have done an international law program (though I'd prefer to do it in England, for the obvious reasons of language). I'm south of Stuttgart right now. I previously studied in a small Bavarian city, so I've seen a bit of Bavaria. I'm picking my gf up from Frankfurt tomorrow morning.

That sounds great. I haven't been to Italy before. Which is kind of ridiculous, since I've lived in Germany for 7 months so far (and 7 months to go before I move back to the States (for grad school??)). I'd love to go to Rome, but I might prefer the mountains and wineries too. Maybe a week in each place could be ideal. My gf and I have talked about, if/when we get married, doing our honeymoon either in the vineyards of Italy or on a castle tour of Scotland.