mochi7

International Development & Non-profit management!

bump....

After undergrad, I went to Japan and taught English at an alternative high school in Japan with the JET program. Upon returning to the States, I worked at a Japanese Electronics Company and tutored English to Japnese children. That being said, I am looking forward to returning to academia after 5 years in the 'real' world.....albeit a little scared...

I'm in too! I'm going to UCSD's school of International Relations and Pacific Studies.

ypq: Call the office and talk to them - they're not very good at communicating important information until you go after them. From what I understand...you should be happy that you have SHORE. You're guaranteed housing in Mesa during your entire time at UCSD (or at least normative time to degree + 1 year). All of your cohorts here are going to get 2 years, max.

psi*psi: well, i've got about a 2,000 mile drive that needs to be accomplished in about four days.....and my car is a lease...so adding the extra miles=more money... if it was just me, than I would definetly drive, but as the situation is different, i would prefer not to drive...

THIS IS WHERE I'M GOING TO ATTEND: University of California, San Diego OTHER SCHOOLS I CONSIDERED: In order of most to least consideration - Michigan State University (Master's in Higher Edu. Admin), American University (SIS) WHY I CHOSE MY NEW SCHOOL: 1. Unique focus on Asia. Besides having full membership in APSIA, they are the only program that focusing on the Pacific region specifically. As a Japanophile who has travelled and volunteered in Asia, this really appealed to me. I had looked at other programs in DC, but they were really general I thought. So, when I saw UCSD's booth at the APSIA grad school fair back in the Fall of 2007, I was really impressed. It is one of the few grad schools that is currently hiring new professors and expanding. 2. Quantative strength, not only do you take QM1 and 2, but you take QM3 as well, which will give me the edge again other more well known schools. 3. Funding And although, this was not a deciding factor, I won't mind the climate of San Diego!

I think that you have to be nominated through your department for SHORE. I don't have SHORE, but I applied for MESA housing through ARCH. Basically u put down a move in date....and if there's an opening they will call u and u have 48 hours to accept or decline. If you decline, you get ONE more offer of housing. I hope this helps! I'm all for a secret gradcafe handshake! :!:

Has anyone had their car shipped before? If so, what company do you (or not) recommend? I'm looking to ship my car from the Midwest to Southern California in the end of July. If anyone has any thoughts, I would greatly appreciate it!

I totally agree. I can't relate to people who put academia and education before family and significant others. I'm not saying they are "wrong." I just can't relate. I'm happy that I am starting graduate school this fall, but I plan(ned) it around my personal life, not the other way around. If I had to choose between graduate school or keeping my current relationship going, I'd keep my current relationship going. My art history professor as an undergrad was married but had lived away from her husband for two years. I would never do that. But...I do understand that there are people who are more driven than others about their work. For me, after a certain minimum threshold of career/work success is achieved (or put into motion for continued development), personal happiness takes over as a priority.

Hi Mochi, The service is called auto driveaway. You'll find a large number of companies that offer it. You can also probably find people on craigslist who will do it cheaper, but that's a real crapshoot. The companies are pretty rigorous about vetting criminal and driving records before turning your keys over. The most responsible drivers are also pretty rigorous about searching EVERY square inch of your car before driving it a foot, because if there's so much as an ounce of pot in it, they'll be the ones doing federal time for trafficking (once you cross a state line, the amount is irrelevant). With a driveaway, though, you turn the car over and then fly. You wouldn't be driving with them. That'd be a rideshare, which you can also find on craigslist and through most universities. I've had some bad experiences ridesharing (nothing criminal mind you, just unpleasant people, ones who didn't have the gas money they promised, or just outright no-shows). As you might have gathered from my last post, I get pretty focused on the haul and don't have time to dither with tourists and partiers. My dad's a trucker and I must get it from him.

LingGrad2009: Thank you for the advice! very helpful what is the name of the company where u pay people to drive your car across the country for you? it would be nice to have someone help split up the driving with, but my friends and family members are all busy with their own jobs/lives/etc....

thanks to everyone for the housing recommendations! I've applied to Mesa housing and I am waiting...and waiting....hopefully i'll get in! what is everyone doing this summer? working? enjoying our last bit of freedom before hitting the books? How are u getting prepared for grad school? I've been out of school now for 5 years and a little apprehensive about grad school..... does anyone have a similar experience?

I just got off the phone with my 93-year old Grandmother and she was hinting how nice it would be if I met Mr. Right in grad school! tigerontheprowl and jesso21: I hope that we can all meet faboulous significant others in grad school! best of luck!

Yes, i agree, Plisar, this April Snow thing has got to go!

Does anyone have experience driving across the country solo? How long should I pace the driving? Is it crazy to think that I can leave on a Monday and arrive on Thursday? (the longest i've ever driven at one time was 6 hours).... I didn't plan to, but as it seems that I can't get out of my car's lease early, i'd rather use the car up till when i have to trade it in next year, than to continue to make payments on a car that i don't use...but the 35 hour drive from the midwest to california seems kinda intimidating... :roll: :wink: (and shipping the car across the usa is ridculuously expensive) all in all, the upshot is that I transport my few belongings in my car. rising_star: thanks for the good tips!

Plisar: so you're a MA in poli sci? one of my majors in undergrad was polisci! Congrats on your acceptance to UCSD! can't wait for the beach!

Plisar: Are you IR/PS? I have choosen San Diego over East Lansing (MSU) !!!!! Can't wait for the warm weather!

impatiens: I've also been accepted into the IR/PS program! I was unable to attend the Admitted Students Day, but I watched it online. Did you see it? I was able to ask questions and then the monitor asked them on my behalf to the presenters. It really helped explain the structure of the program. I took a lot of notes, so if you have a question, I'd be happy to (try to) answer it~! I'm from Michigan, so the SO-cal weather is a big incentive for going to UCSD~!

Hello! I am looking forward to the SO-CAL weather! I'm from the midwest.... Anyone in IR/PS? What are you guys doing for housing? curious george: Yes, San Diego is very expensive....but you are getting a great climate and the ocean! u can't put a price on that in my humble opinion. I'm from the Midwest, where we are supposed to get snow tonight~~~it's frickin April~~ I visited San Diego in Feb. 2008 and loved the city AND LA JOLLA! yes, La Jolla is a preppy town...but it has a beach! and the city has nice attractions like the gaslit district, piers, etc..... so, curious george if you hate la jolla, maybe u should consider living farther away from campus...like hillcrest? I heard that was a more interesting area to live in..... just my 2 cents!

I'm starting this thread for new UCSD students! Can anyone tell me more about the Mesa grad housing?