As an international student, I came to study at The University of Texas at Dallas in the MS in Accounting Cohort program with some indirect knowledge of the university that I gained during the application process. After what I had imagined and the assumptions I had made, arriving on campus was an eye-opener.
Now, having gone through half a semester spending all my time and energy adjusting, transitioning and catching up, I have begun to learn through my firsthand experience of studying abroad and from the close university community around me. Although I am a foreign student, I have been assimilated as a member in this community that embraces diversity and different perspectives. Although I still have the majority of the journey ahead of me for a two-year program, I have already benefited from the diverse campus that enlivens and nourishes the learning environment in different ways.
First of all, the program and curriculum design have multidimensional effects on students’ learning, capacity building and self-understanding. One thing that I find unique is the encouragement in each and every way for students to have active thinking, listening and participation in discussions in and out of the classroom. The interactive curriculum instruction invites students into a reasoning process beyond information acquisition and through which students augment each other intellectually.
The requirements for intensive and extensive reading motivate and challenge students to go beyond the assignments to pursue learning for long-term professional development. Students have opportunities conduct projects and practice what they learn, which I truly enjoy.
For example, there is one course, ProConnect, which is a project-based course for students to practice problem-solving for local companies experiencing challenges due to a lack of resources. About 10 companies are invited to introduce the programs and needs of their companies each semester. Student teams are formed to collaborate with the targeted companies for outcome-based solutions that provide students with practical experience. Through this course, students gain meaningful opportunities to build skills in teamwork, effective communication and collaboration. This is a win-win for participating students as well as companies. Moreover, all these activities make me more aware of how to manage my time effectively and beneficially.
Second, the university library is a real treasure and crucial resource for learning and research. I always go there with curiosity and leave with surprises. The digitalization of information makes the library accessible and convenient.
Third, this is a very attentive and supportive learning environment for students from different backgrounds and with various learning needs and potentials. Support services, such as the Writing Center and Business Communication Center, provide very tangible support for students to improve their writing and presentation skills. As an international student, I am very grateful for these types of support on campus.
Finally, student organizations and alumni associations connect students together and link students to the outside world. I am personally very interested in engaging with people through student organizational activities. These activities offer a great platform for networking, engagement and exchange of ideas. Current students, like myself, can learn so much from the experience of other students and graduates.
Chinese Translation
我是德州大学达拉斯分校会计专业Cohort项目的一名学生，作为一名留学生，在申请这个项目的时候我做了深入的研究，并且带着满满的期待来到这里，在到达校园后我发现，这真的是一趟大开眼界的旅程。
到现在，经过半个学期的适应，调整与过渡，我渐渐了解了我所在的生活环境，即使我是以一名留学生的身份来到这里，但我也渐渐地融入到了这个包容多样化的环境中。虽然未来还有两年的路要走，但是现在我就已经从这个多样化的校园环境，以及良好的学习氛围中深深受益。
首先，这个项目的课程设置会对学生产生多元化的积极影响，比如学习，能力提升，以及自我理解。在我看来，这个教育体系的独特之处在于它会去鼓励每个学生积极思考，倾听，并且让学生参与到课堂内外的讨论之中。互动式的课堂设计引领学生进行逻辑推理，这是一个帮助学生获取智慧的过程，而不仅仅是让学生获取知识。
高强度，密集的阅读需求激励学生追求长期的职业化自我提升。学生还有接受实际指导和练习的机会。
比如我们有一门叫做“ProConnect”的课程，每学期会介绍十个公司到课程项目中，同学分组到各个公司去完成任务，通过帮助公司解决会计方面的问题，学生们提高了他们解决问题的能力，此外，在团队合作的过程中，学生们也学习到了如何进行团队合作，如何做到有效的沟通，如何相互配合，这是一个学生与公司的双赢项目。另外，完成这些活动也让学生知道了怎样去合理安排自己的时间。
其次，学校的图书馆真的是学习与做研究的绝佳地点，因为它有着丰富的知识资源，我经常是怀揣着对知识的渴望去，带着惊喜，愉悦的心情离开。更不用说高科技的现代化设备使得查找信息变得更加方便快捷。
此外，学校营造了一个体贴，积极的学习环境给不同背景，不同潜能，不同学习目的的学生，比如学校的写作中心与商务交流技巧中心，提供实用性非常高的服务去帮助学生提高写作与展示能力。作为一名需要帮助的留学生，我非常感激这些资源的提供。
最后，学生会与校友会这样的组织也帮助学生去了解校园外的世界，个人来说，我非常喜欢参加学生会组织的活动。这些活动是绝好的社交平台，学生们可以彼此交流想法，互相学习。此外，作为一名新生，还可以向优秀的学长学姐们获得很多学习与生活上的经验。
