Q&A: Graduate school advice for international students

Cecilia Yan has come a long way from her home city of Jiaozou, China. As a Marketing Associate at AcceptU, Cecilia works to support a growing number of international graduate school clients each year.

With a masters degree in hand from Boston University’s School of Communication, Cecilia is no stranger to the challenges and opportunities that international grad students face. Here is her advice for international students coming to the U.S. for graduate level studies.

Q: How does being a graduate student differ from being a college undergrad?

C: Grad school had much more of a career focus. I interned at a company while completing my degree and had to be more cognizant of how my studies would impact my career aspirations. The classroom environment also had its differences. My classes were smaller (15-25 students on average) and had more of a focus on presentations, projects and collaborative work.

Q: What did you notice were the biggest challenges international grad students faced?

C: I found that balancing school work and job applications was not always easy. Many international students have to consider language barriers, cultural differences and applying for a work visa among other things. Practicing time management will serve students well!

Q: What advice would you give to international students pursuing a masters degree?

C: Listen, learn and absorb as much as you can in classes. Be comfortable having responsibilities in a team environment and be confident in your work! Finally, be organized and clear as to what career path you are pursuing.