Emily
type: channel
description: Experience Iowa Blogs
date: 2019-12-11T14:17:14Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
generator agent: https://wordpress.org/
items: On-Campus Student Jobs
items: Favorite Things about Iowa City (excluding the university buildings)
items: Opportunities to get Published!
items: What to do during summer vacation?
items: My Year in Review
items: Learn More about the University of Iowa
items: Advice for Incoming Students
items: Second Semester Myths, Better or Worse than the First?
items: Spring Semester (Not!)
items: International Celebration Traditions

On-Campus Student Jobs
type: item
creator: Emily
date: 2019-12-11T14:17:13Z
subject: General
description: On-Campus Student Jobs Now, I’m sure that tons of you have had jobs before; if not here in Iowa City, then wherever you did your high school education. Jobs have many benefits, and not only that you can earn money! There are tons of plus points to having a job, some of which you are … Continue reading On-Campus Student Jobs
encoded: On-Campus Student Jobs Now, I’m sure that tons of you have had jobs before; if not here in Iowa City, then wherever you did your high school education. Jobs have many benefits, and not only that you can earn money! There are tons of plus points to having a job, some of which you are going to see below. Now the thing about my jobs is that because I’m an international student, I have to work on campus; it’s the law. There are some exceptions, but seeing as I’m not an International Student and Services official, it’s really better to ask them because I don’t want any international students thinking that they can listen to my advice which could possibly be wrong! But anyway, even if I weren’t an international student, I’d want to have a job on campus. Proximity to campus. Obviously this varies, based on where you live, but seeing as most of us live fairly close to the University of Iowa main campus or have to commute there every day, it really is more convenient (at least for me) to have a job on campus. Taking a 30 minute bus-ride every day to work in Coralville, for example, would not only be annoying, but would also take up time that I don’t have. My jobs (I have two) are located within 5 minutes walking distance of where I live. Who doesn’t love convenience? <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-274" src="http://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emily/files/2019/12/50951940_1245255188981943_8499412096037945344_n-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/12/50951940_1245255188981943_8499412096037945344_n-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/12/50951940_1245255188981943_8499412096037945344_n-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/12/50951940_1245255188981943_8499412096037945344_n-768x768.jpg 768w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/12/50951940_1245255188981943_8499412096037945344_n.jpg 800w" sizes="(ma…

Favorite Things about Iowa City (excluding the university buildings)
type: item
creator: Emily
date: 2019-10-21T13:01:56Z
subject: General
description: As a sophomore at the University of Iowa, I have had roughly one year to get acclimated to Iowa City. Throughout this year, with my friends, I have explored various places and had many adventures. So without further ado…here is my list of favourite things about Iowa City. The Iowa City Public Library. I love … Continue reading Favorite Things about Iowa City (excluding the university buildings)
encoded: As a sophomore at the University of Iowa, I have had roughly one year to get acclimated to Iowa City. Throughout this year, with my friends, I have explored various places and had many adventures. So without further ado…here is my list of favourite things about Iowa City. The Iowa City Public Library. I love the library! Not only does the library lend member unlimited physical books for three weeks with the option of renewing them online, but we also have access to online ebooks without ever having to go to the library! <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-240" src="http://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emily/files/2019/09/WhatsApp-Image-2019-09-26-at-13.45.54-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/09/WhatsApp-Image-2019-09-26-at-13.45.54-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/09/WhatsApp-Image-2019-09-26-at-13.45.54.jpeg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /> E-Books from the Iowa City Public Library! Prairie Lights Bookstore. As a booklover and addict, I love Prairie Lights. When I first got here, it was one of the first places that I went to; I regularly go there to attend readings and admire the aesthetics, even if I can’t afford to buy books! I even bought JK Rowling aka Robert Galbraith’s latest novel, Lethal White, from Prairie Lights the day it was released in the U.S.! Best of all, I got to read my own short story there during the launch of the Ink Lit Magazine Fall 2018 because I was published in the magazine! <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-241" src="http://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emily/files/2019/09/WhatsApp-Image-2019-09-26-at-13.52.10-146x300.jpeg" alt="" width="146" height="300" srcset="https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/09/WhatsApp-Image-2019-09-26-at-13.52.10-146x300.jpeg 146w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/09/WhatsApp-Image-2019-09-26-at-13…

Opportunities to get Published!
type: item
creator: Emily
date: 2019-10-04T13:15:14Z
subject: General
description: As all of you know, I’m an English and Creative Writing major; recently, I added a Publishing Track (I’m also a Dance major with honors). And obviously, as a writer, my goal is to get my work published and become a fully-fledged author in my own right. Last year, I took two major steps in … Continue reading Opportunities to get Published!
encoded: As all of you know, I’m an English and Creative Writing major; recently, I added a Publishing Track (I’m also a Dance major with honors). And obviously, as a writer, my goal is to get my work published and become a fully-fledged author in my own right. Last year, I took two major steps in that direction; I got two short stories – “Di Mana Ada Kemahuan, Di Situ Ada Jalan” (translated from Malay to mean “When there’s a will, there’s a way”) and “Kiasu-Geddon” (“kiasu” is a Hokkien word that literally translated means afraid to lose out; in slang form, it refers to not being the best) – published in Ink Lit Mag, a magazine for University of Iowa freshmen and alumni. So this year, I’m promoting all the different magazines and opportunities that we can take advantage of to get published in. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-255" src="http://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emily/files/2019/10/WhatsApp-Image-2019-10-02-at-10.54.49-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/10/WhatsApp-Image-2019-10-02-at-10.54.49-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/10/WhatsApp-Image-2019-10-02-at-10.54.49.jpeg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /> My face when I found out I’m a published author!!! The University of Iowa has various magazines; like Ink Lit, exclusively for freshmen and alumni. Aside from that, there is Earthwords and Fools Magazine, both of which are semiannual publications. But seeing as they are more well-known, this blog post is going to be about the new magazines created by the Publishing I: Intro to Literary Publishing classes. In this Fall 2019 semester, there are three Publishing I classes, one run by Bryn Lovitt, one by Julia Lucas and one by Julia Conrad. All three classes are producing and creating our own magazines from scratch! So that means…three more opportunities for University of Iowa students to get published! <img load…

What to do during summer vacation?
type: item
creator: Emily
date: 2019-09-06T13:02:56Z
subject: General
description: What to do during summer vacation? Hi, Hawkeyes, I’m back! I started off sophomore year with a bang as an International Student Small Group Leader for international student orientation. I’m not beginning rehearsal for Dancers in Company, the touring dance company of the University of Iowa Department of Dance. You can definitely say that I’ve … Continue reading What to do during summer vacation?
encoded: What to do during summer vacation? Hi, Hawkeyes, I’m back! I started off sophomore year with a bang as an International Student Small Group Leader for international student orientation. I’m not beginning rehearsal for Dancers in Company, the touring dance company of the University of Iowa Department of Dance. You can definitely say that I’ve been really busy, which is why my first blog is coming out a week after we’ve been back in session… sorry for the delay! But now that I’m back, let’s get into the video. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-220" src="http://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emily/files/2019/08/WhatsApp-Image-2019-08-31-at-17.28.21-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/08/WhatsApp-Image-2019-08-31-at-17.28.21-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/08/WhatsApp-Image-2019-08-31-at-17.28.21-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/08/WhatsApp-Image-2019-08-31-at-17.28.21.jpeg 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> The international students whom I was leading for orientation!!! <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-219" src="http://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emily/files/2019/08/68899619_2374558625930486_6711578297756549120_o-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/08/68899619_2374558625930486_6711578297756549120_o-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/08/68899619_2374558625930486_6711578297756549120_o-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/08/68899619_2374558625930486_6711578297756549120_o.jpg 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Some of the dancers in Dancers in Company 2019-2020 in rehearsal! So, to get into the point of this blog post… what should we do during summer vacation? Summer vacation is great. Three months…

My Year in Review
type: item
creator: Emily
date: 2019-05-15T13:02:48Z
subject: General
description: My Year in Review It’s surreal to think that my freshman year has just ended. Although I have summer school and am taking 12 s.h. over the summer (3 general education online courses, one of which is also a required Dance Major course and one in-person Dance Major course), it’s crazy to think that I … Continue reading My Year in Review
encoded: My Year in Review It’s surreal to think that my freshman year has just ended. Although I have summer school and am taking 12 s.h. over the summer (3 general education online courses, one of which is also a required Dance Major course and one in-person Dance Major course), it’s crazy to think that I have spent approximately 10 months here in Iowa City and taken 50 s.h. since university started. (I am well aware that over the course of two semesters, the norm and typical max number of s.h. is 36). I feel in awe of the fact that I have come so far in my freshman year, made so many friends, performed in so many dance productions and recieved good grades. And yet, even though I can barely believe it, I know that it is true. Even starting spring semester felt like a such a change from the fall; I felt so much more comfortable around my classmates, in the dorms, in the library, with my friends. This year has been monumental for my growth and independence and I truly feel as though this year is one for the records. Where to start…. I would have to say that my biggest highlight of the year was getting to do the things that I love, day in and day out. During both semesters, I was fortunate enough to have both ballet and modern dance every single day and Creative Writing and/or english classes every two to three days as well. During Fall semester, I had a Harry Potter class and during the Spring semester, I had both a Creative Writing course and a Neo-Victorian one that included detective works that completely satisfied my love for mystery. Although I had to put in a lot of effort and time to do well in my classes, I love what I’m doing so much that it doesn’t feel like hard work; it is the most fun I’ve had learning ever! <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-210 size-medium" src="http://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emily/files/2019/05/WhatsApp-Image-2019-05-09-at-16.11.10-1-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/em…

Learn More about the University of Iowa
type: item
creator: Emily
date: 2019-04-23T12:55:58Z
subject: General
description: Now there have been plenty of visit days for prospective University of Iowa students, but not all of them are accessible to students, particularly international ones, who cannot afford to fly to the United States to visit one out of many universities that they are applying to. In light of it approaching acceptance time to … Continue reading Learn More about the University of Iowa
encoded: Now there have been plenty of visit days for prospective University of Iowa students, but not all of them are accessible to students, particularly international ones, who cannot afford to fly to the United States to visit one out of many universities that they are applying to. In light of it approaching acceptance time to university, this blog post is going to highlight what happened during one of the visit days and what you missed out on. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-188" src="http://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emily/files/2019/04/Screen-Shot-2019-04-22-at-9.34.41-PM-300x212.png" alt="" width="300" height="212" srcset="https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/04/Screen-Shot-2019-04-22-at-9.34.41-PM-300x212.png 300w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/04/Screen-Shot-2019-04-22-at-9.34.41-PM-768x543.png 768w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/04/Screen-Shot-2019-04-22-at-9.34.41-PM.png 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> International Student Panel + Mr Parker!!! On April 12th, the University of Iowa had another visit day and this one had a special side-event specifically for international students, one in which the International Student Ambassadors, myself included, participated in. This visit day included a student panel discussion, campus tours, residence hall tours, an exploring majors fair and, specifically for the international students, and a talk from International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-189" src="http://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emily/files/2019/04/WhatsApp-Image-2019-04-22-at-21.41.01-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/04/WhatsApp-Image-2019-04-22-at-21.41.01-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/04/WhatsApp-Image-2019-04-22-at-21.41.01.jpeg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 225px) 1…

Advice for Incoming Students
type: item
creator: Emily
date: 2019-04-02T20:14:14Z
subject: General
description: Advice for Incoming Students As the new freshmen and transfers get admitted into the University of Iowa and begin deciding which university they want to attend for the next few years, I realized a year ago, that was me. I was the one choosing which university I wanted to attend and preparing for the humongous … Continue reading Advice for Incoming Students
encoded: Advice for Incoming Students As the new freshmen and transfers get admitted into the University of Iowa and begin deciding which university they want to attend for the next few years, I realized a year ago, that was me. I was the one choosing which university I wanted to attend and preparing for the humongous leap of moving halfway across the world. Now granted, a lot of students attending the University of Iowa don’t have that massive step with a 13 hour time difference, but it’s still a huge and momentous transition for a lot of people. With the new and possibly afraid freshmen coming in, I’m writing this blog post to give advice to everyone coming to the University of Iowa next year. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-176" src="http://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emily/files/2019/03/WhatsApp-Image-2019-03-29-at-16.08.55-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/03/WhatsApp-Image-2019-03-29-at-16.08.55-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/03/WhatsApp-Image-2019-03-29-at-16.08.55-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/03/WhatsApp-Image-2019-03-29-at-16.08.55.jpeg 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> My dad and I checking into the Iowa House Hotel upon our arrival in Iowa City! Whether or not you’re coming to the University of Iowa from across town or the other end of the world, transition and change is always hard. The next advice I have (I seem to be doing that a lot lately…) will help everyone with their transition process. Now, listen up, and listen good. (Joking…but I honestly think this advice will help). Try to connect with classmates online. Social media has its drawbacks, but one of the amazing benefits I found is that I can find my University Class Facebook page and connect with people via Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Snapchat and so on. In fact, I made some of my closest friends on…

Second Semester Myths, Better or Worse than the First?
type: item
creator: Emily
date: 2019-03-26T13:11:26Z
subject: General
description: Second Semester Myths, Better or Worse than the First? The second semester at a new place can be both better and worse than the first semester. To begin with, the second semester is supposed to be the Spring semester, but for the first 9 weeks, we endured months of bad weather in Iowa City, the … Continue reading Second Semester Myths, Better or Worse than the First?
encoded: Second Semester Myths, Better or Worse than the First? The second semester at a new place can be both better and worse than the first semester. To begin with, the second semester is supposed to be the Spring semester, but for the first 9 weeks, we endured months of bad weather in Iowa City, the first University snow day in over a decade and wind strong enough to blow my umbrella inside out. I returned from Christmas vacation with my amazing aunt and uncle in sunny California to the worst weather I have ever lived through. (Although, coming from Malaysia, that is not saying much, haha). <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-164" src="http://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emily/files/2019/03/WhatsApp-Image-2019-03-17-at-16.56.03-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/03/WhatsApp-Image-2019-03-17-at-16.56.03-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/03/WhatsApp-Image-2019-03-17-at-16.56.03-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/03/WhatsApp-Image-2019-03-17-at-16.56.03.jpeg 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Sunny Mandalay Beach during Christmas Vacay!!! In addition to the almost-apocalyptic weather, it had been more than 6 months since I had seen my family back in Malaysia. In fact, as I am writing this post, it’s been more than 8 months! Homesickness comes more easily, especially when my friends have their families coming to watch their dance performances or go home at weekends. But I still have Skype. And on the bright (maybe literally bright!) side of the second semester… 1. I made friends from the get-go this semester and plenty of them to hang out with on weekends, during dance rehearsals, during Spring Break…. It’s not as lonely as the first semester because I am adding on to my friend group as opposed to making new ones entirely. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-1…

Spring Semester (Not!)
type: item
creator: Emily
date: 2019-02-21T13:34:09Z
subject: General
description: Spring Semester (Not!) So even though the spring semester is called the “spring semester”, it really should be called the “WINTER semester”. This term has consisted of more snow than I have ever seen in my entire life…which is not saying much because I’ve only experienced snow three times before coming to Iowa City…. What … Continue reading Spring Semester (Not!)
encoded: Spring Semester (Not!) So even though the spring semester is called the “spring semester”, it really should be called the “WINTER semester”. This term has consisted of more snow than I have ever seen in my entire life…which is not saying much because I’ve only experienced snow three times before coming to Iowa City…. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-152" src="http://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emily/files/2019/02/WhatsApp-Image-2019-02-20-at-18.00.48-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/02/WhatsApp-Image-2019-02-20-at-18.00.48-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/02/WhatsApp-Image-2019-02-20-at-18.00.48-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/02/WhatsApp-Image-2019-02-20-at-18.00.48.jpeg 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Snowy view from one of the Lounges in Catlett Residence Hall! What with the cold weather, dreary skies and seemingly-endless snow, it’s not surprising if you feel homesick, unmotivated, cold and just wanting to hibernate until the real spring comes. I know that I sometimes do! But the important thing to remember: “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” (Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Book 3 of my absolute favourite series of all time….) Huge Harry Potter fan, woot, woot!!! <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-153" src="http://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emily/files/2019/02/WhatsApp-Image-2019-02-20-at-18.13.09-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/02/WhatsApp-Image-2019-02-20-at-18.13.09-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/02/WhatsApp-Image-2019-02-20-at-18.13.09.jpeg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /> My first …

International Celebration Traditions
type: item
creator: Emily
date: 2019-02-14T20:58:07Z
subject: General
description: Although I am a little early for Chinese New Year (it’s in February), I couldn’t resist writing about the university’s amazing international celebrations and the decorations that they put up. Last semester, I wasn’t surprised to see decorations for Halloween and Christmas; we are in the U.S. after all. But when we returned after Christmas … Continue reading International Celebration Traditions
encoded: Although I am a little early for Chinese New Year (it’s in February), I couldn’t resist writing about the university’s amazing international celebrations and the decorations that they put up. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-133" src="http://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emily/files/2019/01/Catlett-Dining-300x146.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="146" srcset="https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/01/Catlett-Dining-300x146.jpeg 300w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/01/Catlett-Dining-768x373.jpeg 768w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/01/Catlett-Dining.jpeg 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Catlett Dining Hall <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-134 size-medium" src="http://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emily/files/2019/01/Catlett-Fire-Up-300x146.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="146" srcset="https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/01/Catlett-Fire-Up-300x146.jpeg 300w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/01/Catlett-Fire-Up-768x373.jpeg 768w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/01/Catlett-Fire-Up.jpeg 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Back in August <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-135" src="http://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emily/files/2019/01/Catlett-Desserts-300x146.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="146" srcset="https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/01/Catlett-Desserts-300x146.jpeg 300w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/01/Catlett-Desserts-768x373.jpeg 768w, https://blog.admissions.uiowa.edu/emilyg/files/2019/01/Catlett-Desserts.jpeg 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> With no decorations Last semester, I wasn’t surprised to see decorations for Halloween and Christmas; we are in the U.S. after all. But when we returned after Christmas and they changed the decorations to Chinese New Year ones, I felt so nostalgi…