Student Diversity in the PSM-ABS Program
This Fall 2016 Cohort of PSM-Applied Biosciences students is very diverse that even before coming to the United States of America in general and the University of Arizona, in particular, they had to face a variety of challenges:
- Funding:
- As Internationals students, it is necessary to readily show availability of the funds to receive I-20 from the school which is a challenging and difficult work to show such a huge amount. Also banks will sanction education loan only after submitting I-20.
- Finding affordable goods for daily needs
- Affordable housing and transportation
- Visa:
- Getting scheduled for interview by the US Embassy takes a long time.
- Cultural Differences and English problem
- It’s mostly the food and the people, for most of these students this is the first time to come to the US and naturally, they are homesick for their comfort foods and family members.
- One of the students had to deal with his lack of proficiency in the English language.
- Finding Classes
- There’s a bit of difficulty getting used to the UAccess system and then to find and enroll in classes.
With the orientation programs offered by the UA International office (Global Initiatives), the Graduate College, and Applied Biosciences these international students and first time graduate domestic students have found that the UA and the program have ways to help and guide them navigate through the UA and their academic goals.
In spite of these challenges these students have positive impressions of the Applied Biosciences program:
- Valentino Asmoro (from Indonesia is in the Industrial Microbial Biotechnology track)
ABS-PSM program is a unique program for me. I am impressed with the program's flexibility. I get a lot of useful and inspiring knowledge and understanding from scientific as well as business classes here. These make me more confident to face the future.
I don't know so well about my cohort's friends because we take our own choices in different classes. In my opinion, this is actually important because I expect that after I graduate from this program, I still can make networking and communication, especially with my own cohort friends. I don't know whether ABS-PSM program have gathering events or casual events that useful for building friendship and networking among us. It would be appreciated if we can do that like once or twice/semester.
- Preetham Hosur (from India is in the Industrial Microbial Biotechnology track)
It was really structured website, I was able to get all the information that I needed, Alumni information was eye catching and gave me confidence in selecting the School.
My first impressions about the ABS-PSM program have been positive, I appreciate the welcoming environment and the assistance I have received when deciding on future studies.
• Megha Raghunathan (from India is in the Industrial Microbial Biotechnology track)
AB-PSM is a great program and I love the flexibility it gives me to decide what courses I'd like to take.
- Chen-Han Shih (from Taiwan is also in the Industrial Microbial Biotechnology track)
In fact, the ABS-PSM program provides a very unique, specific and essential curriculum for my studies.
Most important of all, I can design my own plan of study which extremely suits me.
I believe this program is valuable to be a competitive employee and entrepreneur with scientific background.
I expect to put my lab experience and related knowledge together with this program to create innovative products to the marketplace effectively.
- Suvithanandhini Loganathan (from India is in the Molecular & Cellular Biology track)
The ABS-PSM program is very flexible and lets the students tailor the curriculum.
- Itzel Rosas Gutierrez (from Mexico is in the Diagnostics Laboratory Sciences track)
My first impressions about the ABS-PSM program have been positive, I appreciate the welcoming environment and the assistance I have received when deciding on future studies.
I think since the program is multidisciplinary, it gives you the opportunity to obtain experience in different approaches that can be use in professional environment. I also, consider that it offers an excellent opportunity by doing the internship to increase scientific and technical skills and networking.
- Kanchan Sherestha (originally from Nepal is in the Diagnostics Laboratory Sciences track)
I first came to the US in 2009 under H4 visa and became a permanent resident in 2014. As such, I did not have visa problems. I completed my master’s degree in Medical Microbiology from Tribhuvan University in Nepal and was working as a medical microbiologist at Walter Reed/ AFRIMS Research Unit Nepal (WARUN) before coming to the US. In 2009, I came to Chicago with my husband. I was slightly anxious about coming to a new country, however my anxiety did not last long. I found US to be a warm and welcoming country.
In 2012, we moved to Tucson, AZ. Overall, my living experience in Tucson has been positive. First, the city has so much to offer. My husband is an avid hiker and we love the hiking trails all over the city, particularly the ones in Sabino Canyon and Mount Lemmon. The cost of living is reasonable and people in Tucson are very pleasant. Although it can be relatively hot in summer months, it is really pleasant and nice the rest of the year.
Finally, here’s what our resident or domestic students have to say about the program:
- James Patrick Berry (he is in the Molecular and Cellular Biology track)
My first impressions about the ABS-PSM program have been positive, I appreciate the welcoming environment and the assistance I have received when deciding on future studies. I look forward to meeting more people within our program and department.
- Saige Hoover (she is in the Diagnostics Laboratory Sciences track)
I enjoy the ABS-PSM program so far. It has been interesting and I definitely like how this program is designed to help give, otherwise normal science students, an edge over people they might be completing with for jobs. Taking business classes with my science classes has helped expanded my learning experience.