PebHmong Discussion Forum

Academic => College Life => Topic started by: luvlylisa on November 26, 2013, 02:24:16 PM

Title: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on November 26, 2013, 02:24:16 PM
...how many of you got scholarships (big or small) in high school and/or college?  What kinds?  How much was your award(s) (if u care to share)?
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: myang994 on December 02, 2013, 09:46:09 PM
I received a few scholarships when I was in college. Enough where I ended up with only $5,000 of school loan after I finished my undergraduate. Usually each semester of school for me in undergraduate was about $5,500 (I lived at home with my parents during undergrad so I did not have to worry about paying dorms/apartments). I also finished undergraduate in 4 years so you can do the math how much I received for scholarships.

I saw your graduate school post on another thread. I want to let you know that I am in graduate school now with no tuition; everything is paid for through a fellowship with a monthly stipend. So it's possible to go to graduate school without paying a dime, and instead, GET paid. For these kinds of things, it'll get pretty competitive. But it's not impossible.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: Reporter on December 03, 2013, 03:35:45 PM
I received a few scholarships when I was in college. Enough where I ended up with only $5,000 of school loan after I finished my undergraduate. Usually each semester of school for me in undergraduate was about $5,500 (I lived at home with my parents during undergrad so I did not have to worry about paying dorms/apartments). I also finished undergraduate in 4 years so you can do the math how much I received for scholarships.

I saw your graduate school post on another thread. I want to let you know that I am in graduate school now with no tuition; everything is paid for through a fellowship with a monthly stipend. So it's possible to go to graduate school without paying a dime, and instead, GET paid. For these kinds of things, it'll get pretty competitive. But it's not impossible.

Congratulation s! Don't go to law or medical school.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on December 03, 2013, 06:17:36 PM
I received a few scholarships when I was in college. Enough where I ended up with only $5,000 of school loan after I finished my undergraduate. Usually each semester of school for me in undergraduate was about $5,500 (I lived at home with my parents during undergrad so I did not have to worry about paying dorms/apartments). I also finished undergraduate in 4 years so you can do the math how much I received for scholarships.

I saw your graduate school post on another thread. I want to let you know that I am in graduate school now with no tuition; everything is paid for through a fellowship with a monthly stipend. So it's possible to go to graduate school without paying a dime, and instead, GET paid. For these kinds of things, it'll get pretty competitive. But it's not impossible.
awww, that's awesome! O0

Though it would be something I'm not opposed to...I am actually asking out of curiosity since I work with high school students and right now our seniors are working on and researching scholarships.  I have find that many of our students (or students in general) don't understand the benefits of spending a few hours a day filling out applications or working on essays.  I swear this day and age these kids want you to do everything for them.  Sad part is, if you don't do it--they won't either.  (But in no way am I filling out applications nor writing essays for them.  I'll help and sit along side them but if they don't care--especially after I give them the info--then too bad for them.)
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: myang994 on December 03, 2013, 10:35:48 PM
Congratulations! Don't go to law or medical school.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: myang994 on December 03, 2013, 10:40:58 PM
awww, that's awesome! O0

Though it would be something I'm not opposed to...I am actually asking out of curiosity since I work with high school students and right now our seniors are working on and researching scholarships.  I have find that many of our students (or students in general) don't understand the benefits of spending a few hours a day filling out applications or working on essays.  I swear this day and age these kids want you to do everything for them.  Sad part is, if you don't do it--they won't either.  (But in no way am I filling out applications nor writing essays for them.  I'll help and sit along side them but if they don't care--especially after I give them the info--then too bad for them.)

I see. Scholarships are indeed competitive. Takes a good writer to convince someone to give you money. I recommend the Gates Millennium Scholarship, Pell grants, TIP grants, etc. I had also received a Funds For Wisconsin Scholars (FFWS) scholarship that paid a good chunk of my undergraduate, but if I recall correctly FFWS recipients are randomly picked from disadvantaged/low income families..I cannot remember correctly. There are so much opportunities out there for educational funding. And I know what you mean by helping others and them not caring so much or not having the ambition to follow through.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: Reporter on December 07, 2013, 07:43:37 PM
Thanks!
O0
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: Wi_sweetguy on December 07, 2013, 10:50:32 PM
My sister is at UW-Madison and her refund of free money after tuition is 7K.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on December 08, 2013, 07:55:42 PM
My sister is at UW-Madison and her refund of free money after tuition is 7K.
I've had two of my kids go there with a full ride (tuition is paid for but room n board were not) as they got the Chancellor and Powers Knapp Scholarship. 
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: minorcharacter on January 07, 2014, 12:19:50 PM
I've had a few scholarships totally to about $11,000 total.  Most of them were won through essays and creative writing.  Others were earned through volunteering.  I'll try and find the name of them.  It's been a few years.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on January 07, 2014, 12:52:19 PM
I've had a few scholarships totally to about $11,000 total.  Most of them were won through essays and creative writing.  Others were earned through volunteering.  I'll try and find the name of them.  It's been a few years.
wow, that's great!  Good for you.  I hope my students are having luck and actually doing the work necessary for free money. 
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: Wi_sweetguy on January 09, 2014, 03:43:15 AM
My generation arrived in the states pretty late around the 90s, so we are all still pretty much in college.  My sisters and first cousins are all in college, and they won many scholarships ranking 1 in Milwaukee's top high schools.  Both my sister and cousin took 1st with full ride including my older brother. Another cousin of mine also took 1 in her high school getting a full ride to DC then into Harvard Grad. So far, their futures are looking bright. I'll ask them which scholarship they got.

Scholarships I've received.
Life Impact Scholarship 5000K every year.

As for my brother, he won the city's Harley Division Scholarship and got intern during the summer. He also got a full ride with another scholarship to Madison.

Hey, who knows, if your kids go to UWMadison. they might know my sisters. haha..
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on January 09, 2014, 10:23:00 AM
My generation arrived in the states pretty late around the 90s, so we are all still pretty much in college.  My sisters and first cousins are all in college, and they won many scholarships ranking 1 in Milwaukee's top high schools.  Both my sister and cousin took 1st with full ride including my older brother. Another cousin of mine also took 1 in her high school getting a full ride to DC then into Harvard Grad. So far, their futures are looking bright. I'll ask them which scholarship they got.

Scholarships I've received.
Life Impact Scholarship 5000K every year.

As for my brother, he won the city's Harley Division Scholarship and got intern during the summer. He also got a full ride with another scholarship to Madison.

Hey, who knows, if your kids go to UWMadison. they might know my sisters. haha..
WOW! :o That's awesome!  O0

I tell me kids every year--if you work hard and do what u need to--study+put in effort+test well+be active/get involved+get good grades=potential free money for school. 

Two of my kids who are now juniors got into UWMadison with a full ride (well, as I stated they got the Powers-Knapp Scholarship which pays for tuition so they have to cover room & board).

Most of my students are too lazy though to fill out anything.  ::) I always tell them a few hours a day/week will not kill you.  It's free money but just because it's free doesn't mean it'll just fall into your lap.  You gotta "fight" for it.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: minorcharacter on January 09, 2014, 10:43:54 AM
My generation arrived in the states pretty late around the 90s, so we are all still pretty much in college.  My sisters and first cousins are all in college, and they won many scholarships ranking 1 in Milwaukee's top high schools.  Both my sister and cousin took 1st with full ride including my older brother. Another cousin of mine also took 1 in her high school getting a full ride to DC then into Harvard Grad. So far, their futures are looking bright. I'll ask them which scholarship they got.

Scholarships I've received.
Life Impact Scholarship 5000K every year.

As for my brother, he won the city's Harley Division Scholarship and got intern during the summer. He also got a full ride with another scholarship to Madison.

Hey, who knows, if your kids go to UWMadison. they might know my sisters. haha..

I think everyone should strive to be as dedicated and hard working as your family.  Congrats WI_SweetGuy.  Wow, it's pretty awkward calling another guy sweet. 
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: couchpotato on January 09, 2014, 11:05:13 AM
In college, I received a $5,000 scholarship to study abroad from the Gilman Scholarship.  :)
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on January 09, 2014, 11:12:15 AM
In college, I received a $5,000 scholarship to study abroad from the Gilman Scholarship.  :)
Cool.  So did you go and if so, where?
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: couchpotato on January 09, 2014, 11:19:07 AM
Cool.  So did you go and if so, where?

Of course I did! Who wouldn't? I studied abroad in China. :) I was even lucky enough that the college I attended made it so the cost of studying abroad for a semester cost the same as a semester at home, airfare included. That meant $5,000 spending money for me. :D ;D

Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: minorcharacter on January 09, 2014, 11:26:15 AM
Of course I did! Who wouldn't? I studied abroad in China. :) I was even lucky enough that the college I attended made it so the cost of studying abroad for a semester cost the same as a semester at home, airfare included. That meant $5,000 spending money for me. :D ;D

That's awesome.  My sister was actually just in China to study abroad last summer and she had received the Gilmann Scholarship as well.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on January 09, 2014, 11:34:48 AM
Of course I did! Who wouldn't? I studied abroad in China. :) I was even lucky enough that the college I attended made it so the cost of studying abroad for a semester cost the same as a semester at home, airfare included. That meant $5,000 spending money for me. :D ;D
That's awesome!  I studied abroad in China too!  Where did you go exactly?  What a great deal.  Though I didn't have a scholarship my semester was similar that I was paying my usual tuition and doing so my tuition was more than what it was to attend the actual university I was attending in China (GuangXi Normal Univeristy in Gui Lin) thus I was getting a monthly stipend of 800RMB.

I had to pay for my airfare though (well, my dad did).
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: couchpotato on January 09, 2014, 11:35:35 AM
That's awesome.  My sister was actually just in China to study abroad last summer and she had received the Gilmann Scholarship as well.

That's awesome. Where in China did she study?

I love it that we are seeing more and more young Hmong people studying abroad. :) It definitely broadens a person's view of the world.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on January 09, 2014, 11:36:09 AM
That's awesome.  My sister was actually just in China to study abroad last summer and she had received the Gilmann Scholarship as well.
Nice! 

Wait, is scholarship for incoming freshman or just anyone who wants to go abroad (to china?)?
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on January 09, 2014, 11:38:56 AM
That's awesome. Where in China did she study?

I love it that we are seeing more and more young Hmong people studying abroad. :) It definitely broadens a person's view of the world.
Since I've been back (which was over 5 years ago) I've been telling anyone and everyone of my students to most definitely go--doesn't have to be China--just go! 

I've done some peer mentoring on the side for students (especially those who went through my same program) going abroad.  I had an old friend help me when I went as he had gone years prior. It really helped me with my travels and made my experience much better.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: couchpotato on January 09, 2014, 11:44:04 AM
That's awesome!  I studied abroad in China too!  Where did you go exactly?  What a great deal.  Though I didn't have a scholarship my semester was similar that I was paying my usual tuition and doing so my tuition was more than what it was to attend the actual university I was attending in China (GuangXi Normal Univeristy in Gui Lin) thus I was getting a monthly stipend of 800RMB.

I had to pay for my airfare though (well, my dad did).

That's cool. I've seen your journal in the travel forum but have yet to check it out.

I studied at Xiamen University in the Fujian Province. It's one of the special economic zones. I loved it there. They had a no honking law, so it wasn't as noisy as other parts of China. It was also really clean in comparison to the rest of China. The best thing though, was that the campus was beautiful and it was by the ocean. Our dormitory had a nice view of the ocean.

We also received a monthly stipend, but I can't remember how much it was. I had an awesome time there.

Have you been able to go back?
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: couchpotato on January 09, 2014, 11:46:13 AM
Since I've been back (which was over 5 years ago) I've been telling anyone and everyone of my students to most definitely go--doesn't have to be China--just go! 

I've done some peer mentoring on the side for students (especially those who went through my same program) going abroad.  I had an old friend help me when I went as he had gone years prior. It really helped me with my travels and made my experience much better.

I was interested in going because two other (older) Hmong students had studied on the same program.

I think it's wonderful that you are encouraging your kids to do it. I encourage all the college kids i know to do it if they can.

I was lucky in one respect though- my best friend was able to go with me so I wasn't so lonely. :)
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on January 09, 2014, 11:51:15 AM
That's cool. I've seen your journal in the travel forum but have yet to check it out.

I studied at Xiamen University in the Fujian Province. It's one of the special economic zones. I loved it there. They had a no honking law, so it wasn't as noisy as other parts of China. It was also really clean in comparison to the rest of China. The best thing though, was that the campus was beautiful and it was by the ocean. Our dormitory had a nice view of the ocean.

We also received a monthly stipend, but I can't remember how much it was. I had an awesome time there.

Have you been able to go back?
Yes, my "blog" is up but it's more about my personal growth than anything.  LOL :D

Due to my poor planning I didn't really get to prepare (nor save) for China so I didn't really get to go anywhere "fun" and touristy.

I did LUV my experience and have not been able to go back.  Every time I hear anything China-related my heart melts and flutters a little.  I miss it a lot and want to go back badly but sadly I know when and if I do it won't be the same ppl the ppl who made my experience what is was are no longer there (other international students). BUT that doesn't mean I still can't go. O0

I teach Chinese for our summer program (since summer of 07) so I get some time to "get into it" again and "relive" it as well as maintain what little Chinese I have now.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: minorcharacter on January 09, 2014, 11:51:44 AM
That's awesome. Where in China did she study?

I love it that we are seeing more and more young Hmong people studying abroad. :) It definitely broadens a person's view of the world.

Wait wait sorry.  Haha got my sister's mixed up.  The one that went to China was actually doing an internship in Beijing.  It was the one that studied abroad in Japan that won the Gilmann award.  She was in Osaka.

Alas, I bailed out on my chance to study abroad during my Freshmen year in college.  I'm planning on visiting Japan in the Spring to finally see what it's like there.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on January 09, 2014, 11:55:06 AM
I was interested in going because two other (older) Hmong students had studied on the same program.

I think it's wonderful that you are encouraging your kids to do it. I encourage all the college kids i know to do it if they can.

I was lucky in one respect though- my best friend was able to go with me so I wasn't so lonely
. :)
Oh lucky you.  The semester I went abroad there were 5 of us (from the like 120 students going every where else: Germany, England, Mexico, Australia, France, etc) who were going alone in our programs. 

I don't regret going alone though.  I know it would have been a very different experience had I gone with others (friends or not).  Going alone I feel made me a much stronger person and it made me take more risks and allowed me to be more open to things.  I know if I had other ppl with me I'd do whatever they wanted or would have been easily swayed to do/no do things.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on January 09, 2014, 11:57:32 AM
Wait wait sorry.  Haha got my sister's mixed up.  The one that went to China was actually doing an internship in Beijing.  It was the one that studied abroad in Japan that won the Gilmann award.  She was in Osaka.

Alas, I bailed out on my chance to study abroad during my Freshmen year in college.  I'm planning on visiting Japan in the Spring to finally see what it's like there.
studying abroad or not....if u get the opportunity to travel--do it!  Whether it's enjoyable or not...it most def can be a life-changing experience--a lot of self growth there to discover.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: couchpotato on January 09, 2014, 12:15:38 PM
Yes, my "blog" is up but it's more about my personal growth than anything.  LOL :D

Due to my poor planning I didn't really get to prepare (nor save) for China so I didn't really get to go anywhere "fun" and touristy.

I did LUV my experience and have not been able to go back.  Every time I hear anything China-related my heart melts and flutters a little.  I miss it a lot and want to go back badly but sadly I know when and if I do it won't be the same ppl the ppl who made my experience what is was are no longer there (other international students). BUT that doesn't mean I still can't go. O0

I teach Chinese for our summer program (since summer of 07) so I get some time to "get into it" again and "relive" it as well as maintain what little Chinese I have now.

Oh lucky you.  The semester I went abroad there were 5 of us (from the like 120 students going every where else: Germany, England, Mexico, Australia, France, etc) who were going alone in our programs. 

I don't regret going alone though.  I know it would have been a very different experience had I gone with others (friends or not).  Going alone I feel made me a much stronger person and it made me take more risks and allowed me to be more open to things.  I know if I had other ppl with me I'd do whatever they wanted or would have been easily swayed to do/no do things.

Thankfully, the program I went through was specifically designed for American students from certain colleges around the U.S. Because of that, the curriculum was pretty easy and as a part of our learning, we traveled to different parts of China (all paid for with our tuition money). We traveled to Quanzhou, Xian, Beijing and Shanghai so I got to see a lot of the tourist sights. My best friend and I were lucky enough to be able to extend our plane tickets home (free of charge, thanks to China Airlines) and got to travel to the Yunnan Province afterwards.

You are correct in your assessment. I went back in 2011 (nine years later) and it wasn't quite the same. The campus was as beautiful as ever and looked almost exactly the same. However, not having the same people who I had shared my first experience there with made it feel very different. :)

My Chinese still sucks.  :D ;D

Wait wait sorry.  Haha got my sister's mixed up.  The one that went to China was actually doing an internship in Beijing.  It was the one that studied abroad in Japan that won the Gilmann award.  She was in Osaka.

Alas, I bailed out on my chance to study abroad during my Freshmen year in college.  I'm planning on visiting Japan in the Spring to finally see what it's like there.

lol. Your sisters are quite lucky. How did they like their experience?

If you have a layover in Taiwan during your trip, let me know. ;)
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: minorcharacter on January 09, 2014, 12:23:03 PM
lol. Your sisters are quite lucky. How did they like their experience?

If you have a layover in Taiwan during your trip, let me know. ;)
They loved it, and that just made me feel worst about never having gone back then.  Oh well, three more months.  For sure, I'll let you know if I have a layover in Taiwan.  I definitely want to visit Taiwan and China anyhow, and I might go there in the fall.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on January 09, 2014, 12:28:28 PM
Thankfully, the program I went through was specifically designed for American students from certain colleges around the U.S. Because of that, the curriculum was pretty easy and as a part of our learning, we traveled to different parts of China (all paid for with our tuition money). We traveled to Quanzhou, Xian, Beijing and Shanghai so I got to see a lot of the tourist sights. My best friend and I were lucky enough to be able to extend our plane tickets home (free of charge, thanks to China Airlines) and got to travel to the Yunnan Province afterwards.

You are correct in your assessment. I went back in 2011 (nine years later) and it wasn't quite the same. The campus was as beautiful as ever and looked almost exactly the same. However, not having the same people who I had shared my first experience there with made it feel very different. :)

My Chinese still sucks.  :D ;

If you have a layover in Taiwan during your trip, let me know. ;)
Wow, that's great that u got to do all that and it was all included.

So, wait...you're in Taiwan now? ??? Cool!

Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: Wi_sweetguy on January 09, 2014, 09:37:52 PM
Luvlylisa,
You must be a teacher? Which grade level are you teaching? School? Thanks.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: couchpotato on January 10, 2014, 09:28:28 AM
Wow, that's great that u got to do all that and it was all included.

So, wait...you're in Taiwan now? ??? Cool!



lol. Yes.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on January 10, 2014, 10:37:02 AM
Luvlylisa,
You must be a teacher? Which grade level are you teaching? School? Thanks.
LOL though I refer to my "kids" a lot, I'm actually not a teacher.  Not a "real" one.  I am the Student Advisor for a pre-college program called Upward Bound.  I only "teach" in the summer when we have our residential summer program (like summer school and summer camp in one)--where I teach Chinese to students either already taking it or will be starting in the fall.  So most of my students are at a basic level which thankfully I can teach.  LOL :D

You can read more about it here at this thread since a pher had questions and comments about it. (And someone technically called me out about it. LOL)
http://www.pebhmong.com/forum/index.php/topic,345042.0.html (http://www.pebhmong.com/forum/index.php/topic,345042.0.html)
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on January 10, 2014, 10:42:01 AM
lol. Yes.
Oh wow!  So cool!  O0

I know Taiwan is rather developed and compared to where I was there are more English-speaking ppl...but how can you say your Chinese isn't that good? Mandarin? Cantonese?  I dunno any cantonese though I've been told it's a lot easier to learn (especially for hmong ppl) than mandarin bc it's said to be even more like the hmong language than mandarin.   but i'm biased with my mandarin ears.  LOL :D

so what do you do in Taiwan?  I'm all curious and intrigued now. :)
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: myang994 on January 11, 2014, 02:16:51 PM
LOL though I refer to my "kids" a lot, I'm actually not a teacher.  Not a "real" one.  I am the Student Advisor for a pre-college program called Upward Bound.  I only "teach" in the summer when we have our residential summer program (like summer school and summer camp in one)--where I teach Chinese to students either already taking it or will be starting in the fall.  So most of my students are at a basic level which thankfully I can teach.  LOL :D

You can read more about it here at this thread since a pher had questions and comments about it. (And someone technically called me out about it. LOL)
http://www.pebhmong.com/forum/index.php/topic,345042.0.html (http://www.pebhmong.com/forum/index.php/topic,345042.0.html)

I am surprise that you are a student adviser in Upward Bound. I am an alumni of the Upward Bound program since 2008. If I have the opportunity to, I would go back and try to teach something for the UBers, but in graduate school I no longer have the time to do so until after my dissertation defense (if I still want to teach that is). Where is the UB program that you work for? I went to the one at UW-Stevens Point back then. I definitely agree with some of the comments listed on the thread that you have a link to in that most of the people who had gone through this program had failed in their pursuit of higher education. However to some students it had really driven the success of their higher education. At least for me it did.

I am also glad that you are encourage students to study abroad. In college I was too focus on getting through undergraduate that I never even consider studying abroad for the reason that I thought studying abroad was a "waste of credits" since I could have taken credits that were more relevant to my area of study. After finishing college, I do so the advantages of the experience that others receive through studying abroad. If I could re-live my college moments, I would definitely study abroad.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: Wi_sweetguy on January 11, 2014, 08:15:32 PM
if you are an advisor for the Madison upper bound then you might know my little sister. She went there last summer.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: couchpotato on January 12, 2014, 12:08:02 AM
Oh wow!  So cool!  O0

I know Taiwan is rather developed any compared to where I was there are more English-speaking ppl...but how can you say your Chinese isn't that good? Mandarin? Cantonese?  I dunno any cantonese though I've been told it's a lot easier to learn (especially for hmong ppl) than mandarin bc it's said to be even more like the hmong language than mandarin.   but i'm biased with my mandarin ears.  LOL :D

so what do you do in Taiwan?  I'm all curious and intrigued now. :)

I teach English, so I am speaking it day in and day out. It's not recommended that you speak Chinese with the kids, otherwise they go crazy and will refuse to speak English to you. That's what their parents are paying good money for. Besides, I don't have blonde hair and blue eyes. It's not cool if I know Chinese.  ;D I only know the bare minimum. Otherwise I use English all the time. It's too complicated when they start asking me too much in Chinese, so I always ask if someone speaks English first (when I am out). It's worked out pretty well.

And yes, learning Chinese is probably easier for us than white folks. It's definitely easier for us to learn the phonics because we are already used to making similar sounds in Hmong. :)
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on January 12, 2014, 01:53:37 AM
if you are an advisor for the Madison upper bound then you might know my little sister. She went there last summer.
sorry no, I'm not in the Madison area but i am in the 608 area.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on January 12, 2014, 01:58:45 AM
I teach English, so I am speaking it day in and day out. It's not recommended that you speak Chinese with the kids, otherwise they go crazy and will refuse to speak English to you. That's what their parents are paying good money for. Besides, I don't have blonde hair and blue eyes. It's not cool if I know Chinese.  ;D I only know the bare minimum. Otherwise I use English all the time. It's too complicated when they start asking me too much in Chinese, so I always ask if someone speaks English first (when I am out). It's worked out pretty well.

And yes, learning Chinese is probably easier for us than white folks. It's definitely easier for us to learn the phonics because we are already used to making similar sounds in Hmong. :)
Yes, true they do pay u to teach their kids English so if ur speaking in Chinese (or if the kids know they can get away with speaking Chinese) then u'd have mad parents indeed.

Yeah, when u don't have blonde hair and blue eyes it's not so much a shock factor if u know the language.  Personally, I'd want to learn the language myself (even if I had not studied prior to my abroad experience).  However, when ur out and about it is rather easier to resort to English--but I found that wasn't always something I could count on.  I'm sure in Taiwan you have a better chance finding someone who speaks English--even if it's a little.

So how long have you been there and how long r u to be there for?  Do you like it?
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on January 12, 2014, 02:03:42 AM
I am surprise that you are a student adviser in Upward Bound. I am an alumni of the Upward Bound program since 2008. If I have the opportunity to, I would go back and try to teach something for the UBers, but in graduate school I no longer have the time to do so until after my dissertation defense (if I still want to teach that is). Where is the UB program that you work for? I went to the one at UW-Stevens Point back then. I definitely agree with some of the comments listed on the thread that you have a link to in that most of the people who had gone through this program had failed in their pursuit of higher education. However to some students it had really driven the success of their higher education. At least for me it did.

I am also glad that you are encourage students to study abroad. In college I was too focus on getting through undergraduate that I never even consider studying abroad for the reason that I thought studying abroad was a "waste of credits" since I could have taken credits that were more relevant to my area of study. After finishing college, I do so the advantages of the experience that others receive through studying abroad. If I could re-live my college moments, I would definitely study abroad.
I'm a '99 alum. I am the Student Advisor for my exact program that I was in in high school--kind of cool actually.  There's only one staff who is still here from when I was in high school so sometimes it's hard seeing him as my colleague when he was an authoritative figure for so long.  I work at the UW-La Crosse one.

Yes, I luv talking about my abroad experience with my kids.  In all honesty, my work is about giving them the support and encouragement they need as well as making sure they know what options they have in front of them (just about anything almost).  Like I tell them, I can't force them to do anything I can only give them options and hope that they make the best decision for themselves.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: Wi_sweetguy on February 05, 2014, 10:43:11 PM
Hey LuvlyLisa,
My sister got the Chancellor Scholarship. She's finishing up and could possibly be going into law school by next year.
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on February 05, 2014, 11:11:30 PM
Hey LuvlyLisa,
My sister got the Chancellor Scholarship. She's finishing up and could possibly be going into law school by next year.
That's great to hear WI_sweetguy! O0 kudos to ur sis!
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: Wi_sweetguy on February 11, 2014, 12:26:51 AM
This is a really nice post.  I received the MMAC for UWM and the Power Knapp for WISC.  I took the MMAC because it covered everything and the power knapp was only tuition.  Basic economic decision...tak e the one with least risk.

I had everything good going into college and I wrecked it my first year but I somehow managed to complete my degree in 4.5 years by overloading for 3 years and making it up.  It taught me a lot about being mentally tough and fighting adversity once again.  I want to add that life is a marathon.  Finishing 4 year college is merely a step.  Unless you have a MD, the most important part is about to begin once you finish school - your career.  Where you go with your career is a lot more difficult than getting a degree as the competition is much stiffer - intellectual ability and effort alone will not define success.

Congrats bro! I see a lot of Hmong people in college now in days.  It is an automatic thing for Hmong people to go to college.  I see Hmong people doing very well in the next 10 years and I'm hoping at least 80-85% of high school graduates will go to college.   
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: luvlylisa on February 11, 2014, 05:55:53 PM
This is a really nice post.  I received the MMAC for UWM and the Power Knapp for WISC.  I took the MMAC because it covered everything and the power knapp was only tuition.  Basic economic decision...tak e the one with least risk.

I had everything good going into college and I wrecked it my first year but I somehow managed to complete my degree in 4.5 years by overloading for 3 years and making it up.  It taught me a lot about being mentally tough and fighting adversity once again.  I want to add that life is a marathon.  Finishing 4 year college is merely a step.  Unless you have a MD, the most important part is about to begin once you finish school - your career.  Where you go with your career is a lot more difficult than getting a degree as the competition is much stiffer - intellectual ability and effort alone will not define success.
Yes, glad to hear you got those scholarships but yes, some are conditional indeed. Sometimes we may slip but it seems that it taught you something so all in all it was a lesson learned. Kudos to you and your achievements! O0 However, the next step most def after college is definitely the scariest and a real test.

Thanks for sharing your story. :)
Title: Re: Scholarships...
Post by: myang994 on February 12, 2014, 08:14:37 PM
This is a really nice post.  I received the MMAC for UWM and the Power Knapp for WISC.  I took the MMAC because it covered everything and the power knapp was only tuition.  Basic economic decision...tak e the one with least risk.

I had everything good going into college and I wrecked it my first year but I somehow managed to complete my degree in 4.5 years by overloading for 3 years and making it up.  It taught me a lot about being mentally tough and fighting adversity once again.  I want to add that life is a marathon.  Finishing 4 year college is merely a step.  Unless you have a MD, the most important part is about to begin once you finish school - your career.  Where you go with your career is a lot more difficult than getting a degree as the competition is much stiffer - intellectual ability and effort alone will not define success.


I also want to congratulate the author of the quoted post. It is good to know that you have realized your efforts during your first year and manage to get back up to finish undergraduate within an appropriate time period. Indeed life is a marathon. A wise man once told me to not waste time in college, and to give it my all every single time because as you know, either you put 100% effort or don't try at all. I also agree that the career is a lot more competitive than getting a degree. I'd like to add that it also takes perseverance, tenacity, and dedication for success and that effort alone is definitely not enough as you have said. I think having dreams and goals of accomplishing those dreams really differentiates those that think of success as oppose to those that are striving for/living success.

Congrats bro! I see a lot of Hmong people in college now in days.  It is an automatic thing for Hmong people to go to college.  I see Hmong people doing very well in the next 10 years and I'm hoping at least 80-85% of high school graduates will go to college.   

I also see and anticipate more Hmong students excelling and achieving that which had never been achieved within the Hmong community. I am glad to know that more and more Hmong students are realizing that education opens up many doors, and that the sky is their limit when they believe that they can really achieve something.