By Thilina Surgana Jayarathna, The University of Iowa, a major public research university located in Iowa City in southeast Iowa, USA.
This is one of the biggest universities in USA. This is very famous for Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Chemistry and Engineering. There are 21 Sri Lankan students. 15 grad students, 2 post doc, 2 under-grads and 2 doctors (hospital). Sri Lankans are well reputed in the university. They believe Srilankans are honest and hard working. Therefore all most all supervisors like to have a srilankan grad student in their research groups. Aruni is trying to join to a research group which is dealing with the Nano-particles in the environment. Basically this will be related to environmental chemistry.
These days we are preparing for a Srilankan cultural night on 6th of Nov. This will be the first major event which will organize by the SL community in this university. Im working hard for this. And also Im working with a student organization in the school of engineering called “Engineers without boarders” who are dealing with the environmental issues. At the moment we are doing waste management, rain water harvesting and pollution control projects. I am also studying hard for TOEFL and GRE. Other than these volentary activities im doing nothing at the moment.
Not like SL; these TAs (teaching assistants) should work hard. Not only TAs but also students, lectures and non-acadamic staff is working harder than in SL. The students are asses by 15 tutes, 3 mid semester exams and one end semester exams. When grading, 5% for the attendance, 35% for the tutes, 35% for the mid semester exams and 25% for the final exams. There are two TAs for each subject. They should conduct tute classes, prepare answer keys for the tutes, grade answer sheets of tutes and help the students during their office hours. Therefore now I am thinking; we, as demonstrators have done nothing when comparing to the work load of them.
All most all the Sri lankans here are taking ESL classes. The american accent is very much different from British. These people hate british accent and they want us to speak english like natives. This part is called mid west. American natives are living here. Very proud about themselves. Just like “Udarata” people in Sri Lanka. only a few black americans can be found.
Thilina Surgana Jayarathna, is a Graduate of University of Sri Jayewardnepura, Sri Lanka is now in IOWA University, USA. He is an International Lead Auditor, FSC FM/CoC Certifications.
Related Posts:
Bachelor’s degree programs in USA
ELTS, TOEFL, GRE Examinations
How to obtain Educational Student visa to study in UK
Study in UK| USA
Study in India
Suranga says
Thanks for your comments.