Tips for Renting a Room Off-Campus

Tips for Renting out an Available Room:

1. View the room and see if it is furnished. You may have to buy new furniture from somewhere like IKEA.

2. Ask questions about compatibility (see questions below) to your potential roommate.

3. When paying rent find out how they accept payments.  They cannot require you to pay cash. If you chose to pay in cash then request a receipt.

4. It is common to pay a deposit that is equal to one month’s rent.  You will receive this when you move out.

5. Ask about who the owner is? Would you be paying rent directly to this person.

6. You need to give 30 days’ notice when you decide to move out. If you are asked to leave they also need to give your 30 days’ notice.

7. You may be required to sign a rental agreement. This is for your own benefit, but read the agreement carefully. It is always best to get everything in writing, especially in regards to money.

8. Inspect the apartment carefully before you move in and take any photos of how the place looks. Email these photos to yourself, so they will have an email time stamp on them. 

9. For more information, please check Ithaca College’s off-campus housing section. 

Originally posted by places4students

 Questions to Make Sure You Ask When Looking for a Roommate

Here are some important details you will want to pay attention to:

 1. Sleeping habits: early risers or night owl? Light sleeper or deep sleeper?

2. Typical work or school schedule? (Will it conflict with yours?)

3. How does this person describe their cleaning habits and expectations and does it match yours?

4. Any allergies? Examples: peanuts, perfume, milk, flowers, mold, smoke).

5. Lifestyle habits: Do they smoke, drink, listen to loud music, stay out late? Are you ok with that?

6. How would the candidate describe their decorating style (if they have one)? Does it match yours?

7. Social habits? Will there be friends over often? If so, will you get along with these friends? Is there a boyfriend or girlfriend in the picture?

8. How will you combine your belongings? Who will provide the living room furniture, pots, dishes, electronics, etc? Can you share these items?

9. Does the potential roommate have a job? What is their basic financial situation? Nobody wants to be stuck with unpaid utility bills or rent!

10. Can you rely on this person to be honest and be courteous to you and other potential roommates?

11. What are their rules for overnight guests?

Why Study in Long Beach, CA?

Long Beach - Photo Courtesy of Long Beach CVB

Long Beach may be most famous for landing in the lyrics of 90s hip-hop songs, but many people do not realize that it is the 7th largest city in California with a population of nearly half a million. It is also the second most diverse city in the United States after its neighbor Los Angeles. People who live in Long Beach have a sense of pride and rarely want to ever leave Long Beach even to visit its more famous neighbors in Orange County and Los Angeles. It is also a surprisingly walkable city with accessible public transportation. So here are some reasons to consider studying in Long Beach, especially if you are looking at the Golden State of California.

Colleges and Universities
Long Beach City College

Long Beach City College

Also known as “LBCC” or “City College,” is a public two-year community college. For those unfamiliar with the community college system in the U.S. these are schools that offer two year degrees for transfer and for technical skills such as culinary and automotive programs. They are significantly cheaper than most other types of colleges and a great way to start out your studies in the United States. They are growing in popularity with international students who like the flexibility of a community college and how it often provides an easier and less complicated admission pathway into prestigious four-year institutions. LBCC has a good history with transferring students to such schools as UCLA and CSULB and often hosts admissions personnel from these schools on its campus.  

California State University, Long Beach

CSULB is a public four-year institution that is part of the California State University System. CSULB offers Bachelors, Masters degrees and even some Doctoral degrees in a variety of disciplines. It has a student population of nearly 40,000 students making it one of the largest schools in the United States. Their most famous alumnus is probably Steven Spielberg. CSULB is rated highly by U.S News & World Report. The school has a very diverse community of both international and domestic students.

Outdoors

Naples Canals - Photos Courtesy of Long Beach CVB

Yes, the beach in Long Beach is really long, about 3.1 miles. However, if surfing is your desire you may have to travel to nearby Huntington Beach because the breakwall and port prevent any waves. But rest assure there are plenty of outdoor recreational activities in this city. The most popular is biking along the Shoreline Pedestrian Bikepath. No bike, no problem! You can rent bikes from Wheel Fun Rentals. If biking is not your thing then how about kayaking or standup paddleboarding around the beautiful Naples Canals. Love yoga and nature? Check out the free Yoga on the Bluff where you can do yoga in front of a beautiful ocean view. Lastly, if you feel that you need a break from the hustle and bustle of this beach city you can escape to nature by visiting El Dorado Park.

Eats

We don’t even know where to begin with this one and a full disclaimer that this is by no means a complete list. In Downtown Long Beach Beachwood BBQ is a favorite with locals and visitors alike to try a fusion of American comfort food and if you are old enough to drink we recommend trying one of their craft beers. Don’t miss their “Happy Hour” specials. George’s Greek Cafe is another local favorite, so much so that there are locations at the CSULB campus and Long Beach Airport. If you are looking to check out the East Village Art’s District Berlin Bistro has an array of fresh and healthy California favorites that will satisfy both vegetarians and carnivores. They also have some of the best coffee. Continue heading east to the Belmont Shore district and you will find Michael’s Pizzeria, which was once voted by Zagat as having the best pizza in the United States.This list could easily go on and I recommend going on Yelp to find more amazing and delicious places.

Shopping

Photo Courtesy of Long Beach CVB

Long Beach does not have a traditional shopping mall. But have no fear there are plenty of those malls throughout Southern California and there is still plentiful of shopping to be done in Long Beach. The newest shopping area is The Pike Outlets where you can shop at such popular stables as H&M and Forever 21.Want to shop for more original items? then head to Long Beach’s “Retro Row” area where you can find vintage clothes, furniture, records and other unique items. Head further east to 2nd St. in Belmont Shores where you can find boutique and mainstream shops.

Things to See and Do

Queen Mary - Photo Courtesy of Long Beach CVB

The two most famous attractions in Long Beach are the Queen Mary, a historic ship and hotel that is said to be “haunted,” and the Aquarium of the Pacific. Both are very close to each other and it is possible to see them both in a day. They often host special events, check their websites for more information. If you love music, Fingerprints Records often hosts free concerts and events. If you are more into seeing a movie, the historic Art Theatre is one of the few historic cinemas left in the United States. CSULB’s Carpenter Center also hosts a variety of events and performances. If you can’t make it to Venice, Italy or Las Vegas, you can try a relaxing gondola ride in Long Beach’s own Naples Canals. In addition, Long Beach has plentiful “street fairs” and other special events that there is never a shortage of things to do. It is a wonderful place to study and live that rest assured you will never be bored.

Outdoor Event in Downtown Long Beach - Photo Courtesy of Long Beach CVB

Long Beach may not be as famous as its Los Angeles or Orange County neighbor, but given how much there is to do here it should not be overlooked as a city to study or visit, especially if you desire to study in California.

Katherine Murrin is the American Language and Culture Institute Coordinator at Long Beach City College. She specializes in social media, marketing, writing about language and culture, international education, and traveling the world. She also really loves Long Beach. She can be reached at kmurrin@lbcc.edu.

Choosing an English Language Program

As the the United States continues to have an increase in international students at its colleges and universities, this increase has also continued at English language schools and English preparation programs. English language programs serve an important role in preparing students to study at U.S. universities, learn English, and an opportunity to experience the United States. We will take a look at two different types of English language programs and ways to research one that is right for you. Please take note that the term “ESL” is often used, which stands for English as a Second Language, and the term “IEP” stands for Intensive English Program.

For-profit ESL Schools- These are probably the most common types of programs for stand-alone ESL preparation, meaning that they are often not affiliated with a university and often exist in major metropolitan areas. The price range for these schools highly varies with major international companies being on the expensive end and small independently run schools being less expensive. When you research ESL schools they will often be the first to show up in a Google search because they often have a large marketing budget.

Pros:

• Many of these schools have rolling admission meaning that they accept students year-round.
• Offer short-term courses that can range as short as a week, which can be great if you want to experience the United States before committing.
• Often they have a very fun atmosphere with a lot of emphasis on activities, travel, and socializing, which is a good option if you are looking for a type of vacation English learning experience.
• They offer a variety of courses that can range from fundamentals of English, Business English, and TOEFL preparation.
• Not all, but many schools have articulation agreements with local colleges and universities. This is a great option if you choose to stay and study in the United States because it will make the admissions process easier, such as waiving a TOEFL test or being able to more easily research a college or university.

Cons:

• The learning atmosphere is not always particularly serious. As mentioned above socializing and activities are a major aspect of the ESL School experience and that often trumps serious English studies.
• Less qualified and low paid instructors. Language schools only need to hire instructors with a Bachelor’s degree in any subject and less than a year of teaching experience. That doesn’t mean that there are not some great instructors, but the minimum qualifications are significantly less than university based programs. In addition, the working conditions and pay rate for instructors is quite low, which can sometimes mean less quality instruction and high turnover of instructors.
• Some of these schools are what are referred to as “visa mills” meaning that they are a type of scam that will provide a visa, but little if any English instruction. Be careful with this because it can affect your immigration status. Please see previous article at International Student Voice Magazine.

Overall, for-profit ESL schools fill a need and a niche in English language learning. However, I cannot emphasize the importance of researching a school’s reputation before you attend one.

Non-profit University Based ESL Programs- These are programs that are affiliated with a college or university. Most of these programs have an emphasis on “Academic English,” meaning that they target being able to be successful in a university degree program. The curriculum will also focus on academic writing and speaking. However, this does not mean they they do not offer specialized courses such as Business English or Test Preparation, it really depends on each institution.

Pros:

• Highly qualified instructors. The minimum qualification to teach in these programs is usually a Master’s Degree in TESOL or Linguistics. However, it is also not uncommon to have instructors with Doctoral degrees. Furthermore, many of the instructors regularly publish and research English language acquisition and present at ESL conferences. Thus, it is highly likely that you will have an instructor that is very passionate about your learning.
• More serious learners. The overall, atmosphere is serious with a strong emphasis for learning. Homework and studying are absolutely necessary.
• Introduce you to university life. If you are undecided about entering a U.S. degree program this would be the best way to get a better understanding of what the campus culture is like.
• More reputable: There is more oversight in the quality of the program because many of them have been vouched for by accrediting bodies.
• Sometimes offer easier admissions into the university. This really depends on the campus that it is on because many of the programs at elite schools do not guarantee admission into their programs. So please do your research on this.

Cons:

• Sometimes they do not offer enough instruction on “informal English.” As mentioned above, university based programs focus more on academic English. While “informal English” may not help you with a research paper, it certainly is important for understanding everyday conversations with Americans.
• Strict application deadlines. Often you will not be able to join the program at any time during the year. So please pay attention to application dates.
• Too serious of an atmosphere. This can certainly be a con if you are looking to mostly experience the culture of the United States and do not want to spend your free time studying. Again, it depends on what you really want.

As an international educator with a specialization in ESL programs and with experience in both types of programs, I would say that if your goal is academic English then a university based program would be the best fit. However, if you are looking for something less serious, the for-profit English language schools would be a better fit. However, these are just generalizations and I cannot emphasize the need to research each program individually and not be afraid to ask questions to admission people and consult websites for reviews.

A few good resources for researching ESL language programs under the following links below: However, these sites do not necessarily vouch for the quality of these programs, which would require individual research.

http://www.englishusa.org/

https://educationusa.state.gov/

http://www.studyusa.com/

State Consortias such as http://www.studycalifornia.us/ or http://studynewyork.us/

Katherine Murrin is the American Language and Culture Institute Coordinator at Long Beach City College. She specializes in social media, marketing, writing about language and culture, international education, and traveling the world. She also really loves Long Beach. She can be reached at kmurrin@lbcc.edu.

The Do's and Don'ts of Note-Taking

We live in a world where electronic gadgets are increasingly replacing the classic pen and paper. But before you go "paperless," it may be worth it to pick up that pen and paper. Many studies show that it helps with memory and comprehension. College is already challenging when English is your first language, so why not be the best student you can be even if it means being a little "old-fashioned." Here are some tips to take the best notes ever:

The Dos...

1. Do go to class prepared. That means bring a notebook specifically for that class and different colored pens and highlighters.
2. Do write the date and the title at the beginning of each class.
3. Do write down important words. These include nouns and adjectives,. Find a system to highlight the most important words. This can be by using an underline or a symbol.
4. Do put your phone or other electronic device away if you think it will be a distraction. Part of effective note-taking is effective listening. 
5. Do develop a system that works for you. Some typical examples include:          a) Drawing a column and splitting your notes in half in order to leave room for post note-taking notes such as definitions for words you did not know.

b) Or leave room for lots of blank spaces in order to add more comments.

c) Develop a symbol system, such as @ for at or !!! for important.

More examples of different systems can be found here: http://sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl/notetakingsystems.html

6.    Do practice your listening skills in your free time. This could be listening to podcasts and/or Ted talks. A big problem nowadays is our constant distraction with technology. Note-taking is just as much about listening as it is about writing.

The Don’ts….

1. Don’t write every word down. This is especially true for words such as prepositions or articles. The saying “less is more” can certainly apply to note-taking.
2. Don’t take photos instead of writing notes down. It may be okay to take the occasional photo to refer back to, but it is imperative to take notes. There have been many studies linking how the brain is more likely to remember when writing stuff down by hand versus typing or taking photos. Therefore, note-taking is an important skill to master.
3. Don’t type on your computer or tablet. Again, this goes back to the taking photos, but your brain has a tendency to remember more when we write things down by hand. Plus, electronics can tempt your with distraction. We all know how difficult it is to pass up a Facebook alert.

Works Cited: 

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-learning-secret-don-t-take-notes-with-a-laptop/

http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/releases/take-notes-by-hand-for-better-long-term-comprehension.html

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/heres-why-you-should-take-notes-hand-instead-with-laptop.html

Katherine Murrin is the American Language and Culture Institute Coordinator at Long Beach City College. She specializes in social media, marketing, writing about language and culture, international education, and traveling the world. She also really loves Long Beach. She can be reached at kmurrin@lbcc.edu.

Introducing Malena...

You may recognize Malena as the student assistant in the International Student Lounge. She is often seen studying and helping students. Check out her interview in the current issue of International Student Voice Magazine.

1.Why did you decide to attend Long Beach City College?

My cousins studied here before and they said good things. Before I had no idea about what college to go to. I had family in Long Beach that I knew I could stay with. I didn’t even know the difference between the different types of colleges in the U.S. before I came. I understand it better now and I really love the U.S. community college system because they offer students a lot of help and it is cheaper. Plus, you can transfer to some really good and famous universities.

2. What was you English preparation before starting college?

I studied English for four years in Cambodia. But before I started college at Long Beach City College I enrolled in their Intensive English program called the American Language and Culture Institute. This program was great at helping me improve my English, get to know the United States, and what the expectations are for starting college in the U.S.

3. When you encounter Americans what is often their perception of Cambodia?

Well, I sometimes get the response, “Where is Cambodia?” It doesn’t upset me that they do not know where Cambodia is, but I will tell them that it is a small country in Asia and we have this really famous place called Angkor Wat. But there are also many Americans that know Cambodia and would like to visit Cambodia in the future.

4. What is your favorite thing to do in your free-time?

I really love nature photography and to sometimes go on hikes. But I am mellow, and I like to stay at home, study, and sleep.

5. What do you miss most about Cambodia?

I miss my parents a lot and because of the time difference it can be hard to Skype sometimes. A lot of my Cambodian friends here miss the food in Cambodia, but I actually like the food in the U.S. and don’t really miss Cambodian food.

6. Who is your role-model and why?

I would say Ellen Degeneres because she is kind, strong, honest, and she treats everyone the same.

7. What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of being a college student in the United States?

Language is the most difficult part for me because it is not my primary language. There is a lot of vocabulary that I still do not know. It takes me a long time to read articles and I often need to re-read them. I never really liked reading in my own language, so this is difficult, but I am learning a lot.

8. What are your future plans?

I am looking to transfer to a four-year college to get my BA degree. I don’t know where yet because I don’t know my major yet. I know I want to stay in Southern California because I love it here.