My "Ethnicity" class

I've always been curious about how Americans really feel about interacting with foreign people. I've seen really genuine, helpful ones and some who talk a lot but don't really follow their own preaching. This semester I had to take an ethnicity class - intercultural communication, and I was quite excited to hear the discussions in class. But much to my surprise and disappointment, I find that they focus a lot on Americans and the standard African-American issues. I mean, come on, there's a larger world out there. I think they should change the class name to "intercultural communication IN the US" because that's about all they talk about in class. I would just sit there and have absolutely no input because all the issues do not relate to me! It's very frustrating. I mean, when they talk about minority they mean the minority IN the US, and I have no say in that even though I AM the minority in class because I'm not brought up in the US. I really wish I can do something about this, maybe the instructor doesn't realise that she's alienating the three international students she has in class by always focusing on something we're not familiar with, but at the same time I don't want to offend her and lose my A. So it's a struggle. Haha.

Fall semester begins!

After what seems like a blink of an eye, summer gave way to fall...and classes begin! I'm taking the last four classes that I need to graduate, and I'm excited about them. Two of them are computer science courses, Automata and Software Engineering. The other two are Introduction to MIS and Intercultural Communications. I think this is a good mix, and I'm glad. Nothing can be worse than having four computer science courses left for the last semester! :D Today I also found out that in order to complete the application for a degree with distinction, I would need to have a thesis defense! All this while I thought I only had to write a thesis paper... *gulp* My research advisor shrugged it off as "just a presentation", but I'm getting nervous just thinking about it. I asked my undergraduate advisor what it would be like, and he said, "Depends on what kind of questions those sadists ask you." I was like...*uhhhh* *gulp again* But anyway, I think it's a great experience, and it would be good training for my masters program (*if* I manage to get into it!). Wish me luck guys!

So much to do and so little time!

Today is the third day of my second last week of summer class. Say it together with me now - aahhhhhh...!!! The past few weeks have been nothing but non-stop assignments, exams, and work. It's good I guess, in a way? Alas! Summer's almost gone now and I feel like it just began. I was just notified today by my research advisor that they would be able to hire me for the fall as well. It's cool I guess. :) Good training for graduate school, but I'm also a bit worried about the work load ahead. I'll just have to take things one at a step I guess. Now I only have to pray that my professor would exempt me from the final next week...pray for me too!