Graduate Ambassador Blog Posts
Adjusting to Grad School in the US: The Perspective of an International Student
October 27, 2023
Applying to go to grad school in America was probably one of the most daunting things I ever did. In 2022, I joined the University of Rochester’s Linguistics department for my master’s degree. But so far, this has been one of the most exciting and enriching experience of my life. It has taught me a lot and I’m here to break it down for you.
Continue ReadingBuilding Your Latin/Hispanic Community & Finding Foods From Your Native Country
October 25, 2023
Hello, My name is Adriana, I am Mexican and Cuban, and I hope sharing my journey of how I grew my Latin/Hispanic community at U of R helps you find your community here too.
Continue ReadingTips for Applying to Grad School from a Grad Student
October 25, 2023
So you’ve decided to apply to graduate school; congratulations! Continuing education post undergrad is an extremely rewarding experience that allows you to follow your passions, focus on a single aspect of your field, and opens countless professional doors. However, as in all things, the hardest part is the beginning. In order to get into a graduate program, you’ll have to manage the complicated application process. This involves deciding what you want to study, which university is best for your goals, and finally working on the actual application.
Continue ReadingExpanding Your Interests Outside of Research: Inexpensive Activities in Rochester + Outreach Opportunities
October 22, 2023
Although I am originally from the Rochester area, it wasn’t until I became a graduate student that I began to explore more of what Rochester has to offer. As graduate students, we spend so much of our time indoors, either in the lab, library, or at our desk at home. It’s easy to remain stuck in our own academic worlds, but we are more than just our research. As a 3rd year Ph.D. student, I have found that seeking opportunities to connect with the community both within the University of Rochester and in the surrounding area has made my graduate career more fulfilling. Scheduling fun and relaxing events has been extremely helpful in keeping me motivated in the lab and has allowed me to maintain a work-life balance. Some of my favorite things to do are explore the easily accessible nature trails or try a new food spot. I love visiting the Public Market on Saturday mornings, going for a hike at Abraham Lincoln Park, and walking around the High Falls area after a coffee at Fuego Coffee Roasters. If you’re looking to explore the activities and culture of Rochester check out the resources included in this post!
Continue ReadingThriving in Grad School
October 19, 2023
Hi, my name is Tristan (he/they) and I’m a 2nd year PhD student in the Physics & Astronomy department! I wanted to write a bit about how to navigate the shift from undergraduate to graduate school, as it’s something I wish I had a bit more guidance about coming into grad school. The social scene is definitely organized a bit differently than undergrad, where the university has a million events happening for orientation week, and there aren’t quite so many well-structured spaces to meet people outside of your department. Because of this it can be easy to feel a bit isolated when starting grad school, so I wanted to write a little about how to prevent that sort of thing and give some examples of where you might find community in and around campus.
Continue ReadingNavigating the PhD Journey: Embracing Change, Building Community, and Overcoming Fear in Academic Research
October 10, 2023
What I wish I had known when I applied to the PhD program in English with a full-blown project already planned and a complete destination for my research, was that it’s okay to deviate from the path you construct for yourself. It’s okay to build new roads, to change your materials, and to find new interests along the way.
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