Job Q&A
by Allan Hoffman
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Lisa M. Vaz originally came to the US from Bombay, India, to attend high
school. After graduating from the Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts,
she moved to Wooster, Ohio to attend the College of Wooster. Now a sophomore,
Vaz works about 20 hours a week at two jobs -- one as a department assistant in
the Office of Public Information; the other as a computer consultant in the
Academic Computing Center. Vaz, 20, says she would definitely encourage others
to study in the US. "I would tell them that they need to be very open minded,"
she says. "Things are not the way they are at home, and you really have to adapt
to that -- and learn from what you do."
Monster.com: How
did you end up coming to the US?
Lisa Vaz: I actually
came here for my last two years of high school. Several schools in New England
were offering scholarships to international students. I applied to about four
schools, and ended up at the Williston Northampton School, which gave me a full
scholarship.
Mc: What was the transition like from school in Bombay to school in the
US?
LV:At first it was very, very intimidating. I knew no one. Not a single person. I was scared at first, but then I realized that the school was small enough where I could feel comfortable. I really enjoyed the change in
the education system. It was completely different from what I had at home. It
was much more relaxed. I ended up liking it a lot. It's one of the best
decisions I've made.
Mc: What were some of the educational
differences?
LV: The most evident point is that
there's a lot more choice in what you can study. There are requirements, but in
India you have to choose a certain area and then follow all the courses; it's
all predetermined. It's much more liberal in the US, and you get a broader
understanding of different subjects.
Mc: Were there challenges in your social life, too?
LV: It is a lot more open here than
in India. There were a lot of issues that I never had to deal with before in
terms of relationships, or even the way you could act in society. People here
tend to be very friendly, even if you don't really know them. That was very
different for me.
Mc: How did you decide on the College of Wooster?
LV: I applied to many schools with
different programs. Wooster offered me a strong liberal arts program, and I
liked the diversity of it. I got a very positive feel from the school, and my
brother also went here, and he loved it. They also have very good financial aid
packages for international students, so that was a factor, too. I'm planning on
majoring in business economics, possibly with a minor in political
science.
Mc: What is your work situation?
LV: International students can only
work about 20 hours a week. It's a bit limiting, but I still earn a little
money. I currently work two jobs; it's not hard finding a job on campus for ten
hours a week. Most people work between 15 and 20 hours per week. There are
people that help us with filing taxes, and that's very important. One of my jobs
is at the Academic Computing Center, where I help people with their computer
problems. The other job is in the Public Information Office. I do the basic
office stuff: send out mailings, help with writing releases and the
like. Mc: Do you think there are things you're learning in these
jobs?
LV:When I first joined this office, there were so many
things I didn't really know. I worked in an office back in India, but it was a
much different environment. I'm learning quite a bit about computers, such as
how to troubleshoot problems and shortcuts to fixing things.
Mc: What are some of the biggest differences in the
workplace?
LV: The most striking difference is
that there's more equality between the employee and boss here. The difference
between employer and employee is very evident in India. It's not a negative
thing, but it's definitely something you notice when you're working in an
office. Also, I find that I have more responsibilities in my jobs
here. Mc: What's it like when you go back to
India?
LV:I feel frustrated because the system is different. There are so many hurdles you have to overcome to get anything done. It seems
like things are more efficient here. Even the little things, like getting a cab,
can be a hassle. On the other hand, some things are easier. Many people have
drivers and maids who will run errands and do other things. It's not an upper
class thing by any means. Most of the population in Bombay has hired help,
whereas there is more of an emphasis on being independent in the US. It's been
great for me to learn how to do things for myself because I've lived a very
sheltered life in India. Mc: What are your plans down the
road?
LV:Ideally, I'd like to work in the US for a couple of years. I don't know if I will return to India after that. I'd like to work for a company that has offices all over the world.
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