Thank you, professors!

Upon arriving at their new universities, many students are unaware of what to expect in the first year. They expect to gain knowledge, make new friends, and have good times while finding a new sense of direction. But imagine facing those challenges in a new country! I felt the weight of all those challenges and struggles that come with the importance of getting an education. However, when I got to know the people at VIU, who are very kind and open-minded, they pointed me in the right direction and gave me their warm support. They had answers to all the different questions and lingering doubts I had as a student. In my view, student life is the best period of any person’s life, filled with sweet memories. In this period of time, students start their own lives, especially if the students are international students.

                I have learned a great many things from my professors and from VIU staff members. I believe they gave me a broader outlook and attitude toward life. I always found it exciting to prepare for exams with my friends and to complete group work, all of us working and facing pressure together. Our professors pushed us out of our comfort zones and encouraged us to do our best. They motivated us to learn more, to be open to diverse viewpoints, and to pursue internships. They supported us every step of the way.

                One of the proudest accomplishments of my life is having earned my master’s degree. I had a dream to get my master’s degree from an American university. I believe graduation is a time to celebrate the hard work, dedication, perseverance, and individual achievements that led to such a prestigious accomplishment. It is a time when the individual can reflect on this stage of life and be proud of completing this phase of the educational career. I am sure, for most of us, this was no easy task. Especially for those who had to manage their time carefully, attending classes, writing papers, working part-time jobs, tending to spouses and children, and spending time with friends. In my opinion, these are experiences we can reflect upon with pride and which lead us forward with ambition.                  

                Concerning my own future career path, I am heading in the right direction, diploma in hand, and I am very grateful to my VIU professors for providing me with this direction and support.

Written by Nafisa Ismailova 

Entrepreneurship

Are you thinking of starting your own business venture? Entrepreneurship can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience with an opportunity to be your own boss, set your own agenda and schedule, and make a decent living doing something you enjoy. However, successful entrepreneurship requires thorough reflection and market knowledge, in-depth planning, creativity, hard work, and determination. Do you have what it takes?

Let’s look at some of the characteristics and skills commonly associated with successful entrepreneurs.
■ Accepting of Risk:  Running your own business involves a certain degree of uncertainties. By definition, entrepreneurship is about responding to business uncertainties. Do you enjoy the thrill of taking calculated risks? Or are you the type that avoids uncertainties and likes to have full control of all activities?
■ Self-Reliant: Entrepreneurship can be very lonely and you have to make a lot of decisions on your own. The ability to trust your instincts is essential. You also cannot be afraid of rejection every now and then.
■ Persuasive:  Effective entrepreneurs are persuasive. If you cannot persuade your customers, employees, investors, or partners, you may find entrepreneurship to be challenging. The ability to sell your ideas with ease is fundamental to bringing people on board and closing deals. If you can persuade, you can sell.
■ Able to Negotiate: Because of the constraints on your business (time and money), you have to know how to negotiate for everything – from leases to contract terms to rates. Effective negotiation skills will help you save money and keep your business running smoothly.
■ Creative:  Are you able to think of new ways and ideas? Can you imagine new alternatives and creative ways to solve problems? Entrepreneurs must be able to think creatively to survive given the level of competition and limited resources. If you have insights and the ability to respond to challenges creatively, entrepreneurship may be a good fit for you.
■ Plugged Into a Support System:  Starting a business can be very stressful, lonely, and frustrating. Be sure you have a strong support system in place.  As a business owner, you will make many important decisions, especially within the first months of opening.  A key support person is a business mentor. A business mentor is someone who is experienced, successful, and willing to provide advice and guidance.

20 KEY QUESTIONS FOR STARTUP BUSINESS OWNERS

1. Why am I starting a business and what are my motivations?
2. What kind of business do I want and why?
3. Who are my ideal customers and how do I know them?
4. What products or services will my business provide and what gap am I filling?
5. Am I prepared to make the level of commitment and spend the time and money needed to get my business started?
6. What differentiates my business idea and its products or services from others in the marketplace?
7. Will my business be based on-ground, online, or both?
8. How many employees will I need in year one?
9. What types of suppliers do I need in terms of partnership?
10. How much is my initial investment? (Are you assuming, or do you really know?)
11. Will I need to get a loan from a bank, friends, family, or investors?
12. How quickly can I bring my products or services to market?
13. When is my breakeven point and how long will I wait before making a profit?
14. Who is my competition and do I know my competition well?
15. What is my pricing structure compared to my competition?
16. What is the legal structure of my business – sole proprietorship, S- Corporation, LLC?
17. What taxes do I need to pay, to whom and when?
18. What kind of insurance do I need – comprehensive or limited liability?
19. How will I manage my business and what is my organizational structure?
20. How will I advertise my business and do I have a marketing plan?

Written by Dr. Stephen Onu

Real-Life Entrepreneur: Patcharee Wetpisai

Recent MBA graduate Patcharee Wetpisai took Dr. Onu’s entrepreneurship advice to heart in taking advantage of opportunities to grow her own family business. Read her story here:

Patcharee stands in her graduation cap and gown, surrounded by family

I am a 2014 VIU graduate with a double MBA major in HR Management and Marketing Management. For me, graduation was the key that opened the door to my professional life. I had the HR experience and passion to develop the employer brand and to solve the problem of employee turnover in Thailand. As the oldest in my family, I have to take on responsibilities in my family’s cosmetics business. Now I use my HR and marketing knowledge helping my father in customer relationship management, as well as doing some market research for more effective product development program.

Studying at VIU helped me to achieve strong business connections with friends from all over the world. Within two days of graduation, I established new export opportunities to African countries and the United States because of the strong VIU global network. My job now is very enjoyable.  My every day work is all about learning new things in the real business world. I am hoping that someday I will get a chance to fulfill my dream of improving HR function by starting my very own company!

A Day in the Life of a VIU Student: Koheita Nagai

When Koheita Nagai arrived in the USA from Japan in May 2013, the only English words he knew were “Hello” and “Good morning.” At first, life was difficult – no English, no friends, nowhere to settle down. However, after six months, his life in America has improved dramatically; he improved his English, found a great place to live and made friends from all over the world. As we followed Ko, as he is affectionately known, around for a day, we learned many more things about him and what it’s like to be a VIU student in the USA. So, get comfortable and ride along, as Ko shows us how he goes about his daily life.

“I saved money to study in America.”
In Japan, I delivered pizzas on my motorbike to save money to come to the US. It was my dream to study
abroad in the US, and I worked very hard toward my goal. Life here is exciting because everything is new for me; even the things that would not be special to me back in Japan are special to me here just because they are American! Finding a great school, especially the best ESL program was one of my goals. A friend of mine suggested VIU to me because of its affordability and quality, and I am so glad I chose it.

“Sometimes my roommates wake me up!”
I used to live with an American host family to improve my English, but they were not around enough for me to improve much. Shortly after, I moved to another accommodation, provided for students by VIU. My roommates are from India and Ethiopia. I usually wake up at 7 am to prepare for school, but sometimes my roommates have to wake me up, to be honest. I take a bus from Fair Oaks Mall at 8:00am and arrive at school by 8:20 am. Class runs from at 8:45 – 3:00 pm. During my short break time, I usually eat a sandwich, salad or pizza with my peers.

“The ESL program helps me achieve my academic goals.”
The very first week, classes were kind of scary; I felt that my classmates’ English proficiency was better than mine. But, it got better because of the excellent instructors and my own efforts. The teachers always give good examples, answer questions thoroughly and help us speak English in class. I developed these skills and also practiced my English during ESL Club activities, such as the Hiking Club. All in all, I have found studying English in VIU’s ESL Program to be a helpful step toward achieving my academic goals.

“Bowling with friends is fun!”
I am not fan of staying at home; instead I love to explore new things. Playing billiard with my roommates at
the apartment is one of the favorite things to do. When I was in Japan, I didn’t use to cook by myself. In contrast, here I often cook food like Japanese curry, a pizza called “Okonomiyaki” and other food that my Indian roommates taught me to make. We usually eat together while talking and watching TV, and do assignments afterwards. There is a gym in my apartment building where I go twice a week. On weekends, I usually wake up at 10:00 am if there are no school activities. We spend the weekend watching movies, listening to music and going bowling, which is fun!

“Living alone abroad has made me more confident.”
VIU’s multinational students opened my eyes to the various cultures and religious of the world. Having all of us here gives us a chance to compare our cultural practices. For instance, whenever I meet people in the US, I need to say “Hello, how are you” whereas in Japan, I would never say that to a stranger. Furthermore, it was very uncomfortable for me to keep my shoes on at home. I had to get used to them. I have gone everywhere by myself in the US, which is good for me; it helped me gain confidence. Coming to VIU and the United States on my own made it possible for me to learn how to live alone and how important friends are!

Scholarships Part II: Tips for Scholarship Applicants

Do Your Research
  • There are search sites which pull scholarships from many sources. Find a site that you like and create an account! Check back often for new and updated scholarships.
  • Find out what department is responsible for scholarships at your school and become familiar with the scholarship offerings, requirements, and deadlines.
  • Never pay to apply for a scholarship. If you are asked to pay a fee in order to apply, it’s probably a scam!

Know What Makes You Unique
  • Find your niche and maximize on it; you would be surprised what types of scholarships are out there. What are your scholastic interests? What are your hobbies? Do you have a unique family situation? Have you overcome an obstacle? Use your experiences to your advantage!

Start Early
  • Do not procrastinate when you’re working on a scholarship application. Build plenty of time into your schedule to complete applications, write and revise essays, and meet deadlines!

Persevere!
  • Don’t give up! If you don’t receive one scholarship, keep trying for others.

Preparing Global Leaders: 15 Years of Excellence

Global leaders possess an exceptional set of characteristics which make them stand out and enable them to succeed. Three key factors help educate young people to empower them to become future global leaders. First, it takes a special vision and a visionary who can guide those young people and all those impacting them. Second, it takes a unique environment that challenges students and feels safe, at the same time. Finally, it takes a culture of success, in which leadership skills are nurtured in a practical way. VIU has been preparing students to be global leaders from its very founding, 15 years ago. Here is the story of our accomplishments, at a glance.

The Visionary
VIU founder, Dr. Isa Sarac, has been involved in the higher education field for most of his life. Holding multiple graduate-level degrees, Dr. Sarac has been a professor, a researcher, an education publisher and a university founder. Having already founded a successful university in London, he wanted to replicate and improve on that experience in the United States.  When Dr. Isa Sarac founded Virginia International University (VIU) in 1998, he did so with a set of core values that still serve as the foundation of VIU today. Those values of openness, diversity, innovation and peace-building come out of Dr. Sarac’s conviction that education is the main tool to build peace throughout the world. By founding an institution of higher education wherein students can come from diverse national, cultural, and social backgrounds and study alongside each other in the classroom, Dr. Sarac has truly made this vision a reality. Today, VIU is a place where there is real freedom to exchange ideas, backgrounds and grow together.

The Growth

Since 1998, when VIU officially opened its doors and began achieving the goal of providing the highest quality of education, it has shown consistent growth. An institution that began with a handful of students in the Fall 1999 semester, had 25 times more students by Fall 2005!  In 2010, VIU’s students more than doubled again, representing more than 50 countries across the globe.  In this same year, VIU opened the School of Online Education. Students can now enroll in, study, and earn a degree or certificate from all over the world, both here on our campus in the Washington DC metropolitan area, and through our online classrooms. We launched many new in-demand programs along the way, as we increased our numbers of students, faculty and staff.

The Commitment
VIU is committed to providing a better education for a better world. Through a student-centered approach, we provide the most positive environment for learning available anywhere. Our programs are structured to allow students great flexibility in the design and direction of their own studies. As part of our commitment to give back to the community, students are encouraged to apply for a variety of scholarships and to work in the university as student representatives in their field. This provides them with practical, hands-on knowledge that they can take with them into the real world.

The Global Success
Throughout their time at VIU, our students’ leadership skills are developed and nurtured, and they graduate fully prepared to make a positive difference in their communities as they enter the workforce. Our success can be seen in the success of our alumni: so many of them are leaders in their fields, some staying in the local area and others going back to make positive changes in their home countries.
VIU alumni are leaders in many areas: several of them head various government agencies around the world, from leading communications in the embassy of a Middle Eastern country to strategic planning at the Ministry of Mineral and Energy Resources of a Central Asian nation. Others work in large multinational corporations like Deloitte, Ernst & Young, in international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund or the World Bank or in large technology companies like IBM, Cisco and Google. Entrepreneurship also runs strong at VIU; after graduating with prestigious VIU MBAs, several alumni have started their own businesses: a school in the Far East, a textile mill in South Asia, a technology firm in Africa. And yet other alumni surprise us, becoming executives in fields as varied as American media and the European air and space industry. One thing remains certain: wherever our alumni end up, they are well equipped to lead with the preparation and practical experience they have gained at VIU.

The Appreciation
The year 2013 marked an important milestone for our university, as our doors have been open for 15 years.  15 years of providing education to a diverse student body, 15 years of making educational dreams come true, and 15 years of building the future together.
Our president Dr. Sarac would like to highlight many great people who have been instrumental in VIU’s growth and development. Starting with his own family, initial investors in his dream, as well as Richard J. Ernst, Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, Jennifer Watts, Dr. Bishnu Poudel, Dr. Habib Khan, Mr. Tarik Celik, Mr. Hasan Karaburk, Dr. Laura Hills, Dr. Gail Whitaker, and Dr. Masha Vassilieva, and so many more individuals whose contributions are unparalleled. We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to all the wonderful staff, current and former, alumni, current students and friends and supporters that have made VIU succeed. We have become more than we could have ever dreamed, because of them.

The Bright Future
In the last 15 years, VIU has not only broadened its brand and global reach but expanded physically, growing to 4 campuses. VIU has also been a continuous innovator, providing superior education through faculty and staff who go to the latest conferences and participate in research in their fields as well as the latest technological advances, including the VIU app and even an electronic text-based student alert system.
As we look back on these 15 years of excellence, we see our alumni becoming successful global leaders in business, technology and education sectors and we see our current students excel in their fields. In looking towards the bright future, all of us here at VIU are excited to see what the next 15 years of excellence will hold for our institution, and we firmly believe that the best is yet to come.