Welcome prospective Pennsylvanians!!!

A warm welcome to all potential Penn-ers!!! Let me be one of the first, and probably only, Greek/Italian students to begin telling you that you cannot go wrong in choosing Penn as your destination for the next four years. For all students coming from abroad, I will try my best to act as an informative and reliable “international connection”. And for all those of you that are worried about making the transition to a foreign land, let me tell you that you have all the right to be horrified! The first year will seem like an insurmountable and endless obstacle and………………………………Don’t worry! I’m only joking.

I’ll admit it, my first year did present some challenges but it was also very stimulating, interesting and downright fun! The Penn community really does a lot to welcome all students and within a few weeks you’ll feel right at home, whether that home be a single, tiny room in the old, yet beautiful, Quad or a fully furnished apartment in the domineering high rises that create the infamous wind tunnel.

For my first blog I would like to offer you some advice on course selections. I know when I did that two summers ago there were a lot of questions running through my head. So here a few pointers:

1. Use penn course review but don’t abuse it. In other words, don’t shy away from courses that seem overly challenging. Just remember that some of the best courses are taught by world-renowned professors. Therefore, they’re not going to be walk in the parks. And that’s a good thing. Penn offers so many interesting courses; really try to take many of them. It’s never too early to begin trying. And if you’re still scared after all this rambling, just audit a course and see if you could a handle a semester of it.
   
2. Don’t shy away from early courses. That is, don’t select courses based on when they meet. My freshman year I had class every day at 9am. Believe me, it does get ugly but if the course is interesting you will want to make that extra effort to wake up earlier. I’m not saying to do exactly what I did but don’t set noon as the cut-off point!
3. Get to know your professors and TAs. In terms of course material, TAs are there to help you. Send them emails, talk to them after class, go to their office hours. They want to help you, that’s their job. I’ve had great experiences with all my TAs because I’ve reached out to them. Okay, maybe I’m Mediterranean and therefore that makes me a good rambler but even asking a few questions during recitations (i.e. classes conducted by TAs) is enough. And as for professors, visit them to discuss the course material in more depth. Show your passion and inquire about research opportunities if the area of study interests you. Trust me, professors love students who show an interest in their fields of research. And remember, these relationships will help you down the line when you’ll be looking for recommendations.
   

All right, that’s all for now. Be on the lookout for more posts from your very own, personal “International Connection”

And also, post up any questions regarding anything. ANYTHING: academics, social life, meal plans, sports, friends, professional work etc. You name it.

Ciao!

George/Georges/Georgos/Giorgio/Gorge/Georgios (my name has way too many versions!)