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Month: February 2013

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Published on 1 Comment on Spotlight on: Daksha Shakya

Daksha Shakya

Daksha Shakya is an M.A. candidate in International Development Studies. She was born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal. Her interest in international development first started in 2005 when she worked as a facilitator for a youth empowerment project in Nepal. She also tutored youth in Nepal while volunteering for the Rugmark Foundation, an organization that works to prevent illegal child labor in the handmade carpet industry. In 2008, she studied abroad in Cape Town, South Africa and while there she volunteered at the Kensington Township teaching children and youth a basic numeracy, literacy, and life skills component. After graduation from Ithaca College in 2009, Daksha worked as a Program Management Assistant for a consulting firm and as a Compliance Administrator for an NGO in the DC metro area. She currently works with the World Bank’s Transitional Demobilization and Reintegration Program. Her major projects have included the design of an economic reintegration project for demobilized soldiers in South Sudan and a qualitative field study in northern Uganda to study the role of women-run economic associations in promoting social cohesion between female ex-combatants and their community counterparts. Daksha is currently assisting the team lead to study the contribution of vocational training programs towards sustainable livelihoods of ex-combatants in Rwanda and DRC. She is fluent in Nepali, English, and Hindi and is learning French.

Are you doing something exciting that you want to share with your peers? Students featured as the monthly spotlight are nominated by an Elliott School student, staff, or faculty member. To  nominate someone you know, send an e-mail to advising@gwu.edu. 

If you'd like to share your own story with your peers, please e-mail your story and picture to advising@gwu.edu.

Published on Leave a comment on DegreeMAP Update

It’s been a month since DegreeMAP launched for graduate students, so we thought it’d be a good time to provide some tips based on what we’ve heard from students and our own experience navigating through the launch of this supplemental advising tool.

  1. Foreign Language Requirements show as “Still Required” even if you've already satisfied your foreign language proficiency requirement. Unlike grades for coursework, we manually input notations on your record to indicate that this requirement has been satisfied. The way that DegreeMAP pulls information doesn't allow for these types of notations to automatically update on the degree audit. This means that your Foreign Language Requirement will show as “Still Required” until a periodic update takes place. You don’t need to take any action on this. If you need reassurance that you have completed this requirement, consider whether you have received official scores from our office, a response to your Request for Confirmation of Completed Foreign Language Requirement, or you see a notation on your unofficial transcript showing that you've met the requirement.
  2. You've received special permission, via a signed plan of study or approved policy exception to count a course (that is not listed on your “pre-approved” curriculum) toward a requirement of your degree. This course does not appear to count toward the area of your curriculum for which it was approved. Courses that are not “pre-approved” aren’t automatically “coded” in the DegreeMAP system. In this case, you should e-mail your academic advisor with the following information:
  • GWID
  • Course Number(s)
  • Name(s) of requirement field(s) of concern

You should allow 4-6 weeks for your request to be reviewed. When your advisor has reviewed your request, he/she will send you a confirmation e-mail which includes additional information or instructions if necessary.

*In the unlikely event that you do not receive a confirmation email after 6 weeks have passed, you may email your advisor to inquire about the status of your inquiry.

Scheduling an appointment with your advisor will not expedite the process, and these requests cannot be addressed during call-in advising.

Additional information about DegreeMAP is available here.

Published on Leave a comment on Spring Break Office Hours

We won't be relaxing poolside, wiggling our toes in the sand, or participating in an Alternative Spring Break, but we will be closing an hour early during the week of March 11-March 15. Our "Spring Break" office hours will be Monday - Friday 9:00 am -5:00 pm. 

Published on Leave a comment on Summer 2013 Registration Opens March 1

The Office of the Registrar has posted the summer 2013 schedule of classes and the following information for Summer Sessions registration:

Session I Session II
General Registration Friday, March 1 - Sunday, May 19 Friday, March 1 - Sunday, July 7
Late Registration Begins Monday, May 20Friday, May 24 is the last day for ALL Consortium registrationMonday, May 27 is the last day to add a class via GWeb or to drop a class via any meansFriday, May 31 is the last day to add a class via RTF-EZFriday, June 14 is the last day to withdraw from a class with a grade of 'W' using the RTF-EZ or to change grade mode with Dean's permission Begins Monday, July 8Friday, May 24 is the last day for ALL Consortium registrationSunday, July 14 is the last day to add a class via GWeb or to drop a class via any meansFriday, July 19 is the last day to add a class via RTF-EZFriday, August 2 is the last day to withdraw from a class with a grade of 'W' using the RTF-EZ or to change grade mode with Dean's permission

 

If you're thinking about taking summer classes, here are some things to consider:

  • Full-time status is considered six (6) credits during the summer (half-time is considered 3 credits).
  • Summer classes are condensed into 6, 8, 10, and 14-week sessions. This means in most cases you'll cover the same amount of material in less time.
  • GW offers an array of "Special Programs" during the summer, including Summer Institutes and Short-term Abroad programs.

Published on Leave a comment on Trending Question: I’m an international student and I need a support letter from you to apply for OPT. When can I pick it up?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a program that provides international students with the opportunity to gain practical experience that is directly related to the student's current field and degree for up to twelve months after completion of your academic program. There are guidelines and eligibility requirements that you'll need to pay close attention to, so please take a moment to review them here before contacting your academic advisor.

In order to write a letter supporting your request for OPT, we'll need a Practical Training Cover Letter from you. As noted on the International Services Office website, the letter should include the following:

• Current date
• Your major field of study
• Your degree objective
• The date you expect to complete your studies*
• Your GW student ID number and Social Security Number (if any)
• A description of the practical training (what type of job you will seek)
• How the practical training is related to your field of study
• The beginning and ending dates of your requested practical training **
• Your name (printed) and signature
*For your expected completion date, use the last day of final exams in your final semester of study.
**Visit the ISO's website for more information on how to correctly choose your start and end dates, and implications of the dates you choose.

Once you've crafted your cover letter, send it to your academic advisor along with your request that he/she write a letter of support for you. Once your advisor has received your cover letter, it may take 3-4 business days for the letter to be written. Once your advisor has written the letter, he/she will contact you via e-mail letting you know your letter is ready to be picked-up. You do not need an appointment to pick-up your letter. Simple bring a valid photo-ID to the front desk of Academic Advising and Student services during normal office hours.

Published on Leave a comment on Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH)

The fourth annual Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) conference will bring "over 1500 global leaders, researchers, policy makers, educators, and students" to Washington, DC March 14-16, 2013 to discuss global health challenges. Visit our Research, Fellowships, and Conference Opportunities page if this event sounds like something you  Want to Know  more about!

 

 

Published on Leave a comment on Did you receive the latest Elliott School Celebration e-mail?

An informative e-mail containing detailed information on the upcoming May 17 Elliott School Celebration and May 19 University Commencement ceremonies should have arrived in your inbox yesterday afternoon if you are at least near the half-way point of your degree (based on the number of credits you've earned, not your completed requirements!). This e-mail explains the ticket distribution process, how to order regalia, and how to enter the Student Speaker competition.

If you feel that you should have received the e-mail and did not please check your GW e-mail (including the "spam" and "trash" folders) and then e-mail esiacelebration@gmail.com.

Published on Leave a comment on How did you spend President’s Day?

Each year, on the third Monday in February, we recognize George Washington's birthday as President's Day (many of us do so by enjoying a day off!). We hope you all enjoyed the three day weekend and got a chance to celebrate President's Day by partaking in one of the many activities taking place in the DC area. If you missed your chance to attend an event, there's still an opportunity to brush up on your Washington History by taking a walking tour of Alexandria, Washington's hometown.

Dates:  Every Sunday in February (3rd, 10th, 17th, & 24th)
Time:  2 p.m. (tour lasts about one hour)
Location:  Meet at the Ramsay House Visitors Center(near the intersection of King & Fairfax Streets)
Ticket Price:   Free! Advance reservations not required.
Visit http://www.washingtonbirthday.net/status for more information.

Published on Leave a comment on Trending Question: Why do I need to include my GWID in my emails to my advisor? Don’t you know me?

Hopefully you and your academic advisor have built a rapport with each other.  But, you should be concerned if your advisor knows your GWID by heart.  This means that he or she has a photographic memory and should be putting this talent to use in some other way.  Or it means that you require so much attention that it is easier for your advisor to commit your GWID to memory.  Neither option is good.

It is important that you include your GWID in messages to your academic advisor even if you and your advisor have a strong relationship.  Including your GWID helps your advisor file your communications properly and investigate questions you might have related to your student record.  Remember GW was founded in 1821, so chances are that there are a number of students in the GW system with your same name.  The GWID is the best way to distinguish between you and them.

Published on Leave a comment on Celebrating the Lunar New Year

February 8, 2013 was the traditional Lunar New Year eve. Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) and the Elliott School Graduate Student Ambassadors (GSA) teamed up to host an event, which combined an International Potluck and Lunar New Year Celebration. Yue (Luna) Wang helped organize and host the event, where students gathered to taste Asian foods and  enjoy a show. Students  who attended had the opportunity to experience the energy surrounding the Lunar New Year, chat with Asian students about customs and traditions, and practice conversational skills in Asian languages.

GSA, Luna Wang, celebrating the Lunar New Year
Graduate Student Ambassador, Luna Wang , celebrating the Lunar New Year
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