Blog#3

From: yangyang(yngshy91@yahoo.com.cn)
to: Maarten Bergvelt bergv@illinoi.edu

date: Wed. Sept. 8, 2010 at 12:29 pm.
Subject: Asking for help!
Dear Professor Bergvelt
    I am your student in Mathematics 231. My name is Shiyi Yang and my UIN is 678798331. I should have taken FD7 dicussion section but I mistakenly took FD1 section the very first two weeks. However, I took the two quizes and finished the discussion homework in FD1. Could I transfer the score I got in FD1 to FD7 discussion section?

Sincerely,
Shiyi Yang

Topic2

With the emphasis of teamwork and cooperation, people will increasingly depend on mutual connections and social networking. The networking could help one collect more detailed information, conclude more precise conclusion and improve the general work efficiency. As I stated before, engineering is not an isolated enterprise from social society. Staying in laboratory, checking data and calculating equations are basics element of an engineer life, but scientists also have to plunge themselves into social activities and get involved with human interactions. Engineering is a system from the first designing, modeling and construction to the final stage of application. Engineer doesn’t just discover a phenomenon or conclude a theory but also shall harness the knowledge into daily lives.
       So, in order to build up my network, I come up with several ways to make new friends and enrich my experience.

I divide my friends as several groups: native friends, Chinese friends and professors and TA.

I believe it is easiest to communicate with Chinese friends. We share the same language, common interests and similar background. Under the same individual development circumstance, we tend to be more united and friendly in the United States.  

In order to make friends with each other, I mainly take two measurements to communicate with them. The most common way is to play sports. We gather together on Friday night or Saturday night to play basketball at Arch. I believe it is the most convenient way to get to know each other. During weekday, we may not even meet each other because of different schedule and planning. However, playing sports set up a stage for us to know each other and communicate mutually. Ironically, some people who take the same class don’t know each other before. However,  during sports, they get chances to share interests and hobbies.

Alternatively, I make Chinese friends by playing traditional Chinese card games. We play a Chinese card game called “The Killing of Three Kingdom”, which is similar to “Bang”. We frequently gather six or seven people together to play this card games at our residence hall. I believe it is not just the attraction of game itself, but also a sense of belonging. Under the specific environment, we are inclined to be more relaxed staying with Chinese friends. Through this communication, I know some of my best friends here and I hope keep moving in this way.

Likewise, I tried to make friends with them through playing sports. I participated in a volleyball team with students in iEFX and we had a great fun on that day. Although we lost the very first game, we got to know each other and chatted with one another. Indeed, sometimes playing sports is really a great way to make friends and get to know each other.

In addition, I tried to communicate with my classmates in class. When we have Mathematics discussion, we solve the problems in a group together and I believe it is an effective way to get to know each other.  During the discussion, we share everyone’s talents, consider each member’s thoughts and find out the best solutions to questions. During the discussion, we could share common interests, get to each member’s background and make friends with each other. It is a great way to establish my network and enrich my communication experience.

During study in Illinois, I mainly send e-mails to my professors or TA to ask questions or get help. I will keep trying to communicate with my professors and TA and get to know them or even make friends with them.

During the establishment of social network, I find out that it is easier to make friends with Chinese because of the particular circumstance. When I try to communicate with native students, however, I cannot understand what they say sometimes due to the lack of listening skills. Besides, as we have different backgrounds and education, it becomes really hard to find a common interest. Sometimes I find it a little embarrassed during the conversation because we don’t know what to say. Thus, I have to keep enhancing my listening ability and taking time to figure out common interests shared by me and some native students especially those who live with me. Only at that time could I more effectively build up my network and get myself involved in the American lifestyle and in lives in American Universities.