CIRCLE

CIRCLE Fast Track

Join CIRCLE to chat, learn, and exchange ideas with your peers from the U.S. and across the world! The weekly discussion series consists of seven topic that rotate each week between cultural and academic themes: three topics focus on tips and strategies to accelerate your adjustment to living in the U.S. and four topics on ways to boost your academic productivity. You will leave each session with new knowledge, different perspectives, helpful tips and strategies, resources for future learning or development, and most importantly, friendships that could last longer than your educational journey at the UW. 

In Spring 2023, the academic themes include:  

  1. The Art of Saying No 
  2. Goal Setting and Planning 
  3. Fundamental Interviewing Techniques 

And the cultural themes include:  

  1. Holiday Traditions and Celebrations: Easter 
  2. Discovering Parks in Seattle 
  3. Exploring Coffee Culture 
  4. Balancing Finances as a Student 

Join CIRCLE to chat, learn, and exchange ideas from your peers from the U.S. and across the world! You will leave each session with new knowledge, different perspectives, helpful tips and strategies, resources for future learning or development, and most importantly, friendships that could last longer than your educational journey at the UW. By clicking on the links in the schedule below you can see more details about the sessions and access the registration link.

Schedule Overview 

Week  Date/Time  Category  Topic 
Week 2  April 5 (Wed), 4:30-5:30 p.m.   Cultural/Social  Holiday Traditions and Celebrations: Easter 
Week 3  April 12 (Wed), 4:30-5:30 p.m.  Academic  The Art of Saying No 
Week 4  April 19 (Wed), 4:30-5:30 p.m. Cultural/Social  Discovering Parks in Seattle 
Week 5  April 26 (Wed), 4:30-5:30 p.m.  Academic  Goal Setting and Planning 
Week 6  May 3 (Wed), 4:30-5:30 p.m. Cultural/Social  Exploring Coffee Culture 
Week 7  May 10 (Wed), 4:30-5:30 p.m. Academic  Fundamental Interviewing Techniques 
Week 8  May 17 (Wed), 4:30-5:30 p.m. Cultural/Social  Balancing Finances as a Student 

Weekly Discussion Facilitators:

Elizabeth Dechasa is a Program Assistant at CIRCLE and a first-year graduate candidate in the Department of English studying Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. In between studying and working, she is learning Amharic and drinking lots of coffee. Elizabeth is from the Midwest and has three years of work experience in both an International Programs Office and a Writing Center.

Mellot Samuel is a Program Assistant at CIRCLE. She currently is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in International Studies, with a minor in African Studies. In addition to her major, she is currently studying two languages, Japanese and Swahili. Mellot was born and raised in Seattle, WA.

Sree Lekha is a Graduate Student Program Coordinator at CIRCLE. Currently, she is pursuing her Master’s degree in Business Analytics from the Foster School of Business. With a rich background in Technology Consulting, Sree Lekha possesses two years of relevant experience in the field. Originally hailing from India, Sree Lekha brings a unique perspective and a multicultural approach to her work at CIRCLE.

Sharon Pai is a Program Assistant at FIUTS. Sharon was born in California, but soon returned to Taiwan and mainly grew up there. She then came back to the U.S. at 14 and stayed ever since! She is now a UW undergraduate student working towards a BS degree either in physics or HCDE. She is interested in cross-cultural activities, loves to try new cuisines, and meeting new people!

Ziyan Bai, Ph.D. is the Assistant Director of Graduate Programs at CIRCLE. She is dedicated to promoting the holistic success of students in higher education. She has over 9 years of professional experience leading professional development workshops for students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Ziyan received both her master’s and Ph.D. degrees in higher education leadership and policy studies from the UW.   

Background of CIRCLE Fast Track Weekly Discussion Series:  

In winter 2023, CIRCLE launched a weekly discussion series to better prepare international undergraduate and graduate students with knowledge and skills for a smoother transition to U.S. academic and social life. As international students coming from different cultural and educational backgrounds, your past experiences inform how you adjust to the U.S. and the University of Washington. Each quarter, CIRCLE Fast Track weekly discussion series highlight different topics each week that are the most relevant to student academic, social and cultural life.  

Previous Quarter Schedule Overview 

Week  Date/Time  Category 

Topic 
Week 2  1/12 (Thu), 4:30-5:30pm  Academic  Making the Most of Office Hours 
Week 3  1/19 (Thu), 4:30-5:30pm  Cultural/Social  Making Connections via Small Talk 
Week 4  1/26 (Thu), 4:30-5:30pm  Academic  Successful Participation in Class 
Week 5  2/2 (Thu), 4:30-5:30pm  Cultural/Social  Learning about U.S. Sports Culture 
Week 6  2/9 (Thu), 4:30-5:30pm  Academic  Effective Email Communication 
Week 7  2/16 (Thu), 4:30-5:30pm  Cultural/Social  Exploring Food in the U.S.  
Week 8  2/23 (Thu), 4:30-5:30pm  Academic  Writing in the U.S. University