Monday, June 22, 2009

I worked from midnight until like 6:00 AM on the web system for students to check their grades online, which is a project I am doing for a department of the university where I study. I worked on the PHP sessions part of the system, but it still have some bugs that I have to fix.

I went to run for exercising in the afternoon.

At night I continued working on the web system for students to check their grades online, and I finished the system of sessions and authentications with PHP. So sessions are successfully created, maintaned and destroyed, showing the information corresponding to each user. But now it is time to work on the database structure, queries, etc.

Tang Khai Shing from Malaysia has been really kind by answering all of my questions about traveling in the United States, student life at The University of Alabama in Huntsville, etc. I received these two new emails from her, as an answers to my questions:

It takes about 4 hours from DC to NYC. NYC & DC is definitely a place not to be missed. You may choose to arrive DC earlier or leave later...depends on your class schedule. But you won't know the dates for the workshop so soon so itz still kinda hard to plan early.

The minimum amt of credits that you need to take is 12 hours per semester....maximum is 15 hours. It's around 4 or 5 classes depending on what kinda classes you take. Classes like sports, dance, music might be only 1 or 2 credits...language is usually 5 credits...other classes will be 3 credits usually. It really depends on what you want...you can hav a mix of classes that can b transferred back to your university and also some classes that you just wanna take for self-interest. Wud b cool also if you can begin the graduation process after you go back to your country. Since you'll have 2 semesters...you'll have more options. WL requires that at least 50% of the classes muz b related to your course of studies. Try looking over the classes first...don't regret your choice...hehe!! One more advise...shortlist 1 or 2 extra classes just in case the classes are filled up. Try to attend all the classes that you have shortlisted during the first week....and after the professors go through the syllabus...you'll know better whether what's gonna be taught in the class will be what you want. You can add or drop classes during the first week, so keep your options open first. Try not to take too many difficult classes and end up stressing yourself...you still need time to enjoy many other things...hehe!!

FYI...the monthly stipend that we received last year was a lil' more than $290 per month...that's why I managed to save more money for all my traveling. I'm not too sure how much stipend you'll be getting yet. If you don't spend a lot on shopping...you should be able to save about $200 per month coz you don't really need to spend much on campus. The New Orleans trip and Gatlinburg ski trip that I went was for subsidized by the university and OIPS...so it was free. As for Atlanta and Orlando...it was my own expense. Regards, Khai Shing

I suppose the 50% rule still applies for y'all. Yea...it is very interesting...like you can opt for any engineering classes and it will still be considered under your field of studies.

Thanks for all your compliments...hehe!!:p Just thought of introducing my country to friends from other parts of the world...it was fun though. The dress that I wore was Malaysia's traditional costume which I brought from Malaysia. You may also consider bringing your country's costume for any international events.

Jaime Montoya
webmaster@jaimemontoya.com
www.jaimemontoya.com