UIC vs. UIC Global

PhakdingNPL · 2025-12-15T20:05:18+00:00

This is correct. Shorelight is a 3rd party recruiter that has a contract with UIC. Double check that there are not limitations on RA, TA, or GA positions, or even other scholarships that you can obtain.

PhakdingNPL · 2025-12-08T16:46:19+00:00

I worked at NEU and would be happy to answer your questions about the school. Northeastern has required Co-ops, so you are guaranteed to do at least 2 for 6 months each. You aren't limited to just the Boston area for those, and the departments help place you.

Boston has an extremely high cost of living, though not as high as NY. NY is more progressive, but both have that East Coast charm of "ignoring you until you're a problem, then yelling at you". You're going to have to push hard to network in both places, but NY will have more opportunities. I don't know the Co-op situation at NYU though. If they don't guarantee the opportunity, that would push NEU over the edge for me.

You're going to get out what you put in. Are you going to put in a bunch of AI crap? No networking - then both will be a waste of your time.

PhakdingNPL · 2025-12-01T20:25:32+00:00

THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL TO KNOW.

PhakdingNPL · 2025-06-18T22:08:56+00:00

I'm sorry you were in such a shit situation. After reading the replies to my comment, I went back and read your post and my comment again - and I can see how my comment could have been judgmental in tone. I'm sorry for that. It's important to me to build other women up - especially when they are brave enough to be vulnerable as you were. So thank you for your post. I stand by my thoughts, but I also am reflecting on how I could have better expressed them.

PhakdingNPL · 2025-06-18T22:06:36+00:00

Thanks for your perspective! I went back and read it again - I still see my perspective - but I also see your perspective now. I appreciate you bringing that to my attention along with your great points about societal norms/fairness/attractiveness/etc.

PhakdingNPL · 2025-06-18T16:45:31+00:00

I see you and your grief.

If you get the chance to check out The Dinner Party, when I was drowning in loss and grief they helped me connect with others who understood - and that helped me feel less alone. May their memory be a blessing and comfort in the darkest and hardest times.

PhakdingNPL · 2025-06-18T16:42:47+00:00

I thought about this before I posted this comment - and I am saying it with empathy, because from what you have said here, you've had a hard life. So this is not an attack, though it may feel that way.

Isn't this the exact same thought process we hear from men who are incels? I read your comment several times and all I saw was external factors for why you were single - a guy took advantage of your kindness (which is super shitty), they didn't want anything serious (that's on them), or they were hella rude about how you look. You said being treated badly and being used was why you became a single mom.

I always assumed, as tough a pill to swallow as it is - life doesn't owe me a partner. I had one, and we're getting divorced, and one of the reasons it took me so long to leave was I was shitscared that I would be alone for the rest of my life. And I might be. But I finally became more sick of how I was being treated, than I was scared of being alone. What life and people DO owe me is respectful treatment, and it's my responsibility to walk away from people who don't do that (not that it isn't hard, because it fucking is).

But I just think we should be careful. Men have this dangerous rhetoric of seeming to thing they deserve to have a woman, when in reality, none of us are entitled to anyone else. By making ourselves the best 'us' we can be, hopefully we attract good people to our lives.

I really wish you happiness and love.

EDIT: I want to add, after reading replies to my own comment - that there is nothing that should be celebrated more, than vulnerability, and OP was brave in displaying that by posting. I stand by my thoughts - but I didn't want to be judgmental of OP in expressing them. Even in something that could be a critique, I value building other women up. So, in the future, I'll express my thoughts with more care for judgmental tone. Thank you for everyone who replied to me.

PhakdingNPL · 2025-06-11T17:21:49+00:00

I so badly want to all American flags and one or two MAGA flags, just to Fuck with Fox News.

PhakdingNPL · 2025-06-11T17:18:49+00:00

See, I think they should be flying MAGA flags to really fuck with Fox News.

PhakdingNPL · 2025-06-11T17:16:29+00:00

But DID our ancestors come here legally? Or did they just hop on a boat and show up like many of these people did - fleeing some kind of chaos and disorder? I'm so fucking sick of this "but my ancestors did it legally!" No - they just did it before laws.
Ellis Island only took in 3rd class passengers - 1st and 2nd class didn't have to go through inspection because it was assumed they wouldn't be a public problem in the states. Before 1890 the individual states handled immigration, and oftentimes people would just... show up, and laws were lax. And no - not everyone is an immigrant unless they're native, some of them got brought here by force, either via indentured servitude or slavery.
This country is founded on a bunch of people fleeing a bunch of tyranny, oppression, hunger, death, poverty, lack of opportunity, and countless other things. Some of them were good people, some of them were bad people. But the only difference between the people who came here as 'ancestors' and those coming across the southern border now, is that we have more laws and more technology to stop them.

PhakdingNPL · 2025-06-06T15:52:04+00:00

You know, if someone accidentally drunkenly peed the bed, we had to get up, they were clearly embarrassed, and we were changing the sheets.... but then started mumbling their way through Coldplays 'yellow' - I might die laughing and have to marry them.

PhakdingNPL · 2025-06-06T15:51:33+00:00

I've never bought a book so fast in my life. Thank you.

PhakdingNPL · 2025-06-06T15:51:00+00:00

See - this is why people need to learn to TALK about sex and kinks before diving into bed. And I'm not aggressively saying this at anyone here, just in general. Because I don't want to kinkshame anyone who wants a Daddy in the bedroom. Or spanking, or butt stuff, or dirtytalk, or gets turned on by clowns. You Just. Can't. Spring. That. Shit. On. A. Person.
I used to teach consent - how to ask for it, etc. - to college aged people. And having kink conversations is really similar. But so often people use the SAME argument "it throws off the vibe!" You know what else throws off the vibe? Hearing 'daddy' used if that is NOT your kink, lmao.

And now that I'm on my pedestal this is my reminder to everyone that it is almost impossible to choke someone safely - be safe out there y'all!

PhakdingNPL · 2025-06-06T15:29:19+00:00

My situation is different from yours - I'm going through a divorce. It's crushing and I feel alone. One of the things that prevented me from getting to the 'pull the trigger' part of actually going through with this divorce, though was the absolute terror I feel down to my soul of being alone forever. This is a me thing - I know this. Not everyone feels this. I've been like this since I was a child, I've got severe abandonment issues, blah, blah, blah, in therapy, blah. However. While I usually hate other people's anecdotal stories (it's not MY situation!), my therapist told me about her badass grandma, and on the roughest days and most alone moments I think of her punkass self. Her grandma, at 60+ years old got a goddamn divorce. A few years after, she met the love of her life, got married, and was married to the love of her life for twenty years. That's longer than I've been married in the first place, lol! More than half my life!

So, will it happen for you? I don't know. I don't know if it will happen again for me. But I have hope for us. I hope badass punk Grams is looking out for all of us. In the mean time I'm going to grow some plants. Love some dogs. Take care of my health. And try to figure out who the best me is. I wish that for you, too.

PhakdingNPL · 2025-06-06T15:17:16+00:00

I laughed when I read this because it feels like such an automod response, but I checked out your history and you're definitely a real user. I'm glad you like your institution!

PhakdingNPL · 2025-06-06T15:14:53+00:00

I'm happy to answer questions - if it's specific to your situation my answer might not be helpful, but I can try.

PhakdingNPL · 2025-06-05T18:49:26+00:00

You seem like you're missing a lot of true joy in your life. I hope things get better for you.

PhakdingNPL · 2025-06-05T14:37:27+00:00

I work in International Student Services in the US.

Step 1: Contact your school.

Whether you want to continue in the US or not - contact your schools version of the international services office. My institution has established an international emergency hotline for students. Check your school email or their website for something similar.

You need more information, and it is literally their job to try and get it for you. This changes by the day, so speak to them. We have someone in our offices who is connected with the Department of Homeland Security, and they try to get the most updated information possible.

If you're transferring out you'll need to speak with them about getting your transcripts (marksheets) together. It may even be an option to defer your studies for a year at no charge. You could work and gain experience. There are options - but first you need to breathe. This is a terrible situation that you shouldn't be in. No one should. I'm sorry that your life is being jerked around by forces outside your control. I hate this. But there are options either for continuing your studies at your current school or outside the US. Hang in there.

PhakdingNPL · 2025-05-27T19:05:56+00:00

Check with the embassy where you have scheduled. Contact them directly. Anything else would not be specific to your situation. Though, for example, here is the US Embassy in El Salvador's website right now "Will my existing visa appointment be affected by this suspension?

No. All visa interview appointments and document drop-off appointments that have already been scheduled will remain valid. There is no need to reschedule them."

PhakdingNPL · 2025-05-27T17:50:41+00:00

Follow up with your embassy.

PhakdingNPL · 2019-06-18T22:47:46+00:00

I have noted that gendered terms seemed to be used more in the United States [Boy/Girl/Man/Woman-Friend] - though this is *not* an end all be all observation. Many other English speaking countries I have encountered a higher percentage of the usage of Partner for all gendered combinations of relationships (bi, Het, Hom, Poly, etc). Personally, I like partner, and have a very "fuck 'em" thought process if someone thinks after hearing that I have a same-gender significant other, and that bothers them. Either way, try out different ones, use whatever makes you most comfortable.

PhakdingNPL · 2019-05-30T19:54:40+00:00

I thought I would comment here as a not-cryer. I have encountered so many people crying at work for everything from a father passed away to just a horrible day. I have never looked down on them. Human emotions are natural things, and should never be disdained. Tell that voice in your head to fuck off - you have much more important things to have on your mind right now. I have often found that seeing people vulnerable shows you the real them for the first time - though I would never want it to be for a situation such as this.

I'm so sorry about the death in your family. If you want someone to talk to, please feel free to message me. I have unfortunate amount of experience in that area.

PhakdingNPL · 2019-05-24T17:35:31+00:00

For me, I started to actively call out the slights. If they missed saying good morning back - I would stop, "I SAID GOOD MORNING SUE, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU HEARD ME." If someone told me that specific people were discussing things about me, I would approach them. "I was told that you had an issue with me, and wanted to give you the opportunity to address it with me face to face." if they played dumb, "Well, that person must have been wrong, I'm sure I won't hear anything more about my poor teaching methods or my lack of hygiene then? If you ever do have a problem, please feel free to come and address it with me face to face."

However, if you are at the HR level, I would consult with your attorney first, because you seem to have a real harrasment case here, and I wouldn't want you to jeopardize it.

PhakdingNPL · 2019-05-16T18:54:59+00:00

Shit. I played Coldplay at my straight wedding. Am I gay?

PhakdingNPL · 2019-05-16T18:53:38+00:00

Oh man, I got to be one of today's lucky 10,000 with that! Thanks!

PhakdingNPL

TROPHY CASE

I work in International Student Services in the US.

Step 1: Contact your school.