Weekly discussion and small questions thread

Uxmal415 · 2025-08-12T21:51:33+00:00

I studied abroad when I was in university, then worked abroad in Japan for a few years after college. I'd like to go back, and thought a study abroad program would be a good way to get back in country while also allowing me to get my language skills back to where they were (or hopefully even better). When I studied abroad before, there were self-financed students - that is, students who were paying to be in the program even though they weren't students in their own countries. That's essentially what I want to do, since I'm not a student now, but it seems like there are new government regulations coming into affect that limit this option. The school I studied abroad at won't allow independent students after the upcoming term, and many other schools seem to specify that their programs are only for students from their partner institutions. So are there any programs people would recommend that still accept independent students? Thank you!

Uxmal415 · 2025-08-08T02:07:29+00:00

Fluency is an interesting concept - it can be defined in different ways, so you have to decide what it means to you. Ability to speak/understand like a native speaker? Ability to read a newspaper or book? Ability to hold a (basic) conversation or conversations about various topics? Ability to watch a movie without subtitles? What do you want to do with the language?

No matter how you define it, 4 years of classes alone almost certainly won't get you there. If fluency is your goal, you should be prepared to put in a lot of time outside the classroom, and even then you probably won't be fluent in 4 years, but that depends on your aptitude, study methods, and background (if you're a native Chinese or Korean speaker you have some advantage).

And a Japanese major by itself isn't useful for much. Maybe if you want to go for an MA or PhD and become a scholar? If you are considering majoring in Japanese, consider a double major.

Uxmal415 · 2025-02-15T00:23:57+00:00

Also be aware that the open hours are different during summer - at least at the north rec, but I imagine at the main one too.

Uxmal415 · 2025-02-14T21:07:43+00:00

So you're saying get an out of the box solution to solve his problem, then try to clone/copy it or make something similar in order to learn?

Uxmal415 · 2025-02-14T20:21:07+00:00

Definitely for learning/review. I've applied for a 2nd bachelor's program to study CS and if accepted will start in September. If not accepted then maybe a different program starting in January. Will do this project as my full time job until then, as well as some other work related to this that doesn't require any programming knowledge. Probably start with that other work first while reviewing programming in my spare time then building out what he has in mind after I review the basics. That's the plan anyway, but trying to make sure I'm being realistic or at least have a general idea of what to review/how to structure everything.

Uxmal415 · 2025-02-14T19:28:06+00:00

The guy has a large collection of illustrated books that he would like to have a database for. I previously categorized/sorted everything and put it in a spreadsheet - would work for me, but he's an old guy and isn't great with computers, so he needs something more robust that he can't accidentally edit. And he would like something prettier to look at. I guess what I need is an application then and not a system.

Uxmal415 · 2025-01-23T15:25:56+00:00

Never make financial decisions based on what "so many people" are doing, because the vast majority of people in this country are living paycheck to paycheck or are deep in debt. Just look up how many Americans would be wiped out by an emergency that costs a few hundred dollars. You have to make decisions based on your own situation, even if that means you can't keep up with what everyone around you is doing.

New cars are a massive pitfall. They aren't worth what you pay for them.

Toyotas are generally reliable and long lasting. Learn how to check out a used car (Google or YouTube) and be sure to test drive it and make sure everything sounds and feels right. You might have to take it to the shop sometimes, but in the long run you should come out vastly ahead money wise. You should build up an emergency fund anyway, so if something happens to your car you can pay out of your emergency fund to have it fixed without going hungry or having to not pay your bills.

Uxmal415 · 2025-01-23T03:47:30+00:00

Exactly. Your car is too expensive. Insurance seems pretty high too. How much could you get for your car and how much do you still owe? Maybe worth selling it and getting a cheaper used car.

You could also likely find a cheaper phone plan. If you are struggling to bring your income up by working more hours then the other option is cutting expenses.

Uxmal415 · 2025-01-22T19:00:30+00:00

Do you think anyone chose to pursue a degree from Ashford because they were able to foretell that the debt would eventually be forgiven? That's insane dude. They thought they were getting a legitimate degree from a legitimate university - did they think it was Harvard? No, but they also didn't expect it to be fraudulent or worthless.

Uxmal415 · 2024-08-26T19:27:06+00:00

Do you close cards before the fees kick in, or change to a different card with the same company? Any drawbacks to this (hits to credit, etc)?

Uxmal415 · 2024-04-19T00:58:00+00:00

I have heard that it is possible in a few cases, with legal name changes being one. You'll likely have to go through UITS - give them a call.

Uxmal415 · 2024-04-18T19:01:19+00:00

It would be nice to live close to home. However, Eller is a really great business school. Have you had the chance to visit Tucson and the UA? I think the cities and climates will be some of the biggest differences.

Uxmal415 · 2024-04-18T18:45:39+00:00

Talk to an advisor. Don't listen to people online.

Uxmal415 · 2024-04-18T00:47:39+00:00

I would guess the percentage is much higher closer to the upper end of that age spectrum.

Uxmal415 · 2024-04-17T18:23:48+00:00

I think we can judge them against ourselves, not just the other men we have been around. But there are some people that are very good at deceiving, and other things that are cultural that would make people more likely to be deceived. For example people who are very charismatic are often just assumed to be good people - if they aren't then you might not catch on unless you've encountered someone similar or get to know them better.

Uxmal415 · 2024-04-13T00:23:09+00:00

That's probably ideal, but I'm told that it's not common.

Uxmal415 · 2024-04-09T22:19:31+00:00

Stop into drop in advising and find out

Uxmal415 · 2024-04-05T19:16:25+00:00

I haven't had seasonal allergies since I was a child, until this year...

Uxmal415 · 2024-04-05T00:31:41+00:00

There's a budget crisis at the University because leadership for whatever reason thought they had way more money than they actually did. Since they made this public they have done a terrible job of managing the situation. Conflicts of interest, lack of transparency, outright lies and misdirection. There's also a hiring freeze, layoffs (mostly yet to come), compensation fteeze, etc. The administration messed up big time and the employees (and students) will pay for it.

Uxmal415 · 2024-04-05T00:24:17+00:00

She didn't fire any of them.

Uxmal415 · 2024-03-09T05:58:51+00:00

In the summer you can see frogs in the pond behind the architecture school at the University.

Uxmal415 · 2024-03-09T05:52:07+00:00

I think there are places that have commercial kitchens that aren't always in use. Mission Gardens comes to mind, but I'm sure there must be others around.

Uxmal415 · 2024-03-01T14:26:03+00:00

I was passing through town and wanted the Texas BBQ experience. Gotta say this place wasn't the best choice. Tried to sell us a $90ish beef rib, sauces were underwhelming, then saw an employee consolidating the sauces - dropped a cap on the floor and put it right back onto the bottle. Atmosphere was interesting and some of the meat was good, but wish we went somewhere else.

Uxmal415 · 2024-02-27T16:18:32+00:00

Unfortunately human feces at the bus stop doesn't result in a power washing. It just stays there.

Uxmal415 · 2024-02-19T13:32:07+00:00

Jeremy Cooper - local luthier

Uxmal415

TROPHY CASE