American Cultural Patterns

Founded in 1891, Seattle University is a Jesuit Catholic University based in Capitol Hill. It is amongst the top ten Western Universities offering a wide range of undergraduate and master’s programs, according to US News Reports on best colleges of 2012. Additionally, The Fiske Guide termed it a “Best Buy” in its 2012 edition. Schools in this category are inexpensive and have high academic ratings, usually above four stars. The student population at Seattle is above seven thousand five hundred, amongst them, five hundred and fifty international students from different countries. The range of academic program options includes twenty-seven certificate, thirty-one graduate and sixty-one bachelor’s degree programs. In addition to these, the university has a fully equipped law school and a doctoral program. Its colleges include Arts and Sciences College, Business and Economics School (Albers School), Law School, College of Education, Matteo Ricci College, Theology and Ministry, science and Engineering, and a Nursing college.

The University’s mission statement includes its dedication to educating a person wholly, provide professional information and empower leaders. Its vision is to be an independent Northwest premier University in society service, education and Jesuit Catholic inspiration.  The University has five strategic priorities including academic excellence, Catholic, Jesuit Character, leadership, engaging the world, faculty and staff excellence.  The first goal promotes academic excellence and measuring student accomplishments.  As students leave the institution, the university expects them to be well equipped as effective leaders, who are capable of making a positive contribution to the world; they should also be self-reflective and committed to ethical activities. Having its origins in Catholic and Jesuit, the university prepares students to be human and just leaders who base their leadership on Christian values. Through its student activities programs, the school prepares students to engage in the world, especially in global education and community commitment. Finally, the University also prioritizes the excellence of staff and faculty members. To achieve this, it emphasizes better compensation and benefits, technological advancements, campus upgrades and development opportunities. The core values of Seattle University include sustainability, diversity, technology, leadership formation, care for each student’s success, multidimensional academic excellence, Catholic character and global education.

Students wishing to get admissions into Seattle University should posses minimum requirements for the specific course they wish to pursue. They should make an application for acceptance, fill the finance declaration form, and wait for the University to assign them a SEVIS ID.  The University indicates SEVIS ID on the student’s 1-20 form (Non-immigrant student, eligibility certification. The University charges SEVIS fee of $ 200 to obtain the number. After this, the student makes an appointment with US Embassy for a visa interview if they are international students. Once the student gets approval, they can travel and visit the University for further assistance. Additional information about the University is available on its website.

To obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, the University expects a completion of one hundred and eighty quarter credits minimum, with a 2.25-point average of cumulative grade. Major requirements are a grade of C- or better. For this and other majors, students must perform well in mathematics, English composition, symbolic reasoning, quantitative reasoning and additional writing. A Seattle undergraduate education student, with a baccalaureate degree should achieve several education goals including the ability to be proficient in basic learning and life skills. These skills include ethical decision-making, basic technology use, written and verbal communication, and critical thinking.  The student must have deeply covered his/her discipline in depth; its inquiry methods, knowledge base theoretical organizations and standards of evidence. They should also have deep characteristic learning of science and liberal arts education, and maintain a disposition of personal values.

Different cultural experiences usually hinder proper learning and socialization of students in many international universities. People’s initial response to cultural and personality differences is to avoid it (Stewart C. et al, 1995). Seattle University is a highly diversified University, with students from dissimilar countries. Despite this, the University does not let this be a setback for learning. It has embraced diversity and culture by helping students adapt to the American culture while maintaining their own cultures.  This is evidenced by the availability of a bridge program; enabling non-native English speakers familiarize themselves with the Language. Communications is the first strategy for preventing problems associated with cultural difference. Life becomes easier for students once they are able to communicate well with other students, lecturers, and staff.  The Culture and Language program aids students learn and communicate in English.

Additionally, the university has several cultural programs and initiatives that promote cultural difference, and provides opportunities for international students to express and enjoy their cultures. Every year in January, it hosts International dinner where international students can participate in expressing their cultural activities, especially food varieties and related activities. There is also an international week, for the recognition of different cultures and diversities.  US American rarely recognizes their national cultures (Stewart & Bennett, 1995), which may be attributed to the individualism of Americans. Because of this, their recognition of other cultures usually poses a threat to their national unity, leading to their hostility towards people from different ethnic and cultural background. Seattle University prevented this kind of problem by ensuring student education unifies all students and encourages diversity. Additionally, the University has a wide number of international students that it must accept, and help aid. International student population at Seattle University is approximately five hundred and fifty, from sixty-three different countries.

In order to achieve the University’s goals in student education, it has tailored a number of co-curricular activities that accompany academic learning. Students who wish to get involved in the happenings at Seattle University can be active communicators in the student’s newspaper or host programs at KSUB campus radio station. These enable students to express themselves, share ideas and air their perceptions about the University. It not only helps in the personal development of the student, but also the development of the University.   Students can also get involved in tutoring programs available, to help other student excel in their studies. This improves academic performance of both the tutor and the tutee. Additionally, they can compete in sports such as football, golf, tennis, cross-country, baseball and volleyball.  Sports offer an opportunity to cheer, improve relations and stimulate academic performance. The university also has available clubs for students to participate in, it categorizes into community services, sports clubs, academic societies, political, International and cultural or religious clubs. Additionally, students can participate in other organizations such as the Graduate Student Council, Associate Seattle Student, Student Government Organization and Events and Activities council. These clubs and organizations help student get involved in the community and national activities and prepares them for future leadership through exposure.

In conclusion, Seattle University is a world-class university with global standards. It aims at promoting individual education, personal student success, community engagement, catholic character formation, global education and leadership formation. Students who wish to get admissions in Seattle University must meet the requirements for their course and the general skills required for all students. Amongst these are average English and mathematics knowledge. Upon completion, students should have acquired appropriate leadership skills, communication, technology use and critical thinking skills. Seattle University recognizes the need for culture diversity and embraces different cultures by offering several programs to help international students adjust well. Student can also engage in various non- curriculum activities that promote their social life in and out of campus. These include involvement in clubs and organizations.