I count myself as a quasi-international. Although I am (and was born) a U.S. Citizen, I was actually born in another country (Panama) where my parents were working (in the Panama Canal Zone). I was fortunate in growing up abroad in that I gained a unique perspective on American culture, both within and without the circle of American life (for more on this perspective you might want to see my poem about this experience called "Trilingual").
While growing up, I had the chance to do some pretty extensive travel through Central and South America. I've been to Costa Rica, Ecuador (and the Galapagos Islands), Jamaica, and (much more recently) Israel. But there are so many countries I would like to visit which I haven't had the chance to yet. From India to Egypt, from China to the U.K., my appetite for travel has not yet lived up to my practical reality.
So, this time of year is a real pleasure for me since we get to do a little armchair traveling of our own here at MIT. In reviewing applications for financial aid from International students we get to have a taste of what each country is like. Granted, you can't tell much from a piece of paper or an income statement, but the languages, cultural norms, and societal values do carry through in your faxes, letters and emails. I enjoy this bit of armchair traveling -- so far today we've visited Mexico, Japan, Ghana, China, Pakistan and India to name just a few of the counties we've examined. We've studied your tax forms (Saral documents, Inland Revenue, statements from your employers), and each time I've wondered what attitudes, aspirations and perspective on American culture, values and history you will bring with you when / if you come to MIT in the Fall.
I've been lucky enough in my time here to meet with (and serve as the advisor for) students from many countries. I've learned about footwear from Kuwait, Kyrgyzstany history, and Lebanese food and culture. The exchange opportunities are mutual, and I thoroughly enjoy each and every one of them. It settles my yearnings for more travel, at least for the moment... But you never know where you may catch me next summer... In the meantime, keep on sending in those international tax forms and applications (and for those of you who are U.S. citizens and/or living in this country, we like the U.S. tax forms as well -- get those in too!).
This year there is another American-born Panama Canal Zonian who has reached some prominence (much more than I'll ever achieve I'm sure). Check out the debate as to whether a foreign-born U.S. Citizen can become president by reading the NY times coverage of this story here.
Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)
Posted by: Daniel Barkowitz on March 11, 2008
Posted by: 0 on March 11, 2008
Posted by: Ashwath on March 11, 2008
Posted by: Natasha891 on March 11, 2008
Posted by: Isshak on March 11, 2008
Posted by: Sabreena!! on March 11, 2008
Posted by: Isshak on March 11, 2008
Best of Luck to all applicants on Saturday.
Posted by: Ivan on March 11, 2008
Also, about US tax forms, I sent my forms to College Board under IDOC a few days ago and they say they haven't received them yet, which in turn means MIT hasn't received them. Will there be an estimated financial aid package with my letter (if I hopefully get in) or will that not be sent until later? Thanks! :D
Posted by: Steve on March 11, 2008
Posted by: Vytautas on March 11, 2008
Isshak, I am so there... Benin has long been a place I've longed to go... (and Lithuania would be fun too!).
Posted by: Daniel Barkowitz on March 11, 2008
I hope you can respond to my question: I sent the international tax forms for 2006, but those for 2007 will not be available until probably late March. Assuming I am accepted, will I receive a financial aid offer even if I did not submit the 2007 documents?
Posted by: Ana on March 11, 2008
And I've never been to Europe. For shame, for shame...
I WANT TO though....
Posted by: Daniel T. Barkowitz on March 11, 2008
Posted by: Ana on March 11, 2008
Posted by: N... on March 11, 2008
Posted by: N... on March 11, 2008
Thanks!!!
Posted by: MIT Hopeful '12!!! on March 11, 2008
N, email me so I can look up your status.
Posted by: Daniel Barkowitz on March 11, 2008
you should definently come to the UK, we have such a breadth of culture and its an easy train route or flight to get into the rest of europe
and out of curiosity (because I am hopelessly naive regarding these things) why are non-US citizens not allowed to run for president, surely the process of being nominated by their party and a public election will root out any candidates who aren't loyalty enough to the U.S.A (or similar faults). this would allow McCain to run and many others, including immigrants who succeed in America and may make fine presidents with rounded world views.
Posted by: Macdonald on March 11, 2008
Posted by: 0 on March 11, 2008
By the way, I wanted to ask a question (which i posted many times by email but didn't get a reply for it), it is checked that my Financial aid application is missing the international tax return form, but I explained in my application that in Yemen, tax is not filed, and is handeled differently, is that fine enough to be considered (if i get admitted) to show a financial aid decision along with our decisions on Saturday?
Posted by: Abdullah on March 11, 2008
mccain can run because he was born in the panama canal zone which was a U.S. territory, not to mention he was born on a military base
Posted by: 0 on March 11, 2008
So when do Early Action-ers get their Financial Aid Award Letters?
Thanks!
PS
GOOD LUCK TO ALL EA-DEFERRED and RA APPLICANTS
Posted by: 0 on March 11, 2008
Thank you very much, once again, for all of your work in the MIT financial aid office - I know that my mom has found your application to be one of the least stressful (although I think that my admissions anxiety is rubbing off on her a little) due to your helpful staff. I'm glad to hear that it's kind of fun to wade through all of the paperwork - here's to hoping I have something from you guys in my mailbox sometime soon!
Posted by: Karen on March 11, 2008
Btw random question just out of curiosity: Do you start evaluating financial aid applications before decisions are made or do you wait till decisions are taken and only evaluate the applications of admitted students?
Posted by: Ragheb on March 11, 2008
And tried Ben.
Posted by: Laser on March 11, 2008
Posted by: 0 on March 11, 2008
@Daniel: Have you been to India? :D
Posted by: Shruthi on March 12, 2008
Posted by: 0 on March 12, 2008
Posted by: Hawkins on March 12, 2008
Yay for all the Armchair Travelling!
Posted by: Vihang on March 12, 2008
Posted by: Shruthi on March 12, 2008
Danny I think you should visit Sri lanka too.Just ask the people you know who have visited Sri Lanka about the country and you will hear some amazing stories which will make you visit the country immediately.You won't be disappointed in any way.By the way I have question too.
I also applied for financial aid but my parents do not pay taxes even though people here pay taxes.So I sent a statement from my father's employer indicating the amounts my dad earns.But the Financial Aid office asks for the tax forms,which I don't have because my dad does not actually pay taxes.My dad is a salesman working in a toy store who is paid on a daily basis.Generally people in such jobs are not required by law to pay taxes because the income they earn is not normally taxable.I outlined my case to the Financial Aid office a few weeks back but I still have not got any reply.I would be grateful if you can respond to this.
Posted by: 0 on March 12, 2008
I applied for financial aid but I did not send tax forms becuase my parents do not pay taxes even though people here do pay.So I sent a statement from my father's employer indicating the amounts my dad earns.But the Financial Aid office asks for the tax forms,which I don't have because my dad does not actually pay taxes.My dad is a salesman working in a toy store who is paid on a daily basis.Generally people in such jobs are not required by law to pay taxes because the income they earn is not normally taxable.I outlined my case to the Financial Aid office a few weeks back but I still have not got any reply.I would be grateful if you can respond to this.
Posted by: Inshaf on March 12, 2008
Posted by: Ana on March 12, 2008
Posted by: Daniel Barkowitz on March 12, 2008
Posted by: 0 on March 12, 2008
But to add something to the conversation, as someone who was born in the US and then lived in the UK for a couple of years, I thought the best part was just meeting the people. Dan, if you've met so many people without leaving your work, then good for you, man!! It makes visiting even better once you get the chance to go.
Posted by: Emily on March 12, 2008
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