Author Archives: weirdingwords

May 30, 2013
4:27 pm
by: weirdingwords

Translingualism at the University of Strasbourg

I spoke with Monsieur Serge Potier from the University of Strasbourg yesterday following his presentation about the PhD process at the university. During the Q&A after his talk, he mentioned that some theses are written in a combination of both … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in GPP13

May 26, 2013
9:58 pm
by: weirdingwords

Hallo Zurich!

Raclette and fondue at Swiss Chuchi was a great way to kick off our first official day of the Global Perspectives 2013 program. I have had a wonderful time traveling around Switzerland this past week, visiting a cheese factory, chocolate … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in GPP13

March 26, 2013
9:46 pm
by: weirdingwords

Different perspectives on different countries

Recently, I worked with a graduate student from China in the Writing Center. He’s graduating in May, and he’s currently debating whether to stay in the U.S. or to go back to China to try to find a job. He … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in GPP13

December 10, 2012
1:12 pm
by: weirdingwords

Being Faculty

During a recent campus interview, I was talking to the chair of the search committee about the position for which I was interviewing. The position was to replace a faculty member who had been in the job for almost 30 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in PFP12F

November 19, 2012
1:48 pm
by: weirdingwords

On Trusting Politicians

A few weeks ago, I attended a meeting/meet-and-greet in the Graduate Life Center with the Swiss Ambassador to the US, Manuel Sager. In the meeting, the ambassador discussed the frequent elections held in Switzerland—four per year!—to decide on a number … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in PFP12F

October 14, 2012
12:46 pm
by: weirdingwords

The Eeyores

I always underestimate the mental energy it takes to get through October. Every year when this month rolls around, I’m surprised by the demands on my time and the depletion of my energy. I find myself wanting to vent to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in PFP12F

October 10, 2012
5:07 pm
by: weirdingwords

The “Right” Job?

Being on the job market is a funny thing. As I look at different job ads, I have to live hundreds of possible lives. Could I do Job X? Do I want to do Job X? If I took Job X, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in PFP12F

September 21, 2012
5:43 pm
by: weirdingwords

Differing Opinions

I’m on the job market this semester, and I’ve been getting as much feedback as possible on my job documents. This week, I started putting together my first cover letter for a position that seems like it could be a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in PFP12F

March 26, 2012
12:13 am
by: weirdingwords

“That’s called research” — issues with access to information

For my dissertation, I have to collect the entire corpus of four separate academic journals.  One of those journals goes back to 1939, and it has 8 issues per volume. The trusty calculator app on my iPhone tells me that’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

March 14, 2012
12:48 pm
by: weirdingwords

Things that have happened in the past two weeks

1. As previously mentioned, I passed my prospectus defense. Yay! 2. I got a wisdom tooth pulled. Not so much yay. 3. I messed up my neck, which left me incapacitated for a few days and in need of a … Continue reading → Continue reading →