Study Abroad Programs
If you’re considering joining the ranks of students studying abroad, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the process.
Milana Piletskaya was in a bind…
The 20-year-old Russian wanted to study English over the summer in the United States, but the application deadline had passed. Even if she could find a way past that hurdle, the program was starting shortly. She needed to demonstrate her level of English proficiency, not only for program placement, but also to obtain a student visa so she could spend a longer time in the United States than a typical tourist visa allows.
Luckily, her English teacher, Dr. Alla Guslyakova, knew about iTEP—the International Test of English Proficiency. Unlike some English proficiency exams, which require scheduling weeks or months ahead of time, Piletskaya could schedule the iTEP online immediately and take it that day from her home computer.
The iTEP also offered a quick turnaround time. Within 24 hours, she would have her scores and could submit them to her preferred intensive English program, which was located at CalState—Northridge.
Good content, good program placement!
“[The test] was very interesting, and it didn’t take a lot of time,” Piletskaya said. Because the exam only took an hour, she found “it never got boring,” and it was even educational. “It helped me a lot to see the results on how I was doing at listening. I did well in other areas, but my score in listening was low.”
The quick turnaround and detailed results also helped officials at CalState—Northridge (CSUN). They swiftly processed her application and then provided her with the requisite I-20 form that the U.S. Government requires for all international students to be enrolled as full-time students.
In addition, the score report, which breaks down a student’s abilities into grammar, listening, reading, writing, and speaking categories, helped the school determine the correct classes for her program placement. This was essential since she would be arriving in California too late to participate in the in-class placement test the school offers.
Vanessa Andrade, the director of CSUN’s International Programs, said “The iTEP is phenomenal. It opens doors for students who aren’t able to get their test scheduled in time…. In Milana’s case, it also assessed class placement, so she could arrive and jump right into the program.”
For Piletskaya, strong English proficiency is a life goal. She is double majoring in both English and ecology at the Russian University of People’s Friendship in Moscow. Her parents encouraged her to attend the school because it allowed a foreign language as a second major.
