My PhD crusade continues ...
Yesterday I participated in a panel in which new Georgia State students and their parents asked questions about academic expectations to professors (I was the only Teaching Assistant). It was a good learning experience, since they did not pay me for it. As expected I felt somewhat nervous to be one the "experts" (Just as a reminder this is my first academic teaching gig :D ). I also learned a lot about the students I am going to have this Fall (they are nervous too). I hope to remember this when I walk into my classroom. We are all doing something new and it takes time to get used to it. They will probably mask fear it by appearing apathetic and I by being over confident :D (its a joke)
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Friday, June 1, 2007
Back from Brazil
WOW. It is June already.
I had a wonderful time in Brazil for the last two weeks. It was great to see my family and friends. Since this is my "PhD Journal" I will talk about my trip in light of my future plans of earning a PhD.
One of the goals of this trip was to explain to my family why I it would be in school for at least 4 more years. The idea of someone going to school for such a long time is as foreign as the USA itself. My parents were particularly worried about my ability to stay "normal" and not go "crazy" due to my studies. After talking to them about the school, professors, and my daily life they felt a little more comfortable with my decision (or gave up on changing my mind :D).
This time time in Brazil also served as rest before some intense studying this fall. It still amazes me the impact of immigration on ones psychology. Even though it was stressful being back "home", I relaxed and was able to rest. My wife mentioned she enjoyed the support of family and friends and saw it as the main source of rest to her. I can't pinpoint one thing that made me relax in Brazil. I theorize that being "average" again has a lot to do with it, even though having a diverse background has benefited me with numerous opportunities in the USA. Is this my dissertation topic? My masterpiece? Probably not :D
I would like to finish with a quote from Roberto DaMatta that I read on "Brasil Fora de Si" by Jose Carlos Sebe Bom Meihy:
"Only few situations have such similarity with death than traveling, specially to a foreign country. Those who leave their birth place experience the death of the realities (landscapes/views, smells, temperatures, seasoning, rhythms, spaces, colors, relationships, objects, people, and contexts) that stayed behind in that place. Things will always belong to the place left behind. This birth place where we open our eyes to what, someday, if all goes well, will welcome us back with that glorious indifference which we strongly fight to domesticate and control" (translation by Douglas Ribeiro)
I had a wonderful time in Brazil for the last two weeks. It was great to see my family and friends. Since this is my "PhD Journal" I will talk about my trip in light of my future plans of earning a PhD.
One of the goals of this trip was to explain to my family why I it would be in school for at least 4 more years. The idea of someone going to school for such a long time is as foreign as the USA itself. My parents were particularly worried about my ability to stay "normal" and not go "crazy" due to my studies. After talking to them about the school, professors, and my daily life they felt a little more comfortable with my decision (or gave up on changing my mind :D).
This time time in Brazil also served as rest before some intense studying this fall. It still amazes me the impact of immigration on ones psychology. Even though it was stressful being back "home", I relaxed and was able to rest. My wife mentioned she enjoyed the support of family and friends and saw it as the main source of rest to her. I can't pinpoint one thing that made me relax in Brazil. I theorize that being "average" again has a lot to do with it, even though having a diverse background has benefited me with numerous opportunities in the USA. Is this my dissertation topic? My masterpiece? Probably not :D
I would like to finish with a quote from Roberto DaMatta that I read on "Brasil Fora de Si" by Jose Carlos Sebe Bom Meihy:
"Only few situations have such similarity with death than traveling, specially to a foreign country. Those who leave their birth place experience the death of the realities (landscapes/views, smells, temperatures, seasoning, rhythms, spaces, colors, relationships, objects, people, and contexts) that stayed behind in that place. Things will always belong to the place left behind. This birth place where we open our eyes to what, someday, if all goes well, will welcome us back with that glorious indifference which we strongly fight to domesticate and control" (translation by Douglas Ribeiro)
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Now Summer
Yesterday I finished my last class as a Ed.S student. I can't believe that in August I will start working on my PhD.
My summer plans are:
Visit family in Belo Horizonte, Brazil from May 16th to the 30th. It is always great to see family, friends, and experience a little bit of the city I grew up at. No doubt it is going to be a refreshing time after a long year of school.
Visit Mexico City, Mexico from July 14th to the 23rd. Since 2003 I have desired to visiting Mexico. Having contact with so many Mexicanos here in the United States created this yearning for their culture and consequently their country. I hope to visit some small towns while there, since most of my friends come from small villages, and without a doubt I will eat, eat, and eat.
My summer plans are:
Visit family in Belo Horizonte, Brazil from May 16th to the 30th. It is always great to see family, friends, and experience a little bit of the city I grew up at. No doubt it is going to be a refreshing time after a long year of school.
Visit Mexico City, Mexico from July 14th to the 23rd. Since 2003 I have desired to visiting Mexico. Having contact with so many Mexicanos here in the United States created this yearning for their culture and consequently their country. I hope to visit some small towns while there, since most of my friends come from small villages, and without a doubt I will eat, eat, and eat.
Friday, April 27, 2007
The Cohort
Yesterday I was able to communicate with some of the students who will be part of my Cohort. We exchanged emails and discussed moving and weather in Atlanta. I am sure the folks that are coming from the North East will be shocked by "Hotlanta's" summer.
Right now we are 7, out of the 70 who applied, hopefully the competition is over (and from our talks online it seems that way). I am very excited about getting to know them. I am sure I will learn a whole lot from this group.
Right now we are 7, out of the 70 who applied, hopefully the competition is over (and from our talks online it seems that way). I am very excited about getting to know them. I am sure I will learn a whole lot from this group.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Personal Statement
I have been in the process of preparing for teaching the CPS 2500 class. Ron Herndon is the Coordinator and he asked us to send him a personal statement. So here it is:
Douglas Ribeiro is a first year counseling psychology doctoral student who is interested in teaching CPS 2500 (GSU 1010) as a way to prepare himself in achieving future goals of educating minority groups in career development and psychological wellness. Douglas' training and previous experience have prepared him to exceed in this position. Douglas has a master's degree in professional counseling in which he was trained in career counseling, and life-cycle development. Douglas has also demonstrated efficiency in preparing and presenting career seminars to CPS 2500 (GSU 1010) while a graduate administrative assistant (GAA) for the Georgia State University's Career Center. His training and presentation experience are just a few of the qualifications that have prepared Douglas to teach and enrich the lives of the CPS 2500 students at Georgia State University.
It is kind of funny to write in third person, but he needs to do what he needs to do :D
Things are going well, I continue to be very excited about next fall.
Douglas Ribeiro is a first year counseling psychology doctoral student who is interested in teaching CPS 2500 (GSU 1010) as a way to prepare himself in achieving future goals of educating minority groups in career development and psychological wellness. Douglas' training and previous experience have prepared him to exceed in this position. Douglas has a master's degree in professional counseling in which he was trained in career counseling, and life-cycle development. Douglas has also demonstrated efficiency in preparing and presenting career seminars to CPS 2500 (GSU 1010) while a graduate administrative assistant (GAA) for the Georgia State University's Career Center. His training and presentation experience are just a few of the qualifications that have prepared Douglas to teach and enrich the lives of the CPS 2500 students at Georgia State University.
It is kind of funny to write in third person, but he needs to do what he needs to do :D
Things are going well, I continue to be very excited about next fall.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Preparation
Things continue to go well, I was able to communicate with a few professors that are important to my academic future. They are Dr. Cassandra White, from the department of Anthropology and chief investigator of a research project which I am involved in. I will probably meet with her today and touch bases on the project. I also emailed Dr. Julia Perilla, from the department of Psychology. She is one of the founders of Caminar Latino, a domestic violence program for Latino Families.
I have also received a few emails from Sojourners, concerning opportunities to be more involved. There are two openings for the Fall: Treasurer and Academic Chair/Student Advocate. I believe the second would be a better choice professionally, but it is not my decision. I will be happy with either one.
For now this is it :D
I have also received a few emails from Sojourners, concerning opportunities to be more involved. There are two openings for the Fall: Treasurer and Academic Chair/Student Advocate. I believe the second would be a better choice professionally, but it is not my decision. I will be happy with either one.
For now this is it :D
Friday, April 13, 2007
It feels like a lot of things happened in the last two days. I was offered a position as the 2007-2008 Editor of the CPS News, which I declined today after talking with Vanessa and realizing that it would be too much responsibility and too little $$$.
Today I also received feedback from Dr. Ancis on my schedule, It sounded like she was OK with it. Here are the classes I hope to be taking next Fall:
Educational Statistics II
Advanced Developmental Psychology II: Personality and Socialization
Applied Practice II
Stress Management
Counseling Psych. Seminar
Research and Publication
Today I also received feedback from Dr. Ancis on my schedule, It sounded like she was OK with it. Here are the classes I hope to be taking next Fall:
Educational Statistics II
Advanced Developmental Psychology II: Personality and Socialization
Applied Practice II
Stress Management
Counseling Psych. Seminar
Research and Publication
4/11/07
Today I emailed my Fall 2007 schedule to Dr. Ancis and Ron Herndon. Yesterday I met with Dr. Chung and accepted a Teaching Assistantship for the Fall and Spring semesters. I will be teaching the CPS2500 class. It will be the first time I will actually teach an undergraduate class and hope this will open doors to many other opportunities.
Review of Events:
It has been a very exciting period of my life. About two and a half years ago (rough estimate) after talking with Dr. Eldridge, Vanessa and I talked about the possibility of me pursuing a PhD degree with the hopes of me teaching online and living in Brazil. Our idea was that I could work part time teaching online and the remaining of the time to minister in Brazil.
After this conversation I started to look into a number of online PhD. degrees. I looked into Walden University, Capella university and a few others. After looking into the APA website, I realized that they had a list of Accredited PhD programs and that even though online programs were regionally accredited they were not APA accredited and consequently unable to get a Psychologist Licence. This information caused me to look into a number of APA approved programs and come down to a few that I liked the most. They were, Miami University, New York University, Georgia State University, Tennessee State University, and a few others.
During the 2005 Spring Break Vanessa and I served in Sarasota Florida and really enjoyed to be around the Brazilian community there and realized that it would not be so bad to attend school in Florida, due to the large concentration of Brazilians in that area. Returning from Florida we stopped in Atlanta, GA at the Rob's home. They introduced to us the Church and the Genesis Counseling Center and informed us that Atlanta also had a large Brazilian Population. It ended up being the perfect match. Georgia State University had a great focus on Multiculturalism, and was located in a area which the Latino population was growing rapidly.
The application process was very long and stressful. I first applied to the Ed.S. program in Professional Counseling. I had a low GRE 880 and my hopes of getting into the Ph.D were very low because of it. Required minimum GRE for Ed.S 900 and Ph.D 1000. The hand of God was through out this process by allowing me to enter both programs with the same GRE. During the application period I got very interested in the Ph.D program at University of Georgia and applied to that program too. It was very discouraging because I was not even called to interview at UGA. My hopes of getting into the GSU program were 0. But God's hand continued to be in the whole process and I was called to interview at GSU and was placed as the first alternate for Dr. Ancis. Needless to say I received the call of acceptance on April 5th around 8:15pm. I also received the following email:
Congratulations, Douglas! You have been accepted into the counseling psychology doctoral program at Georgia State University! For the first year, you will be provided with a GRA either teaching or assisting me with research, or both, a $2000 stipend and tuition waiver. Please let me know if I can answer any questions and whether you accept the offer. We are very happy to be able to extend this offer to you and think you would make a fine candidate for doctoral work.Sincerely, Dr. Ancis
On April 10th I send the following thank you note:
Dear Dr Cravens, Johnson, Finton, and Morris. I hope this note finds you well. I am writing to thank you for your letter of recommendation, and to inform you that I was accepted into Georgia State University's Ph.D program in Counseling Psychology. Thank you for your help,support, and guidance. I thank God for the blessing of having you as a mentor. At the moment, it looks like I will be teaching an undergraduate class, participating on research projects, and working full time on the degree. My hope is to finish the degree by May of 2011.I hope to visit Henderson in the near future, and if possible I would love to see you and thank you personally. Again, thank you. Douglas Ribeiro
In concluding today I want to say that this journal will follow me throughout the program and work as a reminder that God Can Do Anything - Nothing Is Impossible to God.
Today I emailed my Fall 2007 schedule to Dr. Ancis and Ron Herndon. Yesterday I met with Dr. Chung and accepted a Teaching Assistantship for the Fall and Spring semesters. I will be teaching the CPS2500 class. It will be the first time I will actually teach an undergraduate class and hope this will open doors to many other opportunities.
Review of Events:
It has been a very exciting period of my life. About two and a half years ago (rough estimate) after talking with Dr. Eldridge, Vanessa and I talked about the possibility of me pursuing a PhD degree with the hopes of me teaching online and living in Brazil. Our idea was that I could work part time teaching online and the remaining of the time to minister in Brazil.
After this conversation I started to look into a number of online PhD. degrees. I looked into Walden University, Capella university and a few others. After looking into the APA website, I realized that they had a list of Accredited PhD programs and that even though online programs were regionally accredited they were not APA accredited and consequently unable to get a Psychologist Licence. This information caused me to look into a number of APA approved programs and come down to a few that I liked the most. They were, Miami University, New York University, Georgia State University, Tennessee State University, and a few others.
During the 2005 Spring Break Vanessa and I served in Sarasota Florida and really enjoyed to be around the Brazilian community there and realized that it would not be so bad to attend school in Florida, due to the large concentration of Brazilians in that area. Returning from Florida we stopped in Atlanta, GA at the Rob's home. They introduced to us the Church and the Genesis Counseling Center and informed us that Atlanta also had a large Brazilian Population. It ended up being the perfect match. Georgia State University had a great focus on Multiculturalism, and was located in a area which the Latino population was growing rapidly.
The application process was very long and stressful. I first applied to the Ed.S. program in Professional Counseling. I had a low GRE 880 and my hopes of getting into the Ph.D were very low because of it. Required minimum GRE for Ed.S 900 and Ph.D 1000. The hand of God was through out this process by allowing me to enter both programs with the same GRE. During the application period I got very interested in the Ph.D program at University of Georgia and applied to that program too. It was very discouraging because I was not even called to interview at UGA. My hopes of getting into the GSU program were 0. But God's hand continued to be in the whole process and I was called to interview at GSU and was placed as the first alternate for Dr. Ancis. Needless to say I received the call of acceptance on April 5th around 8:15pm. I also received the following email:
Congratulations, Douglas! You have been accepted into the counseling psychology doctoral program at Georgia State University! For the first year, you will be provided with a GRA either teaching or assisting me with research, or both, a $2000 stipend and tuition waiver. Please let me know if I can answer any questions and whether you accept the offer. We are very happy to be able to extend this offer to you and think you would make a fine candidate for doctoral work.Sincerely, Dr. Ancis
On April 10th I send the following thank you note:
Dear Dr Cravens, Johnson, Finton, and Morris. I hope this note finds you well. I am writing to thank you for your letter of recommendation, and to inform you that I was accepted into Georgia State University's Ph.D program in Counseling Psychology. Thank you for your help,support, and guidance. I thank God for the blessing of having you as a mentor. At the moment, it looks like I will be teaching an undergraduate class, participating on research projects, and working full time on the degree. My hope is to finish the degree by May of 2011.I hope to visit Henderson in the near future, and if possible I would love to see you and thank you personally. Again, thank you. Douglas Ribeiro
In concluding today I want to say that this journal will follow me throughout the program and work as a reminder that God Can Do Anything - Nothing Is Impossible to God.
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