The DEFENSE

Many people are asking me about the Defense . The Defense is basically that - you defend your research study to a committee and anyone who wants to join in on the fun. I basically broke down each of the five chapters. I was defending three research questions resulting in how my Transition Model will decrease the barriers international students face on campus and in the community, increase the retention, and help international students gain professional experience through mentoring that will help them to successfully graduate.

I provided my vision at the beginning of the presentation and some statistics on international students in the U.S. Currently, there are 582,984 international students in the U.S. I delved into previous research studies on international students and an overview of mentoring in businesses and higher education. The theoretical framework was based on Tinto's (1975) Model of College Student Dropout - why students remain or withdraw from an institution. I presented the results and discussed my Transition Model and the three phases that international students should consider when enrolling in an institution.

I thought I ROCKED! I knew my study so well and felt extremely comfortable presenting all of the data I have lived with for two years. I believe that my defense presentation was one of the best I have given because I was so prepared. Typically, I wing presentations for class. I may look at the slides a half hour before class and not practice what I would say. For the Defense - I practiced at least 20 times and for two straight days.

The stressful part for me was when my defense was over and everyone left the room except for the committee members, who talk about the research, defense, if you pass or fail, if you pass are there any changes needed or more research needed.... Well, what seemed like 3 days was only 20 minutes, and I finally was called into the room to find out if I passed. I was holding a water bottle and twisting the cap as if I was trying to open a can of pickles (I struggle with those jars). Dr. D-B even commented about the twisting. When hearing Dr. Paul say "I would like to introduce you to Dr. Claudia Armani", a sense of joy permeated the room and I was floating....I was very excited. Then the "pain" hit....for the entire week after my defense I could barely move I was so exhausted from all of the hard work. It has been exactly two weeks today, and I am still not back to normal. What is normal for me anymore is questionable :)

OK - I am exhausted and getting ready to leave...

Until next time!