Recently through the opportunity, we had to meet with some Haitian students (at some universities abroad). We had the chance to talk a little bit on the problems they were facing before leaving Haiti. We heard some of them with great interest, and we realized that there really did not exist a network that would focus on their problems, counseling them and give them some key information needed, even before leaving Haiti.

Sa ki enpòtan pou tout elèv Ayiti ta konnen, depi byen bonè lè yo kòmanse lekòl segondè, e lè y ap kòmanse nivo siperyè (inivèsitè) :  What’s very important for all students in Haiti to know, since very early when they start secondary school, and when they start university level.

(a) Ki pwogram k ap prepare elèv pou yon karyè pou demen (kote yo ka fè anpil kòb pandan yo nan ventèn, trantèn, karantèn yo, epi yo ka envesti nan kòb yo nan yon biznis ki rantab)? Premyèman, tout elèv (depi avan yo konplete bakaloreya) ta dwe metrize lang anglè, espayòl ak fransè (pou kominikasyon entènasyonal, e pou mache mondyal, epi se lang prensipal dyaspora ayisyen an, enkli kreyòl lang matènèl tout Ayisyen), e si l posib, etidye japonè, e pòtigè (kòm lang etranje tou). Nou di japonè lè nou gade biznis peyi Japon ak kontinan ameriken an, e Brezil k ap avanse ekonomikman an Amerikdisid, yon peyi ki rich an matyè premyè (relasyon komèsyal li ak lòt peyi an Amerik, e echanj komèsyal li ka fè ak Ayiti).

(a) What programs are underway to prepare students for a career later (where they can make enough money while in their twenties, thirties, forties, and invest some of their money in a profitable business)? First, all students, before completing secondary school, should have mastered English, Spanish and French (for international communication, for the world market, and also they are the main languages of the Haitian Diaspora including Haitian Creole, the native language of all Haitians), and if possible, Japanese, and Portuguese (as foreign language also). We say Japanese when looking at Japan, in terms of business with the American continent, and Brazil that is advancing economically in South America, a rich country with raw materials (its commercial relations with other countries in the Americas, and commercial exchange it can have with Haiti).

(b) Lang dominan kontinan ameriken an se anglè ak espayòl (gen plis moun ki pale yo) byenke fransè se yon lang komèsyal ki parèt tèt li tout kote (menm kote yo pa pale l), epi Ayiti ap sèvi avè l deja (plis o nivo ekri ke oral), menm si yo poko vrèman anseye l kòm lang etranje pou elèv ta metrize l kòmsadwa, e nou mansyone sa nan yon atik ki montre reta lekòl Ayiti nan ansèyman lang etranje. Pou Ayiti gen tout kontak biznis ak kontinan ameriken an, fò lekòl met anfaz sou ansèyman de lang dominan sa yo, depi byen bonè dekwa pou ede oryante elèv. Pi devan, yo pral fè fas ak yo kanmèm sou mache mondyal la.

(b) The dominant languages of the American continent are English and Spanish (more people speak them) though French is a commercial language that appears everywhere (even in places where it’s not spoken), and Haiti has been using it already (more at the written level than oral), even if it has not been taught yet as foreign language for students to master it normally, and we mention that in an article showing the tardiness in teaching foreign languages in Haiti. For Haiti to have all business contact with the American continent, schools must emphasize on the teaching of these two dominant languages, since very early in order to help orientating students. Further down, they are going to face them anyhow in the global market.

(c) Elèv sa yo va prepare tou (an tèm oryantasyon karyè, si y ap antre nan inivèsite an Ayiti, kote yo ta deja gen yon preparasyon de baz depi nan nivo segondè) …

(c) These students will also be prepared (in terms of career orientation, if they are going to attend university in Haiti, where they already have a basic preparation since the secondary level …

(d) Ak esperyans nou nan inivèsite nan peyi Etazini, an Ewòp, se ta yon bèl ide pou yon elèv ta panse a yon chan d etid nan inivèsite (pandan premye sik inivèsitè a, li ta yon bèl ide pou tout etidyan ta panse a omwen twa opsyon, dekwa pou gen siksè nan mache mondyal la). Pa egzanp, si m ap panse espesyalize m an jesyon, mwen dwe poze tèt mwen kesyon: Ak kisa mwen ka konbine l? Repons: Mwen ka konbine l ak enfòmatik, maketing, syans ekonomik, lang etranje (anglè, espayòl, fransè) alafwa. Se jis yon egzanp konbinezon (etidyan ka fè) nan inivèsite pou asire yon karyè pou demen, ki mande preparasyon de baz davans.

(d) With our experiences at universities in the United States, and Europe, it would be a good idea for a student to think of a major field of study from a university program (while in undergraduate studies, it would be a good idea for all students to think of at least three options in order to have access to the global market. For example, if I am thinking of majoring in management, I should ask myself: With what can I combine it? Answer: I can combine it with Computer Science, Marketing, and Economics, Foreign Language (English, Spanish, and French) at the same time. It’s just an example of combination (students can do) at universities to ensure them of a career for tomorrow, one that requires basic preparations beforehand.

Diplòm ki sot Ayiti pa pi enpòtan pase relve de nòt (transkrip) kou elèv te pran nan inivèsite, pase se sa inivèsite aletranje pral mande, pa kopi diplòm (ke moun ka achte ou fabrike). Donk chak kou /pwogram etidyan an ta konplete nan inivèsite an Ayiti, li ta bon pou l mande relve de nòt la imedyatman. Sa enpòtan pou fè, an tèm dosye elektwonik Ayiti pa kenbe lè moun fè demann pou yo. Epi yon fwa yo kite Ayiti san yo, se pa bagay fasil pou jwenn yo ankò.

Diplomas from Haiti are not more important than transcripts of courses that students have taken at university level, because that’s what foreign universities require, not copies of diplomas (that people can buy or fabricate). So, each course /program students complete at universities in Haiti, it would be a good idea to ask for the transcript right away. That’s important to do, in term of electronic files Haiti doesn’t keep when people request them. And once they leave Haiti without them, it’s not going to be easy to get them again.

Kesyon etidyan inivèsite an Ayiti ka poze : Questions university students in Haiti may ask

1. Pou kisa se disiplin sa a mwen chwazi?

1. Why do I choose this major (field of study)?

2. Èske se yon disiplin mwen renmen? Èske se moun ki sijere m chwazi l?

2. Is it a major that I like? Is it people who suggested me to choose it?

3. Kisa m gen entansyon fè ak li apre m fin konplete premye sik inivèsitè a? Èske m ap kontinye ak li nan dezyèm sik inivèsitè (nivo metriz)? Nan twazyèm sik (nivo doktora)?

3. What do I intend to do with it after completing my undergraduate studies? Am I going to keep up with it (for graduate studies, master’s degree level)? Doctorate level?

4. Èske m santi m reyèlman prepare (konpare ak etidyan lòt peyi) pou m antre nan dezyèm sik inivèsitè (nivo metriz) nan nenpòt inivèsite aletranje?

4. Do I really feel prepared (comparing to students of other countries) to start graduate studies (master’s level) at any university abroad?

5. Èske m gen yon nivo trè avanse nan lang fransè, anglè, espayòl an ka mwen ta deside al kontinye dezyèm sik inivèsitè nan yon peyi kote youn nan lang sa yo ta lang d ansèyman enstitisyon an?

5. Am I at a very advance level in French, English, and Spanish in case if I am decided to continue graduate studies in a country where one of these languages would be the institution’s teaching language?

6. Èske m diplome nan yon enstiti lang (kote m te etidye anglè, espayòl)?

6. Did I graduate from a language institute (where I studied English, Spanish)?

7. Ki valè enfòmasyon mwen konnen / genyen deja sou yon seri inivèsite aletranje, tankou nan peyi Kanada, Etazini, Lafrans, e inivèsite nan peyi Amerik Latin (tankou Kiba, Meksik, Ajantin…)?

7. How much information do I know / have already about some universities abroad, in countries like Canada, United States, France, and in Latin American countries (such as Cuba, Mexico, Argentina…)?

9. Ki kontak pwofesè mwen genyen nan kèk peyi etranje ki ka ban m kèk enfòmasyon?

9. What contact do I have with professors abroad who can give me some information?

10. Èske m gen 2, 3, 4 kont imel fonksyonèl (k ap fonksyone) pou m kontakte moun enpòtan, e pou m estoke dokiman rechèch (elektwonik), ki pibliye online deja ke m bezwen?

10. Do I have 2, 3, 4 functional emails to contact important people, and to stock research documents that have been published online already which I need?

11. Èske m gen kontak ak etidyan (orijin) ayisyen nan peyi etranje, ki ka ede m ak bon jan enfòmasyon mwen bezwen?

11. Do I have contact with students (of Haitian origin) abroad, who can help me with some key information that I need?

12. Èske l enpòtan pou m ta fè kèk pwogram enfòmatik (konpwoutè) pou anrichi konesans mwen, e pou ouvri plis pòt pou mwen nan plizyè domèn?

12. Is it important to do some computer programs to enrich my knowledge, and to open more doors for me in many areas?

13. Èske l enpòtan pou m ta suiv kèk kou jesyon, envestisman, maketing pou oryante m nan mond komès la?

13. Is it important for me to take some management, investments, and marketing courses to orient myself in the business world?

14. Kisa m konnen konsènan pwogram d echanj yo ak inivèsite ki Etazini, Kanada, Ewòp, e Amerik Latin?

14. What do I know about exchange programs with universities in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Latin America?

15. Èske m ka òganize m pou al fè kèk seminè ladan yo (an ete, pou yon semès, yon ane)?

15. Can I organized myself to do some seminars with them (in summer, for a semester, for a year?

16. Èske m ka jwenn bous d etid pou fè sa? Ki kote pou m fè demann lan?

16. Can I get scholarships for that? Where should I apply?

17. Èske sa pral ouvri plis orizon pou wen an tèm tabli kontak ak etidyan etranje ki nan menm disiplin (chan d etid) ak mwen?

17. Is this going to broaden more horizons, in term of establishing contacts with foreign students in the same field of study with me?

18. Èske se depi nan nivo segondè mwen dwe kòmanse panse a yon karyè, a kisa mwen vle fè ou mwen ta renmen fè? Èske m dwe diskite sa avèk moun ki pwofesyonèl deja nan domèn lan?

18. Should I start thinking about a career from secondary school, thinking of what I want to do or would like to do? Should I discuss that with professional people in the field?

19. Èske sa trè enpòtan pou m fè estaj (internship) nan branch m ap etidye /espesyalize m lan? Ki kote? Ak kilès? Konbyen fwa? Èske y ap peye m oubyen èske m ka fè sa kòm volontè?

19. Is it important to do internship in my major /field of study? Where? With whom? How many times? Will I get paid or can I do it as volunteer?

20. Èske tout kesyon sa yo pral vrèman ede m elaji orizon m? Èske m pral pataje yo ak paran, zanmi, e ak lòt etidyan pou debat yo?

20. Are all these questions going to help me really to broaden my horizons? Am I going to share them with parents, friends, and other students to debate them?

Sijè d enterè ak enfòmasyon : Subjects of interest and information

Administratè, konseye, pwofesè ayisyen (nan enstitisyon etranje) pou kontak, enfòmasyon.

Haitian administrators, counselors, professors (in institutions abroad) for contact, information.

Arasman seksyèl (Kisa pou m fè? Ki kote pou m pote plent?). Èske se nan depatman polis lekòl la pou m pote plent?

Sexual harassment (What should I do? Where should I bring my complaint?). Should I report to the school (campus) police department?

Asirans medikal. Enfòmasyon sou lopital, klinik (atravè Sant Sante Inivèsite a) … Èske m ka gen asirans medikal nan inivèsite kote m ap etidye a?

Medical insurance. Information on Hospitals, clinics (through university health center)... Can I get medical insurance at the university where I am studying?

Bibliyotèk (inivèsitè, depatmantal). Youn nan resous pou fè rechèch. Nonb de tan pou pase ladan (pou fè rechèch, devwa, rankont ak gwoup pou travay an gwoup /diskite sou pwojè rechèch).

Libraries (at universities, departments). One of the resources to do research. Amount of hours to spend in them (to do research, homework, meetings to work in group /discussing research project).

Chan d etid (disiplin, espesyalizasyon). Chwazi yon chan d etid nan inivèsite. Chwazi yon minè (anviwon 6 kou avanse nan yon domèn patikilye) nan inivèsite.

Major (field of study). Choosing a major in college. Choosing a minor (about 6 advanced courses in a particular area) in college.

Devwa (konprann sa pwofesè /enstriktè a mande kòm devwa, kijan li vle l fèt, e dat pou remèt li).

Homework (understanding what the professor /instructor asks as homework, how s/he wants it to be done, and date to turn it in).

Dòmi. Tan pou dòmi. Ki valè li ka ye (nan moman estrès, anpil egzamen pou prepare)? Plis ou prepare davans pou egzamen, se mwens estrès w ap genyen, e plis tan ou ka dòmi.

Sleeping. Time to sleep. How many hours can it be (in time of stress, many exams to prepare)? The more you’re prepared beforehand for exams, the less stress you’ll have, and more time to sleep.

Èd finansyè (enfòmasyon). Itilizasyon èd finansyè pou etidye aletranje (pou yon tan kout), sitou etidyan ki rezide Etazini; yo ka fè sa san pwoblèm, oubyen travay pandan yon ane pou ekonomize kòb pou al etidye nan lòt peyi pandan yon ane (pwogram d echanj aletranje).

Financial Aid (information). Using financial aid to study abroad (for a short period of time), especially for students who are legal residents of the United States; they can do that without any problem, or work for a year to save money to study abroad for a year (exchange program abroad).

Egzamen (estrateji pou prepare tout tip egzamen a tan, e ak mwens estrès). Estrateji sa yo ka varye de yon etidyan a yon lòt. Meyè bagay: revize nòt ou yo chak jou pou yo rete frèch nan memwa ou. Pa ret tann se lè egzamen pou ap gade yo.

Exams (strategies to prepare all types of exam, and with less stress). These strategies vary from one student to another. Best thing to do: review your notes daily so that they remain fresh in your memory. Don’t wait til about you have exams to look at them.

Egzamen TOEFL (egzamen obligatwa nan lang anglè [kòm lang etranje] avan etidyan antre nan yon inivèsite, kote se lang anglè ki lang d ansèyman).

The TOEFL Exam (English language proficiency test).

Entegrasyon (nan peyi d akèy la, nan kilti tounèf la; pwoblèm etidyan an ka rankontre o depa (sitou si l pa t byen enfòme l avan).

Integration (in the host country, in the new culture; problems the students can face at the beginning, especially if were not well-informed before).

Estrès (jesyon estrès ou estrateji pou jere estrès).

Stress (stress management, strategies to manage stress).

Etidye an gwoup (pou etidyan ki nan menm domèn, k ap suiv menm klas). Etidyan ki soti nan menm peyi, e ki nan menm chan d etid gen tandans etidye an gwoup, yon bon bagay (youn ka ede lòt).

Studying in group (for students in the same area of study, who are talking the same class). Students who come from the same country, and who are in the same field of study have a tendency to study in group, something good (to help one another).

Finans (jesyon lajan bousdetid, estrateji pou byen jere l pou l pa gaspiye).

Finance (managing scholarship money, strategies to manage it well to avoid wasting it).

Gwoup (travay sou pwojè an gwoup, etid an gwoup, preparasyon egzamen an gwoup). Li toujou bon pou nan yon gwoup (pou sipò). Se pa lè egzamen rive, epi pou ap eseye antre nan yon gwoup.

Group (working on group project, study in group, preparing for exams in group). It’s always good to be part of a group (for support). It’s not during exam time to try to be part of a group.

Imel (enpòtans pou gen omwen 3 imel, pou kontak /estoke dokiman elektowonik).

E-mails (importance to have at least 3 e-mails, for contact /stocking electronic documents).

Universities, colleges… where we may find Haitian professionals (areas of specialty). Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC),  FIU (Florida International University), MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology, UMass Boston, University of Ottawa, University of Puerto Rico (UPR)…

Internship (estaj) ak enpòtans li (Depi ki lè m dwe kòmanse panse a fè yon internship ki an rapò ak chan d etid mwen?).

Internships in their importance (Since when should I start thinking about doing an internship related to my field of study?).

Kilti (respè pou lòt kilti).

Culture (respect for others’ culture).

Klib Etidyan Ayisyen (nan inivèsite aletranje, kijan yo ka ede etidyan ki sot Ayiti nan kad enfòmasyon yo ta bezwen). Tyeke yo sou facebook.

Haitian Students’ Club (at universities abroad, how they can help Haitian students from Haiti, providing them with information they might need). Check them on facebook.

Klib etidyan. Nan ki klib mwen ka manm? Ki obligasyon pou m vin manm?

Students club. What club should I be member of? What’s the obligation for me to become member?

Konpòtman (bon, move) pwofesè nan inivèsite anvè etidyan (etranje).

Behavior (good, bad) of university professors toward (foreign) students).

Korespondans (ant gwoup etidyan, kolèg, etidyan ayisyen nan lòt inivèsite etranje).

Correspondence (among group of students, student colleagues, Haitian students in foreign universities).

Lang (enpòtans pou metrize [patikilyèman] lang anglè, fransè, espayòl (panyòl) depi avan ou ta konplete nivo segondè).

Language (importance to master [particularly] English, French, and Spanish since before completing secondary school).

Lojman (Kote m pral rete? Èske lekòl la gen yon depatman «lojman» pou ede etidyan? Konbyen sa ap koute pa mwa? Ki tip moun mwen pral genyen kòm kanmarad de chanm? Kijan konpòtman l ye? Èske l ap sot nan menm peyi, kilti avè m? Èske se yon moun ki ka koopere avè m? Èske se yon moun ki pral respekte m? Èske moun sa a nan menm chan d etid avè m? Ki oryantasyon seksyèl moun sa a? Èske se yon moun ki vyolan?

Housing (Where am I going to live? Does the school have a “housing” department to help students? How much will it cost me monthly? What type of roommate[s] am I going to have? How is his /her behavior? Is s/he from the same country, culture like me? Can this person cooperate with me? Is that someone who is going to respect me? Is this person also in my field of study? What’s the sexual orientation of this person? Is this person violent?

Mize (vizit nan mize nan kad kèk rechèch). Èske yo pre inivèsite a? Èske m gen yon bisiklèt sou kanmpous la pou m deplase rapidman?

Museums (visiting a museum in the case of doing some research). Are they close to the university? Do I have bike on campus to move around quickly?

Mwayèn, mwayèn total. Estrateji pou kenbe bon mwayèn [85% ou plis] tout tan pou pa pèdi bousdetid ou). Etidye tout tan pou fè gwo nòt nan egzamen yo. Remèt devwa w yo alè.

Average, G.P.A (Grade Point Average). Strategies to maintain a good average [85% or more] all the time in order to lose your scholarship). Study all the time to score high grades on exams. Turn in homeworks on time.

Nòt (teknik pou pran nòt nan inivèsite). Itilizasyon bakòp elektwonik (ki ale sou imel ou)

Notes (techniques to take note in college). Use of electronic backup (through your email).

Plent kont pwofesè k ap bay pwoblèm (ki p ap bay etidyan nòt yo merite, et ki ka koze etidyan pèdi bousdetid yo).

Complaint against professors who are giving problems (who are grading fairly, and who may cause students to lose their scholarships).

Prè entè-bibliyotèk (inter-library loan). Kijan pou prete liv /dokiman nan lòt inivèsite pou fè rechèch (kote w ka itilize katdidantite etidyan w).

Inter-library loan. How to borrow books /documents from other universities to do research (where you can use your student’s I.D card).

Preparasyon (de baz) o nivo segondè (kou obligatwa etidyan an dwe wè avan l konplete nivo segondè, si l gen entansyon al nan inivèsite apre).

(basis) Preparation at the secondary level (mandatory courses students should take before completing the secondary level, if planning to go to college later).

Pwofesè (nivo segondè /siperyè ki mal fòme /prepare, e enfliyans sa ka genyen sou etidyan pou fonksyone nan nivo siperyè aletranje).

Ill-prepared Professors (high school /college level, and the influence that may have on students to function at college level abroad).

Pwogram d Echanj (aletranje), enpòtans yo, e kijan etidyan (Etazini) ka itilize èd finansyè yo pou sa. Peyi d enterè; chan d etid enterese; lang (pou konnen davans). Enfòmasyon sou «etid aletranje» nan inivèsite kote w ye a, ou ka pran nan men ansyen etidyan (ki fè esperyans lan) …

Exchange Programs (abroad), their importance, and how students (from the US) can use their financial aid for that. Country of interest; field of study interested in; language (to know beforehand). Information on “studies abroad” from the university where you are studying, from former students (with experience) ...

Radyo Ayisyen (sou entènèt la) ki gen pwogram edikatif [e.g, program sou sante, edikasyon, analiz /deba politik, nouvèl, referans pou rechèch…] (Radio Tele Boston… elt).

(online) Haitian Radios) with educative programs [e.g., program health issues, education, political analysis /debate, news, references for research…] (Radio Tele Boston… etc.).

Rechèch (bi, domèn, dire, dyalòg ak pwofesè, estrateji, lokalizasyon resous /biyografi, longè rechèch la).

Research (purpose, area, length of time, dialog with professors, strategies, locating resources /biography, research length).

Relijyon (tolerans, respè pou kwayans, relijyon lòt etidyan).

Religion (tolerance, respect for one’s belief, for other students’ religion).

Relve de nòt Ayiti (pa gen yon sistèm konpwoutarize pou etidyan ta jwenn relve de nòt yo trapde), menm si yo ta gen pou peye.

Transcript (there is not a computerized system for students to find their transcripts quickly), even if they have to pay for it.

Sant Rechèch (nan dyaspora) ki gen dokimantasyon sou Ayiti e Karayib la: CIDIHCA, INDIANA UNIVERSITY CREOLE INSTITUTE, LIBRERI MAPOU …

Research centers (in diaspora) that are equipped with documents on Haiti, and the Caribbean: CIDIHCA, INDIANA UNIVERSITY CREOLE INSTITUTE, LIBRERI MAPOU …

Soutnans tèz (estrès, estrateji …  kijan pou jere sa atravè kontak ak moun ki gen esperyans).

Defense of thesis /dissertation (stress, strategies … how to manage it through contact with experience people).

Solidarite ant etidyan (ki soti nan menm peyi, ki nan menm chan d etid, ki gen menm kilti, elt. Depi etidyan yo sot nan menm peyi, li enpòtan pou youn konn lòt, ede lòt, menm si yo pa ta nan menm chan d etid.

Solidarity among students (who are from the same country, who are in the same area of study, who have the same culture, etc...). If students are from the same country, it’s important for them to know each other, help each other, even if they are not in the same field of study.

Tan (jesyon tan, ou kijan pou jere tan pou: fè espò, etidye, fè lesiv, fè manje ayisyen, fè rechèch, lwazi) …

Time (managing time, or how to manage to: do sports, to study, to do laundry, to cook Haitian food, to do research, for leisure) …

Tèz (metriz, doktora), (kijan pou seleksyone yon sijè tèz /disètasyon depi byen bonè, epi diskite sa ak pwofesè k ap dirije l la; estrateji pou lokalize resous bibliyografik pou rechèch la; entèvyou (anrejistre), kontak, korespondans elektwonik, rechèch sou teren, vwayaj …

Thesis /Dissertation (how to choose a thesis /dissertation subject way before, and discuss it with the professor directing it, strategies to locate bibliographical resources for the research; (recorded) interviews, contacts, electronic correspondences, field research, trips …

Visas (procedures to obtain student’s visas). Importance for students to solicit visas to visit developing countries (for research, internship, participating in international conferences … while studying at universities in Haiti).

Zanmitay (ak etidyan lòt kilti, ki sot lòt peyi, ak etidyan nan menm chan d etid; etidyan k ap suiv menm kou).

Friendships (with students from other cultures, from other countries, and students in the same area of study; students taking same courses).

Zouti elektwonik pou ede ak rechèch (imel, laptop, (telefòn) pòtab ak aplikasyon whatsApp, tepikòdè, USB /flash drive) …

Electronic tools to help with research (emails, laptop, cell phones with whatsApp application, recording devices, USB /flash drive) …