Tell me about something interesting or unusual that has been happening in your city

or country recently, like a current event or a festival

What are you currently doing research on? Tell me about how you conduct your
research

What are some things you are doing to prepare for coming here?

What do you do in your free time now? How might that change when you come to
USC?

If I had a chance to visit your city or country, what sights would you recommend that I
see? Why?

What are your plans when you finish your time at USC?

Tell me about something interesting that happened to you when you were young.

Tell me the story of a recent vacation. Describe the most interesting event that
happened

Tell me about a holiday in your country. How is it typically celebrated from beginning
to end?

Share a little about your previous experiences traveling and/or living abroad. If you
have not traveled outside your home country, share what you will do to prepare for
your time in the US

What motivated you to pursue a research exchange in USC?

What do you think will be the most challenging aspect of living in the U.S?

How do you think that the time you spend at USC will benefit you personally and
professionally?

Share a little about your knowledge about the daily life in the US. If you get injured, do
you know what to do?

Share a little about your knowledge about the J1 program and why it fits in your
career plans?

Share a little bit of the last project you worked on. Why is it useful for your research
position at USC?

What’s your field of study?

How will you develop your vocabulary in English? What is your plan to prepare for
this trip?

How will you encounter different cultures in the US? There may be people from many
countries that are part of your research group, your neighborhood, and other
interactions

Please share a little about your previous experiences traveling and/or living abroad. If
you have not traveled outside your home country, please share a little about what you
will do to prepare for your time in the U.S.

What is your perception of the U.S.?

Describe your expectations while in the U.S.

What do you know about culture in the United States?

What value do you see in an international experience?

What has been your greatest personal achievement?

Describe a choice that you have made that was difficult and taught you a valuable
lesson. Why was this choice difficult? What did you learn?

What do you like about your academic field?

What are some of the biggest challenges you have encountered in your research?

How will [your host department] benefit from the time you spend collaborating with
them?

Tell me why you decided to come to the U.S.?

What plans have you made for your stay in the U.S.?

What steps will you take to adapt to life in the U.S.?

Outside of your research, what experiences would you like to have while in the U.S.?

What cities or sites would you like to visit in the U.S. and why?

What would you like to tell the Americans you meet about your culture?

How have your past experiences, training, and language study prepared you to
operate in an English-speaking environment in your occupational field?
What do you expect to learn about American culture and society?

How do you plan to share what you have learned upon your return to your home
country?

Please share what hobbies or extracurricular activities you enjoy.

What skills and knowledge do you expect to gain?

Please tell me a little bit about yourself and why you are interested in visiting USC?

Have you been to the U.S. before? What things outside of USC would you like to see
and do while you are here?

Do you have any questions for me?

Please introduce yourself and describe your educational background including

current and past research goals.

Have you ever lived or worked in a native English-speaking environment? What issues
are you worried about upon entering the US?

What are your research interests?

What are your research objectives? What is your plan to accomplish your objectives?

How did you learn English?

What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?

Have you set up your living arrangements for your stay in LA?