WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

GLOBAL CONNECTIONSOCTOBER 2017

The Center for International Studies hosted an Oxfam Hunger Banquet on November 8, 2017 to help raise awareness of world hunger and food

insecurities. Participants were randomly placed into one of three income levels; some were fed only rice while others dined on a nutritious meal.

I have spent a considerable amount of time during my first year as director listening to you and gathering ideas about further internationalizing our campus and community. The commitment to this cause and the suggestions I hear from students, employees, and community members are truly in-spiring. Thank you all for your support, and I look forward to more conversations in 2018 and beyond. I am passionate about creating international opportunities for WIU and the

communities we serve, and I am confident that together we will progress further toward bringing the world to WIU - and WIU to the world!

In this newsletter you will learn more about the many activities we held on campus this semester and meet some of our outstanding international and WIU study abroad students. We work hard to organize regular opportunities for our international students to both learn about our nation’s cultures and traditions and to share a bit of their country with us. Look for more opportunities in the new semester, and I encourage you to get involved.

As always, if you have ideas about advancing campus internationalization efforts, please stop by Horrabin 6 and share your thoughts. My door is always open.

Dr. Jeff HancksExecutive DirectorSchool of Distance Learning, International Studies, and Outreach

Vol. 1, No.2DECEMBER 2017

The Center for International Studies provided an authentic Thanksgiving meal to over 40 international students on

November 23, 2017. This is a fun, yearly tradition!

The International Friendship Club held an International Bazaar Interest Meeting on October 24, 2017 to raise awareness and provide

information about the 45th Annual International Bazaar, which will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018. Make sure to save the date!

Over 60 participants enjoyed a presentation about Bangladesh and an authentic Bangladeshi meal at the Cultural Café on November 7, 2017. Members of the Bangladeshi Student Association also danced and sang. cultural perspectives across campus and strengthens the institution.

This is certainly the case of Mr. Mukesh Maharjan, who came from Nepal and is now a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Study Abroad and Outreach (SAO). He was selected from a large pool of candi-dates because of his unique expertise as a website developer.

In his role, he has become the leader of an innovative and creative process that seeks to make the SAO website attractive and available to all WIU community members. His efforts help demonstrate that studying abroad is an essential and rewarding way to gain valuable professional experience.

Mr. Mukesh and many students like him make WIU the RIGHT CHOICE.

Western Illinois University is committed to intercultural diversity and supports the recruitment of international students wishing to make WIU their home. Their presence enriches

International Student Innovation

Welcome

Several international students gave presentions on their cultures to students in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade classes at Lincoln School in Macomb. Additionally, members of Phi Beta Delta and international students presented to the 7th and 8th grade students at the Macomb Junior Senior High School.

Macomb Classroom Presentations

New International Partnership!

The Office of Study Abroad and Outreach has just formed an exciting new partnership with the University College of Dublin (UCD) in Ireland. UCD prides itself on being the most inter-national university in Ireland, with over 6,000 international students from 120 countries. Courses available to WIU students include those in the fields of Agriculture, Biology, Engineering, Forensic Chemistry, Nursing, Business, and many more! There is also the unique opportunity of a Business Summer Internship program. With all that the University College of Dublin has to offer, it will play an important role in leading WIU student down the path to becoming global citizens.

What have you been doing since leaving Macomb?I worked for a year in America at Trinity Family Counseling Center as an intake coordinator/mental health therapist. I really enjoyed working there and only had to work four days a week. I spent my long weekends trav-eling with friends to many different states: South Dakota for New Year’s, Colorado, Virginia, New York, and many more. I am still in touch with some of my friends from Western and have had many fun adventures with them. I’ve been playing competitive ultimate Frisbee every summer and did that for the past two summers in Chicago. Recently I’ve just come back to Singapore, and I’ve started my new job. I’m back home with friends and family and am still traveling to different countries, playing ultimate Frisbee while working a job that I truly enjoy.

What is your favorite memory from WIU?It’s hard to pick my favorite memory, so I’ll share a few. One was Inter-national Neighbors because I met my American family there. Another is the international orientation where I met one of my best friends. Finally, I loved joining the ultimate Frisbee club and practicing with them because I met some of my favorite people and my best friend there.

Anything else you would like to share?Western really was a great place for education. I had amazing professors, and it was so fun being immersed in a culture that was a hundred times different from my own. I would never have had a chance to live in a small town and meet people from the country if not for Western. It was so humbling and such an amazing place.

International Alumni Spotlight

Name: Szejin OoiDegree: Graduated in 2016, Master’s in Clinical/Community Mental HealthCurrent Position: Social worker/Counselor, Singapore Buddhist Welfare Services - Singapore

Study Abroad Student Spotlight

Name: Marrisha Devereueawax-CoatesStudy Abroad Program: Ewha Women’s University, South KoreaLength of Program: Academic YearLevel of Education: SeniorField of Study: Music Business

Why did you choose to study in South Korea?Years ago, my best friend introduced me to this Korean drama about an arts high school that was very similar to my high school. I watched the show, and then afterwards on YouTube I tried to look up the songs. It has been a deep rabbit hole since then. I eventually fell in love with the food and the culture, so I knew that I needed to go there and actually experience that.

What was the greatest challenge that you faced?Definitely the language barrier. Thankfully I met some Korean friends who were proficient enough in English that I could communicate with them using my elementary Korean. We became really good friends while exchanging languages. Attendance policies too! That was intense. You cannot skip a class unless you are literally in a hospital because it is such a workaholic country.

How has studying abroad impacted your life?It’s made me a more open-minded person and more approachable to people who have different ideas and cultures than me. I have always wanted to work in music and entertainment, but now I want to work with international artists who want to break into the American market.While I was in Korea, I heard so much music from back home. But I never hear Korean music when I am at home. I want everyone to be able to listen to everyone’s music- so that it is considered “normal” if you do not hear a song in English here [in the U.S].

What advice would you give a student considering going abroad?Allow yourself to adapt and not constantly talk about how sad or angry you are that they don’t have things from home. It will make you miss home more. It is funny; the one friend who did that very often is back in America now, and she’s crying about how much she misses Korea. Enjoy your time there and don’t complain.

Upcoming EventsJan. 7-15 Incoming International Student Orientation

Jan. 31 Deadline to Apply for New York Community Trip

Feb. 12 International Student Ski Trip

Mar. 3 45th Annual International Bazaar

Over 75 students experienced American traditions of Halloween. Students carved pumpkins, participated in a costume contest, and

played Halloween bingo at the on-campus Halloween party.

Join fellow theatre enthusiasts and New York City fans on the 16th offering of the New York City

Community Theatre trip. All are welcome!

Contact Us!

Office of the Executive DirectorHorrabin Hall 6Phone: (309) 298-1929

International Student ServicesMemorial Hall 347 Phone: 309-298-3734

International AdmissionsMemorial Hall 342Phone: (309) 298-2426

Study Abroad and OutreachHorrabin Hall 8Phone: (309) 298-2504

WESL InstituteMemorial Hall 346Phone: (309) 298-2485

Follow Us!

Center for International Studieswiu.edu/international

international-ed@wiu.edu

Travel dates are June 9-17, 2018. Come and enjoy:

• Optional daily walking tours to parts of the city such as Midtown Manhattan, Wall Street, Chelsea, the Flatiron District, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Coney Island.

• Combination of six Broadway/Off-Broadway productions.

• Free time to visit other landmarks and museums, take in additional shows, or shop in NYC’s famous stores.

Deadline to apply is Jan. 31, 2018.

Have fun while supporting students!

Pack Your Bags!

A portion of the proceeds from this trip goes toward study abroad scholarships for current Leathernecks.

Check the Outreach page of the Study Abroad website for more information.

The Eta Epsilon Chapter of the International Honor Society, Phi Beta Delta, held their annual scholarship dinner on November 3, 2017. Participants enjoyed an authentic Indian meal, enter-

tainment, and a silent auction. Nearly $1,000 was raised to support international education scholarships.

Support Our StudentsBe a part of our mission to open minds and promote

intercultural understanding by donating to the Center for International Studies.

English Language Learners Conference

In cooperation with the East Moline School District, Moline-Coal Valley School District, and Rock Island-Milan School District, the School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach sponsored an English Language Learners Conference for local

administrators and teachers (k-12) in the Quad Cities com-munity on Nov. 3-4. The program was designed to create awareness of the issues facing English Language Learners as well as provide instructional tools in technology and literacy. The featured speaker for the program was Dr. Libia Gil, the Chief Education Officer for the State of Illinois.

Donate Now

Thank you for your support!

http://bit.ly/globalizeWIU