Global Beat: Fall 2009

globalbeat Nazareth College Center for International Education • Fall 2009

Dear Friends,

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I am amazed and gratified when I look back on how far we’ve come since the CIE was established in 2002. Nazareth has taken great strides in transforming itself from a good regional college into an institution with influence and contacts across the globe. We are now a far more diverse, internationally-oriented college than ever before.

Nazareth Engages the World

2 New Staff Joins the CIE

3 Nazareth Students Abroad

4 Welcome to New International Students

6 International Education Week

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This fall, we take the next logical step with the implementation of our initiative, “Engaging the World: Global Competency for the 21st Century.” The two components of this far-reaching programming will ensure that first, every Nazareth student has international experience, and second, that those students who excel in international education are recognized and rewarded. I hope you will take a moment to read more about this initiative on page two of this newsletter.

As always, our campus is teeming this fall with the bright faces of international students. I invite you to take the time to get to know them. It’s not hard to find international students to chat with — they are clearly visible in all aspects of Nazareth life! In the library, cafeterias, classrooms, and residence halls, our international students bring their own experiences and insights to our campus community.

The international dialogue goes both ways, and I also invite you to check out the study abroad blog at http://naz.typepad.com/cie_studyabroad/. Here, Naz­‑ areth students who are currently living and learning in Europe, Africa, and across the globe share their stories. These blog entries are fascinating and fun to read.

As always, I invite you to stop by the CIE for an espresso any time. We are always glad to have visitors.

– Dr. George Eisen Executive Director Center for International Education

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Nazareth Engages the World

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An Exciting New Initiative from the CIE

he Nazareth College Center for International Education is proud to announce a comprehensive new program, titled “Engaging the World: Global Competency for the 21st Century,” that builds on the success and momentum generated during the CIE’s first six years. When fully functional, this initiative will profoundly impact every member of the Nazareth community, especially the student body.

“This initiative is in line with the College’s vision statement,” said CIE Executive Director George Eisen. “It clearly states that Nazareth should be an internationally recognized university. We are preparing our students to become productive members of a global society.”

“Engaging the World” features two primary components: • international experience for every student at Nazareth College, both graduate and undergraduate; and • a new, International Scholar designation for outstanding students who meet certain criteria.

The first component will build on the College’s existing strong programs in this area. “International experience” could take many forms, depending on the interests and academic needs of the individual student. For many, it will involve a traditional study abroad program. For some students, in programs such as international business or international affairs, an international internship may be their preferred choice. A third option, international service learning or community service, will allow students to engage in vital service work with communities across the globe. For students in fields such as social work or education, an international field placement is a possibility. All students will have the opportunity to explore these options with their advisors as well as with staff members of the CIE to discover which one fits them best — or to create a customized program better suited for their own interests.

Students wishing to earn the prestigious International Scholar designation will be required to satisfactorily complete coursework related to international issues, as well as to participate in one of the College’s many study/work/service abroad options. They will need to prove a high level of language competency in at least one foreign language, and, finally, maintain a high grade point average.

“This component,” said Dr. Eisen, “provides our most motivated students with entrance into a very select group. This rigorous program will give them an extra edge to allow them to enter the global work force.”

Currently, a task force of faculty members, representing Nazareth’s three professional schools and the College of Arts and Sciences, are working on drafting more detailed plans to guide the CIE as it works to bring these initiatives up to speed. A timetable is also being developed.

In February and March, Nazareth became the only higher education institution in the U.S. designated by the U.S. Department of State to host a group of 13 students from Afghanistan, for the “Study of the United States Institute for Global Student Leaders.” Designed to promote a better understanding of the U.S. abroad and help develop future world leaders, the institute reinforced the global role that Nazareth has increasingly assumed in the past six years. “This program will not only change the future of these students, and consequently the future leadership in this part of the world,” said Dr. Eisen. “It also made an indelible impact on our own campus.” Here, the Afghani students pose with Nazareth student Davvyd Jablonski (second row, right) in the Kidera Gymnasium on campus.

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CIE Welcomes New Staff The Center for international Education is delighted to welcome two talented staff members on board. Emily Craft (right, lower photo) is the Center’s new assistant director, while Kathy Hansen (right, upper photo) — familiar to many from her former role as the CIE graduate assistant — has been appointed assistant director for overseas studies and exchanges.

Craft comes to the job with impeccable credentials. Previously, she worked in international student services at SUNY Geneseo and Genesee Community College. A graduate of Nazareth College, she participated in study abroad programs in Ecuador; Rennes and Paris, France; Mexico; and Italy. She speaks French and Spanish, and is enthusiastic about the life-transforming aspects of international study. “What I like best about working at the CIE,” she said, “is playing an integral part in changing the lives of international students, Nazareth students, faculty, staff, and even community members through our global initiatives and programs.”

Hansen comes to the CIE following a varied career in biology. She has served as an instructor of biology and the physical sciences, performed research and lab work at UMD-New Jersey Medical School, and most recently was lab manager and assistant director of environmental health and safety at St. John Fisher College. Her new career in international education, however, has already had a profound impact on her. “Each day,” she said, “brings new challenges and new responsibilities to acknowledge and embrace our place in the world, and among the lives of people near and far.”

Summer Success 2009 was another stellar summer at the CIE. For the third year in a row, a dynamic group of students from Turkey (pictured here) arrived for the U.S. Summer Institute at Nazareth College. This State Department-sponsored program brings top students to the College for four weeks of intensive study of American culture, leadership, and democracy.

The summer also featured intensive English language programs for many individuals from across the globe. A total of 95 people studied at Nazareth from countries including Burma, Chile, Indonesia, Laos, Mongolia, China, and most notably Peru, which sent 42 students to learn English.

Because of Nazareth’s strong international community connections, the College was recently chosen to welcome a delegation of Ukrainian librarians for a tour of the College’s Lorette Wilmot Library and the Center for International Education. The visitors, seen here with the library’s Director of Media Services Sue Atkins (second from left) and Director Catherine Doyle (third from right) were on a study tour of the U.S. sponsored by the U.S. State Department and the Ukrainian Federal Credit Union.

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Nazareth Students Abroad Student Teaching in Tanzania

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mong the many study/work/service abroad opportunities available for Nazareth students, this year’s new option, to student teach in Tanzania, East Africa, generated a great deal of buzz among education students. Here, we offer some excerpts from the writings of Kelly LaLonde ’03, ’10G, Lauren Payne ’10G, and Amanda Lynch ’10G, who are teaching at a school near the east coast of Tanzania. The full entries can be read (along with those from other Naz students abroad) at http://naz.typepad.com/cie_studyabroad/.

August 31, 2009 • Lauren My name is Lauren and I’m a grad student in the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) program. In less than 48 hours I’ll be on my way to Tanzania to complete my student teaching. We’ll be staying and teaching at the Usambara Girls’ School in Korogwe. There are approximately 145 girls attending the secondary school which is run by the Sisters of Our Lady of Usambara. We have been told that they will take wonderful care of us.

Swahili is the main language spoken in Tanzania, but the girls have been learning English since the beginning of the school year and may also have received some English instruction in the primary grades.

September 01, 2009 • Amanda I cannot wait to learn as much as I can about the people, culture, and language of Tanzania, as well as the ins and outs of the school system. What an amazing opportunity to learn and grow as a teacher and an individual.

September 06, 2009 • Kelly There is a saying that is often mentioned in the TESOL program that reminds me of all that I am experiencing in Tanzania: When you gain a new language you gain a new soul.

After almost 17 hours in the air and many hours of anticipation we have arrived in Tanzania. We were greeted by Sisters Domitila (a Naz grad!) and Romania. They had flowers for us and were all smiles! The three of us tried out our Kiswahili phrases, saying jambo (hello) and asante sana (thank you) and most importantly twiga (giraffe).

I was chatting away in the car and found out that Sister Romania speaks Italian, as do I! Well Kiswahili went out the window and we started speaking happily in Italian. I gained my second soul and language while teaching in Italy in ’03 and ’04. This Italian-American soul found solace in the most unlikely of places: Tanzania.

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September 11, 2009 • Amanda We are here and settled at the Sisters of Usambara Convent. I have never felt so welcomed. From the minute we got off the plane, the sisters have been wonderful. I have seen nothing but smiles, laughs, and open arms. Everyone has greeted me with hugs, handshakes, smiles, and the Kiswahili welcome karibu.

The students at the school have been the most amazing of all. When we arrived at the school, all 150 girls were outside in two long lines — dancing, singing, and cheering for us. We walked through the middle of the lines following Sister Domitila (the head of the school). As we passed, the girls came up behind us in an amazing swarm of excitement.

It took everything I had not to cry. I am so grateful to be a part of this experience!

September 15, 2009 • Kelly I’ve often been accused of having too many shoes. After moving four times in three years, I started purging my closet.

By the end, my donation pile contained enough to outfit entire families. I distinctly remember dropping things off in the collection bins and wondering whether they would do any good. Would they go to those in need? Was I just wasting my time?

The answers came to me in Tanzania, in church, while my attention wandered to the feet of a nun in the choir.

She had on light blue, backless, platform sneakers! I looked around and found the most amazing array of footware ...

Birkenstocks, sparkled flip flops, bright yellow Keds, and orthopedic sandals tapped in time with short heels and sturdy black sneakers. I had never noticed how useful the shoes that I gave up so disdainfully were. In a world with few paved roads and rock-riddled paths, any protection from the ground below is a relief.

I am not sure of the exact process, but I do know that these shoes found their way from the overflowing closets of people like me to people who need and appreciate them. It’s like a little miracle. Does this mean that I will only buy useful shoes in the future? I’m sure the answer is no. It does mean that a small part of my cynicism that comes with being American has been banished for good.

September 21, 2009 • Amanda Since the girls had a week of examinations, the sisters planned a trip for us to Zanzibar, an island off the coast of Tanzania. What a beautiful place to visit! We stayed for five days – a day longer than we originally planned. Festivities included a day trip to a private beach, a trip on an old wooden boat to a small island where we saw rare giant tortoises, shopping, bartering, and eating pizza every day.

I feel so lucky to be here. I am experiencing so much in the classroom, but also so much more. I am learning countless things about the people, culture, and places in Tanzania and I’m having fun doing it! Soon we will be off on a safari to see the animals in Ngorongoro Crater before returning to the classroom.

I can’t wait!

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Welcome!

Nazareth and the Center for International Education are pleased to introduce the following new international students, who have arrived for the fall 2009 semester. Not shown in these photos are: Alex Mantchev, Canada; Tzuen Tang, Taiwan; Alexandre Delecroix, France; Alexandre Fabris, France; Linda Pahlman, Finland; Olga Eerikainen, Finland; Karoliina Jokitalo, Finland; Maria Koiranen, Finland; Judit Hordosi, Hungary; Agnes Agyagasi, Hungary; and Melinda Hangyas, Hungary.

Shufang Dong and Shaofei Lu:

Tony Nguyen

: Canada

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China

Regina Yarotska ya: IREX student, Be larus

gy: Anna Hadna dent, exchange stu Hungary

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Antoine Aud oly: exchange stu dent, France

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Phuong Nguyen: Vietnam

Huberht Sa ntos: Panama i Manilak Pu a h m: Souvannak Laos

Mungu ntuya Otgon jargal: Mongo lia

Nurmianti: Indonesia Torah Na: Burma (My anmar)

Italian students: (left to right): Michel Di Feliciantonio, Gianluca Gliatta, Carla Nobile, Carlo Salvati Proietti, Fabrizio Di Stefano, Nausicaa Di Giovanni, Lucia Santoro, Rossella Vitale, Alessandro Maiorano. (Valeria Gentile not pictured).

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International Education Week 2009 Join us for this year’s events: November 8-12

Opening Reception • Sunday, November 8 • 6-10 p.m.

• Forum, Shults Center Photography Exhibit: Kenya and Russia • All week • Shults Center • Co-sponsored by the division of student development

Turkish Sufi Concert • Tuesday, November 10 • 7:00 p.m.

• Chapel, Golisano Academic Center • Co-sponsored by the music department Kenya Study Abroad Presentation • Wednesday, November 11 • 4-5:00 p.m.

• International Room, Shults Center

Explore Kenya and Russia Through the Camera’s Lens The CIE is pleased to announce an upcoming photo exhibit, on display during International Education Week in the Shults Center, featuring the work of student photographers who have been studying abroad in Kenya and Russia. A best of show award will be announced on November 8 at the opening reception for the week’s events.

The exhibit is co-sponsored by the Center for International Education and the Division of Student Development.

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Russia Study Abroad Presentation • Thursday, November 12 • 12:15-1:00 p.m.

• International Room Study Abroad Reception (invitation only) • Thursday, November 12 • 7-9 p.m.

• Medaille Formal Lounge

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aurie DeRoller, executive director of the International Business Council of Greater Rochester, N.Y., presents Dr. Eisen with a check for $1,500 in recognition of Nazareth College’s selection for the 2009 Excellence in International Education Award.

“We are deeply grateful to the IBC for their continued support of our programming,” said Eisen. “It is through partnerships with community organizations like the IBC that we are able to offer our students a truly global experience.”

The money will be used to provide scholarship assistance for Nazareth students who are currently engaged in student teaching in Tanzania, East Africa.

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