Also in the spotlight this month:

Recent Visitors

Visiting International Scholars

INTERLINK Update!

International Student Speaks at Las Vegas Conference

Graduating International Students

UNCG Students to Study Abroad

E-Newsworthy Survey

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   Bon Voyage Reception      

Bon Voyage Celebration for Students, Staff and Faculty

The spring semester is wrapping up and once again IPC is saying farewell to international exchange students heading home, international degree-seeking students who are graduating, and UNCG students beginning their study abroad experience next semester.  At the end of every spring semester, the Chancellor hosts a Bon Voyage celebration for students, staff, faculty, and friends to reminisce and to enjoy one another’s company. The academic year is drawing to a close but the International Programs Center likes to finish the year on a high, which is why International Festival is celebrated in the middle of April and is quickly followed by the Chancellor’s Reception.

Read more about the Bon Voyage celebration here.

I-Fest Success!

This year International Festival participants enjoyed 50 country and organization booths, cultural performances, tastes of the world, and plenty of sunshine!  On April 18, 2009, international students from 35 different countries—from Argentina and China to Turkey and Venezuela—shared their cultures through arts and crafts, games, demonstrations, food, and international conversation during our 27th Annual International Festival.

Read more about I-Fest here.

Also in Newsworthy this month:

Orientation Meetings Held for UNCG Students Nominated to Study Abroad

On Wednesday, March 18, eager students poured into the Foust building to see whether their name was on the list of students nominated to study abroad for Fall 2009.  For the students on that list, a series of orientation sessions started a few days later. On Saturday, March 21, UNC-EP conducted an orientation session for students from various campuses in the UNC system participating in UNC-EP programs, as well as International Student Exchange Programs (ISEP). Madge Hubbard, Director of UNCEP, Kristi Parker, Assistant Director, and Christina Thompson, also of UNCEP, were there to discuss the next phase of the exchange program with students. A total of 155 students were expected to attend (our largest number yet!) and we were happy to see a great turn out.

Read more about the orientation meetings here.

The Full-Circle Study Abroad Process

You may have wondered what process students go through in order to study abroad. I spoke with the Study Abroad and Exchange staff to get a better understanding. Recruiting is where it all starts for the students. The International Programs Center (IPC) advertises study abroad to students all year round. Informational talks are held in classes, in dorms, and at student group meetings at UNCG. IPC also hosts booths at UNCG events such as Destination UNCG (an open house for high school students considering attending UNCG when they graduate), and SOAR (Spartan Orientation, Advising & Registration, for new students at UNCG). These talks are designed to introduce the idea of studying abroad to UNCG students. Tom Martinek, Jr. told me that, “Sometimes students shrug off study abroad because they assume that it would be too expensive, and these are the questions we answer at these events—if you can afford to study at UNCG, you can afford to study abroad for a semester.”

Read more about the process of sending students abroad here.

International Student Association: Behind the Scenes of I-Fest

In the early morning of April 18, I walked across UNCG to the fountain area outside the Caf.  I was amazed to see tents being erected, the stage being created, and tables being arranged, by approximately 30 student volunteers, and it was only 8:45am! IPC staff joined with International Student Association board members and volunteers to help create a memorable International Festival.ng

Read more about ISA's role in I-Fest here.

International CARS Project at UNCG

Dr. Nancy Hodges and Dr. Kittichai Watchravesringkan have been working, this semester, with a literally global classroom.  One Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies class has been participating in an International Apparel Branding Project with Dr. Chompunuch Punyapiroje, with Burapha University (BU), and BU students in Thailand. Dr. Hodges, Dr. Watchravesringkan and Dr. Punyapiroje utilized technology in the classroom by arranging class periods to allow for live video conferencing.

Read more about the international project here.

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