Chancellor Linda Brady welcomes the new international students for Spring Semester 2013

On January 15, 2013, Chancellor Linda Brady held her semi-annual International Student Welcome Reception for new and returning international students as well as UNCG students who have returned from their study abroad programs in recent months.

The Chancellor opened her speech by talking about her involvement with international affairs, both in her personal and professional life, over the past forty years. She also talked about UNCG’s commitment to international education as being an essential part of the university’s identity, highlighting three ways UNCG is working to achieve its mission of “integrating intercultural and international experiences and perspectives into learning, discovery, and service.” First, the university will strive to make sure no student is denied the opportunity to study abroad due to financial limitations. Second, UNCG will continue to strengthen volunteer service programs for UNCG faculty, students, and staff. Lastly, the university will reinforce its commitment to attracting talented international students and scholars to work and study here at UNCG.

This semester, approximately 120 new international students have enrolled at UNCG. Fifty-six are exchange students, thirty-four are degree-seeking students, and forty-one are new INTERLINK students. The reception was a wonderful opportunity to let these students know how much they are appreciated and welcomed at UNCG.

As with past receptions, several students were individually recognized. This year, special recognition was given to Coline Braud (France), Simone Cappati (Italy), Meicin Jin (China), Majed Al Shaqaqeeq (Saudi Arabia), and Kabil Zreouil (Morocco). In addition to meeting Chancellor Brady, they were each presented with a surprise gift.  

Coline Braud is one of the four exchange students from the School of Business and Management (ESDES) at the Université Catholique de Lyon in Lyon, France. They are the first students from ESDES to attend UNCG. All four students are business majors and will continue their studies at the Bryan School of Business and Economics while attending UNCG.

Chancellor Brady presents Simone Cappati (Italy) with a welcome gift

Simone Cappati is a degree-seeking undergraduate student from Milan, Italy, and will be pursuing a degree in International and Global Affairs while at UNCG. Meicin Jin is a degree-seeking graduate student from China. She started at UNCG as an INTERLINK student and will now be entering the Master’s program in dance with a concentration in choreography.

Majed Al Shaqaqeeq and Kabil Zreouil represented the new INTERLINK students. Majed earned a Medical Doctorate degree from Odessa State Medical University in Ukraine. He transferred to INTERLINK from the Intensive English Language Center at the University of Nevada in Reno. After graduating from INTERLINK, he plans to apply to the Master of Public Health program at UNCG. Kabil completed high school in Casablanca, Morocco, and qualified for a partial merit scholarship at INTERLINK based on his good academic standing and on his status as coming from an underrepresented country in the program. He plans to apply to UNCG’s undergraduate business program after graduating from INTERLINK.

Chancellor Brady (center) and members of the IPC staff with the specially recognized international students. Back row, left to right: Brad Teague (Director of INTERLINK), Michael Elliott (Director of International Students and Scholars Services), Denise Bellamy (Director of Study Abroad and Exchange), Simone Cappati (Italy), Majed Al Shaqaqeeq (Saudi Arabia), Kabil Zreouil (Morocco), Penelope Pynes (Associate Provost of IPC). Front row, left to right: Pamela Harrod (Director of International Admissions), Chancellor Linda Brady, Coline Braud (France)