Blogs

Welcome back! As we begin the fall 2023 semester, we asked a few of our friends in GIA and UDG what they’re most looking forward to about the coming term. Here are a few of their responses:

Nick Taggart, Intensive English Program

The IEP recently enacted several key changes to its program to better align with its mission and to best serve its students, faculty, and staff.  We restructured the curriculum at our lower levels, rescheduled courses to meet on days more conducive to instruction and adjusted the overall weekly meeting schedule for our courses.  All these actions were taken to move us towards improving students' learning experience and ability to engage in our Program's offerings.  One of these changes was enacted this summer, but the bulk of them will start this fall. So, we're looking forward to the enactment of these changes and the positive impact we expect them to have for our students.

Click here to read about the Intensive English Program. 

Maria Jay and Tina Kosobud, Education Abroad & Away

We’re excited to co-chair this fall's Education Abroad & Away fair on September 20th from 4:30-6:30pm in KU Ballroom. We enjoy talking with students and finding out what countries interest them. We like to talk to them before and after to see if anything changed their minds about location or studies. We especially like to see how we can make their dreams a reality to study abroad. Sometimes they think it's a long shot and they just need encouragement to look into it more. Sometimes they are nervous to go but finding the right program for them (like a short term one) is just what they need and they have a newfound confidence…and sometimes they don't realize there are local ways to participate and find ways to work with international people in our community. 

This year's fair will host nearly 20 UD Faculty-Led programs in 14 different countries occurring during the winter, spring, and summer breaks. We also host third-party providers, semester program opportunities and other campus partners, such as Global Engagement and Flyer Student Services. We are thrilled to provide such a diverse array of opportunities to students looking to study abroad or away and gain intercultural experiences.

We are always excited to work with new and returning students on new and exciting programs! 

Read more about the Education Abroad & Away Fair here.

Mo Burke, Global Engagement 

I'm super excited about Culture Fest on September 27th and the International Festival in November! It's always a great time to celebrate and learn about other cultures and enjoy the cuisine of a variety of countries. Last year I left both events with a full belly and a big smile across my face...it's always so cool to learn about the diverse cultures we have present on campus. The International Festival will take place at the end of International Education Week, November 6-10, and I'm also excited for all the cool events we have planned for that week. 

Check out our fall programming including Culture Fest and International Education Week 2023. 

Heather Schieman, Education Abroad & Away

This year, there will be seven World Associate/Peer Advisors in the Education Abroad & Away Office.  All students move back to campus early to take part in three days of training;  it's a crash course in all things International Education.  Then, they immediately jump in and start supporting our incoming students and their families at the Welcome Weekend Resource Fair a few days before school starts.

They really are the backbone of much of our office work.  They not only keep our office administratively running, but they serve as the first line of communication with students, families, and just about anyone inquiring about our programs and opportunities on campus.  We try to specialize in their unique talents, so aside from customer service, peer advising support, and office tasks, I look forward to brainstorming with each of them on how they can support the initiatives of our office with what they can bring to the table too.

Click here to read more about the World Associate Peer Advisors.

Divya Blakemore, UDayton Global

Fall fun and festivities with students are what I always look forward to! This year, UDayton Global's Student Services team, in collaboration with the International Student Scholar and Services office, is planning various events around Fall festivities. We’re planning activities from sharing the beautiful fall leaves around Dayton, to visiting a spooky corn maze, to enjoying hot chocolate and warm marshmallows. The students will be able to enjoy the pumpkin festival at Young's Dairy, Tom's Maze and Pumpkin Farm, and begin the Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations with the Festival of Lights at Cincinnati Zoo. We are looking forward to providing these fun experiences to international students and also learning about their cultures and celebrations along the way!

Catherine Kline, International Student and Scholar Services

I am looking forward to taking over our International Friendship Families Program. IFF connects international students with local families and individuals for a semester-long partnership. Students and local families connect regularly throughout the semester at their own pace but also through ISSS hosted virtual events. Through the year, local families and students have developed meaningful and lasting cross-cultural relationships through this incredible program. We hope to have increasing success this coming semester and those that follow. We are excited to kick it off with as many students/families that would like to join! 

Interested in becoming an International Friendship Family? Sign up at this link. 

Sangita Gosalia, Global Engagement

We have a number of exciting faculty engagement initiatives this fall.  We have a faculty cohort coming together this academic year for the Global Education Seminar.  This year’s group will be focusing on South Africa and spend the year learning about the historical, cultural, and political context of this region before they engage in a two-week trip to the country.  We are also accepting a new cohort of COIL Faculty Fellows.  The deadline to apply is October 2, 2023.  It is always exciting to see ways faculty are advancing global and intercultural learning opportunities for our students!

For more information on how you can get involved in these faculty initiatives, take a look at our Porches site.