International Week To Highlight Faculty, Students

The Office of International Programs begins the "Internationalization of SHSU: One Person at a Time," during International Week April 7-11. All sessions are free and open to anyone interested.

The week will kick off Monday (April 7) with a presentation by Dan McCarthy, from the Gardner Law Firm in San Antonio, who will discuss “Working in the United States and Pathways to Become a Permanent Resident” from 3-4:30 p.m. in Lowman Student Center Room 315.

On Tuesday, professor of agriculture Dominick Fazarro; professor of geography Velvet Nelson; and criminal justice international visiting scholar, Yu Qui will present “International Faculty Development Opportunities,” moderated by assistant professor of economics Hiranya Nath from 3-4 p.m. in LSC Room 307.

Following the presentation, three SHSU professors will discuss “Setting Up a Faculty-Led Study Abroad Course,” from 4-5 p.m. in LSC Room 307.

The panel will include Frieda Koeninger, foreign languages department; Janis White, family and consumer sciences department; and Piney Ming, chemistry department.

“The program is designed for faculty members who would like to teach in another country," said Nancy Holloway, OIP International student advisor, "They will learn how to set up a study abroad program where SHSU students will be able to take classes and receive college credit hours."

On Wednesday, a “Study Abroad Fair," where students can find information on the places they can study and what courses are offered will be held, from noon to 2 p.m. in the LSC Mall Area.

“It’s a wonderful chance for students to explore the opportunities available to them to study abroad,” said Holloway.

Later that afternoon, students can get different perspectives of studying abroad, first from students who have traveled outside of the United States to study, and then from students from other universities who are studying at SHSU now.

SHSU students Courtney Bailey, Maegan Hada, Cherell Mike and Whitney Moore, all of whom have studied in foreign countries, will have their “Panel Discussion: Study Abroad Experience” from 3-4 p.m. in LSC Room 315.

This will be followed by the other perspective, that of foreign students studying in the United States, from 4-5 p.m. also in LSC Room 315. The “Panel Discussion: Exchange Students’ Experience at SHSU” will include Maria Acevedo, from Technologico de Monterrey in Mexico; Tae Min Ahn, from Kyonggi University in South Korea; Ju Hee Son, from SoonChunHyang University also in South Korea; and Sarah Spielvogel, from the University of Karlsruhe in Germany.

Daniel Silva, a SHSU student, will be the moderator for both panel discussions.

"It is important to have an open mind," said Silva. "The study abroad program helps to broaden your horizons."

That evening, three women from China will discuss the issues women face today in China from 7-8:30 p.m. in LSC Room 315.

“Contemporary Chinese Women’s Issues,” moderated by history professor Tracey Steele, will feature SHSU graduate students Li Yi, Wanjing Wang and Peggy Zhai.

"Women aren't given a lot of status in China because it mostly male dominated," said Holloway. "These women have proven themselves by their Education, and their main goal is to share it with the people in their home countries when they return.

On Thursday, keynote speaker Kumasi Adoma, assistant manager of Outreach and Special Projects for the Institute of International Education in Houston, will discuss “Internationalizing the Campus through International Scholarships and Research: Opportunities Administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE)” from 3-4:30 p.m. in Lowman Student Center Room 320.

Finally, on Friday, learning will include entertainment with “An Evening of Latin Dance,” a Flamenco, Salsa and Merengue dance demonstration from 7-9:30 p.m. in the Lee Drain Building Atrium.

After the show, free dance lessons will be offered, under the direction of Patricia Astorga, owner of dance company La Esencia Flamenca in Houston.

For more information, call the OIP at 936.294.4737 or e-mail OIP@shsu.edu.

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SHSU Media Contact: Cassie Floyd
April 4, 2008
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