Table of Contents
- La Jefa Updates-Michelle Streeter-Ferrari
- The Wright State International Festival
- The UCIE Convo Club: Creating Interculturally Competent Students
- Upcoming April Events
- Students Abroad: Kevin Whittaker
- International Student Highlight: Monireh Ebrahimi
- Host Family Highlight: Lukas Wenrick
- Lead a Faculty Led Study Abroad Ambassador Program
La Jefa Updates-Michelle Streeter-Ferrari 
The Wright State International Festival
Saturday, April 15, 2017 1-5pm
@ WSU's Nutter Center Arena
Don't miss our largest international event of the year. Celebrate the beauty of Wright State University's international community by enjoying:
- Cultural Performances
- Cultural Cuisines featuring La Colombiana Restaurante, Ajanta Indian Restaurant, Yaffa Grill Mediterranean Food, Pearl Bay Thai & Asian Cuisine, and the Wanderlust Coffee Bar
- International Beers
- Flag Parade
- Country Booths
- Live Music
- Children's Zone
- And so much more!
The UCIE Convo Club: Creating Interculturally Competent Students
New survey results show that the UCIE Conversation (Convo) Club is effective in producing intercultural competence among Wright State students. The University Center for International Education (UCIE) started their conversation club in 2015 for both international and American students. Many international students join to practice their conversational English, while American students join to learn fascinating international perspectives from their international peers. The UCIE Convo Club provides questions and themes every week for students to converse and connect with people from a variety of cultures. Topic themes range from talking about food, family, holidays, American idioms, and many other enjoyable topics.
After surveying students (31% response rate), it was concluded that the UCIE Convo Club is a very effective tool in building intercultural competence among Wright State students. Students who attend the UCIE Convo Club increase their self awareness, self confidence, respect for different perspectives, comfort and ability in interacting with those culturally different from them, and even interest in studying abroad.
One American student from our survey said, "At my first (UCIE Convo Club) meeting, I was so pleasantly surprised! I loved the guided questions on the board and most of all, I loved meeting the international students, who are extremely kind and GREAT at conversation...This is something that I talk about with my friends and family. Personally, I think everyone should attend at least one UCIE Convo Club in their lifetime because it is unbelievably eye-opening and is definitely something that boosts one's confidence and social skills. This is a club that I will never forget and am so thankful to have been able to experience such wonderful people and conversation at these meetings.”
An international student from our survey said, “The UCIE Convo club helped me a lot. Got me new friends and has helped me a lot in getting comfortable with the new place and culture...”
Please note that we welcome faculty partnerships. If you are interested in having your class participate in our UCIE Convo Club, contact catherine.hernandez@wright.edu. Past faculty collaborations include Mary Coyle, Lisa Wolfe, Shreya Bhandari, and Julianne Weinzimmer. Past office collaborations include University Libraries, Brandeberry Career Center, Student Health Services, and First Year Programs. Experience the UCIE Convo Club any Monday from 3-4pm or Thursday from 1-2pm in Student Union E190.
Upcoming April Events
Students Abroad: Kevin Whittaker
"It was a total cultural shock. Everything was different", said Kevin Whittaker. Even as a Marketing major, he joined the College of Nursing and Health's Ambassador Program to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. "I thought it would be great to go to another country to learn their culture and especially to learn a new language." Kevin raved about his time during this study abroad trip, even claiming it transformed him. "It really opens your eyes to how other people live around the world. I had to erase my first world thinking and adjust how I was living to the reality of where I was."
"I have always wanted to go to Africa...I was drawn to it." Because of this trip, Kevin wants to travel more. "The biggest lesson I learned is that when you travel, nothing goes as planned, but you still have to make the best of it." Kevin was able to increase his skills in flexibility and adaptability, which are skills needed in all careers and professions.
"People should study abroad in order to put themselves in another person's shoes. See what life is like when it is different to yours. Build your empathy."
If you are interested in study abroad and having an experience like Kevin's, contact studyabroad@wright.edu
International Student Highlight: Monireh Ebrahimi
Host Family Highlight: Lukas Wenrick
This month we highlight host family member, Lukas Wenrick, WSU's very own Student Government Association president. Even as a student, Lukas jumped at the opportunity to reach out to international students. "I was presented with some pretty startling statistics showcasing how few international students actually enter American families' homes. This was my opportunity to do my part. I also wanted to meet new students and mentor them in whatever way possible."
This semester Lukas was matched with two students, one from India and the other from Austria. "I enjoy hearing the differences between American culture and my host students' cultures. It's eye opening to see the differences between cultures but even more eye opening to realize just how similar we are. We all enjoy sports, traveling, and meeting new people. We are college students trying to get by...trying to figure out our role in the world."
"There is a lot of misinformation about both international students and American culture. I wanted to showcase a positive side to American culture for our international students and I wanted to understand more deeply their individual cultures to that I could speak in an educated manner about their experiences. During a time where we are talking about putting up more walls, I hoped this experience would break down a few."
The UCIE Host Family Program reaches out to local families and college students to build relationships with our WSU international students. "(Being a part of this program) is the easiest way to get to know different cultures without leaving the United States. There are very few requirements but numerous opportunities to make lasting memories. This was an overwhelmingly enjoyable experience."
Interested in joining our UCIE Host Family Program? Submit your application or learn more by visiting this link: UCIE's Host Family Program
Lead a Faculty Led Study Abroad Ambassador Program
Ambassador Programs or short term faculty led study abroad programs are programs that WSU faculty provide a class while travelling abroad with the assistance of our international office. Typically the program runs for 1-4 weeks and is usually offered during the summer term, winter, or spring break. The class is usually 3.0 credit hour on average.
