FALL ISSUE / 2014

ACADEMY FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTHEAST

“Kudu’s Gaze”By: Brian Dennis, Student

Critic’s Choice: Places Category

1 / International Photo Contest

“Japanese Bookstore Dreams”By: Ray Wallace, IU Southeast Chancellor

Critic’s Choice: People Category

4 From the Editor

5 From War Child to Adult Dreamer

9 A Home Away from Home

15 Minding the Universal Force of Globalization with Education

17 Simulations: Experiencing the Model UN

Transformations is produced by the Office of University Communications

3 / This Issue

Welcome to our International Students and International Studies edition of Transformations. All of the articles in this issue were written by students in English W364: Editing for Publication. I am grateful for their research and their contributions, and I am also pleased to be able to provide publication opportunities for these students.

Diane ReidCoordinator of Diversity for Academic Affairs

In this issue, readers will be given the opportunity to meet some of the international students at IU Southeast. Their backgrounds and interests are fascinating and diverse. They bring new perspectives to our IU Southeast classrooms, serving to enrich everyone’s educational experiences. We also explore the International Studies major and its relevance in our global economy. Dr. Jean Abshire has dedicated much to the development of our International Studies major.

Finally, the college Model UN is highlighted. Dr. Cliff Staten has done exceptional service for our campus and our communities by hosting both the high school Model UN and the college Model UN. IU Southeast has participated in the college Model UN for 37 years and Dr. Staten has advised our participants in the college-level Model UN for 26 of those years. Plus, he has hosted the high school model UN on our campus for 25 years. Thank you, Cliff, for your dedication to this outstanding program.

Our inside cover photos are the Critic’s Choice winners from the fall 2014 International Photography contest. These photographs add a colorful dimension to our publication. IU Southeast student, Brian Dennis, won the Critic’s Award for “Places” with his photograph titled “Kudu’s Gaze.” The Critic’s Award winner in the “People” category was Chancellor Ray Wallace with his photograph titled “Japanese Bookstore Dreams.” The People’s Choice winners for the International Photography contest will be featured in the spring 2015 edition of Transformations.

May you enjoy the articles in this edition and benefit from the information and perspectives they provide.

4 / From the Editor

No one has the ability to choose where they are born and the family they are born into. It is pre-destined. Unlike most people in United States, I was born in a small peaceful country in Eastern Europe named Bosnia and Herzegovina. Shortly after I was born, Bosnia was pulled into a religious civil war which lasted until 1995. After 1995, an organization called Catholic Charities started taking applications from refugees to be rescued and sent to another country such as the United States or Australia. After my family applied, we went through two years of interviews and medical exams. Then we were cleared to choose a country of residency, and we chose the United States.

By Emina ToricEnglish W364 Student

5 / From War Child to Adult Dreamer

Photo: Emina Toric in the IU Southeast Library

7 / From War Child to Adult Dreamer

“We came from five years of starvation, with no electricity or running water. I was constantly

running from gunshots on my way to school.”

When we arrived in the United States, we suffered a huge culture shock. We came from five years of starvation, with no electricity or running water. I was constantly running from gunshots on my way to school. It was normal for men to be tortured and killed, while their wives and daughters were raped, and sometimes killed in the process.

Concentration camps were set up for the Muslims who were occupying land that Serbia believed was theirs. The United Nations sent Dutch soldiers who failed to protect innocent refugees in a safe zone, and in one day, 8,000 boys and men were killed and dumped in mass graves. School was my outlet to some normalcy because I was able to escape through reading different stories. We mainly ate bread and milk because my grandparents’ farm had cows and plenty of flour. Our shelter, their farm, was located between the Bosnian and Serbian front lines. We were stuck in the no man’s land. Eventually some Bosnian soldiers came to stay in my grandpa’s garage. Through them, my little brother and I were able to eat other things besides the regular bread and milk.

I was in fourth grade when I left Bosnia, but was placed into fifth grade when I arrived in the United

States. The first year of school was extremely hard on me. I cried almost every day and was shy. I did not know any English and could not communicate with anyone in my class. Students and teachers would ask me questions, but all I could do was smile as a response. Once I entered middle school, things got better. I was enrolled into an ESL, English as a Second Language, class. By the end of seventh grade, I tested out of ESL and was taking regular classes. My ESL teacher, Miss Burkholder, was such a great role model that I continued to stay friends with her until she got married and moved away, long after I graduated high school.

Though by high school I was speaking fluent English, teens in my school were not very receptive to me. My parents decided to buy a house in Bullitt County, Kentucky, that led to my transfer to North Bullitt High School from Atherton High School. It was a hard environment to adapt to. Granted that Bullitt County is not far from Louisville, but it was a completely different world. I was one of the only foreign students in the entire school. Other students did not care and told me to go back to where I came from. As my high school years went on, I tried less and less to speak about my childhood experiences and fit in more with the high school crowds.

Most students did not realize at that time that there is a difference between a refugee student and a foreign exchange student. A refugee is a person who escapes his or her country of birth due to war persecution. Refugees gain residency in another country and eventually become naturalized citizens. In contrast, a foreign exchange student is a student who applies for a study visa and enters the country for a limited amount of time. Once the school year or semester is over, the students generally return to their home countries and continue their studies. In the United States, any immigrant who wishes to remain in the country has to have a five-year residency to qualify for citizenship. Once the five-year residency is met, an immigrant applies for citizenship and has to pass an exam on U.S. history. Most questions are about the government and how the states have developed.

I did not have the most positive experience during high school, but college changed that for me. Once I enrolled at IU Southeast, I felt like family in a large community. The students and faculty were very accepting. Whenever they learned my story, they wanted to hear more about it and were not judgmental. No matter what course I took, each professor was intrigued by my story and I was intrigued by their stories. IU Southeast offers so much besides university courses: friendships, mentors, and a lifelong community. I’ve taken courses that vary from religion to zoology to figure out what my interests are. I finally decided to pursue Psychology and General Studies as part of a dual degree.

Most people are curious as to why I specifically chose Psychology, and to be honest it stems from my childhood. I have lived through so much and witnessed so much, I knew I wanted to give back in a way that would impact someone’s life. Psychology

not only allows me to help others, but also to help myself. When you have war in your background, post-traumatic stress disorder is always present, as well as other traumas. Psychology offered me insight into my own mental processes. The deeper I got into psychology, the love I had for it grew enormously.

The older I have become, the more optimistic I have become. I realize that I have gone from a war child to an adult dreamer who is constantly chasing her dreams of creating a better tomorrow. People say that one person cannot change the entire

world, but one person can surely improve another person’s life. I hope that through my major, I will be able to offer veterans counseling to assist them in daily tasks after coming back from war. Like myself, they realize how lucky we are, after living in a threatening situation that forces us to examine everything we believe to be important. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”

“The older I have become, the more

optimistic I have become. I realize that I have gone

from a war child to an adult dreamer who is constantly chasing her dreams of creating a

better tomorrow.”

9 / A Home Away from Home

New Albany, Indiana, may not seem like a typical, bustling, international hotspot, but for the growing population of international students at IU Southeast, it is a home-away-from-home. From Monster energy drinks to language barriers, international students

have a unique perspective to share on the triumphs and challenges of life within the IU Southeast community.

Rezylle Milallos, a computer science major originally from the Philippines, confirms that many of the features that native Hoosiers find appealing about IU Southeast also attract students from around the globe. “The small classes allow students and professors to know everyone,” she says. “Getting to know professors provides comfort and assurance to students, encouraging them to be more vocal about questions or concerns.” For Milallos, this was especially important as she adjusted to a completely new life abroad. “I had to deal with leaving all of my friends and most of my family back home.”

BY CATHY HABAS, ENGLISH W-364 STUDENT

“When I came to the United States f ive years ago, I didn’t know a word of English.”

11 / A Home Away from Home

Although she longed for her loved ones and her home in the Philippines, Milallos says that she has formed many new friendships at IU Southeast. “My friends are some of the craziest and nerdiest people I’ve met in college, and to me, that’s just plain awesome,” she says. “IU Southeast is a great place for students who are striving to find that place where they belong.”

Echoing Milallo’s praise for the IU Southeast community is Nigerian Anthony Ewurum. “IU Southeast has so many people with beautiful hearts,” he says. “Even when I was flooding the admissions office with calls, everyone was very welcoming and down-to-earth.”

Ewurum has been very involved on campus since he arrived three years ago to study chemistry. “I try to enjoy every moment, so I can bask in the realization that I didn’t miss a thing,” he says, citing snowy weather, his first Monster energy drink, and new technology as some novel experiences. He considers his involvement in the Crimson Crew, IU Southeast’s student-orientation leaders, as his most iconic and memorable experience so far. “The Crimson Crew taught me that people might look and act different, but ultimately we’re all the same.”

Despite IU Southeast’s most admirable qualities, a few problems persist for international students. Roshanthi Ekanayake, a mathematics major from Sri Lanka, is no stranger to challenges. She confronted a major obstacle that prevented her from attending college: “I came here as my husband’s dependent in 2011, and in the United States, we can’t work or study under this dependent-visa type,” she explains. Ekanayake decided to move back home to complete general-education courses, and successfully began her IU Southeast journey in the fall of 2013. Ekanayake also has to tackle a common hindrance among international students: language. “My mother tongue is not English, so I face a lot of communication problems. It’s getting better little by little.”

Leigh Ann Meyer, director of The Writing Center, often helps international students like Ekanayake who struggle to use English in writing assignments. “I’ve heard it takes seven years of immersion in a language to be able to use a college-level vocabulary,” she says. “Students are often frustrated if they just don’t have the words to write well.”

Fortunately, Meyer says, the administration is recognizing the importance of supporting international students and is discussing ways to provide assistance. Meyer would like to see a partnership grow between the Education Department and the international students in order to provide a teaching experience to the education majors and tutors for international students. Meriem Memady, an accounting major from Mauritania, agrees that tutors would be very helpful. “I’m having a hard time finding a tutor for a 300-level class; it seems the school does not offer that,” she says. “That’s the only challenge I’m currently facing, but when I came to the United States five years ago, I didn’t know a word of English.” Memady became fluent by completing the Intensive English as a Second Language program at University of Louisville.

But without many resources presently available to the international community at IU Southeast, some students like Ekanayake must be proactive to find additional language-learning opportunities. Meyer’s advice is to “read a lot at the academic level, and have lots of academic discussions with peers. And don’t be afraid to ask for help; smart students always ask!”

Perhaps the most valuable lesson we, in turn, can learn from our international students is to remember how similar we are despite the miles that may separate our homes. As Ewurum astutely observes, “Diversity is really just a word.” Although we celebrate our differences, it’s the universal similarities that keep us connected and allow New Albany, Indiana, to become someone’s new home away from home.

13 / Minding the University Force of Globalization with Education

13 / Minding the University Force of Globalization with Education

Our world has become a global civilization that is no longer separated by oceans, distance, and time. In a matter of seconds a person can connect in real-time with someone on the opposite side of the world. Colleagues can connect via Skype and instantly share findings, information, and suggestions while in different countries. Social media outlets such as Twitter, chat rooms, and Facebook allow for individuals as well as businesses from every part of the world to come together in one common community for communication and sharing. It is because of the technological changes, advances, and conveniences that it is more important now than ever that people are educated in cultural diversity, customs, and a basic knowledge of places outside of their home region, state, and country. A well-rounded education in international topics has become a necessity.

By: Angela BernardiEnglish W364 Student

15 / Minding the University Force of Globalization with Education

Dr. Jean Abshire, associate professor of both Political Science and International Studies at IU Southeast, points out that knowledge in international topics and cultural diversity has become such an important issue in today’s society that there is an International Studies degree. This major spans multiple departments as it focuses on classes in political science, history, and economics as well as having a three-year foreign-language requirement. Because of the diversity of required courses, International Studies majors gain a global knowledge base in cultural, social, and political norms. Dr. Abshire states that the “Bachelor’s degree in International Studies focuses on the world and learning to thrive in a globally diverse environment.”

While there is an International Studies major, this does not mean that education in international topics is only for those seeking education and employment in the Political Sciences. “Every major is being affected by and through the increasing global collaboration,” Dr. Abshire points out. “In the sciences this world collaboration is facilitated by being able to have a Skype conversation with another researcher across the globe on a mutual project.” Business models are being shaped to include a worldwide clientele while traditionally they addressed only the narrow audience of those within the same country. Increased communication and interconnection worldwide are shaping the content of what is being studied. “Literature is even affected. It is easier these days than it ever was before to study the literature, both fiction and nonfiction, of other cultures. I use novels in class because they can be very useful in giving perspectives on the lives and social norms in other cultures,” says Abshire.Having an understanding of cultural differences, as well

as the local customs of an area, plays its part in marketing. In Japan there is a highly popular trend known as ochobo, or having a small and modest mouth. Due to this trend, it is considered rude for a woman to open her mouth widely while in public whether speaking, laughing, or eating. Freshness Burger, a burger chain that operates in Japan, did not realize the extent of this social norm and was having a difficult time obtaining female customers. After teaming up with marketing firm Ad Dentsu, which had more knowledge of the Japanese social standards, a new burger wrapper was conceived. This new wrapper has a

flap that lifts to cover the lower half of the female consumer’s face. On the flap is an image of a woman’s nose and a petite closed mouth. The wrapper creates a form of mask which allows the female clientele to present ochobo while indulging in popular cuisine. This piece of knowledge and the invention of the “Liberation Wrapper” raised the chain’s sales to women by over 200%. This is one example of just how important it is to be aware of and educated in international and cultural norms.

Samtec, a privately held company headquartered in New Albany, Indiana, understands the importance of an international outreach. Since their founding in 1976, Samtec has grown to an over $500,000,000 a year company. Having expanded their reach to include locations in eighteen countries on five continents, they are considered a world leader in the electronic interconnect industry. Will Ouyang, director of technology management, believes that an internationally diverse education is important because “it is a relevant and compelling challenge for businesses to do the things they believe in, and do it while crossing the bounds defined by time zones, languages, nationalities, cultures, and geographical locations.” Ouyang points to a quote on

Increased communication and interconnection worldwide are shaping the content of what is being studied.

Samtec’s website, www.samtec.com, that notes “global manufacturing and sales locations allow redundant manufacturing, component sourcing, molding, stamping, and assembly in both hemispheres. This manufacturing location strategy optimizes cost and delivery.” Ouyang does not feel that it is necessary that all businesses have an international reach but feels “a business plan that isn’t able to transcend these various international barriers limits itself in the international stage. Good businesses need sound business plans, and those that compete in the international stage need a much broader skill set that translates well and relevantly across cultures while giving a ‘local feel’ to the point of sale.”

With a global outreach becoming more common in businesses and education, Dr. Abshire feels that for students to thrive and advance in the business world and today’s market, they must seek out education that includes a knowledge in international diversity in whatever major they are studying. “It is important to their success and own marketability.” In business surveys asking what traits and skills employers seek, one skill that is quickly moving to the top is education in global diversity. “What employers are looking for is an ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and today “multicultural” means global. The way to do that effectively is through experiencing things from another culture’s perspective.” To further

illustrate the importance of having a globally diverse knowledge base, Abshire gives the example of Hillbilly Tea, a local independently owned restaurant in downtown Louisville, which recently opened up a second location in Shanghai. “It doesn’t get more global than that.”

Globalization, as Dr. Abshire defines it, is “a universal force. It involves an increasing integration of people and economies through enhanced communications and greater technology making a much more interconnected world. Knowing about and understanding [globalization] and how the dynamics come about, as well as the implications, can be really important for working and living in such a globally diverse world.” The force of this change to globalization is a strong reason it is important for students of all majors to seek out a diverse education that incorporates international subjects. The right balance of education gives students the fortitude necessary to function in the global market as an asset. Students obtaining a degree in International Studies are not the only students who have the responsibility of gaining a culturally diverse education. It is the responsibility of every student to obtain this knowledge in order to be a driving force in what has become a world-wide social norm.

The force of this change to globalization is a strong reason it is important for students of all majors to seek out a diverse education that incorporates international subjects.

17 / Simulations: Experiencing the Model UN

Can you imagine a situation where students become mouthpieces for world nations? Or how about turning the city of Jerusalem into a massive theme park? When IU Southeast participates in a Model United Nations, anything can happen.

Simulations:EXPERIENCING THE MODEL UNBy Taylor FergusonEnglish W364 Student

According to Stephon Moore, political science junior and President of the Student Government Association, the Model United Nations is essentially just that; a “model” or “mock” United Nations where students are given a country and are asked to portray that country in the Security Council. “It’s basically a big role-playing game that involves a lot of research and international politics,” Moore said.

Dr. Cliff Staten, the IU Southeast faculty sponsor for the Model UN, said that the College Model UN is sponsored by the Indiana Consortium for International Programs. “IU Southeast students have participated for 37 years in this program and each year always win several awards. This will be the 26th year in which I have advised the IU Southeast student participants. The site of the event alternates between IU Southeast and the University of Indianapolis. It is based upon a simulation of the UN Security Council.” The 36th model UN was recently hosted by the University of Indianapolis on October 30-November 1, 2014.The 35th Annual Indiana Model

UN Security Council Conference for Colleges and Universities took place Nov. 7, 8 and 9, 2013, in the IU Southeast Library. Students from IU Southeast joined teams from the Universities of Indianapolis, Evansville, and Louisville. Dr. Clifford Staten, Model UN Director and professor of political science and international studies, said IU Southeast has participated in the

program since its beginning in 1978. “As director I assign countries to the students from various schools.”

Elizabeth Sacasas, biology sophomore, got involved in the Model UN after a friend introduced her to it. “It’s really great to be able to join an activity on campus and to be interacting with other students who have so many interesting ideas about different issues that are going on all over the world,” Sacasas said. “I wanted to be a part of this kind of important debate since issues that arise in other countries can also affect us right here in America. It’s important to be mindful of events around the globe.”

Staten sends out an email to all faculty at the beginning of each fall semester to invite students to participate in the Model UN. Anyone can become involved; there is no application process. However, it does require dedication and self-discipline to study the topics and attend the group meetings. Staten said the program is something students “must prepare for on their own,” although the group

from IU Southeast “met weekly to discuss the issues for each country and how they might approach them.”

Moore, a 2013 delegate, said he and his partner Lauren Pangburn, international studies senior, were dealt the country of China. “We studied for about four hours straight the night before and about an hour a week four weeks prior.” Moore and his partner’s hard work ended up winning them best delegation at the conference. Pangburn said their rewards were simply satisfaction and fame. “You know, all those fuzzy, warm things.”

“Model UN really opens your eyes to how difficult these problems are to solve, and why they are so difficult.”

– Stephon Moore

19 / Simulations: Experiencing the Model UN

The main delegations for the 2013 event focused on drones, Rwanda, human trafficking, Syria, and the West Bank. Pangburn said the resolutions that are passed are usually very short. For example, on the topic of Human Trafficking as a global security issue, she said, “The main consensus was that each state provide a comprehensive analysis of human trafficking in their country and then develop a tailored plan to combat it.”

According to Sacasas, no matter how short the resolution, each topic was intense. “During our UN trial it was very difficult attempting to solve these issues since every country has unique ways of trying to settle them. I can only imagine how real members of the UN feel.” However, Sacasas loved how the whole room came to life during the actual debates. “The professors printed out breaking-news slips that had fake events on them involving one of the 12 countries to evoke more debate, and it worked!”

Moore said the Model UN is fun because everyone realizes it is a game but that it is also really frustrating at times. “Model UN really opens your eyes to how difficult these problems are to solve, and why they are so difficult.”

Stephon Moore and Lauren Pangburn pose for a photo together during the

Model UN.

Moore must have done something right because he won the award of best delegate at the conference. “When I voted, I looked for students who worked the best with others, moved the conversation forward, were well versed in the issues, and played the role of their countries best,” Moore said. “I would assume everyone else used those same criteria.” Staten said IU Southeast won several awards this past year, “largely due to the hard work and study by our students.” Staten said IU Southeast has won several awards, “largely due to the hard work and study by our students.”

Participating in the Model UN is very beneficial to students. Staten said among the benefits participating students would reap are developing skills in public speaking and researching, bargaining and group consensus, parliamentary procedure, and engaging in diplomacy. Staten also said students will get to learn about speaking out about important issues facing the world, the perspective of another country, and of course the successes and failures of the United Nations.

Moore said, in his opinion, Model UN is the best way to learn about international politics. He specifically plans to use the knowledge he’s gained from the Model UN and apply it to his understanding of the world and to inform the opinions he has as a future political scientist. “The skills you practice in the Model UN that deal with conflict and resolution and the ability to understand differences are skills any participant can take and put to use in his or her everyday life.”

Not all of the Model UN is serious delegations, Moore said, “While it is an educational experience, the participants are college kids all the same and we like to have our fun as we’re wrapping the conference up by proposing bold and hilarious resolutions that provide laughs for everyone.” Moore recalls when his council passed a resolution to turn the city of Jerusalem into a theme park. “We had discussed all of the topics and only

had an hour left before the conference was over. One of the students from a different school thought that we could solve the Israel/Palestine conflict by making Jerusalem a theme park. That way neither party had control over it. So we did.”

Again in 2014, IU Southeast was well-represented at the 36th Annual Indiana Consortium for International Programs Model UN Security Council Conference in Indianapolis on October 30 through November 1. Ryan Cannon and Mason Moody won Best Delegate awards for Council 1 and Council 2. In addition, Ryan Cannon and Rebecca Egger (France) received the Best Delegation Award for Council 1 and Mason Moody and Alex Yson (US) received the Best Delegation Award for Council 2. Participation in the Model UN can be a life-changing experience. Ryan Cannon, one of the fall 2014 delegates said, “I expected to have a better understanding of the diplomatic processes and procedures. What I didn’t expect was a full, rigorous exercising of my public speaking, writing, communicating, and problem solving skills. I didn’t expect to connect on such a personal level with both domestic and international students of all different backgrounds, origins, and beliefs. I certainly did not expect that nearly a week after the Model United Nations had finished, I would be making adjustments as to how I volunteer my time, how I see my future as a graduate student, and how I contemplate my perspective career choices. All of these based on the things that I was able to draw from this experience.”

The Model UN is not strictly for political science or international studies majors; students from all schools are encouraged to join in on the role playing. It does not matter whether you’re a political science whiz or just a student looking for a new experience; participating in the Model UN will not only broaden your horizons on international issues and debate but allow you to have a great deal of fun while doing it.