To honor its first international student, Shuji Isa-wa of Japan, Bridgewater State held a two-day Japan Festival, September 24 and 25. The high-lights of the Festival were the performance of the Kyogen Traditional Theater group. Kyogen is a form of Japanese comic theater that accents the essence of human nature, depicting humor in predicaments and foibles. Kyogen has a rich historical base that goes back hundreds of years and in 2001 was added to UNESCO’s Cultural Heritage list as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intan-gible Heritage of Humanity. On the afternoon of September 25

th the Consul General of Japan to

Boston, his Excellency Akira Muto spoke on campus on the topic of “ Japan and Asia Pacific.” The Consul General explained the current disputes in the South and East China Seas with China over disputed islands. He also discussed the domestic controversy in Japan over Article 9 of the Constitution which pledges Japan to pacifism and forbids mili-tary action except to protect the homeland. The Consul General stated that Article 9 is under review in light of the expansionist actions taken by China.

In the evening of September 25 the campus community was treated to a musical concert with a Japanese theme as Japa-nese pianists, Makoto Takenaka and Manabu Takasawa, per-formed Japanese selections, the Boston Chamber Orchestra played a Serenade for Strings from Edward Elgar and mezzo soprano Heather Holland and five Japanese songs written by Toru Takemitsu. Dr. Deborah Nemko of the Music Department and Dr. Wing Kai To of the History Department and the Asian Studies program organized the concert. Dr. Nemko also

performed a selection from Maurice Ravel. Bridgewater State University has a close relationship with the Japa-nese people and the Japanese government as a result of its first international student, Shuji Isawa. Isawa grad-uated from Bridgewater Normal School in 1877 and went back to Japan to start the public school system, introduce American music to the Japanese people and started what is now the Tokyo National University of the Fine Arts and Music.

BSU Hosts 1st Annual Japan Festival

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

1st Annual

Japan Festival

1

MCIE

Distinguished

Visitors

2

Meet Our

GA’s and New

Staff

3

Student

Story

Trip to Spain

through API

4

ISSS

Statistics and

Calendar

5

Story by Sasha

Link

6

Story by Alida

Gomez: Trip to

Europe

6

B R I D G E W A T E R

S T A T E

U N I V E R S I T Y Dr. Edward Minnock Center

for International Engagement V O L U M E 1 I S S U E 1 F A L L 2 0 1 3

Story 7

Savanna

Gardner

ICC President

8

Director’s

Notes

9

Announce-

ments and

Events

Calendar

10

Meet Our Graduate Assistants and New Staff

P A G E 2 F A L L 2 0 1 3

Name: Amaka Nwafor Undergraduate Degree: ATB University Bauchi Nigeria, Electrical/Electronics Engi-neering Master’s program at BSU: MBA Expected graduation date: May 2014 Hometown: Anambra, Nigeria MCIE role/GA position: GA for MCIE Interests/fun fact about yourself: I love travelling and dancing. I cannot read with the television on in the background but love listening to music while reading.

One thing you’re looking forward to this school year: I look forward to making new friends as I get more involved Career goals/plans after graduation: I hope to get into the Computational Engineering/Sciences and eventually blend my personal interest with Business Administration. Places you’ve traveled to (within US or abroad): India, Ethiopia, Canada

Name: Zheng Wang

Undergraduate Degree: Electrical engi-neering, Qingdao Agricultural University, China Master’s Program at BSU: Computer Sci-ence Expected Graduation Date: May 2015 Hometown: Qingdao, China MCIE role/GA position: Assist the staff with projects including World Café, Orienta-tion and other co-curricular activities for our international students. Interests/fun fact about you:

One thing you’re looking forward to this school year: I am looking forward to starting my graduate program and learning more about counseling. I am excited to meet stu-dents who have traveled or are interested in studying abroad and hearing their stories. Career goals/plans after graduation: I will be working towards becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I have a heart and passion for working with people and empow-ering them to reach their goals. Places you’ve traveled to (within US or abroad): Canada (Niagara Falls), Arizona (Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam), Nevada (Las Vegas), South Carolina, New Hampshire, Maine (Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park), New York City, and Washington D.C.

Name: Shannon DelPapa Undergraduate Degree: B.S. in Psychology, Minor in Health Promotion, Bridgewater State University Master’s Program at BSU: M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2015 Hometown: Taunton, MA MCIE role/GA position: GA for OSA Interests/fun fact about you: I love being active and outdoors. I enjoy hiking, kickbox-ing, and camping. I also enjoy writing poetry, baking, and spending time with friends and family. I played piano, bass guitar and soccer in high school. I have been married for two years and look forward to starting a family someday soon.

Photography, Classical music One thing you’re looking forward to this school year: I’m looking forward to taking music class and studying music theory and history. Career goals/plans after graduation: I plan to acquire a Computer/Electrical engineering position in industry. I hope to work in an envi-ronment in which I can my help a company achieve its goals, as well as an environment that will provide me with personal growth and development. Places you’ve traveled to (within US or abroad): South Korea

Justin Casey is an alumnus of Bridgewater State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Soci-ology in 2010 and a Master of Education in Student Affairs Counseling in 2012.

Justin formally worked for International Student and Scholar services for two years as a gradu-ate assistant while earning his Master’s degree. Now he assists the director in ensuring the University's compliance with federal immigration laws and SEVIS regulations for hosting inter-national students. He also provides guidance to students regarding immigration regulations and university policy. He will be working with the office until the end of December.

Justin has travelled to Japan, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, France, and England. He hopes to travel anywhere and everywhere in the future!

P A G E 3

“Not only did I

have the time of

my life, but it

was also a

freeing

experience. “

The Whole World in My Hands

Granada Spain through API Jorgelina Uribe

Granada, a very small city in South-ern Spain, this is where I chose to spend an entire se-mester. Not only did I have the time of my life, but it was also a freeing experience. The biggest task was getting to Spain, but once in Spain every

place I ever dreamed of going to was within reach. Before I set foot on Spanish land I made a week stop in Portugal. I met my friend Rui, also a Bridgewater State Uni-versity student, he and his family welcomed me into their home, leaving Portugal felt as if I was leaving a new family behind. Ar-riving in Spain marked the begin-ning of a journey away from eve-rything that was familiar. Honestly it was a little scary, but so exciting at the same time. In Madrid I met the entire API group travelling to Granada. Within three days we had excursion to the Escorial,

explored the Market in Madrid, and the Prado museum where I got to personally see the works of Goya, Velazquez and el Greco. Leaving Madrid, I felt like I still had so much more to explore, I had to go back. Arriving in Granada was the equiva-lent of transporting back in time to an an-cient Muslim kingdom. The traces of the Muslim influence were everywhere. The Alhambra, an ancient Muslim palace, could be seen from almost any spot in Granada and although it’s a small city, there were hundreds of Muslim shops, especially tea shops, in the city center. Granada was my home for four months but on weekends it allowed me to easily escape to Rome, Morocco, Paris, Dublin, Hamburg, Amsterdam and London. Say-ing goodbye to Granada was the saddest part of my trip, it had become my home and I had grown to love it. It was not the end of my trip though, I went back to Ma-drid and made a last minute stop at the Reina Sofia Museum, where I stared at Picasso’s Guernica for a half an hour, I was saddened, I had the whole world in my hands but it was time to let it go.

D R . E D W A R D M I N N O C K C E N T E R F O R

I N T E R N A T I O N A L E N G A G E M E N T

New Program Opportunities! The Office of Study Abroad is pleased to promote new programs for BSU students: Direct Enroll with John Cabot University, in Rome, Italy Student Teaching at the Hong Kong Institute of Education

Please visit https://my.bridgew.edu/departments/StudyAbroad for more in-

formation

F A L L 2 0 1 3 P A G E 4

Testimonial By Caryl Brannon

The decision to come to Bridgewater State University (BSU) was not an easy one. For me, it would mean being away from home for two years and financial expenses that I was unsure I would be able to cover. After consultation with family and friends, I decided that the opportunity was one that I could not let pass me by.

Arriving at BSU was painless once I arrived to Boston. ISSS Staff and orientation leaders picked us up from the airport and we were transported directly to BSU and taken to our rooms. Getting to Boston, however, was a bit difficult. I decided to fly from Cancun instead if Belize and to stay in Houston for a few days before flying to Boston because the tickets were cheaper. I did not realize however or even bother to look at the layover times between leaving Belize and arriving in Houston. That part of my journey lasted approximately 26 hours. So when booking tickets take it from me, if you are trying to save money you might be doing so at the expense of your time and if you are trying to get the shortest flights possible, be prepared to spend the money.

There was a lot that I could not do from Belize. This included claiming my BSU account and registering for clas-ses. This was taken care of at orientation. On my second day of orientation I was also faced with my first MAJOR obsta-cle. There was some miscommunication between BSU personnel and personnel from Belize’s Ministry of Education. I was previously informed that I would be attending BSU for two years to complete my MEd in Counselor Education but at orientation I was informed that I would only be doing one year and getting my MEd in K-12 International Education. I immediately went to see Dr. Roopa; emails were sent and by the next afternoon it was worked out that I would be able to complete my two year MEd in Counselor Education. I was amazed at the swiftness in which this issue was resolved and I was overjoyed that I was going to be pursuing the area that I really wanted to do. After the wealth of emotions I experienced over the course of that 24 hour period I feel that I am prepared to deal with whatever else may come my way during my time here at BSU.

So I met with my advisor, ordered my books, went to my classes and got started with my degree. It has been challenging to get accustomed to being away from home and also to adjust to life as a grad student with all the de-mands that each class has, especially with five courses. However, everyone - professors, classmates, ISSS staff, and In-ternational Affairs & Projects staff - has been so helpful that transition has been quite smooth. And thanks to technolo-gy, I am able to video chat with family and friends back home on a daily basis which has also been very comforting.

The trips and events planned by different organizations on campus have also helped a great deal. ISSS’s Whale Watch Trip was a nice and well needed break. The Catholic Center’s Spaghetti Dinner was also great and my Belizean counterparts and I are eagerly awaiting the International Student Dinner. I have also been actively involved in the Inter-national Culture Club which is my weekly break from all the readings and other assignments.

My BSU experience thus far has been great despite the various obstacles. I have learned a lot from being here for only a month and look forward to receiving the wealth of information yet to be discovered.

P A G E 5

Sasha Link’s Residency in Barbados Fresh Milk: An Engine of Inspiration

During my younger years, I traveled with a note pad and pen tucked away in the pocket of my blue denim purse. Even then my passions and creative instincts stormed inside of me as we drove around in Boston, passing railroad tracks, streetcars and legendary three-decker homes. I started scribbling, jotting down things I noticed during our long rides—things I wanted to become: a writer, an actress, a teacher. My aptitudes were exposed early, but even then, I’ve had to work to develop the depth of my very own character through my creative craft. The Fresh Milk International Artist-in-Residence reignited a creative fire within. It was impossible not to be charged; we were surrounded on a daily basis by art and artistic opportunities. Two months ago Barbados was a mere idea—words written on thick card stock: “the power of music, transform, identity, research, documentation through photos.” Who would have known that months later, every morning shortly after 7:00 a.m., the sharp sound and vibration of percussion echoed an unfailing stroke, an impact—a vibration that traveled

through the air waking me up each time. The reverberation of a steel drum was separated by a groove. The harmo-ny entered into a space through the open crack in the window. The deep, calming, rhythm rings in my ear, still. The journey to Fresh Milk Barbados provided a comfortable space for creative, innovative and fresh artistic exchange for the further exploration of dreams. The solid rhythm is still thumping. Notes from various keyboards join in unison—music making moments filled with lyrics that tell a story, lyrics that hum an awe-inspiring tune. I’ve discovered dreams aren’t written in black and white; they manifest themselves in a variety of colors. They take shape and form and they build walls of hope that lend inspiration to all who are willing to fly. The letters, “Be true to your dreams” are written in black ink circled around my ring finger. Those words are like an engine roar-ing, a vehicle to my creative exploration. This past June, I explored a new world as a writer and new instructor. I was given the opportunity to teach arts education in an unfa-miliar land. Teaching on the island of Barbados turned out to be effica-cious. The students from Workman’s Primary, St. George’s Secondary and Primary Schools were receptive and proudly took part in the lesson. They worked independently and collectively on expressing their apprecia-tion in both the written and spoken word. The second part of the lesson encouraged students to explore their dreams and aspirations. After ad-dressing the envelopes, letters were mailed back to them. I was honored to witness the level of engagement and participation of the students during the letter writing process. I discovered an engine in Barbados, one that has inspired me to continue writing and instructing and exploring my dreams.

D R . E D W A R D M I N N O C K C E N T E R F O R

I N T E R N A T I O N A L E N G A G E M E N T

Photo By Neil Marshall

This summer, I had a great opportunity to practice what I preach each day in the Office of Study Abroad—I set off on a whirlwind trip to Europe, traveling to countries where I didn’t speak the language, I didn’t have friends waiting to greet me, and I was sure to learn something new. Of course, I prepared myself before I left, as I hope all BSU stu-dents do! I spent a total of 11 days in Prague, Czech Republic; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Bruges, Belgium. While I would have loved to spend weeks or months in each city, it just wasn’t an option—just as it isn’t an option for many BSU students who want that international experience, but need it to fit into a budget, a timeframe. I didn’t come home fluent in Czech or Flemish, but I certainly gained invaluable insights, had memorable experiences, and learned an incredible amount about the regions, and myself. I’ve learned that I no longer find hostels to be the fun, exciting experience that they were when I was 20. I want to meet my fellow travelers, but not at 4:00am in a co-ed dorm with 10 beds. And not by having them tickle my feet in my sleep! I learned that although John Lennon himself never visited Prague, on a quiet side street you can find the Lennon wall, full of graffiti bursting in every color. I learned that despite the government’s daily attempts to white wash the wall during the Velvet Revolution, peaceful protest-ers would return each night to repaid Lennon’s portrait and share his messages of peace and acceptance. I learned that a wheel of brie, a fresh baguette, and a dark flavor beer

is a perfectly acceptable dinner on the terrace. I learned—again—that

sometimes not knowing what you’ve just ordered for lunch can be

delicious just as likely as it could be disastrous!

Never Stop Traveling — Or Learning!

Alida Gomez

“I certainly gained

invaluable insights, had

memorable experiences,

and learned an

incredible amount about

the regions, and myself”

-Alida Gomez

“I’ve discovered dreams

aren’t written in black

and white; they manifest

themselves in a variety

of colors”

-Sasha Link

International Education Week 2013

P A G E 6 F A L L 2 0 1 3

* Tuesday 11/12, 10:30-11:30am, RCC 004

Morocco Revisited

* Tuesday 11/12, 11-12:15pm & 12:30-1:45pm, Moak-

ley Auditorium

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for

Women Worldwide. A screening and discussion

* Tuesday 11/12, 1-2pm, South Weygand Mulitpurpose

Room

Incarcerated Women Around the World

* Tuesday 11/12, 3-5pm, Maxwell Library Heritage

Room

Experiencing Germany on a Fulbright Grant

* Tuesday 11/12 3:30-5pm, Dunn A

Stories, Dance & Culture in Turkey

* Tuesday 11/12, 5-7pm, Conant Building Atrium

Open House at Conant

* Tuesday 11/12, 5:30pm, Catholic Center

International Student Panel & Dinner

* Tuesday 11/12, 7-8:30pm, Library Classroom 205

The Impact of having a BSU Master’s Degree in Ecuador

* Wednesday 11/13, 1-2:30pm, MCIE Maxwell 330

What Can Study Abroad Do For You?

First held in 2000, and now celebrated in more than 100 countries, International Education Week (IEW) is an

annual joint initiative of the US Department of State and US Department of Education. IEW is an opportunity to

celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. All events are open and free to the

BSU community.

* Wednesday 11/13 4-6pm, Small Ballroom

Diversity Inclusion Resource Institute (DIRI) Movie Night:

-

* Wednesday 11/13, 5-7pm, Weygand Hall 2nd floor kitchen

International Cook-off

* Wednesday 11/13, 7:30pm, Horace Mann Auditorium

We Band Of Angels

* Thursday 11/14, 9:30-10:45 & 2:15-3:30pm, Maxwell Library

Heritage Room

Asian Exchanges Information Session

* Thursday 11/14, 1-2pm, RCC 004

International Opportunities in Education

* Thursday 11/14, 5-6pm, RCC 004

Japan culture, Get your Origami on!

* Friday 11/15, 8:30am-4pm, Burnell 132A

Scholarships for Multilingual Writers

* Friday 11/15, 5-8pm, Large Ballroom

Fall in to Culture

* Sunday 11/17, 11am-6pm, Kelly Gym

National Native American Heritage Month PowWow

* Tuesday 11/19, 5-8pm, Dunn A&B

Native American Heritage Celebration

P A G E 7

This past summer I worked an internship at the Plimoth Plantation. I started early June until late Au-gust and worked in the development department. I mainly worked with the event coordinator, but I also worked with others around the office to learn a multi-tude of tasks. We worked on one major project which was the annual summer gala which featured artisans from the Plimoth Plantation. The funding gained from this gala went towards the restoration and expansion of our craft house. We also worked on two smaller lunch and learn events. I gained not only the work experience, but I al-so learned the importance of making connections. No matter what profession I planned on going into, I need-

ed to be able to interact and make connections with those around me. The museum relies on donations and sponsors, which involved a lot of interaction between those that could fund us. When I wasn’t working on our gala event, I worked with other people within the development department to learn how non-profit organizations functioned, from getting money, to then using it. My boss and coworkers were very supportive of helping me grow and develop while at this internship. I think the fact that I worked with so many different people within the office made this internship that much more valuable because it taught me multiple marketable skills that I would need. They walked me through the manual filing system; as well as gave me experience with setting up excel files to be used for our members. Much of the training I received also happened on the spot. During the return of the Mayflower II, I was given direction, advice and tips from people outside of the development department, as well as those we worked with on the side. This hands-on experience for events is what I benefited from most since I plan to go into an event planning field upon graduation. During our Many Hands Gala, I also received on the spot training. I helped with the centerpieces and design of the main dining hall and had input as to how it should be set up. I was able to meet all of our outside vendors who helped with the setup, lighting and sound for our event as well. Not only did I get to help have a say in this event through research of vendors and guests, I also got to see it through to the end of the night. This internship challenged me to work in groups as well as independently.

The main challenge was coming up with back up plans and keeping up with con-

tacts for the event. I am able to bring back these skills I have gained to create enjoy-

able events at Bridgewater State University as well. With a better understanding of

how the event planning process works and how interactions effect outcomes, I will

be able to create education and enjoyable events on campus.

D R . E D W A R D M I N N O C K C E N T E R F O R

I N T E R N A T I O N A L E N G A G E M E N T

Internship Articles Savanna Gardner, ICC President

“I gained not only

the work

experience, but I

also learned the

importance of

making

connections. No

matter what

profession I

planned on going

into, I needed to be

able to interact

and make

connections with

those around me”

Director’s Notes

P A G E 8 F A L L 2 0 1 3

The Minnock Center had a busy summer and early fall as a number of distinguished guests visited campus. In late August the European Union Ambassador to the United States, his Ex-cellency Joao Vale de Almeida spoke to a group of consular representatives, faculty, and businesspeople. The visit was arranged by Senator Marc Pacheco of Taunton. Ambassador de Almeida toured the science building and pledged to return to campus to speak with the student population. In the opening weeks of school the Minnock Center hosted the Dean of Science from Kufa University in Iraq, Dr. Merza Homady. Kufa University if a partner institution with Bridgewater State. While on campus Dr. Homady visited many members of the faculty and the administra-tive staff in order to get a better understanding of Bridgewater State and to develop specific programmatic initiatives between Kufa University and BSU. Later in September The Center for Middle East Studies and the Minnock Center worked to-gether to bring the Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations to campus. His Excellency Riyad Mansour gave a lecture on the latest peace talks between Palestine and Israel in the

Moakley auditorium. While here Ambassador Mansour appeared on the local Bridgewater cable program produced and host-ed by Dr. Jabbar al Obaidi, In Focus. The second year of the John Quincy Adams Distinguished Foreign Affairs Speakers Series started with a speech by the in-terntionally recognized peacemaker Padraig O’Malley. O’Malley holds the Moakley Chair at UMASS Boston and has worked tirelessly to bring resolution to conflicts in many parts of the world including Northern Ireland, where he is credited with estab-lishing a peace agreement between Protestants and Catholics. Also of note, the Minnock Center working with the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center welcomed a Fulbright Schol-ar from Hungary. Dr. Katalin Parti will be living at the International Scholar House and will be working with Dr. Elizabeth Englander of the Psychology Department who is the recognized authority on bullying in the United States. As you can see, a very busy few months at the Minnock Center as BSU works to bring distinguished international guests to

campus.

Michael Kryzanek, Ph.D.

ISSS Statistics This fall we welcomed over 80 new incoming international students! We are excited by the diversity they represent and encourage the entire BSU community to meet them through events like World Café and student events spon-sored by the International Culture Club. This year BSU is home to students from the following countries: Belize, Bul-garia, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Ne-pal, South Korea, Russia, UAE, UK

Dr. Edward W. Minnock Center for International Engagement Maxwell Library Room, 330 508-531-6195 Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MA 02325

November 2013 Friday November 1st 9am to 3pm South Africa Celebration: Student poster presentations, panel discussions, entertainment (Burnell 132B) Monday November 4th 11:00am to 1:00pm World Café (RCC 004) Thursday November 7th 1:00pm to 2:30pm OSA: What Can OSA Do for You? (for faculty) November 12th through the 15th International Education Week (See our website for more event details) Friday November 15th 5:00pm to 8:00pm ICC Fall Into Culture (RCC Ballroom) Tuesday November 19th 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm World Café (RCC 004) Thursday November 21st 5:00pm to 7:00pm ICC Thanksgiving Dinner (BDR)

December 2013 Thursday December 5th 10:00 am to 11:30 am World Café (RCC 004) Friday December 6th 6:00pm to 8:00pm ICC Potluck (RCC BDR) Thursday December 12th 1:00pm to 3:00pm Cookies and Cocoa (MCIE)

February 2014 Wednesday February 5th OSA Spring Fair (RCC Ballroom) Saturday February 22nd OSA Application Deadline!

Please note that the Minnock Center for International Engage-ment has experienced some staffing changes over this summer. Lisa McAdam Donegan, former BSU Director of Study Abroad, departed this July and has taken a new position at the University of Johnson and Wales. Any inquires can be directed to studyabroad@bridgw.edu in the interim. Also, Karen Huntington, former Assistant Director for SEVIS, de-parted this August and has returned to her former post at Dean Col-lege. Immigration and employment questions can be directed to Dr. Roopa Rawjee, Director for International Student & Scholar Services, roopa.rawjee@bridgew.edu.

Announcement

MCIE Events Calendar