On behalf of the Officeof International Programs (OIP), I would like to extend a warm yet belated welcomeback to campus! We lookforward to working with you over this academic year aswe continue advancing theinternationalization of UNC Charlotte. In addition to the many traditional services

andprogramsoffered to theUniversity for faculty,staff and students, we are planning a number ofexcitingeventsandinitiativesthisyearandwouldbe delighted for you to join us. We continue to collaborate with the WorldAffairs Council of Charlotte (WACC) and will co-sponsor, once again, a wonderful speaker seriesheldinconjunctionwiththeDepartmentofGlobal,InternationalandAreaStudies;wewillsponsoranexciting International Education Week November14-18;and,ofcourseoneofourUniversity’soldesttraditions, the annual International Festival on September24,2011willbeheldinandaroundtheBarnhardtStudentActivityCenter. We are looking forward to working with ourlongtimesupportersaswellaswithournewfacultyand staff. In fact, we strongly encourage our newcolleaguestojoinusinourprogrammingandbecomeinvolved inanyway thatyoucan.Nowmore thaneverbefore, it iscriticaltoeducateourstudentstohave an appreciation for their interconnectednesswith the world around them. We welcome yourthoughts,contributions,andinvolvement. Haveawonderfulacademicyear2011-2012.

Office of International Programs | UNC Charlotte

Fall 2011Vol. 7No. 1

Welcome from Assistant Provost for International Programs

The Office of International Programs (OIP) seeks toengagemembersofthecampuscommunityasparticipantsforvariousinternationalprogrammingactivitiesandOIPinitiativesrangingfrommeetingswithcolleaguesfromourpartner universities to assisting us in establishing newpartnershipsandstudyabroadopportunitieswithforeigninstitutionsofhighereducation.Tofacilitatetheprocessof identifyinguniversity facultyand staffwhohave theinterestandexpertisetoparticipateintheseinitiatives,OIPcreatedadatabasein2010toserveasarepositoryoffacultyandstaffknowledgeaboutandinterestinvariousforeignlanguagesandcultures. To date, 246 responses have been received from 79Administrative Units, Departments, Colleges, andDivisions. Respondents indicated expertise in 44languages,100countries,7worldregions(i.e.,Africa,Asia,Europe,LatinAmerica,MiddleEast,NorthAmerica,andOceania). Respondents also reported 161 partnershipswithfacultyoradministratorsininternationalinstitutionsofhighereducationin44countries. To gather information for this database, OIP distributed a survey questionnaire to all current UNCCharlotte faculty andEPA staff asking questions aboutexpertiseand interest in languages,geographicregions,internationalpartnerships,andexperiencelivingabroad.The data have been used to create a Faculty and StaffInternationalExpertiseDatabase. Asaservicetothecampus,OIPalsoprovideslistsofpersonswithparticularexpertise,onrequest, to facultyandstaffwhoareseekingresearchpartnersorprogramcollaborators.Tomakearequestortolearnmore,contactBenFarnham,OIPBusinessandTechnologyManager,atbfarnham@uncc.edu. Thecurrentdatabaseisasnapshotofcampusexpertiseas ofSeptember2010.Thedatabasewill beupdated inOctober2011withdatafromfacultyandstaffhiredduringthelastyear.Further,allfacultyandstaffwhowouldliketobeincludedinthedatabasearewelcometorequestacopyoftheexpertisequestionnaireatanytime.

UNC Charlotte International Expertise Database

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I first attended the UNCCharlotte International Festival (I-Fest) as a little girl afterhaving moved to North Carolina withmyfamilyin1987.Neverbefore had I encountered suchan event. I remember being mesmerized by the vibrant silks embracing white tents pitchedaround the base of the Belk Tower, the intoxicating rhythmsand movements of dances fromaround the world, and the sweet fragranceofjasminericeandzestyspices that wafted on the crispautumn breeze. I recall tastingthe tangy goodness of dolmades for the first time, and beingsurrounded by the energetic buzzof people asking and answeringquestions about other countries.Forme, I-Fest began a love affairwithsightsandsoundsoffar-awayplaces, undoubtedly playing a rolein the directionmy life and academic research agenda.Now,IIhavetheuniqueopportunitytorevisitI-FestonSeptember24th. In preparing for the program, I spoke withI-Fest founder, Marian Bean. Beane, director of theInternational Student/Scholar Office in the Office ofInternationalProgramshasbeenorganizingI-Festsinceits inception in 1975. She envisioned the festival as aplatformtorecognizeandcelebrate theethnicdiversityofUNCCharlotte’sstudentbody,aswellastoraisetheprofileandhighlightthecontributionsoftheuniversity’sinternationalstudentpopulation.I-Festbeganasasmallevent that tookplace in front of the library, but as theevent grew in size and prominence, it traced a patharoundcampusfromthelibrary,toColvard,totheBelkTower,finallysettlingattheStudentActivityCenter. AscampusandcommunityinterestandparticipationinI-Festproliferated,thefestivalgarneredthefullsupportofmanycampusofficesincludingtheStudentUnion,theStudentActivityCenter,FacilitiesManagement,CampusPolice, and Chartwell’s College and University DiningServices.I-Festattractsover700enthusiasticvolunteers

International Festival: A Historical Perspective

THE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL (I-Fest) is a celebration of people, places and culture vibrantly displayed through exhibition booths arranged in colorful marketplace style representing the cultures of over fifty nations. Art, crafts, costumes, food, music and dance combine to create the illusion of having traveled

the globe in a day. Additional details available online at http://ifest.uncc.edu.

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Reflections from OIP Program Assistant, Tamara Johnson, on her past experiences with and the development of the International Festival (I-Fest)

annually. AccordingtoMarianBeane,thisyear’sI-Festwill include some of the popular cultural displaysand activities of years past presented by both studentand community groups. I-Fest passports, distributedto attendees of all ages, allow for unique, individual interactions between participants, and exchanges ofculturalinformation. Thisyear’s I-Festwill reflect the internationalizationnot only of UNC Charlotte, but of the wider Charlotte metropolitanareaaswell.Inthe36yearssinceI-Fest’sinception, the University has increased internationalstudent enrollment and attracted Fulbright and otheresteemed scholars; students have ventured abroad tostudy;facultymembershavereceivedprestigiousgrantstoconductinternationalresearch;anddepartmentshavestrengthened global connections through curriculumdevelopment. Likewise, Charlotte’s internationaldemographichasproliferated;thecityhasattractedrecordnumbers of international residents and businesses. It is withinthiscontextofglobaloutreachandchangethatIlookforwardtore-acquaintingmysenseswiththeenergyofthe36thannualI-FestcelebrationatUNCCharlotte.

International Enrichment Seminar: A Step Toward the UNC Charlotte Global Certificate Program

Fall 2011 International Speaker Series TheOfficeofInternationalPrograms,incollaborationwith the World Affairs Council of Charlotte, AtkinsLibrary, and the department of Global, International,andAreaStudies,ispleasedtoannouncethefalllineupforthe4thannualInternationalSpeakerSeriesforUNCCharlotte. First, former ambassador Edward Peck joins us onTuesday, October 25, at 3:30pm in the Atkins LibraryHalton Reading Room. Peck is a retired career UnitedStates diplomat whose thirty-two years of serviceincluded:ChiefofMissioninBaghdadduringtheCarterAdministrationandDeputyDirectoroftheWhiteHouseTaskForceonTerrorismintheReaganAdministration.HewasDeputyDirectorofCovertIntelligenceProgramsfor the State Department, served as Foreign ServiceOfficer inMorocco,Algeria,TunisiaandEgyptandwasAmbassador in Mauritania. Peck currently providesconsulting services to governments, businesses andeducationalinstitutionsaroundtheworld. Our second presenter, Robert Guest, presents onFriday,November11(timetba).GuestistheEconomist’sbusiness editor and an author. His latest work examines howmigrationmakes theworldwealthierandhappier.Guest’s book, “Borderless Economics: Chinese SeaTurtles, Indian Fridges and the New Fruits of GlobalCapitalism”, leads the reader through 44 states andnearly70countries,observinghowthesenetworkscreatewealth,spreadideasandfosterinnovation. Faculty members are encouraged to bring their

studentstothepresentations.TheOfficeofInternationalProgramsishappytomakearrangementsforextracreditattendancesign-in. Lecturesarefreeandopentothecampuscommunity.Formoreinformation,contacttheOfficeofInternationalProgramsatinternational@uncc.eduorcall704-687-7305.Visithttp://oip.uncc.edu/intlspeakers.htmforupdates.

EDWARD PECKFORMER U.S. AMBASSADORTuesday. October 253:30 - 4:30 p.m. Atkins Library Halton Reading Room

ROBERT GUESTBUSINESS ECONOMISTFriday. November 11Time TBAAtkins Library Halton Reading Room

Details at http://oip.uncc.edu/intlspeakers.htm

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Nearly 70 first-year students started the fall 2011semester as members of the inaugural International Enrichment (IE) Seminar classes. The IE seminarclassesaredesigned topromoteearly engagementwithinternationalexperiencesofferedoncampus,inCharlotte,and ultimately with our study abroad programs. Thecourseincorporatesexperientialcomponentswithstudentexploration of global perspectives and interculturalsensitivity through three main segments: (1) exploringselfasaculturalbeing,(2)discoveringglobalconnectionsthrough UNC Charlotte, and (3) investigatinginterculturalsensitivity. Asthefirst-stepinexploringselfasaculturalbeing,students participated in a “StakeYourClaim” exercise.

Instructorsnotedthat,“ThehopeforeverygraduatefromUNCCharlotte is to develop self-confidence, knowledgeofpersonal identity,andacademiccompetencethatwillpermitonetoproudlyandboldlystakeaclaimandownit!”One student reflected by exploring the claim she isstaking as a freshman (e.g., heritage, values, beliefs, culture) as it is connected to her name. She noted, “byunderstanding [who we are and] how we relate to others helpsustobemoreunderstandingwiththepeopleandtheworldaroundus.” TheOfficeofInternationalPrograms,incollaborationwith theDepartment ofGlobal, International andAreaStudies as well as University College, seeks to identify additional strategies for connectingwith studentsearlyand engaging them in exploration of internationalperspectives. From review of the field experienceactivities assigned for the IE seminar (see the samplesyllabus online at http://oip.uncc.edu/seminar.htm), the lead IE seminar instructor, Dr. Christina Sanchez, hasdeveloped an initial framework for a UNC CharlotteGlobalCertificateProgram.Additionalideas/suggestions/recommendations, academic department partnerships,and faculty contributors are all welcome! ContactDr. Sanchez at c.sanchez@uncc.edu if you want more informationabouttheclassorwishtoshareinputaboutthecertificate.

Intercultural Outreach Programs (IOP) hosted 36Fulbrightgranteesfrom32countriesinAugustforamulti-faceted program to prepare the grantees for graduateprogramsatuniversitiesacrosstheUnitedStates.ElevenUNC Charlotte faculty and staff who themselves wereformerrecipientsofaFulbrightgrantinteractedwiththegrouptoprovidepersonalinsightintotheexperience. Atthewelcomeevent,amongmanyofthefacultyandformergranteessharingtheirownFulbrightexperienceswas Dr. Nabil Elias. Dr. Elias, originally from Egypt,sharedhowhis timeat theUniversity ofMinnesotaasa Fulbright grantee presentedmany new opportunitiesforhisfuture.Dr.Eliascontinuedbyaffirminghisbeliefintheworld’syouthscholarsand inthe2011Fulbrightgrantees;“Iknowyouarecapable.Don’thaveanydoubt.Youcanmakeit.Yourgenerationisoneofthefinesttheworldhaseverseen.” InadditiontoDr.Elias,tencurrentandformerUNCCharlotte facultyandstaffalsoshared informationandadvice on a range of issues with the 2011 Fulbrightgrantees at a panel discussion. Along with the formerFulbright grantees, 87 UNC Charlotte faculty, staff,studentsaswellascommunitymembersparticipatedinvariousways tomake the 2011 grantees’ experience atUNC Charlotte a memorable one. The group also benefitted from the perspective ofcurrentFulbrightgrantees.Theywereabletomeettwoof the Fulbright-funded graduate students currentlystudyingatUNCCharlotte,DirkFeldrappeandHanneDuindam.Inauniqueelementofthisyear’sprogram,thegroupenjoyedavirtualpaneldiscussionwithtwocurrentFulbrightgranteesandparticipantsofthe2010FulbrightPre-AcademicProgramhostedatUNCCharlotte.EstherPang,agranteefromPanamastudyingCommunicationsat FordhamUniversity, andDenis Patane fromBrazil,studying Film/Cinema Studies at Loyola MarymountUniversity, shared insightswith the group virtually ontheacademic, cultural,andsocialdifferences theyhaveencounteredwhilestudyingintheUnitedStates. Prepared with newly acquired skills for academicandpersonal successatU.S.universities, the incomingFulbrightgranteesprovidedeveryonetheymetatUNCCharlottewitharichculturalexchangeopportunityfromtheirrespective32countries. The Fulbright Pre-Academic Program was directedby Susan Lambert and coordinated byAnne Giles andKrystal Ostic in the Office of International ProgramsatUNCCharlotte. Thisyear’sFulbrightPre-AcademicProgramwasthethirdconsecutiveyearasacornerstoneofInterculturalOutreach’seffortstohighlightinternationalawarenessontheUNCCharlottecampus.

Dr. Martha Miller,Professor Emeritus of Spanish, Department of Languages and Culture Studies

Dr. Gary Ferraro,Professor Emeritus, Department of Anthropology

Dr. Janet Levy,Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology

Ms. Denise Dwight Smith,Director, University Career Center

Dr. Bill Brandon,Metrolina Medical Foundation Distinguished Professor, Department of Political Science

Dr. Nabil Elias, Professor, Department of Accounting

Dr. Daniel Rabinovich,Professor, Department of Inorganic Chemistry

Dr. Beth Whitaker,Associate Professor, Department of Political Science

Dr. Paul Youngman,Associate Professor of German, Department of Languages and Culture Studies

Dr. David Goldfield,Professor, Department of History

Office of Intercultural Outreach Pairs Community with Fulbright Grantees

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UNC Charlotte and the PaedagogischeHochschuleLudwigsburg(LudwigsburgUniversityof Education inGermany) celebrated 30 years ofpartnershipinJune2011.Thisclosecollaborationbegan with one student and faculty languageexchangeopportunityin1985;sincethenover300studentshaveparticipated inexchangeprogramsbetween the two institutions. The UNC Charlotte-Ludwigsburg partnershiphas expanded to include collaborative projectsof many types and with a particular focus onteacher education. Two groups ofUNCCharlotteelementary education majors and faculty havestudied at Ludwigsburg University of Education forafullsemestertoexploreinternationalteachereducation. The third cohort of educationmajorswill travel from UNC Charlotte to Ludwigsburgduringthe2011fallsemester. In addition to student exchange opportunities,strong faculty partnerships have developed. Aseries of faculty symposia began in 1995 andwas designed to highlight and explore cross-culturaleducationalissuesbyalternatingbetweenCharlotte, North Carolina and Ludwigsburg,Germanyforthesymposialocation.InJuneof2011,ChancellorPhilipL.Dubois,AssistantProvostforInternational Programs Joël Gallegos and Deanof theCollege ofEducationMaryLynneCalhounwereabletojointheiracademiccounterpartsandgovernment representatives in Ludwigsburg tocommemoratethe30yearsofcooperationbetweenuniversities.

Campus Partnership Celebrates 30 Years The Office of Education Abroad, in conjunction

with a variety of Colleges throughout the University, administeredsixteenfaculty-ledstudyabroadprogramsduring the summer of 2011, sending nearly 200 UNCCharlottestudentsacrosstheglobe. Thissummer’sprogramofferingsallowedstudentstostudy with their faculty members in diverse locationsrangingfromEuropetotheMiddleEasttoAsia.FacultyfromtheCollegeofArts+Architecture ledprogramsinwhichstudentsstudiedarchitecture inSpain,Portugal,FranceandSwitzerland,aswellasvisualartsinLondon.The Belk College of Business allowed graduate students to studybusinesspractices inGermanyandrealestatedevelopment in Malaysia, while master’s and doctoralstudents from the College of Education honed theircounselingskillsinNicaragua.FacultyfromtheCollegeofLiberalArtsandSciencesalsoofferedawidearrayofsummerprograms.TheseprogramsallowedstudentstheopportunitytofurthertheirstudyoflanguagesinCostaRica,China,andGermany;understandpublic relationsand criminal justice in the United Kingdom; study arthistory in Greece and Turkey; and participate in anarcheologicaldiginIsrael.StudentsalsoexpandedtheirlearningbeyondtheclassroomthissummerandengagedinservicelearningopportunitieswithfacultyinboththeUnitedKingdomandNicaragua.

Office of Education Abroad Helps Send Students Across the Globe

Faculty-ledstudyabroadprograms,whicharecredit-bearingopportunitiesthatrangefromtendaystoeightweeks, play an important role in internationalizationefforts at UNC Charlotte. Consistent with national trends, UNC Charlotte has seen significant growth inrecentyears in thenumberof studentsparticipating infaculty-led short-term programs abroad. Additionally,faculty interest in short-term programs abroad hasrisen substantially,with an increasingnumber ofUNCCharlotte faculty members from a variety of academicdisciplinesworkingwiththeOfficeofEducationAbroadtodevelopandleadprogramsabroad. Each semester, theOffice ofEducationAbroad holdsinformationalworkshops for facultywho are interestedin learning how to develop short-term study abroadprograms. This fall’sworkshopwill be featuredas oneof the events during UNC Charlotte’s celebration ofInternational Education Week, November 14-18, 2011.Faculty members interested in learning more aboutdevelopingashort-termprogramareinvitedtojoinstafffromtheOfficeofEducationAbroadforthiseventtolearnmoreaboutthisexcitinginternationalopportunity.Pleasemonitor the International EducationWeek schedule athttp://oip.uncc.edu/IntEdWk.htmforupdatesinOctober.

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Learn About Faculty-Led Short Term Programs

Adelegationof12facultyandstudentsfromKingstonUniversity in London, England, visitedUNCCharlotteSeptember18-24,2011.Asfollow-uptoarecentKingstondelegation visit, this group explored student accessand peer mentoring programs particularly focused onunderrepresented students through discussions withUNC Charlotte faculty, staff and students involved inrelevant support services.Another focus of the visit isonutilizationoftechnologyintheclassroomandinfieldwork.Inadditiontomeetingswithcampuspartners,thegroupwasalsooncampustoexperienceFamilyWeekendand the 36th annual International Festival, Saturday, September24. KingstonUniversityisoneofUNCCharlotte’slongestinternational exchange partners with programs andexchangesrunningfornearlythirtyyears.Thedelegation’svisit was organized through Academic Services withsupport from Student Affairs and from the Office ofInternational Programs. For more information, contactthe Office of International Programs at international@uncc.edu.

Delegation Visit from Kingston University

A visitor from Linneaus University in Sweden willvisitUNCCharlottecampusfromOctober11through21,2011.AssistantProfessorofSocialWorkUlrikaJarkstigBerggren will be hosted by the College of Health and Human Services as part of a grant-funded project toconductacomparativeanalysisonhowcollegestudentswithdifferenttypesofdisabilitiesadapttotheirlearningenvironmentsandhowtheyencounterstigma.Thecross-culturalcomparisonwillexaminestudentperceptionsinSweden, Great Britain, the United States, and Czech

Assistant Professor of Social Work from Sweden to Visit

TheOfficeofInternationalProgramswelcomesallnewfacultymemberstoUNCCharlotte!AllfacultymembersnewtoUNCCharlotte—includingvisitingscholars—to the New Faculty Wine and CheeseReception,October6,2011,from3:30pm-5:00pmintheOfficeofInternationalProgramsReceptionArea(located outside Suite 256 on the 2nd floor of theCollegeofHealthandHumanServicesBuilding). RemarksbytheAssistantProvostforInternationalPrograms,JoëlGallegos,arescheduledfor4:00pm.Join us to network with colleagues, learn moreabout campus internationalization and meet theOffice of International Programs staff. If you areable toattend,pleaseRSVPbyOctober3,2011toMaryZinkatmbzink@uncc.eduor687-7755.

OIP Welcome Reception for New Faculty

International Faculty of UNC Charlotte International faculty and scholars at UNC Charlotte work across the full spectrum of academic departments and their perspectives contribute to the cultural diversity of our academic community and enhance the global education of our students. The countries represented by our new international faculty include: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, India, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, South Korea, Turkey, and Venezuela. All international faculty and internationally-minded UNC Charlotte community members are encouraged to share their information in the OIP International Expertise Database. (See page 1 for more details.)

Republic. Berggrenplanstoconductinterviewsoncampuswithco-investigatorDr.DianaRowan of theUNCCharlotteDepartment of SocialWork. While here BerggrenwilldeliveranumberoflecturesontopicsincludingthehealthcaresysteminSweden,socialwelfarepoliciesinEuropeand interventions forpeoplewithdisabilities related tomentalillness.FormoreinformationonBerggren’spubliclectures,pleasecontactDr.Rowanatdrowan@uncc.edu.

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UNC Charlotte welcomes two graduate students selected through the FulbrightForeign Student Program. Hanne Duindam from the Netherlands and AlexanderRaniSuryandonofromIndonesia jointhefourFulbrightgranteesthatenteredUNCCharlotteinFall2010fromBahrain,Ghana,GermanyandIndonesia. Hanne Duindam is from the Netherlands and is pursuing her M.A. in Clinical/Community Psychology. She says she applied for a Fulbright at UNC Charlotte tocombine clinical psychology with a counseling therapy method for children: playtherapy.“IspecificallychosetocometoUNCCharlotte”forheracademicprogram.Sheelaboratedstatingthat,“AuniqueaspectofmyprogramatUNCCharlotteisthatithasacommunityfocuswhichisgreatbecauseIaminterestedindevelopingandevaluatingprogramsthatpromotethewellbeingofpeople inasocietyaswell.”Duindamhopes“tolearnhowtoevaluate,implement,andpossiblycreateempowermentprogramsforchildvictimsofabuseandneglect”andplanstoimplementplaytherapyprogramsattheuniversitylevelaswellasthroughinternationalaidorganizationsuponreturningto the Netherlands. DuindamhadanopportunitytovisitUNCCharlottewhilestudyingintheUnitedStatesduringherundergraduatecareer.“Aftermyvisit,IknewthiswastheuniversityIwantedtoobtainmymaster’sat,”shesays.“Itjustfeltright.” AlexanderRaniSuryandono,agraduatestudentinArchitecture,isfromIndonesia.SuryandonoappliedfortheFulbrighttogainbroaderexperienceandperspectiveinthefield.HeplanstoreturntoIndonesiatolectureinhisfieldofstudyandtoremainactiveinyouthandprofessionalorganizationswherehewillsharetheexperiencesthathehashad here in the United States. RegardingUNCCharlotte,Suryandonoremarkedon thededicationof the facultyand staff and overall quality of the institution: “[UNCCharlotte] has everything tomakebrightstudents,”hesaid.SurayandonoremarkedthathisbiggestsurprisesincearrivingtoCharlotteinAugustisthat,“Americansaresoniceandwarm!Theyareveryfriendly.Thelecturersanduniversitystaffaresokindandhelpful.” InadditiontohostingFulbrightstudentsandscholarsfromabroadatUNCCharlotte,theuniversitysupportsUNCCharlottefacultyinterestedinpursuingaFulbrightAwardthroughtheTraditionalFulbrightScholarProgram.TheFulbrightprogramsends800U.S.facultyandprofessionalsabroadannually.Fulbrightgranteeslectureandconductresearchinawidespectrumofacademicandprofessionalfieldsin140countries.Forinformationontheseprograms,seetheDepartmentofStatewebsiteathttp://fulbright.state.gov/grants/scholar-program.htmlorcontacttheOfficeofInternationalProgramsat international@uncc.edu.

Welcome to Two New Fulbright Graduate Students!

In recognition of 40 years of dedication to UNC Charlotte, the Office of International Programs honors the accomplishments of Marian Beane, director of the international student/scholar office. Joël Gallegos, assistant provost for international programs, shared the haiku above to commemorate her legacy at UNC Charlotte at a recent celebratory gathering.

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An Ongoing LegacyA career of hope

Forty years of commitment Students transformed

For the Fall 2011 semester, 127 former or currentEnglish Language Training Institute (ELTI) studentsare enrolled in one or more undergraduate courses,representingnearlyone-thirdoftheentireundergraduateinternationalstudentenrollment. (Advanced levelELTIstudentsarepermittedtotakeoneundergraduatecourseconcurrentwith theirELTI coursework; generally, theythen matriculate into full-time studies in their nextsemester).AccordingtoKellyFranklin,directorofELTI,the growing percentage of the ELTI student body thatmatriculatesintoUNCCharlotte,mostlyatundergraduatelevels, reflects an interestingnationalhigher educationtrend of enhancing international student enrollmentsthroughtheuseofconditionaladmissionspoliciesinwhichanapplicant’slanguageproficiencycanbedemonstratedafterreviewoftheiracademiccredentials. Thisapplicationandconditionaladmissionspolicycanserveasaneffective internationalrecruitingtoolwhichbolsters student numbers especially from SaudiArabiaand China, two countries where it can be difficult forprospectivestudentstoobtainstudentvisasornecessaryfunding without having been granted acceptance touniversity study. Conditional admission policies enablestudentstoplanfurtherahead,andgivethemthechanceto‘checkout’CharlotteandourUniversitybyfirstcomingforEnglishstudiesthenmatriculating, if theywish, forfurther education. Enrollment indicates that a highnumberofinternationalstudentsaresuccessfulinELTIanddecidetostayonatUNCCharlotte. Over the past few years, enrollments for ELTI havesteadily grown as many students seek to transition fromELTI into a degree program at aU.S. university.Consistent with growth patterns, ELTI started theFall 2011 semester with its highest enrollment ever,registering231studentsfrom20differentcountries.Thelargest student populations come from Saudi Arabia,followedbySouthKorea,Japan,KuwaitandChina.

Successful Trends in UNC Charlotte International Student Conditional Admissions

In the rush of preparing for their study abroadexperiences, most students do not think much aboutwhat lifewill be like in theUnitedStates upon theirreturn. As students decide which of their favoritesweaterstopackorwhetherornottheycanpurchaseimmodiumat the pharmacy overseas, overlooking thesection in the Pre-Departure Orientation on reversecultureshockisalltooeasy. Ineducationabroadofficesatmanyuniversities,thefocus is often on issues such as safety, culture shock,packing,immigrationandfinances,amongothers.Re-entry is an important piece of the study abroad cyclethatcanbeforgottenandcomingbacktothecountryastudentpreviously called “home”maydevelop intoanunexpectedchallenge. UNC Charlotte International Studies major Aaron PeltoniemireturnsthissemesterafterspendingayearatOitaUniversityinJapan.Belowarehisreflectionsonhisre-entryexperiencehasbeenlikesofar. “Re-entry is something which I dreaded for the last week before I actually returned to the States. The hard part about re-entry is not re-adjusting to the culture, rather it is coming back to the same “routine-like” lifestyle I had before I embarked on my amazing journey to study abroad in Japan. Though I am glad to be back in the States, there are numerous aspects found in Japanese culture, life-style, and experience that simply cannot be replicated here (especially in North Carolina). In addition, the awesome international friends I was able to make in Japan will either remain in Japan or return home to their respective countries. If re-entry is difficult for some people, I think it can actually be a good thing as it indicates that one was able to live and enjoy life in a different culture. Re-entry should teach people how to look at life in a different way.”

A Student’s Take on “Reverse” Culture Shock

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As the kickoff event to UNC Charlotte’s InternationalEducationWeekfestivities,adirector’sscreeningoftheaward-winning feature documentary, CrossingBorders,will be held Monday, November 14. Crossing Bordersfollows students from the United States and Moroccoas they travel together through Morocco and learnmuchabout themselves in theprocess. In thewords ofthe director, Arnd Wächter, “The film is designed toempower youth by deepening intercultural empathyandinitiatingstudentdialogues.”Adiscussionwiththefilm’sdirectorwillfollowthescreening.Pleaseseehttp://crossingbordersfilm.org/formoreinformationonthefilmandchecktheIEWeventscheduleathttp://oip.uncc.edu/IntEdWk.htmforthelocationofthisandotherevents.

Looking Ahead to International Education Week

TheOffice of International Programswill coordinatemore than a week of events in November to highlight UNCCharlotte’scommitmenttoglobalandinternationalunderstanding.AsacelebrationofInternationalEducationWeek,thisjointinitiativeoftheU.S.DepartmentofStateandtheU.S.DepartmentofEducationwillbeobservedworld-wide from November 14-18, 2011. Over 100countriesparticipateinthe11thannualIEWcelebration. Specificdetailsfor2011arestill indevelopmentsoitisnottoolatetobeinvolvedwiththeprogram!Faculty,staffandstudentsareinvitedtocontributeprogramming,lecturesorpresentationstotheweek’slineup.Formoreinformation,pleasecontactMaureenWhite,coordinatorofinternationalinitiatives,atMaureen.White@uncc.eduor687-7305.Seehttp://oip.uncc.edu/IntEdWk.htmwheretheeventschedulewillbeupdatedoften.

“Crossing Borders’ is an amazingly powerful film that makes you stop and think about your place in the world and the infinite and complex threads of race, culture, and class that connect us.”

Julie Leitman, Regional Director, Academic Programs International

IEW Showcase Program: Crossing Borders Documentary

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The following student-written narrative by psychology major Nishthaya Soukhanouvong highlights the impact of her study abroad experience in Florence, Italy during her junior year at UNC Charlotte.

Study abroad is always an experience for students,butwhatyoumakeoutofthisexperienceisanentirelydifferent matter. For some students, it may be to seize everyopportunityanddoasmanythingsastheycanintheirshorttimeabroad.Formepersonally,itwasnottoonlyseizeeveryopportunity,buttograspwhatIhavebeengiven, then submerge and savor it. If I had to describemystudyabroadexperienceinthreewordsitwouldbe:unearthing, challenging, and rewarding. Study abroadhashelpedmetodeveloptheknowledgeofmyselfaswellastosolidifywhatIwanttodoinmyfuturecareer. Florence,Italywas(andcertainlywasnot)everythingI expected it to be. Immersing myself in the Italianculture threw me into a whimsy of emotions. First, Iam an Asian-American female whose influence andknowledge of culture derives from my Laotian family,American environment, and seven years of Japanesecultureandlanguage.NothingpreparedmefortheactualconfrontationofItalianculture;Ihadtolearntheexactoppositeinrulesofnormsandmanners.WheremyAsianandAmericanupbringingknewpolitenessandpersonalspace, it was bruised by the Italian fiery passion andclose contact that can be taken as bold and audacious.WhereIhavebeenembedded in timelinessand instantgratification, Florence taught me the nuances of aleisurely,slow-paceculture.AndwhereIhavegrownupcertainlylovingthecombinationofeatingmycarbsandmeattogether,itwastauntedbyItaliancuisineandthe

Self-discovery Through Studying Abroad

artofsavoringeachfooditemonaseparateplate. These particular elements showed me that, yes,certainly things are different, but also you cannot justalways come into a new situation expecting things tohappen in a certain way. Sometimes you have to justexpect the unexpected and just go with it. I grew upalways expecting that if I prepared myself and dideverythingaccording toplan, thingswould turn outasthey should. Studying abroad has sort of broken my mode of expectancies and helpedme rebuild a new, strongerfoundation,whichwasrefreshingandenlightening. Not only did I discovermyself while abroad, it alsohelpedmeinknowingwhatinterestsIhaveformyfuturecareer.Whiletakingacross-culturalpsychologyclassinFlorence,Ihavedevelopedastrongerpassionforwantingtohelppeoplepsychologically. Iamapsychologymajor

consideringgoingintosocialworkor counseling psychology, whichhas to deal with how cultureplays into our environment.Studyabroadhasplayedaroleinhelpingmemakethisdecision. I would absolutely encouragestudents to study abroad. As of nowIamdecidingtoparticipatein the study abroad fair and share my experiences with interestedand doubtful students. I am voicingmyopinionstomyfellowpeers about my experiences inItaly and hopefully sparkingan idea in them to go out and discover themselves.Todescribemy experience by only wordswould only suppress my actualexperience so I hope that otherstudentswouldjustdoitandfindout what it is really like.

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This course has easily been the greatest experience of my school career. I have made amazing new friends and contacts that will last a lifetime. I have also learned more in these three weeks than I have in my past two years of studying Japanese. Thank you for allowing me to have this experience.

-Dennis Linzalone, Japanese Language Student, UNC Charlotte.

In addition to the academic components of theprogram,manyculturalandrecreationalactivitieswereprovided toencourage informal interactionbetween thegroups in social settings. The UNC Charlotte studentsoftenvolunteeredtospendeveningsandweekendswiththevisitingJapanese students tohelp themexperienceAmericanculture.ManyoftheUNCCharlottestudentswhoparticipatedintheprogramintendtostudyabroadinJapanintheupcomingfallandspringsemesters.Theywere therefore provided the invaluable opportunity tomakecontactsand learnabout theirnewenvironmentsbeforetheirarrivalinJapan.TheIntensiveLanguageImmersionProgramwasdirectedbySusanLambertandcoordinatedbyKrystalOsticandAnne Giles in the Office of International Programs atUNCCharlotte. Facultyinterestedinexploringsimilartypes of intense language and culture programs, cancontactLambertatslambert@uncc.edu.

Twenty UNC Charlotte students were joined by eighteenstudentsfromvariousuniversitiesacrossJapanto share cultures and languages in a dual languageimmersion program in August 2011. InterculturalOutreachPrograms,incollaborationwiththeDepartmentofLanguagesandCultureStudies(JapanesePrograms)atUNCCharlotteandtheAmericanCulturalExchangeofJapandesignedaprogramthatpushedtheboundariesofsecondlanguageacquisitionfrominsideadual-languageclassroom.Bothstudentgroupswereimmersedintheirtargetlanguagewhilereceivingacceleratedinstructionalbenefits from the opportunity to learn from and teacheachother. Theduallanguageimmersionconceptallowsstudentstogainfullproficiencyandmasteryofthecurriculumintwolanguages.Furthermore,itprovidesstudentswithanenvironment that fosters cultural understanding whilepromoting linguistic growth. This program utilized theprofessionalknowledgeandresourcesoftwoexperiencedinstructors, both fluent in the English and Japaneselanguages.TheprogramsuccessfullymetthestandardsofaduallanguageprogrambyrequiringUNCCharlottestudents to read, write, and speak in Japanese, whilethe students from Japan were required to read, write,and speak in English. Though communication waschallengingattimes,studentsallagreedthatthismethodofinstructionprovidedadistinctiveapproachtoacquiringthe target language.

Dual Language Immersion Course Pairs U.S. students with students from Japan

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Areyouteachingcoursecontentthatcouldbeenhancedbyhearingtheperspectivesofinternationalstudents?TheCulturalAmbassadorProgramfacilitatespanelpresentationsbyinternationalstudentsinclassrooms,departmentsandoffices. ContactMarianBeane,mebeane@uncc.edu, orDeniseMedeiros, dvmedei@uncc.edu, to include aninternationalperspectiveinyourcourseforthefall2011orspring2012semesters.

Bring International Perspectives to Your Classroom

Angela(Angie)WrighthasrecentlybeennamedtheleadadvisorintheOfficeofEducationAbroad.Wrightgraduated fromUNCCharlotte inMay 2007 with aBachelor’sofArtsinInternationalStudiesandSpanish.Followinghergraduation,Wright internedwithOEAforaone-and-a-halfyearperiod.InSeptemberof2009Wright taught English in Seoul, South Korea, andreturned to theUnited States to join theOEA teambeginninginJanuary2011. In addition to living in South Korea, Wright hasvisited 10 countries including Australia, GreatBritain, thePhilippines, andBolivia, to name a few.As a student, Wright studied abroad the summerof 2006 in Guadalajara, Mexico and the spring of2007 in Santiago, Chile. Her various travels andinternational experiences motivated her to pursue acareer in international education. Wright maintainsthat studying abroad was the most influential partof her undergraduate studies and she looks forward tomotivating other students to explore beyond theirborders. As lead advisor with OEA, Wright works closelywithstudentstohelpthemrealizetheirstudyabroadgoals by guiding students in selecting study abroaddestinations, helping them through the applicationprocess,preparingthemfordeparture,andsupportingthemwhentheyreturntocampus.Sheisavailablebyappointmentandmaintainsdrop-inadvisinghourstoaddressquestionsandconcernsstudentshaveastheyprogressthroughthestudyabroadprocess.Wrightisalsoinvolvedinmarketingstudyabroadopportunitiesaround campus, conducting classroom presentationsand representing the Office of Education Abroad atvariouscampuseventsandactivities.

Angela Wright Promotes Study Abroad

Annual Study Abroad Fair TheOfficeofEducationAbroadhosteditsannualStudyAbroadFaironWednesday,September14thbetweentheCollegeofHealthandHumanServicesbuildingandtheCollegeofEducationbuilding. The annual fall fair is an opportunity to explore theglobal options available to UNC Charlotte students.AttendeescanmeetUNCCharlottefacultymemberswholeadstudyabroadprograms,studentswhohavestudiedabroad, as well as international students currentlystudying abroad here at UNC Charlotte. Information on each program offered through the Office of EducationAbroad is available at booths where faculty directorsandstudentreturneesareoftenavailabletosharephotoalbumsandenthusiasticstories. Information sessions are offered for students six times per week in the Office of Education Abroad and theschedulecanbe foundathttp://www.edabroad.uncc.edu/default.asp. Please encourage your students to exploreopportunitiesabroad!

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UNC Charlotte - International Programs

AdministrationJoëlGallegos,Assistant Provost for International ProgramsChristinaSanchez,Associate Director of International ProgramsMaryZink,Administrative AssistantBen Farnham, Business and Technology ManagerCathyThompson,Senior Accounting TechnicianEstherHollington,Accounting TechnicianMaureenWhite,Coordinator of International InitiativesTamaraJohnson,Program Assistant

Office of Education AbroadBradSekulich,DirectorLisaBaumNevalainen,Assistant DirectorAngieWright,Lead AdvisorKimberly Kuhn, Coordinator of Short Term Programs

International Student/Scholar OfficeMarianBeane,DirectorDeniseMedeiros,Assistant DirectorDebbieWilson,Administrative AssistantChau Tran, SEVIS CoordinatorMaddyBaer,International Employment Coordinator

Intercultural Outreach ProgramsSusanLambert,DirectorKrystalOstic,Program CoordinatorAnneGiles,Program CoordinatorErikaMendoza,Administrative Assistant

English Language Training InstituteS. Kelly Franklin, DirectorDianeHancock,Support Services CoordinatorSamantha Parrett, Administrative AssistantAnaHouck,ELTI Main Line/Reception DeskMeriamBrown,Coordinator, International Instructor Language Support JillMorin,Core InstructorNancyPfingstag,Core InstructorAllieWall,Core InstructorAdjuct InstructorsDominickAntonucci Carrie Berkman Sara Bowers JacquelineCervantes JeremyCervantes CorieCrouch KatherineElliott ConstanceFessler

TerriGoode MaryWilkesHarris Allison Hase AnaHouck MariaLee JeanneMalcolm StephanieMillerMichellePlaisance

DeborahPorter KimRodriguezRebekahSchlottman RosemarySchmid LindaScott Sherrie SmithSeth StroudKooSee Vang

oip.uncc.edu