TESTING SCHEDULE · Willis Library Shopping Trip to Super Target 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (must...

Orientation Stepsr Attend Welcome & Document Check-In Session

(Pre-registration required): bring passport, visa, I-20, I-94, UNT admission letter

r Attend International Student Orientation

r Attend University Orientation - Pre-registration required. (Mandatory for Freshman & Transfer, optional for Graduate students)

r Texas Success Initiative (TSI) testing(All Freshman & Transfer students must take THEA/Accuplacer test)

r See Academic Advisor

r Register for classes on-line

r Make payment

SPRING 2010 THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK:

On-Campus Housing Crumley Hall Office Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Phone: 940.565.2610 www.unt.edu/housing

Off-Campus Housing www.DentonApartments.com

Bank On-Campus Wells Fargo, 3rd floor, Union building Bank Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., (M-F) Phone: 1-800-TOWELLS

UNT ID Card Eagle Student Services Center, Room 105 Office Hours: 8:15 a.m. – 5 p.m. Phone: 940.565.4481

Post Office Box You need a UNT P.O. Box if you live on campus.

U.S. Post Office, 2nd Floor, Union building Phone: 940.387.8555

Parking Permit To purchase a UNT parking permit, and more

information about bus schedules & routes, e-ride, DCTA Connect and Commuter Express buses, go to: http://www.unt.edu/transit/

The UNT Parking Office is located in the Sullivant Public Safety Center at 1700 Wilshire St. in Denton, Texas, neighboring Mozart Square and Sack-n-Save.

Office Hours: 8:00 am-5:00 pm (M-Th) 8:00am - 4:30pm (F) Phone: 940.565.3020

Photos from Celebration of

World Cultures: International

Week 2009.

Welcome Center & Programs Information Science Building (ISB) 286Phone: 940.369.8625 www.international.unt.edu

Spring 2010 — UNT International Student Orientation Week Mon/Jan. 11 Tues/Jan. 12 Wed/Jan. 13 Thurs/Jan. 14 Fri/Jan. 15

8:00 am

Freshman/ Transfer

University Orientation

Begins at8:00 am

University Union

To Register Contact

New Student & Programs:

940.565.4198 www.unt.edu/

nsp

Freshman/ Transfer

University Orientation

Begins at8:00 am

University Union

To Register Contact


940.565.4198 www.unt.edu/

nsp

Accuplacer Test

8 am - 12 pm Willis Library

Late University Orientation

Begins at 8:00 am

University Union

To RegisterContact:


940.565.4198www.unt.edu/nsp

8:30 am

9:00 am International Undergraduate &

Graduate Students

Welcome &Document Check-In

Between: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Information Science Building (ISB) Room 203

(On-Line)Int’l StudentOrientation

& Document Check-In

Between:9 am - 4 pm

ISB 286


& Document Check-In

Between:9 am - 4 pm

ISB 286


& Document Check-In

Between:9 am - 4 pm

ISB 286

(On-Line)Late

Int’l StudentOrientation

& Document Check-In

Between:9 am - 4 pm

ISB 286

9:30 am

10:00 am

10:30 am

11:00 am

11:30 am

12:00 pm

12:30 pm

1:00 pm

Accuplacer Test

1 pm - 5 pm Willis Library

Shopping Trip to

Super Target1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

(must sign-up with the Welcome

Center 940.369.8625)

1:30 pmUndergraduate & Graduate

Int’l Student OrientationBegins at 1:30 pm

Eagle Student Services Center (ESSC) Room 255

2:00 pm

2:30 pm

3:00 pm

3:30 pm New International Student Welcome ReceptionGolden Eagle Suite University Union

4:00 pm (Optional) New Graduate Student Orientation

4 pm - 6 pm Silver Eagle Suite University Union

4:30 pm

5:00 pm

Texas Success Initiative (TSI) testing (Required for Undergraduates): Test is required for new students to a Texas public higher education institution; Test types: Accuplacer, THEA, Asset, or Compass; Administered by the office of Program for Academic Readiness: http://www.unt.edu/par. To register, call: 940.565.4403 or e-mail: [email protected]

TESTING SCHEDULE: January 8, 2010: 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm ESSC 152January 12: 1 pm - 5 pm, Willis LibraryJanuary 14: 8 am -12 pm, Willis LibraryJanuary 22 & 29: 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm ESSC 152

Classes Begin: January 19, 2010

Regular Registration: January 11-14 (Monday - Thursday)

Late Registration: January 15, 18-20 (Friday, Monday - Wednesday) Note: late fees apply

Late Orientation: University - January 15; UNT-International (on-line) - January 15

New TA/TF Orientation (Mandatory): Jan. 14 (Thurs) 8:00 am-5:00 pm; Jan. 15 (Fri) 8:00 am - 12:30 pm Location: Lyceum, University Union. For more info: 940.565.2383 or email: [email protected]

All Music Majors: You must attend Music orientation and placement exams at the time specified in your Music Admission letter. You may attend an alternate session for International Student Orientation.

Freshman & Transfer on F-1 or J-1 Visa must attend two (2) orientations: International Student Orientation & University Orientation. You must contact the Office of New Student Programs, Union 319, (940)565-4198 to register for the (Freshman/Transfer) University Orientation. Graduate students on F-1 or J-1 visa must attend International Student Orientation, University Orientation is optional.

To learn more about our UNT-International Offices, visit:

http://www.international.unt.edu

Table of Contents

Welcome Welcome to UNT‐ International - My UNT, Log On!

Visa Obtaining a Student Visa - Visa Interview Tips from NAFSA & UNT Students.

Finances Finances – Scholarships - In‐State Tuition

Housing On Campus Housing - Off Campus Housing - Dorms vs. Apartments

Money Banking - Money Management - Debit & Credit Cards

Parents For the Parents - Health & Counseling – Safety

On-Campus Jobs On‐Campus Jobs - Social Security Number - Legal Employment – Taxes

Orientation UNT Orientation - IELI Orientation - Sponsored Students Orientation

Student Organizations Acculturation - Student Organizations - UNT Spouses Association

UNT- You & Me: E- Newsletter

To learn more about our UNT-International Offices, visit:

http://www.international.unt.edu

Table of Contents

Academic Success Texas Success Initiative-Departmental Placement Tests

On-Campus Events International Events – UNT-International Ambassadors

Packing & Required Documents

Pre-Orientation

UNT-International Staff/Orientation Leaders

Welcome to Campus

1st Week of Classes

UNT- You & Me: E- Newsletter

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2010 NAFSA National Conference – Kansas City – GS059

Community and Campus Roundtable:

Enhancing the International Spouse Experience: Programming for Int’l Families

Gwyn Dukes, Community Committee for International Students, Stanford University

Jane Dunham, UT-Austin Apartment Committee Board

I. BACKGROUND: Rationale for providing programs for spouses/partners of int’l students/scholars.

II. BASICS OF PROGRAMMING

III. IDEAS & APPROACHES to Programming

IV. RESOURCES – video and books

V. RESOURCES - websites of U.S. campus and community organizations

VI. INTERVIEW WITH SPOUSE/ FILMMAKER of “Women in a New Land”

I. BACKGROUND: Rationale for Providing Programs for Spouses/Partners

of International Students/Scholars

• The success of an international student, post-doc or visiting scholar is affected by the well-being of

his/her partner or family.

• The challenges faced by accompanying spouses and partners often revolve around a disruption in their

core sense of identity. At a formative time in their career or education, careers are interrupted, or courses of

study may be put on hold. Barriers to being employed or studying part time in the U.S. can be significant.

Creating a satisfying life in the new surroundings may require learning a new language, adjusting to a new

culture, finding new friends and a developing a sense of belonging to the new community.

• The sense of isolation and the need to create an entirely new identity and life can lead to frustration,

depression and loneliness for many spouses. This, in turn, affects the work & life of the student/scholar.

• The awareness that these are situational challenges experienced by most spouses and partners can be

helpful in accepting the situation, overcoming the challenges and creating a new and satisfying life.

• Institutions can make a significant difference by

- including spouses in the international community,

- acknowledging their challenges and needs,

- drawing on their talents and skills and

- facilitating their adaptation.

To learn what some universities and volunteer organizations are doing to help spouses make a positive

transition to a fulfilling life in their new community, please explore the list of resources, video and the websites

listed on the chart at the end of this handout. We invite your additions to this partial list.

To read a journal article about the need for social support networks for spouses in transition, see the section on

Resources- video, article & books, below.

II. BASICS OF PROGRAMMING FOR INTERNATIONAL SPOUSES/PARTNERS This outline is based on the assumption that international spouses are a valuable asset in identifying basic

needs and talents and in organizing programs, with the support of a campus or community organization.

I. CREATE PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS PRIMARY NEEDS, as perceived by spouses.

Invite a group of diverse spouses to a coffee or focus group to learn about their experiences, concerns,

needs and hopes for their time in your community and talents they can share.

II. IDENTIFYING THE NEEDS & INTERESTS of spouses in your campus/community.

Knowing these can be the foundation for your programs. Some typical needs follow:

Learning English

Loneliness, Isolation, Making New Friends

Continuing with Educational and Professional Goals

Finding Local Resources to Match Interests

Raising Children Away from Extended Family and Home Culture

Finding Employment (for J-2 visa holders)

Career Continuity (especially for those whose visa precludes work)

Identity Crisis (Past Accomplishments Seem Meaningless in New Setting)

Transportation

Being a Wise Consumer (Shopping, Knowledge of Products, etc.)

Keeping House in a New Environment

Cooking (first-time away from home)

III. IDENTIFY THE LEADERS & TALENTS: Encourage spouses to organize interest groups, classes,

outings, workshops around shared interests (professional field, books, films, hiking, crafts, etc.).

IV. IDENTIFY LOCAL RESOURCES TO MEET THE NEEDS

What are the resources in YOUR community that can be mobilized to meet the major needs of

spouses/partners of international students/scholars?

A. "People" resources

Experienced international spouses familiar with your community,

Community organizations (AAUW, YWCA, Rotary, Kiwanis, United Nations Association,

World Affairs Council, service and professional groups, churches)

Students on your campus (e.g. Americans, returned exchange students, etc.)

Staff and faculty on your campus

Local alumni, faculty spouses and others in the community.

B. Material resources

Donations of a room for meeting space (church, school, community center, etc.)

Printed materials on your community and local points of interest

Donations of food for refreshments at programs, toys for child care program, etc

IV. DEFINING AND LAUNCHING A NEW PROGRAM:

What are your objectives? How will you publicize your new program?

V. DECIDING YOUR PHILOSOPHY AND APPROACH

What will be your relationship with your target group? ("Doing for"?, "doing with"?,

a combination of both?, empowering spouses to create and lead programs? )

III. IDEAS AND APPROACHES TO PROGRAMMING FOR SPOUSES/PARTNERS In planning programs to meet the needs of international spouses & families, some basic areas to consider include: 1) recruitment (finding the spouses and getting them interested); 2) development of leadership among spouses themselves; and 3) dealing with special challenges, such as child care, transportation, funding, finding places, to meet and variances in language fluency. Our goal is to make this session as relevant to the needs of the participants as possible. We know that you bring many ideas and experiences, and invite you to share them during the roundtable discussion. The following list outlines some ideas regarding the 3 main areas mentioned above. 1) Recruitment of spouses (finding them and getting them interested in your programs); The Challenge - If we offer programs. for spouses, or wish to start one.... how do we find out who has brought a spouse or partner? “ “ “ inform them about our programs? “ “ “ get them to participate in our programs? • Consult with the International Student Office to identify the students, post docs and visiting scholars accompanied by dependents. • Create a “Sign Up Sheet for Spouses” or form to use at orientation & at the front desk of the Int’l Students Office to collect names and email addresses of spouses. • Create an invitation to your program to be given to new students at orientation (to pass on to their spouses/partners). Hold a reception for new spouses, and recruit returning spouses to help host it. • Work through the student nationality groups - ask their leaders to inform anyone with a spouse about your programs. • Approach spouses through the student housing office on campus. Create a flier explaining your programs and inviting them to a specific event. This can be given to new couples as they move in. 2) Development of leadership among the spouses and partners To create a thriving program for spouses with minimal staff or volunteer time, how can we involve the spouses themselves in taking leadership of programs? (When they first arrive, they have plenty of time and also bring a wide variety of special talents, expertise and cultural knowledge.) • Invite a diverse group of spouses to a focus group meeting (or informal coffee) to talk about their experiences in moving to your campus/community, and what they need and what they could offer. Build this into a core group to organize the programs they choose. • Design a “Spouse Registration Form” which asks not only contact information (name, country, email, phone, local address, # children), but interests, hobbies and career focus. Include spaces to offer to teach a class or volunteer to help organize a program. (You can list various options on the registration form, to give them some ideas, such as language, cooking, movie or book groups, hiking, sports or career-related skills.) • Have “intake interviews” with spouses as they arrive, and mention ways that they can become involved in the campus or community that are relevant to their interests and previous work or study.

• Suggest that 2 or more spouses work together to organize a program or class. 3) Dealing with special programmatic challenges, such as child care, transportation, funding, meeting places, and variations in language fluency. • Child care - - ask a student service organization to assist with child care during your programs. - provide toys and snacks, and let the mothers and children come together (without child care providers) - assist the mothers in forming child care playgroups and cooperatives through which they exchange child care. - refer to other resources on campus who specialize in child care (Work/Life Office). • Transportation - - provide full information on local public transportation to new spouses. - create a map of the local area and invite each spouse to place a pin (with her name on it) where she lives. Spouses can then see who lives near them and share rides or create programs in their area. - arrange carpools to certain events, when possible. - recruit local volunteers to drive on tours or to help by picking up some of the spouses to bring them to regular programs. • Funding - Funding will depend on the organization you represent and your goals and budget. - International Student & Scholar Offices and community groups can work together to explore all avenues for funding. Successful spouse programs need not be costly. - Encourage community volunteers and/or spouses to form a group and charge dues. - For informal programs, ask participants to pay a small fee, or to bring materials or snacks. (e.g. participants can pay for handouts in a language class, materials for an art class, or ingredients for a cooking class, etc.) - Approach local businesses to sponsor events with funds, food or in-kind services (fliers, etc.) • Meeting places - Request assistance from the Student & Scholar Office in reserving university space. - Approach local community centers, libraries, restaurants, coffee shops, churches and other organizations to request use of their public rooms. Offer to acknowledge them in your program materials. •Variations in English language fluency - Provide information about local classes in ESL in your area, or organize special classes in ESL for spouses to attend. - At large events, divide into smaller groups for discussions or conversation practice. - Recruit returning int’l spouses to help newcomers in their own language. - Form a “Welcome Committee” of returning international spouses to plan events for newcomers, such as a Welcome Coffee/Reception. Publicize the languages that hosts will speak at the event (so newcomers with little English will feel comfortable attending). - Plan programs that don’t require much English, such as hiking, art, cooking & crafts classes where participants can learn by watching or doing.

The best source of ideas for programs for spouses/partners/families on your campus is the spouses themselves. They bring a wealth of skills and talents and experience. By involving them in identifying their needs and working together to create programs that meet those needs, you can create a sense of community and empower them to actively shape fulfilling lives in their new surroundings. For a list of some examples of programs for international spouses, partners and families offered by universities and community organizations around the United States, please see the following page. We invite additions to the list, and after the conference will post the updated list on the nafsa.org website, and also at www.spouseprograms.org

IV. RESOURCES for International Spouses/Partners/Families

The following video, books and journal article focus on the experience of moving and living overseas, and

on making significant transitions in one’s life. The video gives voice to the 4 women who left their careers

to accompany their husbands to a U.S. university, where they were studying or doing research. The books,

although written by North Americans who have moved overseas, deal with issues that are similar to the

challenges faced by international spouses coming to the USA.

1. DOCUMENTARY FILM/VIDEO: “Women in a New Land,” offers insight into the unique challenges

faced by international spouses. Created by a Belgian spouse and filmmaker, it features the experiences and

perspectives of 4 women from 4 countries, interspersed with comments by an advisor and a marriage and family

therapist. The 48-minute video is suitable for showing to international spouses, and to campus administrators

and community volunteers who interact with international graduate students, visiting scholars, post-docs and

visiting researchers. It enables spouses to realize that others share their experience, and to put their sistuation in

a broader perspective. Copies of the DVD can be ordered for $5 plus postage and packaging from:

[email protected]. An interview with the filmmaker, Maria Vaccaro, can be found at

www.spouseprograms.org, and at the end of this handout.

2. ARTICLE providing rationale and structure of the spouse program at MIT:

“Support for Student and Staff Wives in Social Transition In a University Setting, by Charlotte Green Schwartz

and Merton J. Kahne, M.I.T., International Journal of Intercultural Relations, Vol. 17, pp. 451-463, 1993.

This article cites other readings on the topics of social support networks, intercultural adjustment of

families living overseas, self-help in human services, understanding and coping with cross-cultural adjustment

stress and bringing up children overseas. It can be useful in making a case for allocating funds for supportive

services to help spouses through the cultural adjustment and in forming social support networks among them.

BOOKS:

The Expert Expatriate: Your Guide to a Successful Relocation Abroad, moving, living, thriving. By Melissa

Brayer Hess and Patricia Lindeman. 2002.

Written by two U.S. diplomatic spouses with over 30 years of experience living overseas, this book

includes chapters on special issues for spouses abroad, moving children overseas, confronting a new culture,

adapting to a new environment and re-entry issues.

Women’s Guide to Overseas Living. By Nancy J. Piet-Pelon and Barbara Hornby. 1992.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.spouseprograms.org/

Written by two American women who have lived in the developing countries of Asia many years, this

book addresses the needs of all types of women who go overseas, whether for their own career or their

husband’s. Topics include making the decision, culture shock and beyond, women who work and homemakers,

children’s concerns, managing stress and reentry.

The Moving Experience: A Practical Guide to Psychological Survival. By Gail Meltzer and Elaine Grandjean.

1989.

Written by two American psychologists living in Denmark, this book helps the reader to see how one’s

emotional reactions to a move determine whether it is a success or failure, and helps the reader to cope better

with the psychological stresses and challenges of moving overseas. Chapters address attitudes towards the

move, issues of adjustment, length of the overseas stay, the employment situation, “the movable marriage”, and

the “portable child.”

Lifelaunch: A Passionate Guide to the Rest of Your Life, by Frederic M. Hudson & Pamela D. McLean. 1996

(revised).

This book offers a model for understanding the process of change and transition, and provides a format

for managing the transition process in one’s own life. It can be a helpful approach for international spouses as

they explore the implications of their transition to life in a new country.

V. RESOURCES: WEBSITES OF U.S. CAMPUS & COMMUNITY GROUPS

THAT PROVIDE PROGRAMMING FOR INTERNATIONAL SPOUSES

Programs for International Families Some examples of programs for spouses and families

offered by universities and community volunteer organizations in the United States: Program name School Contact e-mail Web site

All spouse programs General [email protected] www.spouseprograms.org

Bechtel International Center Stanford U. Gwyn Dukes [email protected] http://icenter.stanford.edu/families

Community Committee for International Students

Stanford U. com’ty vols.

[email protected] [email protected]

www.ccisStanfordu.org/

spouses&[email protected] MIT Jennifer Recklet

[email protected] http://web.mit.edu/spouses/

International House Davis Women’s Prog – Connections

Univ. of CA. Davis

Elisabeth Sherwin

[email protected]

http:www.internationalhousedavis.org/prog/connect

UC San Diego International Center

Univ. of CA – San Diego

http://icenter.ucsd.edu/volunteer.html

Univeristy of Colorado – Conversation Partners for Spouses.

U. of Colorado

http://www.colorado.edu/OIE/isss/programs.html

Metro International’s Spouse Program

NYC universities

www.metrointl.org/programs/social.html

Global Connections: International Women’s Book Groups

Penn State www.international.psu.edu/gc/wibgp.htm





International Women’s Club Univ. of Iowa

Joanne Madsen

[email protected] http://international.uiowa.edu/oiss/resources/community/international-womens-club.asp

Crossroads International, Conversation Sch. for Women,

Univ. of Oregon

Amy Klautzsch

[email protected] http://oregonstate.edu/international/crossroads/contents/view/23

International Women’s Friendship Group, International Women’s Support Group, Mother Care

Southern Illinois

Elaine Conrad

[email protected] www.ips.siu.edu/ISS/community.html

UT Family Program University of Texas

[email protected] www.utexas.edu/international/utfamily

International Students & Partners at Yale (ISPY)

Yale Univ. www.yale.edu/icenter/ispy

Community Volunteers for International Programs (CVIP)

Michigan State

David Horner

www.isp.msu.edu/cvip

Int’l Women’s Group of Rutgers University

Rutgers University

https://sites.google.com/site/internationalwomensg/home

Ft. Collins International Center Colo. State http://www.fortnet.org/intlc/women1.html

INCH – Int’l Women’s Coffee Hour (Eng. practice)

Columbus, Ohio

[email protected] http://inchcolumbus.org/

This is a partial list, compiled by Jane Dunham and Gwyn Dukes <[email protected]>. To add websites

of programs for spouses and families, please send the information to <[email protected]>. Thanks!

VI. INTERVIEW WITH SPOUSE/FILMMAKER OF “WOMEN IN A NEW LAND”

"I Followed My Husband to America"

Interview with documentary filmmaker Maria Vaccaro by April Daniels Hussar

When Maria Vaccaro's then-boyfriend was accepted into the postdoctoral

program at Stanford University in 2005, she faced a decision: to leave their

home in Belgium and follow her true love, or let him go. She, like so many

other women, chose to leave her life behind and join him on his adventure in a new land.

Maria, a filmmaker and artist, found that her experience was not unusual,

especially in the Stanford community, and she was inspired to make a

documentary, "Women in a New Land." The film tells the stories of four

women who made moves similar to her own, with all of the inherent

complexities they faced - from making new friends, to learning a new

language, to questioning their senses of self and identity.

It's a fascinating topic, one that so many women can relate to - whether we've

moved to new countries or even just changed towns, or careers, for the sake

of our relationships. Maria's film is showing May 5, at Stanford University (see below for details), and she took some time to talk with us about being a woman in a new land.

BettyConfidential: What was it like to follow your mate all the way from Belgium to Stanford for his job?

Maria Vaccaro: My first month in California was magical. It was the end of June 2005. The weather was

gorgeous and I felt like I was on holiday. My husband and I were spending a lot of time together, visiting

apartments, buying new stuff, building up a new home here ... But, after he began to work, I was alone at

home with nothing to do. I used to be really busy with my work in Europe and here I had my days to fill only as a spouse.

BC: What were some of the immediate challenges?

MV: When I first arrived here, I had not really realized that my career was left behind and that I would

have to rebuild a new identity. I was no longer a professional. I was only my husband's wife -- that was

the only reason I could find to justify my presence here. Everything looked different from Belgium. French

and Italian are my primary languages, and not speaking English made me feel like a child. My first

challenge was to learn it. In the meantime, I decided to communicate with my own language and I began

to write this documentary, where international spouses would be free to express what they felt facing this

challenge of adapting to a new world.

BC: In your film, some of the women talk about how the decision was easy to

make, because it just wasn't an option for them to be apart from their husbands. Was it easy for you?

MV: To be honest, it was not really an easy decision for me ... I really loved

my job and my life in Belgium and I had never thought that one day I would

have to give them up. But I fell deeply in love with my husband. It was sure for both of us that we would do everything to stay together.

At that time, we were not married and I was not ready to get married before

making sure that I could fit in this new environment. After three months in

California, we decided to get married. We organized the wedding in two weeks,

and despite this short amount of time, we had a romantic wedding set in the middle of the forest.

BC: Tell us about the life you left behind ...

MV: On a professional level, I graduated in 1996 from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Belgium with a

Bachelor of Visual Arts in Videography and Photography. Before coming to California, I had worked for

more than six years for the National Belgium Television, RTBF, which is the equivalent of PBS in the

United States.

I come from a large family (I have four sisters and three brothers), and we are all very close. My mother

and my father are really important to me. I also left a lot of friends back in Belgium but I try to keep in

touch with them by e-mail, Skype or sometimes by phone. I really love traveling, and I try to go back to Belgium at least once a year.

BC: Your film brings up the point that "who you are" is so often defined by what you do, the people you

know, your level of comfort and familiarity with your surroundings. Once all that has changed - who are you? How did leaving your home and career affect your self-identity?

MV: I believe that what we are is a result of what we live. And this is what makes life so interesting! I

would say that my core identity remains the same -- I am still Maria -- but the last few years have been

very rich with changes and evolution, and my experience here in California has made me stronger and

more motivated. When I leave California, I will take with me what I have lived here. Every experience I had, every person I met, will forever remain as part of my new identity.

BC: Did the move put pressure on or strain your relationship?

MV: This move made us closer. When you make this drastic change in your life, you very soon realize

whether you are really in love with your partner, and whether you are ready to change your life for this

person. In my case, I have no regrets about my choices!

BC: Your daughter, Sofia, is almost 2 years old. How do you feel

about raising her in a foreign country?

MV: Sometimes I feel lonely, but I also think that I have learned

faster to become a mother because I don't have advice or help

from relatives when I need it. Becoming a mother has been the

best experience in my life. Sofia is an adorable little girl who

brings me so much happiness. She was born here and wherever

we are in the future, she will always remember "The American Dream" that I am living now.

BC: At the end of your film, you say: "Behind every spouse, an

individual with her own life experience, her own destiny, hides in the shadows." Do you feel like you are living in the shadows?

MV: Yes, I totally feel like I am living in the shadows because I am not working as I was in Belgium. I

sometimes work at home as a freelance, with my daughter always playing around me. (I guess I can say

that she is my first assistant). Beyond my own experience, there are many women out here that are

highly educated, with strong professional backgrounds. The fact that these women cannot fit in the

professional world during their stays here represents a huge waste of talent. This is why I finish my documentary with that statement. Interacting with these women is a source of enrichment for society.

From BettyConfidential, www.bettyconfidential.com. Excerpt can be found at http://www.bettyconfidential.com/ar/ld/a/An_Exclusive_Interview_with_Documentary_Filmmaker_Maria_Vaccaro.html

End of Handout for Roundtable on Programming for Spouses/Partners/Families of International Students, Visiting Scholars, Post-Docs and Researchers Compiled by Gwyn Dukes, [email protected] Community Committee for International Students Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 For further information, consult the website: www.spouseprograms.org This is a new resource page for the spouses of international students and scholars who are studying or working at U.S. universities. We are an informal group of people who

want to provide better orientation, programs and ongoing support services to those who accompany their spouses or partners to institutions of higher education or we invite you to join the discussion:

Are you interested in sharing ideas, resources and events with other international

educators who plan programs and support services for spouses of international students

and scholars?We have a listserv you can join to put you in touch with others in the field.

Write to [email protected] to indicate you would like to be part of this group.

http://www.bettyconfidential.com/ar/ld/a/An_Exclusive_Interview_with_Documentary_Filmmaker_Maria_Vaccaro.html




Phone: 518-580-8150 Fax: 518-580-8149 E-mail: [email protected]

Office of Student Academic Services Starbuck Center 815 N Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 USA An Invitation to

Families/Individuals

International Friendship Family

Program The International Friendship Family Program (IFFP) at Skidmore Col-lege has a mission of connecting international students with Saratoga area families and individuals to fos-ter a relationship that will assist in the transition to living and studying here for four years. All interna-tional students studying at Skidmore on an F-1 visa are assigned a friendship family. Any student with US or dual citizenship coming to Skidmore from abroad is also in-vited to participate in this program.

Be par t of something special!

Sk idmore Co l l ege

The four-year experience of a Skidmore College education is simply a gateway to a lifetime of rich connections to classmates, faculty, staff and Saratoga Springs. If you want to make an inter-cultural connection with international Skidmore students while they live in their new home for the next eight semesters, consider volunteering with the International Friendship Family Pro-gram (IFFP).

Living on the Skidmore College campus will intro-duce students to a diverse community of scholars who choose to engage in a rigorous selection of academic mate-rial.

Beyond the reaches of campus there is a commu-nity and experience that is distinctly American. The International Friendship Family Program complements students’ campus experiences to make for a safe, fun, and culturally rich educa-tional endeavor in the United States.

Learn As a friendship family you will learn about life in other countries as seen through the eyes of international Skidmore students. You may learn about new food, movies, theater and entertain-ment.

Live

Sk idmore Co l l ege

Office of Student Academic Services Starbuck Center 815 N Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 USA

Phone: 518-580-8150 Fax: 518-580-8149 E-mail: [email protected]

Ben & Jerry’s, something truly American!

By spending time with your FF student, you may learn to see political or international issues in a different way. You might learn a new language or practice one you’ve learned before. You will learn more about yourself by learning about another!

Friendship families will learn about communities far away from Saratoga Springs through the perspective of an international student. Families and individuals will learn more about Skidmore as you may attend a con-cert, watch a game, go to a play, recital, or perform-ance in which your student is involved.

In addition to attending events planned by the IFFP coordinators, friendship families are asked to keep in touch with their student throughout the year and reach out to students who are not traveling home during the holidays when the campus is closed.

Community The Skidmore experience is a lifelong one, lasting years after time as a student on campus has ended. Through the IFFP, international students will develop a special relationship with families and individuals in the Saratoga Springs community. The IFFP coordina-tors will also plan events for all students and their hosts at different times of the year. With all of the

IFFP families and hosts, students can network and develop relationships that may prove helpful during or after their time at Skidmore. Adding a friendship family connection to the four year experience at Skidmore will assist with your student’s initial transition here and enrich their cultural exploration of America.

Like the students’ connection to Skidmore Col-lege, their classmates, faculty, and friends-a relationship between a friendship family may last well beyond the day caps and gowns of graduation are put away.

Enjoying the snow of Upstate New York!

Community Programming

Global Reader Program

A first grade classroom at a local public elementary school maintains as “Mystery Reader” program

inviting family of students to read to the class. Drawing on the “Reading Restaurant” program

discovered in NAFSA’s Intercultural Activity Toolkit

(http://www.nafsa.org/resourcelibrary/Default.aspx?id=8568) Skidmore’s “Global Reader” program

developed.

The international student advisor worked in collaboration with the president of the International

Student Union to find student volunteers who would agree to travel to the nearby school and read a

book about or from their home country. Some students brought from their home country, or requested

a family member mail it, a book that was actually part of their childhood, read to them when they were

six or seven years old. Other students used local resources such as the public library to find an

appropriate book to share.

Each student spent about 30 minutes in the classroom doing all or most of the following activities:

Introduce themselves to the class

Write “Hello, my name is _____,” on the board, in their native language (if other than English)

Show the students where they are from on a large wall map

Read the book(s) to the students

Answer questions from the students (the teacher helped students draft questions ahead of

time)

This was an extremely inexpensive program to arrange. A large laminated political world map was

purchased (~$100) and can be reused from year to year, and photographs of each student were placed

on the map near their home country. Transportation from the local college to the school was provided

by the international student advisor. If the timing works, the college students can bring small,

inexpensive gifts from home, and could be reimbursed by the program.

The feedback from the teacher, students, and the parents of the students was all positive.

A summary of this program will also be submitted to the NAFSA Intercultural Activity Toolkit.

Contact:

Darren Drabek, International Student Coordinator, Skidmore College, [email protected]

http://www.nafsa.org/resourcelibrary/Default.aspx?id=8568


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