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Close to 80 individuals—many of whom are international students from Brazil, China and Korea enrolled in short-term programs through Western Illinois University's Center for International Studies—attended a Fourth of July picnic this past weekend at Macomb Mayor Mike Inman's house. The event was part of a lineup of many activities and experiences for international students in short-term programs offered at WIU.
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International Students Experience American Culture This Summer thru WIU Center for International Studies' Short-Term Programs

July 6, 2015

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MACOMB, IL — Close to 50 students from Brazil, China and Korea were able to experience the quintessential American summer celebration, a Fourth of July picnic, this past weekend, thanks to short-term international student programs, offered through the Western Illinois University Center for International Studies.

"Overall, we had about 80 people at a Fourth of July picnic at Macomb Mayor Mike Inman's house Sunday. The Mayor also hosted other international students—from Jamaica, Russia, Iran, Libya, as well as from Korea, Brazil, China—who are enrolled in Western's undergraduate or graduate departments this summer, as well as local families and WIU faculty and staff," said Dana Vizdal, assistant director for orientation and student activities.

According to Vizdal, the short-term programs offer the international students the opportunity to experience American culture in a friendly atmosphere.

"We have partnerships with these schools, and these programs strengthen our relationships, which can allow for more students to come for short- and long-term programs, in addition to helping boost our relationships for faculty exchanges. In addition, we hope they each have such a great experience here during our summer programs they will come back to pursue degrees in our undergraduate or graduate programs," Vizdal explained.

This summer, 17 students from Gwangju University (Korea) are taking part in a five-week program, a short-term program that Western has offered students from Gwangju University since 2000, she noted.

"Another group (24 students and four chaperones) here this summer is from Shanghai Donghai Vocational Technical College. They are here for four weeks, and this is the second time we have hosted students from their college—last spring was the first," Vizdal said. "In addition, there are three students from Nantong Normal University in China here for four weeks, and we have three Brazilian students studying English as a second language (ESL) for six weeks, before they begin their academic studies at Western in the fall."

According to Vizdal, so far this season, the international students are participating (or have participated) in various learning experiences that expose them to American culture, history and sights, including a trip to Hannibal (MO), a day trip to Springfield (IL), an overnight stay in St. Louis (MO), a weekend in Chicago (IL), the Heritage Days Festival (in Macomb), as well as other local activities.

The increase in summer international short-term programs at Western is very exciting," noted Richard Carter, executive director of Western's School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach. "These programs allow students from around the world to come and spend quality time at Western Illinois University. The students get to experience life on our wonderful campus, and once their programs are over and they return home, they can share their stories and pictures with family, friends and classmates. These programs are a winning combination for everyone, as the students get a taste of American culture, and we get to develop more awareness about the exceptional educational opportunities available at Western."

In conjunction with the WIU Center for International Studies, Vizdal said several other WIU departments and areas—including University Housing and Dining Services, Sodexo, Go West Transit, the University Union Hotel and Campus Recreation—also provide services and support for the international students.

For more information, contact Vizdal at (309) 298-2734 or via email at DM-Vizdal@wiu.edu.

Posted By: Teresa Koltzenburg (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing