Center for International Education Fall 2010

8/8/2019 Center for International Education Fall 2010

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Dear Friends:

In the vision of Baylor 2012, Imperative XI calls us

to emphasize global education. Our mission is not

only to prepare our students for worldwide leadership

and service, but to welcome others from around the

globe so that we may learn from each other within

the context of a caring community. The Center

for International Education not only supports our

mission and vision in this way, it has been an integral

part of fullling Imperative XI.

The opportunities that the Center for International Education offers are shining examples

of global outreach. Throughout the year, our faculty and students travel to more than thirty

countries. This has afforded our students an extraordinary opportunity to study other cultures

and learn from colleagues around the world.

In addition, CIE also offers other wonderful services to international students who choose to

study at Baylor University. This fall, we welcomed 491 new students to campus from more than

71countries. I was privileged to personally welcome many of them during a dinner during therst week of classes.

We understand that [Baylors] sphere of Christian inuence is the world itself; Baylor must

prepare its graduates to enter a pluralistic and global society. Our mission is reected in the

Great Commission, outlined in the Gospel of Matthew: Therefore go and make disciples of all

nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and

teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. As a Christian institution of higher

learning in todays society, our mission is as important as it ever has been.

Baylors mission is clear we are to prepare men and women for worldwide leadership and

service Baylors commitment to global education is unmistakable. We are grateful for the

great work of the Center for International Education in fullling our mission.

Yours sincerely,

Kenneth Winston Starr

Baylor University President

A Word fromPresident Starr

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PhotobyBaylorPho

tography


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Welcome by President Starr..........2

Edward Simiyu: Distances Traveled.....4

Great Things in Small Classes...................6

From a Travelers Perspective..........................8

International Sports............................................10Caleb Aggola: from Lagos to Baylor.....................14

Baylor through Someone Elses Eyes.....................16

Photos from Study Abroad Contest......................18

International Student Programs.........................20

International Week..........................................22

Passport to on Campus Jobs.........................24Mapping it Out.....................................26

Scholarships for Going Abroad.......28

Table of Contents


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Photo by Jessica Mejia

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The Distances TraveledBy Sarah Kerr and Hannah Mason

Edward Simiyu is no stranger to the sun.

From growing up in various regions of

Kenya to now calling Nairobi home, he isused to being exposed to the pleasant rays

of Kenyas temperate climate. Not so in

Waco. On arriving in central Texas, his rst

thoughts were of the ridiculous humidity

and high heat index he would have to

tolerate for most of his stay here. But

in order to work on his dissertation and

have a much needed sabbatical from his

full time jobs as a pastor of City Harvest

Church, as well as being a businessman, he

decided dealing with the heat was worth it.

The weather change wasnt the onlyglaring difference between Edwards life

in Kenya and the extended stay he was

about to experience in Waco. Not only

was he going to be separated from his wife

Beatrice and their two children, Jean and

Andrew, but he would be living in a culture

that differs greatly from his own. Of course

he knew coming into this experience that

generalities such as types of food, styles of

activities, and the pace of life here would

be new to him. Those things, along with the

fact that hed not be seeing the same vast

diversity of people here as in Kenya were

denitely some things he knew hed have to

work on getting used to.

Muzungus is what people from Kenya

would call white people, in a non-

derogatory way. There are so many

Muzungus everywhere, Simiyu said.

Forty-two tribes with countless numbers of

dialects make up Edwards home country,

while the number of different languages

that are spoken in Waco can probably becounted on one hand. His tribe, the Luhya,

is the second largest in Kenya, and it alone

has 16 dialects and makes up about 18% of

Kenyas population of 40 million people.

That means it is normal for members

of the same tribe to sometimes be unable

to communicate clearly with each other

because they speak different languages. For

example, Edward didnt speak his native

dialect until he was 13 years old because

the region where he spent most of hisyoung life was in a different tribal area.

When asked to describe his experience

growing up in Kenya, Edward had some

interesting stories to tell. The cultural

breakdown of responsibilities between

men and women in Kenya is such that

the woman works on the family farm and

the man works full time in the city. When

Simiyu was younger, his mother lived in a

rural area with his younger brother Gilbert

while he lived with his father alternating

between a rural and a more suburban areafor school. Simiyu has always traveled great

distances to attain education. When he

lived in the country, he went to school in

the city, and when he lived in the city, he

went to school in the country. He literally

walked/ran 6-8 kilometers to and from

school every day for 11 years. Simiyu said

he was lucky enough to have shoes. That

made it easier to treat the trek as a workout

rather than a chore. Those shoes also

served to protect him from the teachers

punishment, which was administered to the

soles of the students feet with a switch for

being tardy. Apparently this was more of

an incentive for the students to buy shoes

since they were a part of the uniform.

Naturally in his high school years he started

to do some track events since he was so

used to running every day and he did well,

well enough to go to some of the qualifying

rounds to be looked at for an Olympic

team but at that point he knew hed have

to choose between pursuing sports or

academics, and decided that his heart wasmore in his studies. Little did he

know that in the pursuit of his academic

future, he would come to know a man, who

would lead him down a very remarkable

path. While Simiyu was in high school, he

attended a boarding school. The school

required students to attend a Christian

service similar to Baylors chapel once a

week. At rst Simiyu went through the

motions, nding himself a spot on the back

and half listening to the speakers. But ovethe course of a few months there were a

few things he started to notice. One, these

speakers were coming from all over the

worlddifferent regions of Africa, Europ

and America-- and two, they all, despite the

diversity of their culture and backgrounds

knew and spoke of one man: Jesus.

Now curious about who this man was

Edward started listening intently in service

and nally called the Christian Union to

get some answers. The man who answered

when he called invited Simiyu over fodinner and that night he accepted Chris

into his heart and life.

It was November, I dont know the day

but it was in 1985, Simiyu said

From that day on, Simiyu knew a man

named Jesus who led him to become a

pastor, to sell his car, to buy equipment, to

start evangelizing on the streets on his lunch

break, to travel the world speaking of wha

God has done in his life and eventually to

start City Harvest Church. For about 1

years now Simiyu has listened for God

call and followed. Now he is hearing a new

calling to nish his dissertation and gain

respect from those in government so tha

he can inuence policy with more wisdom

and force. In his search to nd a university

where he wanted to work on his dissertation

Baylor emerged as his number one choice

for a variety of reasons. His various tie

through his previous interactions with

Baylor teams in Kenya as well as hi

connections to Steve Bradley, who is aPh.D. assistant professor of managemen

and entrepreneurship, led him to see tha

Baylor was where God wanted him.

Denitely, coming to Baylor is a grea

thing, Simiyu said.


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From London to Maastricht, Baylor

University offers students a number of

exciting study abroad programs. But,

there are a number of smaller programs

that Baylor students may not be aware of.

Baylor offers study abroad programs in

Thailand, Italy and Spain that provide a

smaller, more personal learning experience

than some of the larger programs.

These offer not only once in a lifetime

traveling opportunities, but a true hands-

on, intimate educational experience.

Baylor in Denia is a summer Spanishabroad program stationed on the beach

in Denia, Spain. Two Baylor professors

lead 20 students for ve weeks through two

Spanish courses while traveling through

different parts of Spain.

Students traveled to different cities

across Spain on the weekends, including

Granada, Alicante, Madrid and Valencia.

Participants from the 2010 trip truly

enjoyed being part of a small study abroad

group where they were able to build rela-

tionships with both fellow participants and

instructors.

Claire Turner, a sophomore from Dallas,

went during the summer 2010 trip and

loved what it had to offer.

I liked the idea of spending ve weeks

on the Mediterranean coast as opposed to

being submerged in busy city life, Turner

said.

Turner wasnt the only one who

appreciated the small size of the Denia

program.

Allyson Irom, senior lecturer, believes

the smaller group size of Denia helped

cultivate a sense of community between

the different students and Baylor

professors on the trip.

I enjoyed getting to know the students on

a more personal level, Irom said.

Students who traveled to Denia arrived as

strangers and walked away as close friends

Trevor Sprink, a Baylor graduate from

San Diego, Calif., appreciates the

relationships he gained from the

experience.

I walked in not knowing anyone. Now

that I am graduated, two of the people

I continue to stay in contact with are the

two guys on the trip that I spent every

moment with, he said.

Sprink said he enjoyed traveling to some

many different cities.

Barcelona was my favorite place I have

ever been, Sprink said. It was so cool to

see a completely different culture.

Another unique study abroad opportunity

is the Baylor in Thailand Interim

Program.

Through this

program,participating students

can earn six credit

hours and travel

to several Asian

countries.

This includes

experiencing the life

of the Thai rsthand

through studying at

Yonok College in

Lampang, Thailand

and living with Thai

families.

Other activities

include visiting The

Royal Palace of

King Rama IX and

Palace Grounds, The

Temple of the Royal

Buddha, the oating

markets, The Rose

Garden and Thai

Great things in Small ClassesBy Garrett Perkins and Mallory Golding

Photo by Baylor Photography

Baylor in Denia 2010 group with faculty, Dr. Linda McManness and Dr. Allyson Irom taken in front of the residence inDenia, Spain at the Colegio Alfa Y Omega. They traveled to Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, Alicante and Granada.

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music, dancing, boxing and nancial centers for entrepreneurs. Students

also travelled to Cambodia, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

The Baylor in Thailand Interim Program offers students a plethora of

learning experiences and cultural opportunities that will impact their lives

for many years to come.

Recent Baylor alumni Molly Cash went on the Thailand trip two years ago.

Its a great study abroad program because there are very few students who

go so its really personal, she said.

You get six hours of sociology credit by learning about different cultures in

a hands-on experience. I would go on this trip again and again if I could. I

now have a great passion for the Asian culture.

Baylor in Italy is another small study abroad program that offers students

an intimate learning environment in one of the worlds most beautiful

countries.

This program accepts only 20 students, allowing for a more personal

program than others offered through Baylor.

Baylor in Italy is sponsored by the classics department and gives students the opportunity to visit all the famous archaeological sites in

Rome, Tivoli, Tarquinia, Ostia, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Syracuse, Agrigento, Selinunte and Palermo.

This program not only gives students the unparalleled opportunity of traveling throughout Italy, but it also lets them do it within a sma

group, where they can get to know both their professors and fellow peers.

Studying abroad at Baylor is a worthwhile investment. Every program, big or small, known or unknown, offers a unique different

experience for every student involved.

However, if one is looking to build relationships and community, small is the way to go when studying abroad.

PhotobyJen

naDeWitt

MadLudwigs Castle

Bavaria,Germany

Photo by Amber Rice

AstronomicalClock

Prague,CzechRepublic

PhotobyAmberRiceChristCh

urchOxford,

England


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Baylor University students have the

opportunity to study abroad through

the Center for International Educations

exchange program.

Through this exchange, Baylor students

are able to study at another university

overseas.

[France] is denitely a different culture,

but I feel like I have slipped into it with

relative ease most likely because Ive been

waiting to immerse myself in the culture

for so long, said Jed Dean, a Kilgore

senior studying at the Universit de Caenin Caen, France.

There are however a couple of things

I am not used to: the constant strikes

opposing the governments decisions to

change the retirement age, McDonalds

has three stories and the same atmosphere

as a Manhattan Starbucks, and I am

surrounded by a city that dates back to the

ninth century, he said.

Dean counts his exposure to the French

language as a benet as well as exposure to

the views of other students on world issues,

from French students as well as Asian

students who are also in the exchange

program.

He toured Western Europe for 19 days,

which he said was one of his favorite

experiences studying abroad.

Dean also made a conscious effort to meet

the local people, getting involved in local

events and learning more about the French

student culture.

He said that the immersion in French

culture was the best way to improve his

prociency in the language, increasing his

vocabulary and condence in speaking

French.

The level of free spirit here is denitely

more than I expected as it appears most

students dont have a care in the world,

Dean said.

Lela Atwood, a Garland senior in

journalism, is studying at Voronezh State

University in Voronezh, Russia.

Atwood is studying with students from

West Point, Great Britain and China.

I have always longed to go overseas my

whole life, but it was never really an option

for me, Atwood said.

When I got interested in the Russian

language and decided to minor in Russian

my interests naturally led me to look at

study abroad opportunities, she said.

On her blog, Atwood talks about some

of the differences between Russia and

America.

If I am in a store and want to get the

attention of the female sales clerk, it is

perfectly acceptable to call out Devushka!

the Russian term for young woman,

Atwood said.

By Blake Ewing

From a Travelers Perspective

Walking through Amsterdam, I stumbled upon a lonely red-light window placed well outside ofits district. I couldnt resist capturing the juxtaposition of such a beautiful city that allows suchindiscretions. It doesnt seem bizarre that the citizens dont approve of their citys lax morals, thoughthey feel its better to legalize, tax, and regulate it rather than drive it underground. -Jed Dean

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If the clerk is male, however, one would

just call out Ez-venn-ee-te! the Russian

word for Excuse me! In America,

calling out young lady! or the even more

offensive term Woman! would not be

tolerated by any female that I know of,

she said.

Atwood said her best experience was a

trip to St. Petersburg where she visited thewinter palace of the czars.

Kaylen Puckett, a Bristol, Tenn., senior in

marketing and management, is studying in

London.

[I]ts great when someone comes up to

you on the street and asks for directions

because you look like you belong, Puckett

said.

The experience gave Puckett an

opportunity to meet a different group

of people and helped her become more

patient when dealing with communication

barriers.

Puckett also got the chance to do

something she always wanted to do

experience cultures from the inside and see

things rsthand that most people only read

about in books.

Thats the core of the exchange program

When we arrived in Interlaken, Switzerland I had one

thing in mind - extreme sports, and since Interlaken is the

adventure sports capital of Europe, this thought

was well received.

For about

25 minutes I

flew 3,400 feet

above the earth

with my tandem

instructor, Sybile,

while taking in the

citys placid lakes

and snow-capped

mountains.

Upon landing, my

adrenaline was

in full force as ifelectrical charges

were surging

through my body,

and replicating

the feeling often

occupies my

thoughts.

-Jed Dean

After a long and winding path, we turned a final

corner and there it was; the Trevi Fountain. We were

standing where thousands of people, from all over the

world, had stood.

The fountain was alight in blue and green lights, giving

it a magical air. There were hundreds of people all trying

to get close enough to toss a coin into its waters, inthe hopes that the legend would be true and they would

one day return to Rome.

We stood there in awe staring at the fountain and

thinking of all the people who had visited before us and

the stories the Trevi Fountain could tell; stories of

love, loss, heartache and triumph.

-Kaylen Puckett


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Natalia Liz: A Fresh Fusion of CultureBy Amber Riney

Everyone has his or her own comforts in

life: laughing at lunch with friends, walking

the dog on a brisk, sunny morning, or

discussing your dreams on a star-lit evening.

These comforts come with culture, and

its easy to forget they may differ in other

countries. Even when merely traveling

abroad, immersion in that countrys culture

is inevitable. Youll nd yourself noticing

every little distinction between your home

and this foreign environment. At times,

you might even be scared scared that the

people native to that country might not

accept you or understand you.

Natalia Liz, 21, has broken through those

walls. After spending 11 years in the

United States, Liz has become completelyimmersed into American culture.

I feel very well-rounded, Liz said. I can

live in two completely different cultures at

the same time and be who I want to be.

Thats whats important in life.

Its her history that has made her who she

is, she said. Liz was born on Sept. 17, 1989,

in Mexico City. She and her three siblings

lived in Mexico with her parents, Alberto

and Elena, for eight years. She attended El

Colegio del Bosque, an all-girls Catholicschool, until second grade. Her dads job

moved them to Spain, where they lived for

two years before moving to the Woodlands

in Texas. With a large family including

aunts, uncles and cousins all living in the

same area, there was always some sort of

drama happening.

I remember playing with my cousins every

day, Liz said. We were always getting in

trouble.

Liz and her family are very close, she said.

She has a brother, Alberto, a freshman at

Texas A&M University, and two sisters,

Elena and Mariana. Despite all the loud

voices and business of everyones lives, they

maintain an intimate family, she said.

I used to call her the Rotten Apple,

Lizs mother, Elena, said. She was such

an inuence on her brother and sisters. She

could make them do anything.

She was a good example to the other

kids, Elena said. Liz always excelled

academically by keeping her grades up. She

also succeeded in sports, she said. Her two

younger sisters followed in her footsteps

with gymnastics and cheerleading.

Sports were big in the Liz family.

Gymnastics, cheerleading and track

kept Liz involved in school and in the

community. She continued sports in college

when she made the Baylor University All-

Girl Spirit Squad in 2008. Liz said that

cheering for a Big XII university builds up

your condence and gives you a chance to

show your personality. Making the squad

was one of the many reasons Liz chose to

attend Baylor.

I loved the small size and big feel of

Baylor, she said. The people are nice and

friendly plus there are a lot of places to

run.

Liz joined the Baylor cross country team in

September. She also plans on running for

the track team this season. Liz represents

Baylor on the Water Ski team, and shes

a member of Baylor Republicans as well.

With a double major in both Economics

and International Business and a minor

in Spanish, Liz still stresses academics.Staying involved in what you love to do and

nding a niche leads to success, she said.

Its especially important for those who are

living in a new culture.

I was very sad to see her go away, her

mother said. But Im so proud shes

going to a prestigious school and getting a

valuable education.

Walking the streets of the Baylor campus

is quite different from walking streets in

Mexico City, Liz said. With so many people

and such a big gap between the rich and

the poor, her former home enhances her

appreciation of the security she feels in the

United States.

I lived somewhat of a sheltered life

in Mexico, Liz said. The freedom

in America marks the biggest cultural

difference, and people take it for granted.

Neither Liz nor her family walked on the

streets at night in Mexico, she said. They

had to be very cautious of where the

went and whom they were with. Someon

stole the family car, and someone tried

to burglarize her cousins house. On on

occasion, the chauffeur rang the doorbe

to come pick Liz and her cousins up to tak

them to school. When the maid opene

the door, she saw a man holding a gun to

the drivers head. Thank God the polic

showed up and took him down, Liz said

Ill never forget that day.

Besides the dangers of living in the mos

populated city in the world, Hispani

culture overows with beautiful custom

that Liz tries to maintain in her life. He

family kept their house in Mexico City anhas a house in Acapulco, where they visi

once or twice a year. Merging the Mexica

and Spanish worlds together is just as hard

as integrating them with American culture

she said. The language in Mexico ha

different words and slang than the languag

in Spain.

Its a good thing I learned English when

I was young, Liz said. We still spea

Spanish when Im home with my family, so

its fun to be able to speak with so man

different kinds of people.

Her experiences in the different place

shes lived and the variety of peopl

shes met have helped shape Liz into th

condent, young woman she is today

Her international history gives her lif

denition and makes her unique. She plan

on graduating in May 2012 and attendin

law school.

I have all the same dreams as everyon

else, Liz said. I want to have a family

be a lawyer and qualify for the Boston

Marathon.

Failure is not an option, she said. Every

goal thats met or missed is another turn in

life that makes up the map of your life.

Ive learned to accept everything that may

be different without judgment, Liz said.

just want to be a happy person who leaves

positive impact on people.

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Photo by Elena Liz

Junior Natalia Liz competes in the distance event for Baylors track and eld team. I loved the small size and big feel of Baylor,

Lizsaid. The people are nice and friendly plus there are a lot of places to run.


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Spotlight:

QIANZHANG


Beijing, ChinaThe rst time I played volleyball with Baylor was scary because of the language challenge. But nowIm adjusted to it and my teammates are my friends, so its not challenging any more, Qian Zhang

said.

Volleyball

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Basketball

International Athletes

Dragan Sekelja

Photo by Matthew Minard/Baylor Photography

Zagreb, Croatia

The food is diernt, the people are more open and life is much faster in the United States, DraganSekelja said in reference to the dierences in life in Croatia and in the United States.


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Caleb Agboola:

from Lagos to BaylorBy Michael C. Williams

Manufacturing things to make

life better is awesome. Its about

the fundamental. Life has a lot

more to offer than the material

possessions, Caleb Babatuder

Agboola said.

Born Sept. 28, 1982, the Lagos,

Nigeria native is currently

a graduate student in the

department of mechanical

engineering at Baylor University.

He began his collegiate experience

at the University of Lagos, where

he earned a bachelor of science in

2007.

While working as a research

graduate assistant, in the spring of

2011 Agboola will have obtained

a master of science in mechanical

engineering from Baylor.

Born in the heavily populated

city of Lagos, Agboola has alwaysexemplied a passion for creativity.

His ingenious imagination has

contributed to the person he is

today. As a child, he wanted to

build his own car.

I actually thought about it. I

would name the car Agboola, my

last name, he said. Ive always

wanted to nd ways to make

something better and engineering

has allowed me to demonstrate

that passion, Agbolla said.

He has demonstrated that passion

in his recent research that focuses

on the application of reinforced

short-ber composites that

coincide with material properties.

He has illustrated his brilliance,

hard work, and dedication to his

craft by ultimately achieving the

award of Best Presentation at

ASMEs Early Career Technical

Conference in Tulsa, OK. in

March 2010. He presented his

paper Comparison of Short-

Fiber Orientation and Predicted

Materials Properties from Closure

Approximations and Spherical

Harmonics.

Agboola said he credits his

successes to his Lord and Savior,

Jesus Christ. Agboola is a man

who aims to exemplify Christ

through his actions and work

ethics.

At the age of 14, I dedicated my

life to Christ then rededicated my

life to him at the age of 19. The

love and compassion he has for

me is the same love I have for himand the work that I achieve and

accomplish. Thats exactly what

motivates me to be innovative,

Agboola said.

One of his favorite scriptures is

Luke 12:14-15: Then he said

to them, Watch out! Be on your

guard against all kinds of greed;

a mans life does not consist in the

abundance of his possessions.

Agboola believes in living ahumble lifestyle. He said, a man

can have all the possessions in the

world, but what good is that when

he still feels a since of emptiness?

I strive to make the world a better

place with Gods help.

Agboola also credits much of his

success to his advisor and mentor,

Dr. David Jack. Jack is a professor

at Baylor Universitys school of

engineering. He has groomed

and paved a successful track for

Agboola to follow in his footsteps.

Agboola holds Jack with the

highest esteem and honor.

Dr. Jack is a good guy. He showed

me things that equipped me for th

world of engineering, Agboola

said. Im thankful for the people

God has put in my life, especially

my wife, Elizabeth Nike. I love her

with all my heart. She will be in

Truett Seminary here at Baylor as

well, said Agboola.

He shows great appreciation

and gratitude to God, his wife

Elizabeth, Jack and Baylor as

a whole. His favorite activitiesinclude being with his wife, is

conducting engineering research

and playing soccer. His favorite

team is the U.K Arsenal, which he

enjoys watching every available

opportunity.

Agboola is a very interesting and

brilliant individual. His creative

nature and the passion that he

has for the Lord and engineering

operate collectively.

Helping others and relating to

people using the knowledge and

skills you have acquired is grand

in the engineering profession and

I thank my God everyday for that

passion, Agboola said.

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Cameroon, Central Africa and Waco, Texas have one important

thing in commonJessica Foumena.

Jessica describes her home of Cameroon as warm, colorful and

lled with joy. A place where her family supports her education in

America through prayer and encouraging words.

Her new home, the United States of America, is a place of

opportunity that allows her to work hard to fulll dreams.

Baylor University was an easy choice and a prayer answered for

Jessica. My Christian faith is very important to me, Jessica said.

Baylor students are so outgoing and have a huge heart for Jesus,

which strengthens my own faith.

Currently, Jessica is working towards a Master of International

Journalism degree, with an expected graduation date of May 2012.Through the generous nancial package provided by the Journalism

and Media Arts department, she is able to live, study and work on

campus.

She assists the ofce manager and administrative associate of the

department as a graduate assistant. As part of the nancial package,

she receives a stipend each semester for working on campus.

When asked about her favorite experience at Baylor so far,

Jessica nds it hard to choose just one. Making friends from

simple conversations at different places around campus has left

a lasting memory, Jessica said. However, the best moment was

the International Student Orientation that President Ken Starrattended. He took the time to meet each student and take pictures.

Whether its meeting new people, working on campus or participating in the American tradition of carving a pumpkin for the rst

time, Jessica enjoys her new home at Baylor.

Jessica Foumena: Making Baylor homeBy Becky Petter

President Ken Starr welcomes Jessica Foumena from

Cameroon, Central Africa to Baylor University with a cowboy

hat.


Photos by Felica Wong

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I want to try every new thing,

said HiuMing Sun, a rst-semester

international student from the Shan Dong

province in China. He has made it his

mission to explore what Baylor has to offer.

Sun has visited the Baylor fencing club

and the swing-dancing club, attended

Homecoming and now hes looking into

joining student government.

Hyosun Lee, a junior international

student from South Korea, is also actively

involving herself in on-campus events and

student groups. I want to be a true Baylor

student, Lee said.

She has joined Asians for Christ, an

organization committed to ministering

to Asian students on and around Baylor

campus, and has attended Baylor

freshman activities even though she is a

junior.

Lee said she really enjoyed the freshman

mass meeting during Homecoming. I

think its a very memorable kind of thing,

she said.

As the oldest university in Texas, Baylorhas many Homecoming traditions.

From

pep-rally cheers and carnival rides on

Friday night to a morning parade and

football game on Saturday, Baylor students

and alumni can celebrate their school and

reminisce about old times.

For

international

students, it is

a chance to

experience

unique Baylor

customs.

Baylors

multicultural

studentorganizations

provide

international

students with

a variety of

outlets to enjoy their own heritage and

experience the traditions of other cultures.

One cultural outlet is Asian Fest, an event

hosted by the Asian Student Association.

Our sixth annual Pandamonium Culture

Show showcased Asian and Asian-American culture through

artistic mediums, such as singing,

dancing and skits, Asian Student

Association President Eddie Seto

said.

On the second day, the

organization hosted its 10th

annual banquet, which

featured guest speaker Eric

Nakamura, editor of Giant

Robot magazine.

Another cultural event

held annually on campus

is the African Student

Associations Cultural

Extravaganza Weekend.

This year, the 12th

Extravaganza brought

guest African student

organizations from

across Texas to

perform African

dances, dramas and

fashion shows in

Waco Hall.

The African

Student

Association

also hosted

a jazz banquet with a guest

speaker, music and African cuisine.

Our Cultural Extravaganza is very dearto us because it is a way for us to share

our African culture and traditions with

our Baylor and Waco community, Zinat

Taiwo, president of the African Student

Association, said.

In the spring, the Indian Subcontinent

Student Association and the Hispanic

Student Association each host cultural

festivals as well. One of the larger events is

ISSAs Gateway to India.

This year is our 16th culture show, so its

been a pretty long tradition for ISSA,

Student President Neha Patel said. Its

basically a talent show, and we have one or

two exhibits.

For a student talent show, Gateway

to India pulls in 5,000-6,000 people

each year. Fiesta, the Hispanic Student

Associations cultural event, is even older

than Gateway to India.

By Claire Moncla

With all of thedifferentstudent

organizations,people can have

manyexperiences ...

Baylor through Someone Elses Eyes

MeandHyunmin

Parkatthebon

fire.The

weatherwaster

ribleandthegam

ewaslong,

butitwasso

exciting.GoBEA

RS!-HyosunLe

e

16


17/30

Fiesta started out as a really small event

about 20 years ago, HSA President

Polette Galvan said. Fiesta is usuallyheld in March and includes traditional

folklorico and Aztec dancers, free tacos

and a mariachi band. Galvan said the

variety of events on Baylors campus is

very important.

With of all the different student

organizations, people can have many

experiences, try different foods and listen

to different music, Galvan explained.

They can get a feel for a culture that may

not be their own, or if it is their own, they

can get back to their roots.

Pearl Beverly, director of Multicultural

Affairs, said international students are

plugging into Baylors student body.

We do see international students join

more organizations and attend more

events than we once did, she explained.

Lee said she joined AFC and attended

on-campus events because of the people

at Baylor.

I think Baylor students are really open to

international students, and are interested

in other counties more than other people

Ive met, Lee said.

The international student orientation held during the rst week of classeswas centered around a Texas theme to introduce the students to theculture here in Waco. Pictured here, from left to right, are: Sayo Hattori,

Melanie Smith, Shinichi Nonaka, Yuki Ayukawa and Megumi Nakano.


Photos by Baylor Photography

I appreciate having this opportunity to share some information about the work of the

Baylor Center for International Education (C.I.E.).

We at the Baylor Center for International Education (C.I.E.) are charged with overse

and advancing Baylors international education interests in sending Baylor to the wo

and bringing the world to Baylor. Or, as stated in Imperative XI of Baylor 2012,

Recognizing that its sphere of Christian inuence is the world itself, Baylor must pre

its graduates to enter a pluralistic and global society.

Baylors involvement with international education began well before it was cool.

Baylor has been educating international students (often through the support of Baptis

missionaries) since the 19th Century and has been taking students to study abroad sin

1920 when Dr. A.J. Armstrong (of the Armstrong-Browning Library) took his English

class to Europe.

Sending Baylor to the World

Baylor sends our students and faculty to the world through more than 60 study abroa

and mission programs in over 30 countries. During the past year, 1,158 Baylor studen

participated in an international program; 823 through study abroad and 335 on missi

trips. Put another way, 6.77% of Baylors undergraduate students studied abroad and

another 2.75% served on international mission trips for a total of 9.53% while nation

only 1% of undergraduate students study abroad.

Health, Safety and Security

Baylor has invested signicant attention and resources to prepare for and respond to g

safety and security challenges involved in international travel. To this end, C.I.E. worclosely with other university ofces to balance the foreseeable risk against the expecte

benets of international travel. While there can be no guarantee of safety, C.I.E. and

other Baylor ofces constantly review existing and proposed programs as well as Bayl

internal processes to reduce the risks of international travel.

Bringing the World to Baylor

Baylor greatly benets from and highly values the diversity internat

students and scholars bring to the campus and the community. At la

count, Baylor had 491 international students representing 71 count

and 24 Research or Short-Term Scholars conducting research and

teaching who were sponsored by academic departments across cam

C.I.E. works closely with Baylors International students and schola

to guide them through the immigration processes and to include th

in campus and community activities. Additionally, the Baylor Globa

Community Living-Learning Centers resident and international

students actively participate in focused class work and specially plan

events in addition to shared cultural experiences.

In conclusion, Baylors Center for International Education puts into

action Baylors mission to send Baylor to the world and to bring the

world to Baylor.

Mike Morrison

Director, Center for International Education


18/30

Melissa Olshack By Eiel Tower in Paris

therine Robertson Vernazza Coastline

Je Wittekiend Baylor Lights up the Night

Lindsey Smith The Sunken Road to Murano

Meghan Murphy The Heart of Tango

Austin Cook-Lindsey


19/30

Trisha Diaz Sagrada

Lindsey Turner Permanent View

Alyssa Peera One Fine Day in Slovenia

Shanna Taylor Flavors of the S

Marlen Alvarado La Romeria- More than just an Andalusian Tradition


20/30

Photos courtesy of Spiritual Life

By Natalie Walker

Imagine yourself from another country,

another culture or even speaking a

different language. Imagine taking an

opportunity for adventure, traveling

away from everything familiar, seeking

an education in a strange country at a

school where you feel completely foreign.International students studying at Baylor

can give a rst hand account of this

complicated feeling of both excitement

and fear.

As Baylor strives to become a top-

tier university in the United States, it

recognizes that it must both foster and

improve its international programs and

opportunities. In order to do so, Baylor

has established various programs designed

to better the experiences of international

students not only at Baylor, but also in aforeign country and culture. The hope is

that these programs will make the students

feel at home more quickly, providing them

with interesting activities and surrounding

them with good people.

Three mentionable programs or

opportunities for Baylors international

students are PAWS (People Around the

World Sharing), various CIE (Center for

International Education) trips, American

Culture and Popcorn Hour, and weekly

dinners and fellowship at the Bobo

Spiritual Life Center.

The PAWS program sets up international

students with a willing Baylor student

partner. Students interested in being

partnered with an international student

must apply online on the Baylor website.

Baylor students become immediate friends

to the new students and can take them to

do anything from a trip to Wal-Mart to a

football game. The partners can hang out

as often or as little as desired. However,

throughout the semester the CIE will host

several events where international students

and their partners meet as a group.PAWS often enables life-long friendships.

Some partners have even visited their

international partner in their home

country. PAWS has been a great program

and has certainly aided international

students while they adjust to their new

country, culture and friends.

This semester the CIE has offered four

different optional trips for international

students. These four trips include the

Baylor vs. Rice football game, Heart of

Texas Fair and Rodeo, San Antonio and

the Homestead Heritage Thanksgiving

Arts and Crafts Festival. These trips offer

transportation and fun activities for the

students for a small fee.

Along with these trips, the CIE schedules

small activities periodically throughout

the semester around Baylors campus.

During nals week international students

can enjoy a study break at the CIE

student lounge with Dr Pepper oats and

popcorn. Also, the Baylor Round Table

International Thanksgiving Dinner is held

just before Thanksgiving break. This event

gives international students some insightinto this American tradition as well as a

free and hearty meal.

American Culture and Popcorn Hour is

held every other Friday in the CIE student

lounge. This event allows international

students to meet with one another and

outstanding staff and faculty to hold

discussions on various subjects. Students

can also hear various speakers invited

by the CIE. The CIE also holds weekly

dinners and fellowship for international

students at the Bobo Spiritual Life Center.

These dinners offer a relaxed atmosphere

for fellowship between the students.

The Center for International Education

has made signicant efforts to make

international students feel both welcome

and at home. In 2009, over 490

international students from 76 countries

called Baylor home. Baylor hopes to

continue and increase the enrollment

of international students as well as the

Jonathon Simister (Australia);Johanna Stephens (Australia)

Lu Ma (China) and Shu Xue(Hong Kong) carve pumpkins ata Spiritual Life event.

Yingda Zhai (China) Vanessa Onguti (Kenya/US: Texas);Jessica Tawiah (Ghana/US: Virginia

20

InsideInternational

StudentPrograms


21/30

Paying it forwardTutor Jing Kobelsky knows what it is like to be far from home

Paying it forwardBy: Lily Gonzalez

Jing Kobelsky is a wife, mother of two,

graduate student and a mentor for

international students, specializing in

students from China.

Her ofce is in the lower level of Paul

L. Foster Success Center, where the rest

of the mentors reside. She sits straight

back on her chair, with a lone Wacoan

magazine sitting on her shelf (she laterinforms me that her son is on the cover

with his tongue sticking out). The only

decorations on her desk, aside from her

coffee mug, are pictures of her family

pinned on a bulletin board.

She apologized for her heavy accent,

smiled and leaned in as she shared her

experiences.

I want to position myself as a friend,

condant, not just for their academic

performance but for life, Kobelsky said.

Kobelsky understands the challenges

international students struggle with in

college, for she was one herself. After

graduating from high school she worked in

Singapore for ve years in an ofce.

Im from the east coast of China, its

very modern, she said. Singapores

rst ofcial language is English, its very

westernized.

After meeting her husband in Singapore

she moved to California and began classes

at the University of Southern California as

an international relations major.

I wanted to become a journalist,

she said. USC has a great journalism

program. My dream was to attend

Annenberg, but its so competitive. I had a

4.0 [grade point average] and I still could

not get in.

Kobelsky had her rst child while studying

at USC. Halfway through her junior year

she moved to Waco when her husband

received a job offer from Baylor as an

assistant professor in the business school.

Five months after giving birth to her

daughter she nished her bachelors

degree at Baylor majoring in professional

writing.

Whatever I do, English is the

foundation, Kobelsky said.

She graduated in 2007 with a 3.94

GPA with honors and remained on the

deans list each semester. Kobelsky began

graduate school in the spring of 2009,

majoring in communication studies.

I have always had a passion to help

international students, because I walked

through this path. I know the challenges. I

know what it takes, she said.

Over the years I developed this strategy

of how to do well and I would like to share

this with my fellow friends, not just from

China, Kobelsky said. Of course its

where Im from, I know the psychology, I

understand their thinking, their cultural

habits. I know how to reach them. Thats

one reason I came here, to help them.

Kobelsky carries the same aspirations she

had when she rst came into the U.S.

I want to be a writer, I want to write

stories about Chinese immigrants inAmerica, she said. I would like to

explain how it is to live in America to a

Chinese audience, because I think theres a

misunderstanding.

I want to tell the story of the

contemporary, the modern Chinese

people. You dont nd a lot of literature

about this, Kobelsky said.

She said one social difference is the deep

friendships that are formed in China.

What I miss here is the loyalty to your

friends, the family bonds, the kinship. Th

is why I want to go back to China and

visit. I just need to breathe there, I need

experience the love and loyalty from my

friends, Kobelsky said.

Its something thats missing here, very

difcult to nd. Here people are very

friendly with you, but its likeyoure no

inside it, she said. But with my friends

in China, for example, I dont have to saanything, but they know. They constantly

think of me, they love me as much as I

love them. That kind of condence is ra

its just like you love someone like a sister

Its something thats difcult to nd here

for immigrants, for Chinese students.

Kobelsky wishes to grow strong bonds of

friendship with her students, like she has

experienced in China.

There were times I wish I had that, sh

said.

She wants students to understand that

shes not here to criticize them, but to

assist their lives. Shes careful not to give

compliments like a mother, but as a frien

Kobelsky compares friendships in Ameri

to Chinese friendships where you would

tell your friend if her outt looked bad.

It would be the nice, friendly thing to do

whereas it would be considered an insult

the U.S. to be so frank with a friend.

Kobelsky asked one of her students if sh

thought she was scary. Her student replie

by saying that Kobelsky was rm and tha

she enjoyed her personality because it wa

refreshing.

Kobelsky has walked the path that many

international students are struggling with

She carries that knowledge with her and

wishes to share it with others. Shes an

insider with information, wishing that

students would see beyond her title and

view her as a friend.

2


22/30

Pies sit on display, ready to be eaten as the Thanksgiving Lunch on Th

Hao Wu, a doctoral candidate from Shijiazhuang, China, enjoys his Thanks-giving lunch at the Wesley Student Center on Thursday, Nov. 18.

Photo by Liz Appling

Tobias Henriksson from Sweden eats at the International Education Week

Thanksgiving Lunch, hosted by the Wesley Student Center.

A group of international students and Center for International Education staenjoy a Thankgiving dinner together as part of International Education week.

Photo by Shanna Tayl


22


23/30

As the weather changes and the fallsemester draws to a close, Baylor students

gathered to give thanks, celebrate diversity

and promote culture during International

Education Week, Nov. 15 - 19.

While Baylors International Educa-

tion Week is sponsored by the Center for

International Education, this ve-day

festivity is a national event. According to

the national International Education Week

website, International Education Week is a

joint initiative of the U.S. Department of

State and the U.S. Department of Educa-

tion to promote programs that prepare

Americans for a global environment. The

program also aims to attract future leaders

from abroad to study, learn and exchange

experiences in the United States.

This is the third year Center for Inter-

national Education has held the Inter-

national Education Week. This year,

International Education Week was packed

full of events ranging from thanksgiving

dinners to fellowship between professorsand students.

[This week] brought together interna-

tionals that come from afar to Baylor with

those U.S. students that go abroad

to represent Baylor and further

their study, said Melanie

Smith, international student

relations coordinator.

In an effort to unite international

students with both past and future

study abroad students, Center forInternational Education partnered

with the Wesley Student Center,

Baylor Round Table, study abroad

and exchange programs, the modern

foreign languages department and the

Global Living and Learning Center.

These partnerships provided events and

activities for Baylor students to share in

each others cultures.

The eighth annual Study Abroad Photo

Contest offers students who have studiedabroad an opportunity to submit pho-

tographs taken during their travels. The

winners photographs were displayed

majestically from oor to ceiling in Mood

Library.

Other events included an International

Movie Night, International Board Game

Night and International Thanksgiving

Dinner, which incorporated The Call of

Nations.

In The Call of Nations, there are inter-

national ags at the dinner and when the

names of the various countries are called

out, the students from those countries

stand up, international student advisor

Alexine Burke explained.

One popular event this year was the In-

ternational Student Thanksgiving Lunch,

which was held in the United Method-

ists Wesley Student Center. Rev. Katie

Long has been hosting this event for two

years, and she said it attracted about 100students. She also hosts a lunch every

Tuesday for international students.

I get majors from all over the world, sh

said.

Lunch attendee Ellen Guo, a junior mar-

keting major from Hong Kong, said she

enjoyed the American Thanksgiving food

but she has also enjoyed other interna-

tional education activities.

Ive been to so many events this week,Guo said with a laugh.

Brisa Munoz, a senior psychology and

theatre arts major who participated in

the Baylor in Maastricht study abroad

program in spring 2009, said Internationa

Education Week is just another way for

students to learn outside of the classroom

setting, as well as valuable experience for

international students seeking to learn

more about life at Baylor.

International WeekCelebrating the Nations at Baylo

Claire Moncla and Kate Williams

nternational Education Week.


PhotobyJessicaMejia

athanAngelandVanessaOngutienjoytheThankgiv-

dinnerduringInternationalEducationWeekaspart

eInternationalMinistryTeam.

2


24/30

Passport to on Campus JobsWork study jobs give international students the opportunityto get connected with the Baylor communityBy Courtney Johnson and Sarah Blackburn

Photos by Cortney Shedd and Ashleigh Schmitz

Clockwise from top left: PhD candidate Basu Panthi (middle) from Nepal helps students in the Chemistry 1101 lab he teaches. Jo-ben David, an international student from India and senior CL at Arbors Apartments (left), collaborates during his desk shift witha fellow CL. Oby Akinbule, an international student from Nigeria and senior CL at South Russell (right), talks with her resident.

24


25/30

For some students, freshman year is almost too much

to handle. The world of college seems unfathomable:

having to adapt to new surroundings, living situations,

classes, friends and being away from the comfort of

home can be a lot to consider. For international students,

adapting to an entirely new country can be added to that

list of necessary considerations.

International students studying at Baylor University areencouraged to cope with the change of atmosphere by

getting involved on campus in every capacity possible.

One way Baylor accommodates these students is by

helping them get connected with job opportunities

within the university community.

According to Lexi English, the

administrative assistant for the

International Student and Scholar

Services, international students hold

positions across campus as ofce

assistants, community leaders, tutors,

lab assistants, library assistants, lineservers, chapel assistants and more.

I believe every international student

holding a student worker position at

Baylor makes a difference in their area

and to the campus at large, English

said.

Senior Oby Akinbule is a prime

example of an international student

who makes a difference. Akinbule, who

is originally from Nigeria, is a student

who is currently a community leaderin South Russell Residence Hall. On

a daily basis she oversees 35 freshmen

women and sees to their needs, acting

as both a mentor and friend to them.

Akinbule is an electrical and computer engineering

major who came to Baylor because it offered a strong

program for her major and because the university was

surrounded by several churches.

Overall, Akinbule has had a positive experience as

a Baylor student. She enjoys getting to know other

students and the freshmen living in her hall at South

Russell.

I like how some people show a big interest in learning

my culture and my life in my home country. Learning

is always an on-going experience, I like celebrating

learning the things that seem new to me but are normal

for everyone else, she said.

As successful as Akinbules college career has ended up,

it hasnt always been easy for her to be an international

student.

It took me a while to get plugged in and get used to

the culture here, Akinbule said. Inasmuch as learning

the culture here can be enjoyable, it can also be

frustrating, especially when I am expected to be familiar

with the culture by some people...it also keeps me out

of the loop in some conversations with my friends.

Akinbule dealt with these difculties by getting a job

at Baylor and by joining a lifegroup with Antioch

Community Church in downtown Waco. She said

these things, along with attending events held within

her major and international student

dinners on campus, made the process

of entering Baylor a much easier

experience.

When asked what advice she wanted

to give to other international students

considering being student workers forBaylor, she said recommended it and

noted that international students are

very eligible to nd a job on campus

because Baylor does its very best to keep

its employees diversied.

Akinbule also encouraged students

to check out international student

jobs available on the Baylor employee

website, describing it as a great tool and

a fast way to nd jobs and get plugged in

on campus.

International students at Baylor are

allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours

per week in an on-campus position and

must have permission in order hold

a student worker position through the International

Student and Scholar Services ofce. As Akinbule noted,

Baylor strives to keep student workers diversied and to

offer as many jobs to students as possible to help them

become involved in the Baylor community.

International students like Oby Akinbule have not only

adapted to college life but have ourished as well; they

have become highly involved at Baylor.

Part of this can be attributed to their on-campus

employment. Although there are difcult aspects of

being an international student thrown into the college

world at Baylor, the university tries to offer services

such as oncampus employment in order for them to

feel comfortable and involved at their home away from

home.

It took

me a whileto getplugged

in and getused to

the culturehere

2


26/30

nternationa Bears

China 151

Mexico 14

South Korea 61

Brazil 11

Nigeria 29

Venezuela 10

India 24Ghana 8

Canada 21

Taiwan 8

Top counties

of attendance

Pre-Business

Biology

Computer Science

Seminary

Chemistry

PhysicsInformation Systems

Psychology

Business Administration

Biochemistry

Top 10 majors

26


27/30

491 international students

representing 71 countries

2


28/30

Scholarships

for Going AbroadStudy abroad scholarships or research grants can make internationaeducation a reality for both bachelors degree and masters degree students

A few of the scholarships available to undergraduate

and graduate students include the Boren Fellowships and

Scholarships, Critical Language Awards, the National Science

Foundation program, Scholarships for Study and Research from

the German Academic Exchange Service, Fulbright Awards

and Marshall Scholarships as well as three scholarships limited

to Baylor students only. More scholarship information can be

found at www.baylor.edu/scholarships.

Scholarships Limited to Baylor Students

Baylor is blessed by having the Glennis McCrary Goodrich

International fund which is supported by a very generous

endowment. During the past year, the Goodrich fund provided

over $200,000 to Baylor students involved in study abroad

programs. Two newer funds; the James Vardaman International

Study Scholarship and the Phi Beta Kappa University Scholars

International Scholarship, will provide additional nancialsupport for study abroad as they continue to grow.

Boren Fellowships and Scholarships

Boren Fellowships and Scholarships are available to those

interested in studying national security. Students can receive up

to $20,000 for undergraduate work and $30,000 for graduate

work.

The deadline to apply for the awards is Jan. 15, 2010. Visit

www.iie.org/en/Programs/Boren-Awards-for-International-

Study for more information.

Critical Language Awards

The Critical Language Awards, through the Critical Language

Scholarship Program, are given to those interested in intensive

language study for seven to ten weeks during the summer.

Languages offered include Arabic, Persian, Azerbaijani,

Bangla/Bengali, Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Punjabi, Turkish,

Urdu, Chinese, Japanese and Russian.

Applications for summer 2012 are due in November 2011.

Interested students should visit www.clscholarship.org.

National Science Foundation

The Research Experiences for Undergraduates program

provides opportunities for undergraduates to participate in

research. Applications are due Aug. 24, 2011 except for those

requiring access to Antarctica, which are due June 3, 2011. Visit

www.nsf.gov for more information.

German Academic Exchange Service Scholarships for

Study and Research

U.S. and Candadian citizens can apply for graduate research in

Germany. Contact the German division of the department of

modern foreign languages for more information or visit www.

daad.org/?p=gradstudy.

Fulbright Program

The Fulbright Program provides opportunities for teaching

English abroad or completing graduate research abroad.

Participants must hold a bachelors degree before beginning

their program.

Applications are due Aug. 1, 2011 for the 2012-2013 award

year. Those interested in applying may visit the Council for

International Exchange of Scholars ofcial website at www.cies.

org.

Marshall Scholarships

Participants study at a university within the United Kingdom

for one or two years. To apply, students must have a 3.7 G.P.A.

or above and have graduated with their bachelors degree.

For application information, visit www. marshallscholarship.org.

Special thanks to CIE director Michael Morrison and Dean Elizabeth

Vardaman for contributing to this list. For more information about

any of these awards, contact Dean Vardaman at 254-710-4176

28


29/30 2

Editors: Amber Rice, Jenna DeWitt, Kristina Ballard

Staff and ContributorsStaff and Contributors

Designers: Amber Rice, Ashleigh Schmitz, Jenna

DeWitt, Kristina Ballard

Writers: Garrett Perkins, Mallory Golding , Blake Ewing,

Michael Williams, Claire Moncla, Natalie Walker, Lily

Gonzales, Becky Petter, Sarah Blackburn, Courtney

Johnson and Kate Williams

Photographers: Jessica Mejia, Shanna Taylor, Liz Applin

Baylor Photography, Elena Liz, Jed Dean, Kaylen PuckeFelicia Wong, Study Abroad Photo Contest Winners, Bay

Spiritual Life, Cortney Shedd and Ashleigh Schmitz

Thank you to Carol Perry, Larry Norwood, Dr.

Elizabeth Bates, Michael Morrison, President Ken

Starr, Melanie Smith, Alexine Burke, Randy Penson,

Katie Erickson for their help with this publication.


30/30

Documents

Center for International Education Fall 2010