ISSUE YEAR VOLUME
CIPA focus
CEN TER F OR I N TE RNA TI ON AL PR O GRA MS A ND A C TIV I T I ES
FALL , 2011
On behalf of Shawnee State University, the Center for International
Programs and Activities (CIPA), under the guidance of Director Rita
Haider, fosters and promotes international understanding and global
perspective to the university community and the region served by
Shawnee State.
Welcome New and
Returning Students
CIPA would like to welcome all our new international students attending SSU for their first semester this fall. Our study abroad program here at Shawnee is as vibrant as it has ever been. This semester we have 22 new students from every corner of the world. They are ready to leave their mark on SSU, and perhaps SSU will leave a lasting impression on them. We also
want to welcome back all our returning international students who have decided to stay at Shawnee for their college educa-tion. The diversity of cultures, ethnicities, and thought that our international students bring to SSU makes them one of the most important segments of the student body. We at CIPA want to wish them all the best of luck for the fall semester.
Crop Hunger Walk CIPA will once again be supporting the annual Crop Walk on October 16th at 2:30 pm. The walk will begin in Tracy Park and walkers can choose to walk either a 1-mile or a 3.5-mile course. Admission is one can of food, and walkers look for sponsors who will also donate to the organization. The money that is raised will go to support local food pantries, as well as provide food and growing supplies to the poor and hungry of the world. Over 1 bil-lion people are hungry in the world today and the goal of the Crop Walk this year is to raise $30,000, which would help thousands of hungry families.
This fall semester we have three Shawnee students who are studying abroad at our sister universities. Jasmine Tilford (pictured right), and Ryan O’Donnell are studying this semester in Morocco. Our Moroccan sister university is called Al Akhawayn University, in the city of Ifrane, and is one of the most prestigious universities in Morocco. We also have 1 student studying in Germany this semester. Audrey Howard is studying at the University of
Ludwigsburg. Until 1918, Ludwigsburg was
part of the kingdom of Wurttemburg. The principal royal palace of Wurttemburg is still in the heart of Ludwigsburg and is said to be one of the most beautiful palaces
in Europe. We want to wish all our SSU students abroad a fun and safe semester.
Trust me, the memories
you make while abroad
will stay with you
forever.
KARLA BROWN, MOROCCO
2008
MEET THE
INTERNATIONALS
From left bottom. El Mehdi Rahoui from
Morocco, Eric Allou from Ivory Coast,
Alina Dashkevich from Russia, Cemil
Guezel from Germany, Lusine
Tovmasyan from Armenia, Nida Zafar
from Pakistan, Rita Haider CIPA Director,
Alexandra Martinez from Honduras,
Huang Xueping and Li Jingxuan from
China, Ellen Berry CIPA Associate, Maria
Sanz-Taus from Spain, Anna Shchetinina
from Russia, Ali Noordin from Kenya,
Hala Akoushli from Syria, Marina Garcia
Marcos from Spain, Julia Schirholz, from
Germany, Eugenia Neaga from Spain,
Emma Sun from China, Clement Allou
from Ivory Coast, Raffaele Tufano from
Italy, Joseph Webster from England,
Sam Garcia from Philippines, Inna
Tarzhinskaya from Turkmenistan,
Oleksandr Vovk from Ukraine.
Sending SSU Out Into the World
International Mentor Program
Here at SSU we do our best to make sure that our international stu-
dents are well adjusted to this new environment. The International
Mentor Program has become one of our most successful efforts to-
ward that goal. All of our international students are paired with a lo-
cal student, who shows them the ropes around here. The pair work
together and plan trips, events, and all types of activities. The local
student also gets to have the experience of spending time with some-
one from a different culture who may have a totally different way of
thinking. The International Mentor Program helps both students to
learn new things about each other, and usually they end up learning
more about themselves.
Internationals Learn about “Real” Football
The Portsmouth High School Spartans football program gave a lesson to several
international students, teaching them about American football. In the internation-
al world their football is our soccer and our football is called American football.
Soccer is the dominant sport in almost every nation in the world, and most of our
international students have never even seen an American football game. The
coaches at PHS took the students out on the field and taught them the basics of
America’s game. The next day many students went to the PHS Spartans game
and got to see our sport in action.
International Week
On November 14th through the 18th, we will be having our annual International Week. We have
a great deal of activities and fun planned for that week—all with an international theme. Come
and experience the different cultures and ideas that make our world go round. You will have an
opportunity to meet all the international students and other people who are interested in all things
international. You’ll find games, an international meal, poetry and much more. So come and
experience the world right here in Portsmouth, Ohio.
Tecumseh
The SSU international students enjoyed another unique experience of
American and Southern Ohio culture when they traveled to Chillicothe to
see the outdoor drama Tecumseh. These students had no exposure to Na-
tive American culture prior to their coming to the states, and this show
was certainly something they will remember. Tecumseh was a great hero
to all Native Americans and his contribution to the history of the United
States and to Ohio was vast. Being able to learn about his life and impact
was a great insight to some of our rich local culture.