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 fulfilling 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 the first week of classes.

We understand “that [Baylor’s] sphere of Christian influence is the world itself; Baylor must prepare its graduates to enter a pluralistic and global society.” Our mission is reflected 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 today’s society, our mission is as important as it ever has been.

Baylor’s mission is clear – we are to “prepare men and women for worldwide leadership and service…” Baylor’s commitment to global education is unmistakable. We are grateful for the great work of the Center for International Education in fulfilling our mission.

Yours sincerely,Kenneth Winston StarrBaylor University President

A Word from President Starr

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Photo by Baylor Photography

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 is used to being exposed to the pleasant rays of Kenya’s temperate climate. Not so in Waco. On arriving in central Texas, his first 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 wasn’t the only glaring difference between Edward’s 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 he’d not be seeing the same vast diversity of people here as in Kenya were definitely some things he knew he’d 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 Edward’s home country,while the number of different languages that are spoken in Waco can probably be counted 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 Kenya’s 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 didn’t speak his native dialect until he was 13 years old because the region where he spent most of his young 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 area for 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 he’d have to choose between pursuing sports or academics, and decided that his heart was more 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 Baylor’s chapel once a

week. At first Simiyu went through the motions, finding himself a spot on the back and half listening to the speakers. But over the course of a few months there were a few things he started to notice. One, these speakers were coming from all over the world—different regions of Africa, Europe 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 finally called the Christian Union to get some answers. The man who answered when he called invited Simiyu over for dinner and that night he accepted Christ into his heart and life.

“It was November, I don’t 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 what God has done in his life and eventually to start City Harvest Church. For about 13 years now Simiyu has listened for God’s call and followed. Now he is hearing a new calling to finish his dissertation and gain respect from those in government so that he can influence policy with more wisdom and force. In his search to find a university where he wanted to work on his dissertation, Baylor emerged as his number one choice for a variety of reasons. His various ties through his previous interactions with Baylor teams in Kenya as well as his connections to Steve Bradley, who is a Ph.D. assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship, led him to see that Baylor was where God wanted him.

“Definitely, coming to Baylor is a great 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 Spanish abroad program stationed on the beach in Denia, Spain. Two Baylor professors lead 20 students for five 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 five weeks on the Mediterranean coast as opposed to being submerged in busy city life,” Turner said.

Turner wasn’t 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 firsthand 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 floating 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 in Denia, Spain at the Colegio Alfa Y Omega. They traveled to Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, Alicante and Granada.

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music, dancing, boxing and financial 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.

“It’s a great study abroad program because there are very few students who go so it’s 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 world’s 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 small 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.

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Photo by Jenna DeWitt

Mad Ludwig’s CastleBavaria, Germany

Photo by Amber Rice

Astronomical Clock Prague, Czech Republic

Photo by Amber RiceChrist Church Oxford, England

Baylor University students have the opportunity to study abroad through the Center for International Education’s exchange program.

Through this exchange, Baylor students are able to study at another university overseas.

“[France] is definitely a different culture, but I feel like I have slipped into it with relative ease most likely because I’ve been waiting to immerse myself in the culture for so long,” said Jed Dean, a Kilgore senior studying at the Université de Caen in 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 benefit 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 proficiency in the language, increasing his vocabulary and confidence in speaking French.

“The level of free spirit here is definitely more than I expected as it appears most students don’t 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 Traveler’s Perspective

Walking through Amsterdam, I stumbled upon a lonely red-light window placed well outside of it’s district. I couldn’t resist capturing the juxtaposition of such a beautiful city that allows such indiscretions. It doesn’t seem bizarre that the citizens don’t approve of their city’s lax morals, though they feel it’s 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 the winter 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 firsthand that most people only read about in books.

That’s 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 city’s placid lakes and snow-capped mountains.Upon landing, my adrenaline was in full force as if electrical 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, in the 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 Culture By 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 it’s easy to forget they may differ in other countries. Even when merely traveling abroad, immersion in that country’s culture is inevitable. You’ll find 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 completely immersed 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. That’s what’s important in life.”

It’s 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 Catholic school, until second grade. Her dad’s 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 everyone’s lives, they maintain an intimate family, she said.

“I used to call her the ‘Rotten Apple,’” Liz’s mother, Elena, said. “She was such an influence 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 confidence 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 she’s 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 finding a niche leads to success, she said. It’s especially important for those who are living in a new culture.

“I was very sad to see her go away,” her mother said. “But I’m so proud she’s 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 they went and whom they were with. Someone stole the family car, and someone tried to burglarize her cousin’s house. On one occasion, the chauffeur rang the doorbell to come pick Liz and her cousins up to take them to school. When the maid opened the door, she saw a man holding a gun to the driver’s head. “Thank God the police showed up and took him down,” Liz said. “I’ll never forget that day.”

Besides the dangers of living in the most populated city in the world, Hispanic culture overflows with beautiful customs that Liz tries to maintain in her life. Her family kept their house in Mexico City and has a house in Acapulco, where they visit once or twice a year. Merging the Mexican and Spanish worlds together is just as hard as integrating them with American culture, she said. The language in Mexico has different words and slang than the language in Spain.

“It’s a good thing I learned English when I was young,” Liz said. “We still speak Spanish when I’m home with my family, so it’s fun to be able to speak with so many different kinds of people.”

Her experiences in the different places she’s lived and the variety of people she’s met have helped shape Liz into the confident, young woman she is today. Her international history gives her life definition and makes her unique. She plans on graduating in May 2012 and attending law school.

“I have all the same dreams as everyone 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 that’s met or missed is another turn in life that makes up the map of your life.

“I’ve learned to accept everything that may be different without judgment,” Liz said. “I just want to be a happy person who leaves a positive impact on people.”

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Photo by Elena Liz

Junior Natalia Liz competes in the distance event for Baylor’s track and field 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

Photo by Baylor Photography

Beijing, China“The first time I played volleyball with Baylor was scary because of the language challenge. But now I’m adjusted to it and my teammates are my friends, so it’s 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 differnt, the people are more open and life is much faster in the United States,” Dragan Sekelja said in reference to the differences in life in Croatia and in the United States.

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Caleb Agboola: from Lagos to Baylor

By Michael C. Williams

“Manufacturing things to make life better is awesome. It’s 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 always exemplified 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. I’ve always wanted to find 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-fiber 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 ASME’s 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 him and the work that I achieve and accomplish. That’s 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 man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions’.”

Agboola believes in living a humble 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 God’s help.”

Agboola also credits much of his success to his advisor and mentor, Dr. David Jack. Jack is a professor at Baylor University’s 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 the world of engineering,” Agboola said. “I’m 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 activities include 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 common—Jessica Foumena.

Jessica describes her home of Cameroon as warm, colorful and filled 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 fulfill 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 financial package provided by the Journalism and Media Arts department, she is able to live, study and work on campus.

She assists the office manager and administrative associate of the department as a graduate assistant. As part of the financial package, she receives a stipend each semester for working on campus.

When asked about her favorite experience at Baylor so far, Jessica finds 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 Starr attended. He took the time to meet each student and take pictures.”

Whether it’s meeting new people, working on campus or participating in the American tradition of carving a pumpkin for the first 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.

Photo by Baylor Photography

Photos by Felica Wong 15

“I want to try every new thing, “ said HiuMing Sun, a first-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 he’s 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 it’s a very memorable kind of thing,” she said.

As the oldest university in Texas, Baylor has 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.

Baylor’s multicultural student organizations 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 Association’s 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 dear to 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 ISSA’s Gateway to India.

“This year is our 16th culture show, so it’s been a pretty long tradition for ISSA,” Student President Neha Patel said. “It’s 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 Association’s cultural event, is even older than Gateway to India.

By Claire Moncla

“

”

With all of the different student

organizations, people can have

many experiences ...

Baylor through Someone Else’s Eyes

Me and Hyunmin Park at the bonfire. The

weather was terrible and the game was long,

but it was so exciting. Go BEARS! -Hyosun Lee

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“Fiesta started out as a really small event about 20 years ago,” HSA President Polette Galvan said. Fiesta is usually held in March and includes traditional folklorico and Aztec dancers, free tacos and a mariachi band. Galvan said the variety of events on Baylor’s 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 Baylor’s 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 I’ve met,” Lee said.

The international student orientation held during the first week of classes was centered around a Texas theme to introduce the students to the culture here in Waco. Pictured here, from left to right, are: Sayo Hattori, Melanie Smith, Shinichi Nonaka, Yuki Ayukawa and Megumi Nakano.

Photo by Baylor Photography

Photos by Baylor Photography

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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 overseeing and advancing Baylor’s international education interests in “sending Baylor to the world,” and “bringing the world to Baylor.” Or, as stated in Imperative XI of Baylor 2012, “Recognizing that its sphere of Christian influence is the world itself, Baylor must prepare its graduates to enter a pluralistic and global society.”

Baylor’s involvement with international education began well before it was “cool.” Baylor has been educating international students (often through the support of Baptist missionaries) since the 19th Century and has been taking students to study abroad since 1920 when Dr. A.J. Armstrong (of the Armstrong-Browning Library) took his English 31 class to Europe.

“Sending Baylor to the World”

Baylor sends our students and faculty to the world through more than 60 study abroad and mission programs in over 30 countries. During the past year, 1,158 Baylor students participated in an international program; 823 through study abroad and 335 on mission trips. Put another way, 6.77% of Baylor’s undergraduate students studied abroad and another 2.75% served on international mission trips for a total of 9.53% while nationally only 1% of undergraduate students study abroad.

Health, Safety and Security

Baylor has invested significant attention and resources to prepare for and respond to global safety and security challenges involved in international travel. To this end, C.I.E. works closely with other university offices to balance the foreseeable risk against the expected benefits of international travel. While there can be no guarantee of safety, C.I.E. and other Baylor offices constantly review existing and proposed programs as well as Baylor’s internal processes to reduce the risks of international travel.

“Bringing the World to Baylor”

Baylor greatly benefits from and highly values the diversity international students and scholars bring to the campus and the community. At last count, Baylor had 491 international students representing 71 countries and 24 Research or Short-Term Scholars conducting research and teaching who were sponsored by academic departments across campus.

C.I.E. works closely with Baylor’s International students and scholars to guide them through the immigration processes and to include them in campus and community activities. Additionally, the Baylor Global Community Living-Learning Center’s resident and international students actively participate in focused class work and specially planned events in addition to shared cultural experiences.

In conclusion, Baylor’s Center for International Education puts into action Baylor’s mission to send Baylor to the world and to bring the world to Baylor.”

Mike MorrisonDirector, Center for International Education

Melissa Olshack “By Eiffel Tower in Paris”

Katherine Robertson “Vernazza Coastline”

Jeff Wittekiend “Baylor Lights up the Night”

Lindsey Smith “The Sunken Road to Murano”

Meghan Murphy “The Heart of Tango”

Austin Cook-Lindsey “Casa Milla”

Trisha Diaz “Sagrada”

Austin Cook-Lindsey “Casa Milla” Lindsey Turner “Permanent View”

Alyssa Peera “One Fine Day in Slovenia”

Shanna Taylor “Flavors of the Street”

Marlen Alvarado “La Romeria- More than just an Andalusian Tradition”

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 first 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 a foreign 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 Baylor’s 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 Baylor’s campus. During finals week international students can enjoy a study break at the CIE student lounge with Dr Pepper floats and

popcorn. Also, the Baylor Round Table International Thanksgiving Dinner is held just before Thanksgiving break. This event gives international students some insight into 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 significant 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 at a Spiritual Life event.

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

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Inside International

Student Programs

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 office 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 later informs 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, confidant, 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 five years in an office.

“I’m from the east coast of China, it’s very modern,” she said. “Singapore’s first official language is English, it’s 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 it’s so competitive. I had a 4.0 [grade point average] and I still could not get in.”

Kobelsky had her first 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 finished her bachelor’s 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 dean’s 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 it’s where I’m from, I know the psychology, I understand their thinking, their cultural habits. I know how to reach them. That’s one reason I came here, to help them.”

Kobelsky carries the same aspirations she had when she first came into the U.S.

“I want to be a writer, I want to write stories about Chinese immigrants in America,” she said. “I would like to explain how it is to live in America to a Chinese audience, because I think there’s a misunderstanding.”

“I want to tell the story of the contemporary, the modern Chinese people. You don’t find 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. This is why I want to go back to China and visit. I just need to breathe there, I need to experience the love and loyalty from my friends,” Kobelsky said.

“It’s something that’s missing here, very difficult to find. Here people are very friendly with you, but it’s like…you’re not inside it,” she said. “But with my friends in China, for example, I don’t have to say anything, but they know. They constantly think of me, they love me as much as I love them. That kind of confidence is rare, it’s just like you love someone like a sister. It’s something that’s difficult to find 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,” she said.

She wants students to understand that she’s not here to criticize them, but to assist their lives. She’s careful not to give compliments like a mother, but as a friend. Kobelsky compares friendships in America to Chinese friendships where you would tell your friend if her outfit looked bad. It would be the nice, friendly thing to do, whereas it would be considered an insult in the U.S. to be so frank with a friend.

Kobelsky asked one of her students if she thought she was scary. Her student replied by saying that Kobelsky was firm and that she enjoyed her personality because it was 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. She’s an insider with information, wishing that students would see beyond her title and view her as a friend. 21

Pies sit on display, ready to be eaten as the Thanksgiving Lunch on Thursday during International Education Week.

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 staff enjoy a Thankgiving dinner together as part of International Education week.

Photo by Shanna Taylor

Photo by Liz Appling

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As the weather changes and the fall semester draws to a close, Baylor students gathered to give thanks, celebrate diversity and promote culture during International Education Week, Nov. 15 - 19.

While Baylor’s International Educa-tion Week is sponsored by the Center for International Education, this five-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 professors and 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 for International 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 other’s cultures.

The eighth annual Study Abroad Photo

Contest offers students who have studied abroad an opportunity to submit pho-tographs taken during their travels. The winners’ photographs were displayed majestically from floor to ceiling in Moody 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 flags 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 100 students. She also hosts a lunch every Tuesday for international students.

“I get majors from all over the world,” she 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.

“I’ve 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 International 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 Week Celebrating the Nations at Baylor

Claire Moncla and Kate Williams

Pies sit on display, ready to be eaten as the Thanksgiving Lunch on Thursday during International Education Week.

Photo by Liz Appling

Photo by Jessica Mejia

Jonathan Angel and Vanessa Onguti enjoy the Thankgiv-

ing dinner during International Education Week as part

of the International Ministry Team. 23

Passport to on Campus JobsWork study jobs give international students the opportunity to get connected with the Baylor communityBy Courtney Johnson and Sarah BlackburnPhotos 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 with a fellow CL. Oby Akinbule, an international student from Nigeria and senior CL at South Russell (right), talks with her resident.

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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 are encouraged 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 office assistants, community leaders, tutors, lab assistants, library assistants, line servers, 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 leader in 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 Akinbule’s college career has ended up,

it hasn’t 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 difficulties 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 for Baylor, she said recommended it and noted that international students “are very eligible to find a job on campus because Baylor does its very best to keep its employees diversified.”

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 find 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 office. As Akinbule noted, Baylor strives to keep student workers diversified 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 flourished as well; they have become highly involved at Baylor. Part of this can be attributed to their on-campus employment. Although there are difficult 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 while

to get plugged

in and get used to

the culture here

““

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International Bears

China 151 Mexico 14 South Korea 61 Brazil 11 Nigeria 29 Venezuela 10 India 24 Ghana 8 Canada 21 Taiwan 8

Top counties of attendance

Pre-Business Biology Computer ScienceSeminaryChemistryPhysicsInformation Systems PsychologyBusiness Administration Biochemistry

Top 10 majors

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491 international students representing 71 countries

27

Scholarships for Going Abroad

Study abroad scholarships or research grants can make international education a reality for both bachelor’s degree and master’s 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 financial support 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 bachelor’s 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 official 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 bachelor’s 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

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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 Appling, Baylor Photography, Elena Liz, Jed Dean, Kaylen Puckett, Felicia Wong, Study Abroad Photo Contest Winners, Baylor 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.