International Education Opportunities Expanding

This fall the Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College community has more of a global feel with dramatic growth in international student enrollment and increased study abroad opportunities.

In the past year, the International Education Committee, through an international education grant from the WV Higher Education Policy Commission, was able to increase recruitment efforts in Nepal and India. Two faculty members, Dr. Tulasi Joshi and Dr. Sunil Surendran, and one staff member, Michael Ross, traveled overseas to recruit students. FSU has also been working with an international recruiting agency. The number of international students enrolled has doubled this fall to about 100. As a result, the English as a Second Language (ESL) program has experienced growth. Also this year, FSU begins its student exchange program with the University of Calabria in southern Italy. Two Fairmont State students studied in France over the past year and a third student is headed there in September.

Dr. Erin Hippolyte is a faculty member in the FSU Department of Language and Literature and Chair of the International Education Committee. Hippolyte, who has taught French at FSU for three years, grew up in Minnesota and has lived in Paris and in the Caribbean. She said the goals of the International Education Committee are to develop a sense of international community on campus, increase the enrollment of international students and increase study abroad opportunities.

"People have different connections with the world," she said. "We're trying to make the idea of international education as broad as possible so more people will get involved. I have an interest in making connections. My French classes are about making friends with the world as much as learning the language itself. The idea that we have something to learn from each other is important.

"We are hoping that if students come here and have a good experience that they will tell others. Word of mouth is very important in international education."

Noelia Escudero, 26, a native of Argentina, is a Fulbright Scholar and will be a foreign language teaching assistant (FLTA) for the fall and spring semesters at FSU. She came to the U.S. as part of a group of 12 Fulbright Scholars from her country who are teaching here and taking classes. She holds a degree in English education and is teaching her native language of Spanish at FSU as part of the FLTA program.

"We are hoping if this is successful that we might be able to extend our language offerings beyond French and Spanish, which we offer now," said Dr. Jim Matthews, English faculty member and Escudero's sponsor.

Escudero said that she is homesick, but that people here are very friendly. She is enjoying her new role as a teacher and a student.

"I just want to make friends," she said. "It's very difficult to be away from home, but the experience can change your life completely. I've been here 10 days, and in the past 10 days I have learned more about the English language and American culture than I have in my whole life."

Sneha Shrestha from Kathmandu, Nepal, is studying Health Science at FSU.

"What I like best about Fairmont State University are the devoted professors and staff. It's a good environment and opportunity for each individual for learning and development," Shrestha said."

FSU student Rophe Woods spent six weeks of her summer in France.

"Choosing to study abroad was an easy decision, the opportunity to be immersed in another country is such a good experience," Woods said. "While abroad my language skills increased immensely and getting to experience the culture on a firsthand basis was amazing. I can see a difference in myself after studying abroad. It gives you a sense of independence, and knowing you can survive overseas in another country speaking a different language truly is a great feeling."

The entire FSU and Pierpont community has an opportunity to be involved in international education through events planned throughout the academic year:

* Dr. Erin Hippolyte is hosting a World Language Table every Wednesday at noon in the "Nickel" area on the second floor of the Falcon Center. All are welcome to practice their language skills and help others learn.

* A series of three Global Talks is planned for this fall. The first will take place from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, in Room 303 of the Education Building. FSU student Molly Born will share her experience last semester studying in Paris. The next two talks are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 8, and Monday, Nov. 10.

* The International Film Festival will focus on African Leaders and World Conflict. "Lumumba" will be shown at 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, in Multi-media Room A of the Ruth Ann Musick Library. "Thomas Sankara: The Upright Man" will be shown at 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5. "Bamako" will be shown at 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13.

For more information about international education opportunities, call Dr. Erin Hippolyte at (304) 367-4598 or e-mail her at ehippolyte@fairmontstate.edu.