NIU Signs Agreement with Chosun University

(L-R):  David Taylor, David Gaebler, John G. Peters, Raymond W. Alden III, Deborah Pierce, and 

Mark Cordes

On November 5, 2012, NIU officials signed an agreement with Chosun University.  Those present at the signing included President John G. Peters, Provost Raymond W. Alden III, Associate Dean David Gaebler from the College of Law, College of Law Professors David Taylor and Mark Cordes, and Associate Provost Deborah Pierce from the Division of International Programs.  Professor Mark Cordes visited Chosun University in Korea earlier this year and participated in their signing ceremony.

Officials from Khon Kaen University in Thailand Visit NIU

On Tuesday, September 18^th, Northern Illinois University welcomed university officials from Khon Kaen University in Thailand to build international partnerships.  One of the delegates welcomed was Tatachalerm Sudhipongpracha, an NIU alumnus who graduated with a doctoral degree in Political Science in 2011.  The delegation stayed through Friday, September 21^st.    

Delegates from the Khon Kaen University participated in meetings with the Division of Public Administration, the Center for Governmental Studies, and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies.  A special luncheon was held on Wednesday, September 19^th.   

Luncheon Attendees

 A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between NIU and KKU.  The agreement was signed by Provost Raymond Alden, Associate Provost Deborah Pierce, and College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Dean Christopher McCord on behalf of NIU.  KKU President Kittichai Trairatasirichai, College of Local Administration Dean Supawatanakorn Wongthanavasu, and Advisor to the Dean Peerasit Kamnuansilpa signed the document on behalf of KKU.

Dean Christopher McCord and KKU College of Local Administration Dean Supawatanakorn Wongthanavasu sign the Memorandum of Understanding.

Associate Provost Deborah Pierce and KKU Advisor to the Dean Peerasit Kamnuansilpaand sign the Memorandum of Understanding

The Fine Arts department at KKU performed a Northeastern Thai Folk Dance on Thursday, September 20^th at the School of Music Recital Hall.  Light Thai Refreshments were provided.

 

Provost Raymond Alden and KKU President Kittichai Trairatasirichaiwith holding commemorative plaque KKU presented to NIU

NIU to Host 13th Annual Parade of Flags September 21

Nearly 500 local fifth-graders will carry the international flags of more than 100 nations during the 13th annual Parade of Flags, set to step off at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21, from the east side of Huskie Stadium.

Parade of Flags 2011

Participants will march along Lucinda Avenue to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commons, where Pamela Rosenberg, business manager in the Division of International Programs, will lead the ceremony.

“This year we’re trying to help the fifth-graders enjoy the NIU experience, so we’ve invited the NIU Marching Band and the NIU cheerleaders to get the schoolchildren inspired about our university,” said Deborah Pierce, associate provost for International Programs at NIU.

“Hosting the DeKalb schoolchildren for this globally focused event emphasizes the strong partnership among NIU, the local community and our global environment.”

The students, their teachers, chaperones and other parade participants will enjoy a pre-parade luncheon on the grass near the stadium (rain location is the Convocation Center).

Also, prior to the parade, participating students from DeKalb-area schools will have an opportunity to meet with NIU international students and Study Abroad participants to learn directly from the NIU students about other countries where they have lived.

“Both the NIU students and the elementary school students really seem to enjoy this part of the parade because they’re learning from each other as they talk about other nations,” Pierce said.

DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 Superintendent James Briscoe will serve as grand marshal of the parade this year, while NIU benefactor Sally Stevens has been named permanent ambassador for the parade.

In the last academic year, NIU enrolled students from nearly 90 nations, with India, China and Korea sending the largest numbers. Other nations sending large numbers of students include Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Vietnam.

For more information, call (815) 753-9526 or email slindell@niu.edu.

ELS Host Families to be Compensated

Have you heard the great news?  The ELS Language Center at Northern Illinois University will compensate its Host Families with a stipend per 4 weeks to host an international student in their home!  

The ELS Language Center at NIU provides intensive English language courses for International students who are planning to go to an American university like NIU!  

Our students come from all over the world to enhance their study of the English language by living in an American home.  ELS Language Centers operates out of Northern Illinois University-DeKalb campus and is currently seeking new Host Homes to add to our expanding program!  Don’t miss out on this incredible culturally enriching opportunity! 

-Host Homes must be less than 45 minutes, preferably less than 30 minutes travel time from the NIU campus.

-Host Homes are compensated with a $600.00 stipend per 4 week session per student.  Maximum of 2 students per home at one time. 

-English must be the primary language spoken in the home.

-Students need to have their own bedroom.

-Host Homes are responsible for providing breakfast and dinner for the student. 

If hosting an international student in your home sounds interesting, or if you would like to learn more, please contact Elisabeth Wright, International Student Advisor/ELS, at 815-753-4600 or at ewright@els.edu.

Provost's Study Abroad Travel Grants Awarded for Summer 2012

In May 2012, 38 students were awarded Provost’s Study Abroad Travel Grants.  Eleven of these students are members of the University Honors Program.  These travel grants were established to enhance students’ opportunities to participate in NIU study abroad programs.  Upon returning from their study abroad program students will complete three hours of volunteer service related to promoting study abroad and give a video testimonial about their study abroad experience.  

 (Front L-R) Dr. Christopher Jones, Associate Vice Provost for the University Honors Program, Sarah Stuebing, Edona Ajvazi, Jennifer Puetz, and Dr. Deborah Pierce, Associate Provost for the Division of International Programs.

 (Back L-R)  Christopher Michels, Dalisa Barnes, Kasey Twine.

Students who received the travel grant for the summer session traveled to a wide variety of countries including Brazil, China, England, France, Malaysia, Peru, Russia, Sicily, Spain, and Thailand.  Recipients came from various majors and their study abroad programs focused on a variety of topics including Anthropology, Biological Sciences, Business, Communication, English, History, Language, Law, Political Science, Theater Arts and more.

The NIU Study Abroad Office offers semester, winter break, spring break and summer programs in over 80 different countries.  NIU's study abroad programs offer opportunities to students from any major.  One of the primary goals of the NIU Study Abroad Office is to help students integrate into the academic, social, and cultural context of another country or countries during their college career.

For additional information regarding study abroad opportunities at NIU or the Provost’s Study Abroad Travel Grants, please contact the Study Abroad Office at (815) 753-0700, niuabroad@niu.edu or www.niu.edu/studyabroad.