International Women's Day Luncheon at NIU

Mark your calendars!  March 8th, otherwise known as International Women's Day, is approaching faster than you think!

Every year on March 8th, women and men around the world celebrate International Women's Day by participating in a number of activities to raise awareness about the global inequalities that women experience all year round.  Gatherings, protests, and other activities are usually geared toward an annual theme related to an issue that affects womens across the clobe.  This year the theme is "Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures".  According to the International Women's Day website, "If every International Women's Day event held in 2012 includes girls in some way, then thousands of minds will be inspired globally."

NIU will be holding its annual International Women's Day Luncheon on March 7th as part of the world-wide activities being held to celebrate and inspire.  NIU's own Kurt Thurmaier will give a talk titled, "Kidogo, Kidogo:  Patiently Investing in Girls' Education."  Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Chandelier Room of Adams Hall.  The luncheon itself costs $15, but those who are interested in attending the talk only are welcome to come and should arrive around 12:15 p.m.  Reserve your spot before Monday, February 27th by contacting Pamela Rosenberg at 815-753-9530 or at prosenberg@niu.edu.

Economic Benefits of International Education

The Economic Benefits of International Education to the United States for the 2009-2010 Academic Year: Statistical Analysis report from NAFSA:  Association of International Educators reports that international students contributed nearly $870 million to the state of Illinois' economy during the 2009-2010 academic year! NIU's international students account for more than $16 million of our state's contribution.

 

The total benefit for the entire United State's economy from international students was approximately $18.78 billion!

 

As if contributing to a culturally diverse campus wasn't enough!

NIU Selected for 2012 India Initiative of the International Academic Partnership Program (IAPP)

NIU is one of eleven schools selected to participate in the 2012 India initiative of the International Academic Partnership Program (IAPP) through the Institute for International Education (IIE).  To learn more about this exclusive program, check out NIU Today here.

Heart of Hearing in Hong Kong

This summer audiology Professor King Chung led a study abroad program entitled Heart of Hearing to Hong Kong where they exchanged ideas with scholars and medical experts, provided free hearing tests to underserved residents and visited local landmarks.  To read more about this amazing program, please check out NIU Today here.

Twelfth Annual Parade of Flags

Nearly 500 local fifth graders will carry the international flags of over 200 nations during the Twelfth annual Parade of Flags, set to step off at 11:30 a.m. Friday, September 16, 2011, from the east side of Huskie Stadium.

Participants will march along Lucinda Avenue to the Martin Luther King Commons, where Dr. Deborah Pierce, Associate Provost of International Programs, and Daihee Cho, an NIU student in the Department of Accountancy will address the audience.    

“We hope the excitement of the Parade helps DeKalb area fifth graders open their minds to the world,” said Pierce.  “A global perspective holds so many opportunities for them, and the pathway to those opportunities can start right here at NIU.” 

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 District 428 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. 

“Parade of Flags celebrates the partnership between NIU and District 428 as both organizations seek to prepare young people for the global marketplace of the 21^st century,” Pierce said. 

In the last academic year NIU enrolled students from nearly 90 nations, with India and China sending the largest numbers.  NIU also enrolls students from such nations as Nepal, Turkmenistan, Eritrea, Benin, and Saudi Arabia, demonstrating the great diversity of the international student body.

19th Annual Study Abroad Fair

The NIU Study Abroad Fair is back and better than ever!  This year's theme is "Get Some Mileage Out of Your Education!"

Come to the NIU Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 for the chance to peruse all of the fabulous programs being offered to students during this academic year.

Are you interested in studying abroad but not sure where you want to go? Representatives from programs in 75 different countries will be at the fair to help you decide which program is right for you!

Many people aren't sure if they can afford to study abroad. Attend the Study Abroad Fair and talk with financial aid representatives who will show you how and where to get financial assistance to help get you on your way.

There will also be photos from this year's Study Abroad Photo Contest.  Be sure to stop by and vote for your favorite photo!  

So plan to stop by and "Get Some Mileage Out of Your Education!"  We look forward to seeing you on September 21!  

Click here for more information about the 2011 NIU Study Abroad Fair!

Viva España - Learn More About This Summer's Spanish Languge & Culture Program in Toledo, Spain

Northern Illinois University's Spanish Language and Culture Study Abroad Program in Toledo, Spain just wrapped up its summer 2011 session. This program, led by Nicholas Henriksen, a Foreign Languages & Literatures faculty member at NIU, gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the language and culture of Spain for 5 weeks. Participants earn academic credit in intermediate and advanced classes in Spanish language during the weekdays, and attend cultural and historical activities at night as well as during the weekends. Students on this program have the opportunity to explore Toledo, Spain, arguably the most important city in Medieval Spain. It is a place of rich cultural fusion, which makes it an captivating destination for students studying abroad. Aside from the language and culture, students enjoy the chance to meet other students from around the globe at the University of Castilla-La Mancha.



Toledo, Spain



To get an inside look at what life was like this summer on the NIU Spanish Language and Culture program, check out http://niuintoledo.blogspot.com/. You can see pictures and read first-hand descriptions from students who participated in the 2011 program. You can even follow a link on the blog to connect with students from this trip. ¡Qué bueno!

Summer 2011 Participants on the Spanish Language and Culture
in Toledo, Spain Study Abroad Program