International Education Week 2020

Join Chatham University and the US Department of State/US Department of Education as we celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide! The theme of the week at Chatham University is International Education: Study Abroad in Challenging Times. 2020 has been a challenging year for international education. Students share their experiences through essays, presentations, and recordings. Please visit this blog post for those contents. Join us for live events listed below.

ESSAYS, VIDEOS, AND OTHER CONTENTS

Blog Post: Popular Music from Around the WorldMiku Nishii's Video: Seeing the Opportunity in Every Difficulty[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMRFoAW9iA8&feature=youtu.be[/embed]Lerlina Mondoally's Video: Lessons from Studying Abroad During COVID-19[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk99pBlkQaE&feature=youtu.be[/embed]Personal Reflection: Restricted and Expanded: Life During Covid-19

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Monday, November 9Study Abroad Q&A4-5 PM, US Eastern TimeDuring the Study Abroad Q&A, OIA shared study abroad options for future terms, including the summer 2021 Chatham field experiences in Costa Rica, Cyprus and Taiwan, scholarships, and health and safety information for travel in the time of the pandemic.

Wednesday, November 11

International Student Employment Information Session

12-1PM, US Eastern TimeOn Wednesday November 11^th, OIA offered a session on “International student employment information session.”This session covered eligible employment opportunities for those studying on F or J visas. Topics included on-campus employment, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and Optional Practical Training (OPT). F and J visa holders have specific visa requirements regarding employment, and must follow these regulations to maintain status.International Student and Scholar Services offers information session on international student employment monthly and students should attend at least one session before applying for CPT or OPT.

Thursday, November 12

International Symposium3-5PM, US Eastern TimeWatch the full symposium recording.https://youtu.be/lc0pdFRY0pcOn Thursday November 12, 2020, the Office of International Affairs hosted a virtual symposium on international education, with the theme of “Study Abroad in Challenging Times”.The symposium allowed students to reflect on their experiences studying abroad in 2020: from the perspective of American students who went overseas and international students who studied in the United States.The symposium began with a recorded message from keynote speaker Dr. Todd James Allen, an associate professor in the faculty of Foreign Language Studies at Kansai University. Dr. Allen spoke about education abroad from a Japanese perspective in the current context of COVID-19.  You can watch the keynote speech below:Keynote speech by Dr. Todd Allen[embed]https://youtu.be/xbQqtdxmFcI[/embed]Dr. Todd James Allen's bio: Dr. Todd James Allen completed his PhD at the University of Queensland, researching Japanese listening behaviour. Currently, he is an Associate Professor at Kansai University, where he coordinates and teaches a number of English-language skills courses, intercultural communication and undergraduate and postgraduate academic writing. Todd’s research interests include Japanese-English (folk) pragmatics, academic skills development (e.g., presentation and writing), and is currently investigating the effects of study abroad on intercultural communication development. Todd is also editor-in-chief of Academe, Director of the Academic Writing Studies Society, and is a committee member for JALT Pragmatics special interest groupStudent presenters reflected on their experiences abroad during 2020:Hanna Thiele, 22’ presented on “Viajar en España”. Hanna is majoring in Political Science and studied abroad in Madrid, Spain during spring 2020.Hiroki Nakai, a vising student from Kansai University, is currently studying in the United States. Hiroki’s major is Foreign Language Studies, and he presented on “An eccentric 10-month new challenge.”Walker Orner, 21’, presented on “Studying Abroad During a Pandemic: Making the Most of Any Situation.” Walker is majoring in Media Arts, with a concentration in Filmmaking, and studied abroad in Angers, France during spring 2020.Miku Nishii, a visiting student from Kansai University, is currently studying virtually from Japan. Miku’s major is Foreign Language Studies, and she presented on “How I saw the opportunity in this difficult time.”Attendees were able to reflect on the presentations and discuss positive impacts of study abroad, as well as consider what programs will look like in the future.Attendees voted on their favorite presentations, choosing Hiroki Nakai’s “An eccentric 10-month new challenge” and Walker Orner’s “Studying abroad during a Pandemic: Making the Most of Any situation” as their favorite.Thank you to all presenters for sharing their experiences, to Dr. Todd Allen, and to the attendees of the International Education Week symposium!A video recording of the symposium will be uploaded to the OIA blog shortly.

Friday, November 13

Let's Talk with Dr. Linh Phung9-10am, US Eastern TimeParticipants in three countries joined Dr. Linh Phung and students at Chatham University for a Story Circles session. They shared stories in response to the following two prompts in small groups and then discussed themes that emerged in their stories in a whole group discussion.Prompts:1. Please tell us your name and three words or phrases that describe your background and why those words/phrases are important to you. (TALK FOR 2 MINUTES)2. What is one of the most positive interactions you have had with a person(s) who is different from you, and what made this such a positive experience? (TALK FOR 2-3 MINUTES)Let's Talk Friday, Nov 13

Friday, November 13

Global Focus Event - Global Focus: Cyprus and Music11AM-12:30PM, US Eastern TimeAttendees learned about Cyprus and Music from presenter Dr. Kenneth Smith, Associate Professor, University of Nicosia - Department of Music and Dance.  Dr. Smith used the structure of a Cypriot wedding to discuss Music Variety, Music Life and Different Music Genres. In discussing a typical Cypriot wedding, we learned about presentational and participatory music in the wedding preparation and during the ceremony.  Dr. Smith also discussed the types of music heard during a Cypriot wedding, including traditional Greek and Cypriot songs when the bride and groom get ready at their homes, Byzantine chanting at the ceremony, as well as jazz and popular Cypriot, Greek and world music during different stages of the reception. The presentation gave attendees an overview of many Cypriot cultural traditions, some exposure to musical instruments typical in the region, and how music plays a big part in Cypriot culture and life.Flyer: iew2020