UAF RECOGNIZES INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2000
Fairbanks, Alaska – In an increasingly global community international education has become an important resource for students to compete in a globalized economy and to build and strengthen a mutual understanding with countries worldwide.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Office of International Programs plays an important role in providing educational opportunities for U.S. students to study abroad and to develop an ongoing communication process between U.S. students and those from other countries.
In recognition of such efforts Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Rhonda Boyles proclaimed the November 13-17, 2000 as International Education Week, the proclamation is part of a cooperative response by the Borough, state and UAF to a presidential policy directive on international education.
To raise awareness of its outreach efforts the Office of International Programs sponsors classroom-to-classroom connections between local middle schools and international students attending UAF. Local teenagers meet with international students and to learn more about the countries, cultures and languages they represents.
Another activity is the International Social Hour where practical information about U.S. culture and customs in general, and Alaska and UAF in particular, is shared with international students and scholars. Social Hours take place every Wednesday evening from 7-9 p.m. in the lounge of Skarland Hall on the UAF campus. The Nov. 22nd session will be an international harvest dinner to share U.S. Thanksgiving traditions with our international guests.
There are more possibilities for students to get a broader view and learn more about other cultures. The Office of International Programs offers different opportunities to study abroad. UAF is one of more than 170 universities in the U.S. and Canada participating in the National Student Exchange (NSE) program. UAF has international exchange programs with 12 universities in nine different countries including Canada, Denmark, England Finland, Germany, Japan, Norway, Russia and Sweden. What's more, UAF participates in the study abroad program in Austria, Australia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Greece, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain or Taiwan.
People interested in practicing their foreign language skills can attend weekly conversation tables for French at Into the Woods bookstore and for German at the Dog House café, both on College Road near the UAF campus.
For more information about exchange programs with Germany visit an information table sponsored by the Office of International Programs at UAF's Wood Center on Friday, Nov. 17th from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., where the public can meet students from Germany and learn of opportunities for involvement in international activities.
CONTACT: Ina Kruwinnus, Student Intern – University Relations Office (907) 474-7581 or by email at: ikruwinnus@hotmail.com
IK/13-11-00/01-033