Letter from the Directorpage 2

Fulbright Scholarship Recipients

page 3

PAWS Partnerspage 4

Waco Welcome Familiespage 5

Baylor Interns in London

page 6

Intercultural Exchangepage 7

Study Abroad Photo Contest

Winnerspage 8 and 9

Staff page 10

Photo contest winners announced

The Staff Pick photo Blue Storm Brewing, taken by Shawn Warner.

The winners of the 5th Annual Study Abroad Photo Contest, held by the Interna-tional Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), were announced Nov. 15.

Gregory Valentine was awarded Best in Show with his photo Etched in Stone.

The photo featured above was taken by Shawn Warner, a senior linguistics major who studied in Florence, Italy this sum-mer. Warner’s school group was visiting the town of Manarola located on the northwest-ern coast of Italy, where it had been raining all day.

“We were about to be sorely disap-pointed when, at about 3:00 p.m., the clouds

cleared and the sun began to shine brightly,” Warner wrote.

She went to the edge of the cliffs sur-rounding Manarola, enjoying the few hours of sunshine, when she saw another “blue storm brewing” in the distance. Ten minutes after the picture was taken, it began to rain again.

“We had only the memory of the sun-shine for the rest of the day.” Warner wrote.

Warner’s photo won the Staff Pick award. The finalists’ pictures are displayed in the Mayborn Museum Complex until early January. See pages eight and nine for more finalists’ photos.

The Baylor

Global Connection

Newsletter for the Baylor Center for International Education

Inside

The past year has been a time of progress and transition as the Center for International Education works to implement Vision 2012’s goal of internationalizing Baylor as envi-sioned by Imperative XI. In February, I succeeded Dr. Mitchell as director of CIE. During Dr. Mitchell’s six years as director, he served with distinction and managed to remain an active scholar and teacher while overseeing.

We have also welcomed Katie Erickson, who has taken over as Exchange Advisor following Cathleen’s marriage and move to Germany; Lamona Martin, who has taken Lar-isa’s position in overseeing our group study programs and working with our Area Studies Advisors, and Lexi English has rejoined us in ISSS. We will soon welcome Lynae Jordan who is joining us to assist with budget and administrative matters. Please stop by to say hello to Alexine Burke, Karen Connors, Leslie Hicks, Helen Miller, and Beth Walker and to introduce yourself to each of our newest CIE family members.

While it isn’t possible to recount in any real detail the events of the past year, the following summary will convey some sense of our activity.

Last year, 805 Baylor students studied in 24 countries by taking part in 2 one-semester programs, 33 summer study abroad programs, and over 20 exchange/affiliate programs. During the past year, 182 students participated in exchanges with almost 30 universities in close to 20 foreign countries. We inaugurated a number of new programs including, Baylor in China, Baylor in the Dominican Republic, Baylor in Brazil, Baylor at St. Andrews, Scotland and established a semester long study and internship program in London, England.

Our office provided orientation and immigration services to 393 International students and 19 scholars from 67 different countries. The top fields of study were business, information systems, chemistry, biology, physics, and engineering.

In this, the third year of awarding the Goodrich scholarship, 77 students received $108,360 in scholarship assistance. Soon we should be able to distribute additional funding from the James Vardaman International Study Scholarship and the Phi Beta Kappa University Scholars International Scholarship.

Finally, the past year has seen progress toward establishing a Global Living and Learning Center (GLLC) by the fall of 2008. The proposal contemplates suites of 4 – 6 students to exchange language expertise and cultural awareness. At least one student per suite will be a native speaker and cultural representative of the focal language and culture. The desired outcome is better preparation to function intellectually, professionally, socially, and spiritually in a world of diversity, both domestically and abroad.

The Center for International Education will continue to pursue the portion of Baylor’s mission which instructs us to em-phasize global education by “sending Baylor to the world,” and by “bringing the world to Baylor”.

Sincerely, Michael Morrison Director, Center for International Education

Letter from the DirectorThe Baylor Global Connection

The Baylor Global Connection

The Future is Fulbright

Greetings from South Korea! Life here has been quite busy for the past two weeks, and the group of 70 Fulbrighters will be leaving in about 9 hours for a rest-ful weekend trip to Songnisan. We have been enjoying an extended session of col-lege life at Gangwon National University, complete with dorms, community show-ers, pizza and patbingsu deliveries at 1:00 a.m., quizzes, classes, and extracurricular activities at night. It’s a good group here, with people from so many cultural and academic backgrounds.

My experience with the Baylor in Maas-tricht program was the single, most sig-nificant factor that led me to apply for the Fulbright. Spending a semester with Baylor in a foreign country, particularly in the Netherlands, allows students to dis-cover more about themselves, their own lifestyles, and their educational paths. Best wishes!

-Brittany

Brittany MaySenior from Dallas, Texas

University Scholars

Studying abroad was one of the best decisions I made in college. I was able to finally see a piece of the world and bet-ter appreciate many of the subjects I’ve learned about in school. I made wonderful friends and came away from Europe with more self confidence and a better un-derstanding of myself and my country. I never would have applied for the Fulbright and considered living in another country for a year if I hadn’t had such a great ex-perience studying abroad. I highly recom-mend it!

-Meghan

Meghan MerchantSenior from Plano, Texas

International Studies/ Journalism

The Baylor Global Connection

People Around the World Sharing

... The Inside Scoop ...

I became a PAWS partner three years ago to learn more about other cultures while also helping an international stu-dent learn more about the United States and feel comfortable at Baylor.

Last summer I studied abroad in Chi-na. While I was at Tsinghua University, I met Yafei (Faye) Liu.

It turned out that Faye got to come along with the group as we traveled around Beijing. While visiting the Great Wall of China I really got to know Faye. When I got back to Baylor, I requested to be her PAWS partner. It is great that we already had a foundation for a friendship.

Faye is a lot of fun to be around. We’re planning on making hot pot, a Chinese specialty, after finals.

I think that being able to speak some Chinese definitely helps. Talking to Faye helps me get a different perspective on life here at Baylor. She helps me see it with fresh eyes.

Kayla Ritter and Faye Liu attend a Baylor foot-ball game.

By: Kayla RitterJunior, International Studies

My PAWS partner this year is Fang-fang Zhang from China. She is here for two years to get her master’s degree in international journalism.

When I first met Fangfang, I was shocked to learn this is her first time in America, as she radiates with confidence and her English is almost perfect.

We went to Target for our first out-ing, but we didn’t buy anything because we were too busy conversing and ask-ing questions. At one point, we stood in the towel section for 20 minutes talking about school.

Since our first encounter, we’ve had fun doing other things such as going out to eat, birthday parties, H-E-B trips, and Baylor events. We also went to the Asian Student Association Culture Show last semester, and FangFang explained to me some of the music and dancing that we heard during the different acts.

I have greatly enjoyed getting to know Fangfang, and I’m excited about build-ing this friendship even stronger over the next two years.

Not only is FangFang a kind person,

but she has a great sense of humor—her sarcasm never fails to make me laugh.

She has quickly made many friends, and is the center of every group conver-sation. Her openness and down-to-earth personality makes it easy to get to know her.

I would encourage anyone to become a PAWS partner, because of the memo-ries made and friendships formed.

Students forge team, from the Great Wall to the Golden Wave

The program is always looking for U.S. students to welcome international students by engaging in their lives and lend a helping hand while they adjust to life at Baylor.To more information visit: www.baylor.edu/cie

Get Involved

Instantly inseparableBuilding a bond on excursions to Target, HEB

Fangfang Zhang and Ashley Killough hanging out.

By: Ashley KilloughJunior, International Studies

The Baylor Global Connection

“I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.”- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Welcome Family programHome away from home in the heart of Texas

For over a decade Richard and Lynn Segura have opened their hearts to Bay-lor women from around the world, grant-ing them a home away from home.

Whether residing in their home or vis-iting regularly the Seguras strive to make the women feel like family. “We stress that they are not our guest, they are a part of the family,” Lynn said.

Unlike many students who come to college with a car full of supplies and family members to help move in, these women often bring only two suitcases and the big task of adapting to a foreign culture.

The Seguras welcome the women by taking them shopping, celebrating holi-days and cooking meals together. “We take the girls to do things we would take our kids to do,” Lynn said.

One of their most memorable moments was the celebration of the Chinese New Year. The family of their resident, Yilin Elaine Pan, even sent authentic decora-tions all the way from China. “We truly felt she did belong to us and she knew she belonged with us,” Lynn said.

The Seguras celebrated with their daughter in San Antonio, who adopted her daughter from China after knowing many of her parents former residents.

“Being a welcome family gives me the unmatched opportunity to be a friend .

And you never know what affect this will have on them in the future,” Lynn said.

While Richard and Lynn Segura are veteran participants of the Welcome Families program, anyone can join the program.

Take for example Drew and Michelle Sims, who took a step further to get involved at Baylor. The young couple is carrying on a family tradition of hosting students.

“We want to help foreign students transition into living in America while, in return, learning about their countries,” Mi-chelle said.

Drew, a student, and Michelle, an administrative associate for printing procurement at Baylor, are delighted to have Hi-tomi Iwamoto as their resident student. The experience of con-versing with Iwamoto about her culture and getting a taste of authentic meals at their monthly get-togethers are a great joy to the Sims. In turn they also enjoy giving Iwamoto a taste of American cuisine and attending Baylor events.

On one of their many outings the Sims took Iwamoto to Wal-

Mart. Michelle said Iwamoto was in awe at how large the store was and amazed that she could find everything she needed in one stop. “Needless to say, she learned the meaning of ‘Wal-Mart’ very quickly,” Michelle said.

The Simses say their relationship with Iwamoto has opened their eyes to the similarities in the two different cultures.

“It’s made us realize that people are generally the same no matter where they’re from,” Michelle said. “That’s a very com-forting thought.”

Drew and Michelle Sims with Hitomi Iwamoto at Baylor homecoming bonfire.

Sharing a legacy of love

Richard and Lynn Segura with resident Elaine and granddaughter Hannah.

When cultures collide

By: Priscilla White

By: Priscilla White

I am loving my time so far here in London! The city is so vibrant: the lights, the shows, the people!

Being in the heart of the city has given

me priceless opportunities and experi-ences - something I would never have gotten without the FIE program.

And I am so excited about my intern-ship! I am going to be working at the Finborough Theatre - one of the top five fringe theatres in London!

I definitely will be working on some of the shows this season!

I’m having a fabulous time in Lon-don I absolutely do not want to leave!! London is the most vibrant city I have ever lived in. There is a new experience around every corner!! It is amazing to see how many different cultures can ex-ist alongside each other in one place. The people are intriguing and fascinating to talk to. If I don’t study here again I would love to work here in the future.

Current FIE students in London

David Cooper......London LaunchAccountancy Department

Robert Garnsey......................Local Government Association

Luis Garza.............................Digitas

Michael Herbert............The Space

Cynthia Martin...................Wilton’s Music Hall

Daniel Onley.................Carshalton and Wallington

Conservative Association

Baylor interns in LondonThe Foundation for International Edu-

cation (FIE) is an independent non-profit European study abroad organization based in London. Baylor has partnered with FIE to give students the opportunity to study abroad or take an internship for a semester in London.

Students from any major can be placed for an internship in London. FIE works primarily with small to medium-sized or-ganizations so that both the company and the intern can benefit most from experi-ence.

London’s cosmopolitan population is composed of a diverse range of people, cultures, and religions. Fascinating his-

tory combines with colorful modern ad-vancements to bring students a taste of the future. The arts, theater, nightlife, music, history, and literature available give students unlimited opportunities to explore.

Applications for the Spring 2008 se-mester are now available. This program is open to all majors but, only 10 students will be selected.

Contact Karen Connors at Karen_Connors@baylor.edu for more informa-tion.

Accepting applications for Fall 2008

Baylor partners with new FIE study abroad program

The Baylor Global Connection

@Great Expectations

Baylor in London students Emmie Rothenbach, Lacey Nolen and Michael Herbert with an actor from The Finborough Theatre.

By MEGAN BULLARDFIE Study Abroad Student

By EMMIE ROTHENBACH

FIE Intern, The Finborough Theatre

The first time I left Texas for more than a week, I was a seven-year-old headed to New Mexico. The second time I left Tex-as for more than a week, I was a junior in college headed to Beijing via Tokyo.

My experience abroad since that day of departure has been eye-opening. My first experiences with both Japan and China were their airports. The clue that you are no longer in a United States airport is the lack of ramped-up security measures and the missing twin sensations of fear and intimidation, thick in the atmosphere. My cab ride from the airport to Tsinghua University was emotionally ambiguous; I was excited to see the capital city of glo-balization, but it wounded my naturalist spirit to realize that the thick fog, which permeated the city that night, was actu-ally smog.

However, I quickly grew to love Bei-jing, particularly its common people. An unexpected occurrence had jump-started that change; my roommate invited me to a restaurant in a Xihai hutong whose owner he had befriended. The owner has been glad to see us ever since and is al-ways ready with new, regional delicacies for us to try among a friendly crowd of neighborhood characters.

Beijing living is enjoyable. The city is effectively free of violent crime. At any hour, one needs only to watch out for mo-

torists and the rumored pickpocket.The students at Tsinghua, both foreign

and native, are open-minded and do not shout down differing viewpoints.

My experience in Beijing is already shaping my future. It has changed my choice of careers, and has certainly changed my view of the United States. There are not as many differences be-tween the Chinese and United States governments and peoples, as our pundits and politicians would have us believe.

I have been studying in Baylor for more than two months. Two months may not be long, but it’s enough for me to begin to like this place.

I remember the day when I landed in Dal-las/Fort Worth Interna-tional Airport. Though I was still inside the airport, I felt heat rush up to me. The heat came not only from the hot weather, but also from people’s hospitality. After al-most 18 hours in flight, I was cold, hun-

gry and sleepy. I picked up a phone in the airport and called my welcome family. The first thing they said to me was “We’ll feed you and let you have a good sleep”. This sentence warmed me up.

What also impresses me is how kind people are in Texas. They will smile and say hello to me even if they don’t know me. And they are willing to help at any time. The first day of class, I got lost in campus and I was trying to find where my class was with a campus map. See-ing this, a girl came up right away and asked whether she could help. Whenever it seems that I am in trouble, there will be someone offering to help.

One thing I like about Baylor is the personal relationship with professors. Here professors are very available. They want to know students and help them out with either study or personal trouble. At first, I was afraid that I might have dif-ficulty understanding class contents. So I went to my professor’s office and told her my fear. She made me a copy of class notes and gave some suggestions about understanding foreign accents. In the next two weeks, she would ask me whether I had any questions after every class, just to make sure I could understand what she talked about in class. And when it was time to choose classes for next semester, I asked her for advice. After knowing my interests, my future plan, she made me a list of recommended classes that would be most useful to me. I really appreciate her help.

There are many other things that make my exchange ex-perience remark-able. Through an exchange program, I get to know the American educa-tion system and ex-perience American

culture. And as I am considering what to do for my graduate study, this experience provides me with another option.

By TRAVIS HOBBSJunior, International Studies/ History

The Baylor Global Connection

The Student Exchange Experience“My experience

abroad... has been eye-opening.”

“One thing I like about Baylor is the personal relationship with professors.”

By YAFEI (FAYE) LIUJunior, English

The Baylor Global Connection

Best in Show“Etched in Stone”Gregory Valentine

Baylor in Maastricht

First Place in Cityscape/Landscape“Art of the Gods”

Justin ChettaBaylor in Maastricht

First Place in People“Carnival Parade”Bethany Lehman

Baylor in Maastricht

Study Abroad Photo Contest WinnersGlimpses from around the World

The Baylor Global Connection

First Place in Art and Architecture“Wisdom and Beauty”

Amanda MaxwellBaylor in St. Andrews

Second Place in People“From Rags to Riches”

Paarth RajBaylor in Maastricht

Second Place in Art and Architechture“Blue Dome”Joanna Raab

EgyptAmerican University in Cairo

Second Place in City/Landscape“Tower at Blarney Castle”

Kim CarterBaylor in Maastricht

Student Snapshots

Michael MorrisonDirector and Jo Murphy Chair

Alexine BurkeInternational Student Advisor

Karen ConnorsMaastricht Program Coordinator

Alexia EnglishAdministrative Associate

Katie EricksonAdvisor,Study Abroad and Exchange Program Treva HallSEVIS Coordinator

Leslie HicksAdministrative Assistant

Lynae JordanBudget Associate

Lamona MartinAdministrative Associate

Helen MillerOffice Manager

Beth WalkerAdvisor,Campus and Community Involvement

Staff

The Baylor Global Connection

Center for International Education

Center for International Education One Bear Place #97012 Waco, TX 76798-7012 Phone: (254) 710-2657 Fax: (254) 710-2690

Co-Editors:Alex AbdallahElizabeth HerringPriscilla WhiteRafael Benavides

Correspondents:Yafei (Faye) LiuTravis HobbsMegan BullardEmmie RothenbachShawn WarnerMeghan MerchantBrittany May

Organization Leaders:Karen ConnorsKatie EricksonBeth WalkerAlexine Burke

Photo Contributors:Megan BullardEmmie RothenbachISSS DepartmentRachel Cummings

Global Connection Staff