Outreach

2020-2021 Outreach

International Culture Team

  • A total of 49 students/scholars/spouses actively participated in the International Culture Team (ICT) presenting their culture or where they studied abroad in at least two events. An additional 21 students/scholars/spouses presented at least in one event totaling 108 presenters for the year.  38 of these presenters made 4 presentations or more this year (or the equivalent of 2 per semester). These students represented 35 different countries.  For the first time we had a presenter from Zambia.   20 new members completed three levels of training and became formal members sharing their culture in different ways such as performing, cooking, and hosting cultural tables.
  • Despite COVID pandemic,  ICT members presented 330 times in 46 events, reaching 5,934 campus and Northwest Arkansas community members. We also provided 51 volunteer opportunities for U of A students and had 232 people volunteer for ICT in some way. This year we had several groups to which ICT made multiple presentations: University Perspectives, Fayetteville High School Culture Club, the Human Library, and local primary and secondary schools.
  • The Human Library completed its 14th edition as a collaboration between ISS’ ICT and the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education.
  • Several events such as ICT Summer Social, CORE meetings, CORE Debrief meetings, Core breakfast social and team end of the year virtual social promoted team bonding over the school year.

  • Partners for ICT Presentations

    • U of A Classes/Departments/Units:  Latin American and Latino Studies, Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education, New Student and Family Programs, University Housing, World Civilizations, Jerry & Gene Jones Family Student-Athlete Success Center, Multicultural Families Class, International Students and Scholars, Holcombe Hall, Upward Bound Academy
    • U of A Registered Student Organizations:  Dream Big, Panamanian Student Organization, International Bolivian Organization, International Student Christian Association, Indian Cultural Association, African Students Organization, Chinese Students and Scholars, Filipino Students Organization, Friends of India, Fulbright Scholars at the University of Arkansas, Iranian Students Association, Japanese Student Association, Muslim Student Association, Russian-Eurasian Student Organization
    • Community:  Candace Academy, Botanical Gardens of Ozarks, Leverett Elementary School, Haas Hall Academy - Culture Club, The Gardens at Arkanshire , M&N Augustine Foundation, Holcomb Elementary School, First Presbyterian Church, Butterfield Trail Village, Girls Scouts of Fayetteville, Root Elementary School, Fayetteville High School Pre-AP History Class, Fayetteville High School Culture Club

iFriend Programs

Friendship Family

  • 39 international students and scholars were matched to 33 Friendship Family hosts from the NW Arkansas region for friendships in the Friendship Family Program.

Campus Cousins

  • 17 international students were matched with 13 domestic students as hosts for a campus friendship in our Campus Cousin program.

Events included

  • Virtual Tea in American Home during Fall orientation for graduate and undergraduate new students, Lunch with an American host during Spring orientation welcome ceremony, iFriend Spring Matching Reception, Friendship Family Fall Matching Reception and Campus Cousins Fall Matching Reception, Virtual ifriend Fall party, iFriend End of the Year Celebration- picking up activity kits for matches, Cooking Thanksgiving side dishes with the Full Circle Food pantry, Dickson Scavenger Hunt, and our Annual iFriend Finale: hybrid edition.
  • ISS and Full circle Food pantry on campus conducted a joint program called Cooking Thanksgiving side dishes with the Full Circle Food pantry.  Through this program, students received all the ingredients to prepare corn bread and green beans casserole. Participants join together online to prepare the dishes from their homes and celebrated Thanksgiving in this way.

International Education Week

  • International Education Week, November 16-20, 2020 highlighted the influence of international education on the campus.  The IEW planning team coordinated communication and promotion for 38 events sponsored by 26 organizations/departments.
  • The office rose to the challenge of virtual programming for International Education Week.  The opening was live streamed with recorded video events mixed in. The committee decided to have a theme for each day and used social media to promote each day’s theme.  The campus community was encouraged to participate virtually.
  • Audra Johnston planned and hosted the virtual International Scholar Reception as part of International Education Week.
  • A Digital IEW Tool Kit was created that included the following information and links about:
    • IEW and How to Get Involved
    • U of A IEW Calendar
    • Where to Submit an IEW Event
    • Creating Digital Stories