URI Chinese Program Bulletin Fall 2013: Welcome Back, September Events, Apply to be Matched with a Local Host Family!

Dear Students of Chinese:

Welcome to our newest URI Chinese language learners, and welcome back to all returning students! With over 200 of you taking Chinese and a growing community of Chinese-speaking faculty, staff, and students on campus, we will be offering many opportunities for you to put your Chinese skills to use right here in Kingston during the 2013-14 academic year. We encourage you to take part in as many opportunities as possible and to create your own. Be sure to scroll all the way down to learn about our new Local Host Family Program!

Upcoming September Events:

Thurs., 9/5:  Flagship Welcome Back Chat and Ice Cream Social

• 5:00-6:00 PM in the Hoffman Room in Swan Hall.
• For Chinese Flagship Students only.
• Returning Flagship students will share their experiences in China and at the Flagship Chinese Institute at Indiana University with the 2013 Cohort.

Thurs., 9/12: Cross-Disciplinary Asian Studies Networking Event in the Chinese LLC

• 4:30-6:00 PM in Hillside Hall, Grand Lounge.
• For ALL students of Chinese, regardless of class year.
• Network with faculty who teach Asian Studies courses, faculty who conduct research in China or Taiwan, and Chinese-speaking faculty from a variety of academic disciplines campus-wide.
• Refreshments will be served.

Mon., 9/16: U.S./International Career Preparation Workshop I

• 5:00-7:00 PM, IEP House Living Room (67 Upper College Rd.)
• For all students of Chinese, regardless of class year.
• DB and IEP/Chinese Flagship staff will lead this workshop.
• Learn how to write effective resumes and cover letters in both American and international styles, and how to prepare for interviews and assessment centers in the U.S. and abroad. 
• Learn how to start your resume in different formats for different purposes (jobs/countries), then bring your completed resume to Workshop II for feedback.
• Pizza will be provided.

Thurs., 9/19:  ROTC & Languages Information Session

• 12-1 PM
• Stay tuned for more info.

Mon., 9/23: Sensata Company Visit

• 12-1pm, IEP House Living Room (67 Upper College Road)
  
• For all Chinese IEP/IBP students.
• Learn about internship and job opportunities at Sensata Technologies in Attleboro, MA and worldwide. Hear about IEP alumni paths to success with Sensata.
  
• Pizza will be served.

Thurs., 9/26: National Security Agency (NSA) Information Session

• 12:00-1:00 PM in the IEP House Living Room (67 Upper College Rd.)
• Learn about internships & careers with the NSA.
• Pizza will be served.

Thurs., 9/26: U.S./International Career Preparation Workshop II

• 1-3pm, IEP House Living Room (67 Upper College Road)
  
• For all Chinese Flagship and IEP students, regardless of class year.
• National Security Agency (NSA) and IEP/Chinese Flagship staff will lead this workshop.
  
• Bring your resume! Meet with representatives from the NSA one-on-one to learn more about jobs and internships, and have your resume critiqued.

Sat., 9/28: Local Host Family Matching Event

• 5:00-6:00 PM at URI, location TBD
• See below for more information and to apply.

Sat., 9/28: Moon Festival Celebration

• 6:30 PM, Edwards Auditorium
• More information to follow

Local Host Family Program:

• Apply to be matched with a local Chinese-speaking host family by September 15 (contact Erin for application).
• For ALL students of Chinese
• Students and families commit to meeting once per month, during which time they speak only Mandarin Chinese, for the entire 2013-14 academic year.
• A matching event will be held on Sat., September 28 from 5-6 PM prior to the Moon Festival Celebration.

Peer Ambassador Program - Applications Due July 15

Hello Study Abroad Alumni,

My name is Colleen Grinham, and I am the Graduate Assistant at the International Center, a 2011 study abroad alumna, and this year’s coordinator for the Peer Ambassador Program.

For those of you that are not familiar with the Peer Ambassador Program, I will explain our goals. The peer ambassador program looks to introduce international students to URI students, and vice versa, to allow for more cross-cultural interactions on campus, and to encourage a peer bonding experience that is sometimes difficult to achieve when in a foreign country, as many of you know.

My personal goal for this upcoming year is to make the Peer Ambassador Program a comprehensive cross-cultural education program. This means that there will be presentations and seminars throughout the year to share cultural and study abroad experiences from both perspectives. Additionally, there will be more social events throughout the year including a salsa night, day trips, intramural teams, “speed friending”, language coffee hours, foreign film nights, and many other great activities.

Throughout the 2013-2014 academic year, there will be international students from all over the world including those from China, Norway, Spain & Brazil, to name a few. These students have indicated on their applications to URI that they would like a Peer Ambassador, so international students participating are excited to meet URI students and learn about a new culture.

If you are interested in being paired with an international student or learning about other cultures in general, please visit our website for more information. http://www.uri.edu/international/returning1.html

The deadline for Fall 2013 Applicants is July 15th.  You can find the Peer Ambassador application at the link above.

At the end of July you will receive your international partner’s contact information. This is available so that international students have a chance to ask their partners questions regarding what to bring, what to do in Rhode Island, and other questions about the University best answered by a student.

This is a great opportunity to practice a second language, learn a new one, becoming involved in the URI international community, and experience a different culture! Remember, your participation enhances these student’s experiences abroad!

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Colleen Grinham

Graduate Assistant

Office of International Education- University of Rhode Island

Colleen_grinham@my.uri.edu

401-874-2395

Looking for a Fine Arts Course Related to China?

Register for FLM 495: "Chinese Hollywood - Through the Lens of Visual Literacy" this fall and fulfill both a Fine Arts General Education requirement and 3 of the 6 credits in Chinese/Asian history, Chinese/Asian politics, or Chinese/Asian philosophy required of the Chinese major offered in English through other departments. 

 Note: You will need to submit an A&S Curriculum Modification form for this to count towards the above-mentioned requirements.

US Dept of State e-Internship Program

What is the VSFS program?
The Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS) program is the State Department’s virtual eInternship program for U.S. college and graduate students, which is administered by the Bureau of Information Resource Management’s Office of eDiplomacy. The VSFS harnesses technology and a commitment to global service among young people to facilitate new forms of diplomatic engagement. You can read a bit about the history of the program and find links to Facebook and Twitter pages.

What kind of work can VSFS eInterns do?
VSFS eIntern duties and responsibilities will vary depending on the needs of the federal agency office or U.S. diplomatic post overseas and the types of VSFS projects identified. VSFS projects may involve research, contributing to reports on issues such as human rights, economics, or the environment. Projects may also be more technology oriented such as working on web pages or helping produce electronic journals. Students are expected to dedicate an average of 10 hours per week on VSFS eInternship projects. Past projects included:

• Creating a forum for host country and American students to exchange their ideas, experience, and knowledge about environmental advocacy
• Promoting student programs in the U.S. and civic engagement by using new media
• Identifying and using journalism trends to reach out to students and young journalists
• Expanding a post’s English learning and educational advising
• Creating lesson plans on environmental conservation for schools in remote areas of the country

Are VSFS eInternships paid? Is there any employment benefits associated with being a part of VSFS? 
eInterns are unpaid and not Federal government employees. They are not entitled to any employee benefits. A VSFS eInternship is an opportunity to build a relationship with U.S. diplomatic posts abroad and federal domestic offices to work on various projects to advance our nation’s diplomatic and developmental goals. eInterns will act as citizen diplomats to engage in our increasingly interconnected world. Because these eInternships are virtual, students can have a flexible virtual work schedule during the academic year, allowing both academic and eInternship goals to be met.

For more information or to apply see:

http://www.state.gov/vsfs/

Ameson Year In China

This was posted originally to the CLTA-GNY listserv on May 31.  While the due date for this has past, email gharter@ameson.org if you are interested and ask about an extension.  

 

The Ameson Year in China program is for recent college graduates and other qualified applicants seeking to expand their horizons and develop a global vision using their natural asset – English.  In exchange for teaching English as a contribution to Chinese students for an academic year, the AYC is designed to give participants the chance to gain a deep understanding of Chinese culture, learn one of the world's most in demand languages, enhance their professional development, gain professional experience, and improve future employment prospects in the U.S. And around the world.  The program also provides opportunities to conduct independent projects of personal significance and establish a personal business or academic network in China, which can all be invaluable assets for a future career.

 

         Working commitments consist of about 25 hours of educational activities per week.  The fully standardized curriculum, along with teaching materials and support, gives participants plenty of time to practice their Chinese, conduct research, or explore their surroundings.  AYC provides:

-Paid internship with a monthly stipend of approx. $800, or 5000 RMB

-Free Chinese language lessons

-Free housing, arranged by your Chinese school

-Sponsorship to obtain a Z type working visa

-Reimbursement for your flight to and from China up to $1200

-Basic health insurance

             -Free airport pickup and arrival support

         

           To apply students should submit a resume, unofficial transcript, and a copy of your passport to gharter@ameson.org by May 31, 2013.  For more information feel free to email me at mluhr.ameson@gmail.com.  In addition, check out our website (http://www.ameson.org/ayc) and blog (http://www.amesonayc.blogspot.com).

 

Thank you for your passing this along!

Marlena Luhr

 

Program Associate

Ameson Year In China

Suite 500 Ronald Reagan Bldg.

1300 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington DC 20004

Job Posting: International Student Coordinator - School One, Providence

Job Title: International Student Coordinator
Organization: School One
Location: Providence, RI
Salary: $25/hr.
Start Date: July 8, 2013
Part Time
Permanent

Job Description
-------------------------------------------
School One, an independent high school located on the East Side of Providence, is seeking a part- time International Student Coordinator.  Responsibilities include recruiting and managing host family placements, coordinating school-sponsored international student orientation and social activities, collaborating with faculty on International students’ academic needs, and building a wide variety of supports to help the students fully integrate at School One.  The position requires communication with many different stakeholders: students, teachers, administrators, host families, community organizations, and translators.
For the upcoming school year, the coordinator will work with five Chinese students.  Three will be new to the school and two will be beginning their second year.  The position will require approximately 10 hours per week, though the schedule is somewhat flexible.  In future years, the position may expand if the number of students grows.
Qualifications:
•       Excellent interpersonal skills, including cross-cultural awareness and a stance of respect
•       Excellent oral and written communication skills
•       Ability to work well in a collaborative environment
•       A problem-solving orientation
•       Strong organizational skills to handle a multi-faceted job
•       Experience with teens or young adults, ideally in a school or college setting
•       International experience a plus
•       Second language (Mandarin) a plus

Education: Bachelor’s degree required


How to Apply
-------------------------------------------
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to Julia Volynsky at juliav@school-one.org
Deadline to apply is June 7, 2013

URI Flagship Scholar Receives Gilman Scholarship!

Congratulations to Chinese Flagship Scholar Rachael Adams for receiving the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study in the University of Oregon Chinese Flagship's program in Harbin, China during the summer of 2013!  

Learn more about the Gilman in the announcement below:

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program Offers Over 700 Summer 2013 Awards

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is proud to announce the selection of the Summer 2013 scholarship recipients. The Gilman Scholarship Program received a record number of applications and over 700 outstanding students were offered awards for the Summer 2013 term. Eighty-four selection panelists from various colleges and universities around the nation met at the IIE-Houston office to review and select from more than 2,700 applications under consideration. In total, the Gilman Scholarship Program will award more than 2,800 scholarships for the 2012-2013 academic year, the largest annual number of Gilman awards to date. To view a list of the selected Summer 2013 Gilman Scholarship recipients, please visit www.gilman.iie.org.

The Gilman International Scholarship Program is a congressionally funded program sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) through IIE's office in Houston, Texas. The Gilman Scholarship Program offers U.S. undergraduate, high financial need students grants of up to $5,000 to participate in a study abroad program or international internship for academic credit. Students studying a critical need language could be eligible to receive a grant of up to $8,000. The Gilman Program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go by supporting undergraduates who might otherwise not study abroad due to financial constraints.