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Peer partners sought for exchange

trevor.kenney — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:12:08 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's International Centre for Students (ICS) is looking for peer partners as it once again hosts exchange students from Japan this fall.

The U of L has had a longstanding exchange agreement with Hokkai Gakuen ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, hosting a number of exchanges over the years. This August, another group of students from Japan will be coming to campus and ICS is in need of peer partners to accompany the students while they are here.

Peer partners will be invited to participate in some of the group's activities (including a day trip to Waterton), and will be asked to commit approximately three hours per week during the month of August.

For more information on this program and how you can participate, visit Laura Ferguson in the International Centre for Students (SU040) or contact her via e-mail at laura.ferguson2@uleth.ca.

A family of support

trevor.kenney — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:07:27 +0000

Only once did Priscilla Patel look over her shoulder and wonder if she'd done the right thing. It was then that she relied upon her father's reassurance to settle her fears.

Now, one semester later, Patel still looks to her father for guidance but fear has given way to excitement, and trepidation has been replaced by a confidence that helps support an entire family.

"Priscilla has really grown up," her mother Malti says. "I see a lot of difference in her since coming down here, she has totally matured."

The Patel family members have all come a long way. A year ago the entire family was in its home country of Malaysia, Priscilla set to graduate from high school, excited about a future she hoped would lead her to the United States and a dream job with animation studio Pixar.

That's when Trish Jackson of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's International Centre for Students happened upon Malti at a Study in Canada event.

"When we met Miss Trish, everything changed," Malti says. "We found that this university was what we were looking for, it had a lot to offer her."

Jackson, an international recruitment officer, extolled the virtues of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the burgeoning new media program being offered in the Faculty of Fine Arts. Little did she know that she was recruiting Malti as much as she was wooing Priscilla, because there was no way the Patels were sending Priscilla to Lethbridge on her own.

"It's not very often we find a student who has a parent and siblings who are relocating with them, so this was a little bit of a special situation for us," says Jackson.

Along with Priscilla and Malti came her three brothers and sisters, 12-year old Natasha, nine-year old Nashania and seven-year old Darren. Only Ashok, the father, stayed behind.

Suddenly, Jackson was more of a resource than she'd ever been before.

"I think my biggest role was trying to answer questions before they actually arrived," Jackson says.

"Beyond student support it's really difficult for our office to provide a lot of support to the family. Aside from trying to answer questions and providing some contacts in the local school division for the younger children, most of the support the family ended up needing came from the Immigrant Services Department of Lethbridge Family Services."

Malti gives Jackson a little more credit.

"Miss Trish was constantly in touch with us, whatever questions we had she was always willing to answer," she says. "What we wanted to know about the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, the city, even the education for our other children, she guided us in every way."

It was a bold decision to come to Canada but one that sent a strong message to Malti and Ashok's children. They seem to understand that the risk their parents have made is for their best interests and have embraced the transition from Malaysia to Canada. Leading the way is Priscilla.

"I love it here, it really is amazing," she says. "Getting to know people has been so easy, I really think it's better than where I'm from in Malaysia. I find people have so much respect here, they respect you for who you are and what you do."

The new media program has been everything she could have imagined.

"I don't know where to start, I've only taken five classes but they've all been great," she says. "Right now I'm not even sure what area I want to pursue. I want to go into animation but at the same time I feel like I want to do film, I want to do graphics, I want to do everything."

Priscilla truly lives the campus experience. She's active with the International Centre, has joined student clubs and taken in everything Canadian.

"I love the snow. Even though a lot of people tell me I'll hate it soon I don't think so, at least not yet," she says. "After coming here I started involving myself in skating and going to hockey matches, I just wanted to try everything."

Priscilla's brothers and sisters have followed her lead. They quickly adapted to their new schools, are active in local choirs and activities and have excelled academically.

Malti rests easier now knowing that the new life she and Ashok have chosen for their children seems to agree with them. She has also embraced her new surroundings, first by volunteering for local organizations this past fall and through the Christmas season, and recently by taking a part-time job.

While the family thrives here in Canada, it isn't without sacrifice as Ashok stays behind to support their new life.

"My dad's amazing," Priscilla says of Ashok, the managing director of a textile company. Malti finds it tough without her husband but instead looks at the situation from his perspective.

"I have my children with me and Priscilla, she understands what mom is going through and she helps out in every way," she says. "My husband is alone there and he has to take care of it alone and that is hard."

The plan is for Ashok to reunite with his family here in Canada in two or three years, just in time for Malti and her children to become Canadian citizens and for Priscilla to graduate (she's planning on taking summer courses to finish her degree earlier).

Now, it's hard to believe Priscilla ever had any doubts about coming to Canada – but there was that one day.

"When I landed in Lethbridge and I looked around and all I saw was prairies and mountains, I wanted to go home," she says. "I wasn't sure if I could do it, but my dad told me it's about change and I have to learn how to adapt and it turns out that it's pretty good now."

GET THE FACTS

• The Patels are from the Malaysian island of Penang. The average maximum temperature in Penang only varies from 30.4 degrees in September to 32.2 degrees in March.

• Jackson has been to 14 countries since being hired as international recruitment officer in August 2007. She heads out on a seven-country trip through Latin America this month.

• Priscilla and her siblings all attended international schools growing up. Priscilla's final years of study at Taylor's ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ College in Kuala Lumpur featured a Canadian-based curriculum developed in Ontario.

• The family pays great reverence to their father Ashok as Natasha brought a picture of him to the interview, telling her mother that he was a part of the family and should be part of the experience.

International Centre serving as drop-off point for Haiti relief

trevor.kenney — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:48:25 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's International Centre for Students is serving as a drop-off point for donations to help the struggling residents of Haiti.

Residents in Haiti are working to recover from a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Haiti earlier this week. The earthquake has caused buildings to collapse and widespread damage throughout Port au Prince.

The Canadian Red Cross has contributed $200,000 from its International Disaster Relief Fund and Canadian aid workers are on standby to be deployed to Haiti if needed.

Canadians are encouraged to support Red Cross relief efforts by making a financial donation to the Canadian Red Cross Haiti Earthquake fund.

Those who wish to make donations on campus can do so at a Canadian Red Cross donation box located in the International Centre for Students (SU047). All money raised will be passed on to the Canadian Red Cross Haiti Earthquake fund.

A charitable receipt for tax deductions will be provided upon request. When you make your donation at the International Centre for Students, please use the envelope provided by the Canadian Red Cross and indicate a receipt is required.

Alternatively, you may make a payment online with the Red Cross at: https://www.paypaq.com/redcross/new/

Please direct any questions or concerns to charlene.janes@uleth.ca

International exchange info sessions begin Monday

trevor.kenney — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:15:48 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's International Centre for Students will be hosting a variety of information sessions on campus, Monday through Wednesday, showcasing a variety of exciting international opportunities for students.

Following is a list of information sessions beginning Monday, Nov. 16.

Monday, November 16th – 11 a.m. in L1170A
The Washington Centre - for Internships and Academic Seminars. An academic internship program offering thousands of tailored placements in governmental, international, business and non-profit organizations.

Tuesday, November 17th – 12 p.m. in L1170A
U of L Exchange Programs - We have several exciting international exchange opportunities available for all students! You could study in Australia, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, The United States, Great Britain, or Germany.

Wednesday, November 18th – 9 a.m. in L1170A
Study Tour of South Korea - This summer program is designed for students who want to learn Korean culture, history, society and business, as well as the Korean language. Students will receive course credit for successful completion of the study tour.

Thursday, November 19th – 2 p.m. in L1170A
Alberta Smithsonian Internship Program - Offers students a chance to experience history and the opportunity to gain international work experience in their field of study.

For more information on any of the sessions contact Laura Ferguson via e-mail at laura.ferguson2@uleth.ca, or stop by our table in the Atrium.

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