UNews - Paul Pan

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge International Dinner returns with distinguished alumnus Dez Kamara as keynote

trevor.kenney — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 20:17:27 +0000

A valued ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge tradition is returning in February when the ULethbridge International Centre presents its celebration of the amazing contributions of international students at its 28th edition of the International Dinner.

Hosted for the first time since 2020, the evening will feature a keynote address from author, social justice advocate, alumnus and Alumni Honour Society inductee Desmond (Dez) Kamara (BA ’10). The event takes place Thursday, Feb. 6, 5 to 10 p.m., in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Science Commons Atrium.

Dez Kamara is testament to the power of education and making the most of his opportunities.

“It’s really exciting to be back hosting our International Dinner once again, celebrating all that international students bring to our campus and our community,” says Paul Pan, executive director of the International Centre. “You cannot overstate how valuable it is to have a diverse campus culture, one that introduces new world views and fosters mutual learning and a global perspective.”

Kamara is testament to the power of education and making the most of his opportunities. Born in Sierra Leone, Kamara survived 12 years of civil war and post-conflict. Focused on supporting war victims, especially former child soldiers, he produced a documentary to raise awareness of their experiences. His career spans nearly a decade working with the United Nations Special Court for Sierra Leone and various international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) in Sierra Leone, Canada and Jamaica.

In 2023, Kamara returned to ULethbridge to launch his first book, Looking Back: From Yele, Gbonkolenken Tonkolili District Sierra Leone to Lethbridge, Alberta Canada (Achieving an Educational Dream), reflecting his commitment to family values, education and his resilience to achieve his dreams.

“This is where my dream came true, and I would not launch this book anywhere except the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge,” he said at the time. “I can always tell anyone that I am the values and the principles of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, and in combination with my family, they helped me to be who I am today.”

He has a master’s in social work from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Windsor, specializing in mental health and community development (policy + practice).

Kamara is presently living in Gatineau, Que., where he is working with youth in community mental health.

“My task now is to break the barriers of exclusion, to help the forgotten, those left behind and the voiceless. It could be refugees, or immigrants, or child combatants or anyone in our society who is discriminated against, or excluded,” he says. “I feel with what I have achieved with the struggles I’ve faced; I need to give back and help those who need it.”

In addition to Kamara’s inspirational keynote address, the evening will feature fine dining with an international flair, a silent auction and live entertainment. Regular admission tickets are priced at $100 ($720 per table of eight) and $80 per student ($640 for a table) and registration is available here. All money raised will support the International Student Emergency Bursary.

Energy surges through campus with return of students

trevor.kenney — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 20:51:23 +0000

Residence buildings are full, hallways are busy, campus facilities are alive with activity — the students are back.

New Student Orientation featured Luxie as a welcome ambassador.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s 2023 Fall Term begins Wednesday, Sept. 6, and with 3,000 new students rolling into Lethbridge and Calgary campuses, and more than 8,400 students overall, the buzz of a new year has returned.

On Sunday, residence students began moving into campus housing. Residence buildings are full this fall and Housing Services was busy over the long weekend checking students in and helping families get their learners settled.

“It’s exciting to be at nearly full capacity with 960 students in residence including a record 100 international students,” says Laura Correal, Associate Director of Housing Services. “The residence experience plays such a big role in student success and student retention and the introductory activities our residence assistants have planned for students are designed to really make them feel welcome on campus and to start creating that supportive residence community that can have such a positive influence on their academic careers at ULethbridge.”

The record number of international students is not only reflective of residence but across the university. More than 1,200 international students are attending ULethbridge this fall, including more than 350 at the Calgary campus. It’s a new record that speaks to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s commitment to internationalization and its reputation as a welcoming, inclusive, high-quality institution.

Residence buildings were teeming with activity as students moved in over the weekend.

“We’ve put a lot of work into our approach to broadening our reach into international markets, and we’ve done it in a way that’s been very intentional and with the students’ best interests in mind,” says Paul Pan, Executive Director, International. “To bring students from 90 countries to our campus is exciting and creates a campus community reflective of the ULethbridge philosophy of liberal education and creating global citizens who will benefit society throughout the world.”

New Student Orientation is another key part of the first few days of the semester, and it saw more than 1,300 registrants take part on Tuesday (Calgary campus NSO takes place Wednesday). From an opening Pronghorn Athletics Pep Rally to a welcome from new President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Digvir Jayas, keynote speaker Kacie Bosch (BA ’21, former Pronghorn athlete, coach and current after-degree student), campus tours, introductory student services sessions, faculty meet-and-greets and more, the day provided students the opportunity to get their academic journey started on the right foot.

“New Student Orientation really sets the stage for our beginning students, and we spend a lot of time making sure we are meeting the needs of each incoming class,” says Kathleen Massey, vice-provost (students). “There is so much thrown at them the first few weeks they are on campus, socially and academically, and we want to help them with that transition to post-secondary life so that they can feel confident from the outset. We want all our students to achieve success and to know we are here to support them in reaching their goals — and that starts from day one.”

Another key program launched by ULethbridge this fall was the introduction of the StartSmart Quiz, a three-year, proactive student retention initiative designed to help new undergraduate students achieve their academic goals and increase first-year student retention. All new undergraduate students were invited to complete a university readiness self-assessment quiz. While voluntary, it was an opportunity for new students to reflect on their readiness for university. The self-assessment gives feedback on seven skills that research shows contribute to university success.

Jayas, in his address at NSO, welcomed students to campus noting they were both entering their first ULethbridge terms together.

“I know many of you have travelled from across the province, Canada and the world to attend ULethbridge. So have I,” he said. “I have received a very warm welcome from everyone at ULethbridge and the Lethbridge community already and I know you will as well.”

And so it begins!

Global Skills Opportunity project to help students gain career-boosting international experience

caroline.zentner — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 21:34:45 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge undergraduate students now have more options for international learning with the Global Skills Opportunity (GSO) program.

Funded through the federal government, the program is designed to give students, especially under-represented students, the chance to participate in international learning experiences and develop intercultural skills. Students who face barriers — Indigenous students, students with financial needs and students with disabilities — can participate in experiences abroad.

“The GSO funding helps many ULethbridge students realize their lifelong dream of travelling abroad during their undergrad, foreither a shorter or longer period, allowing them to immerse themselves into the culture and their ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, while worrying less about money,” says Gizelle Tiponut, education abroad coordinator with ULethbridge International.

Victoria Lopez poses with Tata, one of eight animated characters created by the K-pop band BTS.

With the GSO program, studying and working abroad becomes more accessible for a wider group of students. The ULethbridge International office is continuously creating specific programs for underrepresented students and the first Indigenous group will travel to Mexico in May for an immersive opportunity into the Mayan culture. Participants will be part of traditional festivals with dances, costumes, and food, and share about their own Indigenous cultures with the Mayan students.

“The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is committed to educating individuals who will become global citizens with international and intercultural skills and knowledge to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world,” says Paul Pan, executive director of ULethbridge International. “We want to provide our graduates with global perspectives to enter a highly diverse and competitive job market. The funding will enable our students to experience the world around them and develop the global and intercultural competencies that employers are seeking and that will help them succeed beyond graduation and throughout their careers.”

The types of study-abroad experiences available for funding include faculty-led programs, semester exchanges and short-term study-abroad programs. In addition, virtual exchanges and work-integrated learning placements such as co-ops, applied studies courses, internships and work-study programs are eligible.

“The Career Bridge Centre for Work-Integrated Learning and Career Development is pleased to partner with the Education Abroad program to support this Global Skills Opportunities grant and Go Global! initiative,” says Stacey Gaudette-Sharp, academic director of Career Bridge. “The Career Bridge Centre’s mandate is to offer exceptional work-integrated learning, experiential learning and career services so that every participating student can benefit from an outstanding academic and professional development experience.”

Study-abroad experiences give students skills they couldn’t learn any other way. In addition to their work or studies, the students learn to navigate an unfamiliar culture and perhaps a new language.

“Participating students will develop a range of employability skills and competencies,” says Tiponut. “They will learn to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, become better problem solvers and become more independent.”

A dozen ULethbridge students received the GSO award last fall and 14 more will embark on their adventure this spring. Victoria Lopez, who recently returned from South Korea, says students will gain all sorts of aspects to improve themselves.

“It was an enjoyable, valuable and educational experience that not many people can do,” she says. “If someone is considering studying abroad, I would definitely recommend they do it and experience the GSO opportunity. Personally, I feel I’ve become more mature and independent. I’ve gained confidence and grown to appreciate meeting new peoples from all over the world.”

Visit the ULethbridge International website for more information.

About the Global Skills Opportunity

Global Skills Opportunity is a national outbound student mobility program that is expected to enable more than 16,000 Canadian college and undergraduate-level university students from across the country to acquire the global skills employers want and the Canadian economy needs. A key component of the Government of Canada’s International Education Strategy, Global Skills Opportunity is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada and is administered jointly by Colleges and Institutes Canada and Universities Canada.

Compared to similar countries, fewer Canadian students — only about 11 per cent of university undergraduates and 3 per cent of college students — participate in work or study abroad experiences during their studies. The new program stands to change that. By empowering post-secondary institutions to implement innovative solutions to barriers to participation, Global Skills Opportunity will expand the horizons of Canadian students from coast to coast, and improve Canada’s competitiveness on the world stage.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge international culture celebrated through students at Living Library

trevor.kenney — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 21:24:36 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Library, in conjunction with International Student Services, is celebrating International Education Week by presenting the Living Library — giving everyone the opportunity to learn about international culture through the eyes of ULethbridge international students.

Students from India have been represented at past Living Library events.

“This event celebrates diversity on our campus and creates an internationalization-at-home atmosphere,” says Nanda Stannard, a library operations specialist and one of the lead organizers of the event. “The essence of our Living Library event is, instead of borrowing a book you can talk to a person to learn about different countries and different cultures. When we are exposed to different cultures and languages our perspective on things broadens and helps us in understanding the world around us.”

More than 30 students representing eight different countries have volunteered to take part in the event, eager to share the culture and traditions from their home countries of Brazil, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Ukraine and Vietnam.

“Our university is privileged to have students from more than 70 countries on our campuses. The diversity and perspectives the international students bring to our campus of their global experiences, along with their eagerness to become a part of ULethbridge and the broader community are extremely enriching to all our students and southern Alberta as a whole,” says Paul Pan, director of International. “The Living library event always features an amazing collection of students from all the over world. It really gives everyone a great opportunity to learn from each other, share experiences and gain global perspectives.”

This is the eighth year the library has presented the event and as ULethbridge continues to prioritize increasing international student enrolment, it only promises to grow with the influx of new students and new cultures.

Living Library takes place Wednesday, November 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the entrance to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library.

Pronghorns women’s basketball team a welcome haven for Ukrainian nationals

trevor.kenney — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 14:55:40 +0000

Sport vernacular is often filled with references to war as commentators seek to elevate the action they’re describing to engage viewers. Teams enter into “battle” with one another, home run hitters, golfers and three-point shooters “hit bombs” and the ebb and flow of games is often described as “attacking and defending.” For ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns basketball players Viktoriia Kovalevska and Vlada Hozalova, the terms and phrases ring hollow, because war is the reality from which they fled in Ukraine to continue to pursue their basketball dream.

Viktoriia Kovalevska, left, and Vlada Hozalova have been in Canada since May.

“I was trapped in Berdyansk as, during the first week of the military conflict, Russian troops occupied the city,” says Hozalova. “I couldn’t leave my town because it was dangerous. Only a month later, I was able to leave the city after passing 20 Russian checkpoints.”

Kovalevska and her family lived in Rivne, in northwestern Ukraine. She, along with her mother and brother, moved to Poland a week after the start of the war — her parents feared their city would be attacked by Russia from the north. As the situation worsened in Ukraine and throughout Europe, they looked to escape altogether and took advantage of the opportunity to come to Canada. From there, they were placed with a family in Calgary.

“It was extremely difficult, as you do not realize when you will be able to see each other again,” says Kovalevska of leaving family and friends. “We are very worried and pray for their safety, and especially our two best friends who protect our territory in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. One of them has been in Russian captivity for five months and we are waiting every day for him to contact us.”

Dropped into a new country, living with a new family, learning the language and customs of Canadian society and thousands of miles from home, the friends had one constant to fall back on — basketball — and it served as the conduit to the next chapter of their lives. The pair of guards had been members of Ukraine’s U16, U18 and U20 national teams and teammates in the Ukraine Women’s Superleague, an eight-team professional circuit.

Kovalevska, a guard, is eligible to play this fall for the Pronghorns.

“They were getting out of Ukraine and basketball was going to be and has become the thing that’s helping them find their roots in this country,” says Pronghorns women’s basketball head coach Dave Waknuk, who was the first to express interest in the duo when it was clear they wanted to resume playing in their new country. “Basketball is a big part of their life, it’s their skill, it’s what they know and what they brought with them.”

Initial meetings took place over Skype and once the pair had settled in Canada, Waknuk was able to host them for workouts. He had spots to fill on his roster and adding players with a professional pedigree is always a bonus but for these two, it was more than a basketball decision.

“We were definitely interested from a basketball standpoint,” says Waknuk. USPORTS rules allow for three international players per roster, while professional experience is allowed for women’s programs. “The other side of it, you think about the positive impact their story can have upon our community and obviously the impact we can have with them and their lives. It just made sense and we said to ourselves, how can we not do it?”

Serendipitously, ULethbridge had just approved a new Ukrainian Emergency Bursary designed to assist current and new students whose parents, because of war, were no longer able to support their sons and daughters. A total of 10, two-semester bursaries were approved, providing students with full tuition and housing. Four current and four new students were able to take advantage of the support, including Kovalevska and Hozalova.

Vlada Hozalova will practise with the team until she completes her English for Academic Purposes (EAP) qualifications.

“It’s something I felt deeply that we needed to do to support Ukrainian students,” says Paul Pan director of International. “For the university, it’s a good thing and it’s something we are able to do. We’ve got some really good students here and they’re all working hard at making a new life and it’s hard to even imagine what they are going through. This is what we can do to support them and help them along the way.”

Kovalevska (education/pedagogy) and Hozalova (physical education), who are 23 and 24-years-old respectively, have both earned master’s degrees from Berdyansk State Pedagogical ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Ukraine. Kovalevska is studying business at ULethbridge and will play for the Pronghorns this season, while Hozalova must first complete the EAP (English for Academic Purposes) program before she is eligible.

Waknuk is thankful for all the support to make this happen. From the sponsor family to the local Ukrainian community and society to Pan’s International office and ULethbridge senior administration, it’s created opportunity for two players to play the game they love and begin to establish roots in their new country. He also marvels at how the game has allowed them to connect when sometimes language and cultural differences get in the way.

“It’s neat because this gives you an idea of how universal sport is,” he says. “When we first started conversations, we had trouble talking about what day of the week it was or what the weather was like but the minute I started talking basketball, or we started to draw things up, we had that common language. Even now, with their teammates, the easiest way for them to bond is through the sport.”

Both Pan and Waknuk remark on how thankful Kovalevska and Hozalova are for the opportunity they’ve been granted, as athletes and as students. They also note how fortunate the university community is to have them on campus.

“It’s bigger than basketball. Basketball is obviously the centre of it for them, but there’s so much more to it,” says Waknuk. “I’m excited for them and I’m excited for my team because it’s such a great message of caring and compassion.”

Brawn Family Foundation gift to sponsor U of L student in Semester at Sea program

trevor.kenney — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 17:41:39 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students will have the opportunity to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime experience thanks to the generosity of the Brawn Family Foundation and the Semester at Sea program.

Kelley Buckley, left, and her parents Carole and Robert Brawn, announced the Brawn Family Foundation gift to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Each year, the Brawn Family Foundation will provide a scholarship for one U of L student to take part in Semester at Sea. Established in 1963, Semester at Sea consists of 100-to-110-day international passenger ship voyages where students visit up to 15 countries in one semester. They learn from leading faculty and international experts, engage in hands-on field experiences and service projects at each destination and earn academic credit.

“The whole goal of our foundation is to give back and create a bigger, better community,” says Kelley Buckley (BA ’84), one of Dr. Robert Brawn’s (LLD ’16) daughters and director of the Brawn Family Foundation. “My father realized what a powerful program Semester at Sea was. Both of my kids, my sister’s kids, my sister and I have all sailed and he just felt it made a dramatic difference in our lives. As well, since four of our family are U of L alums, this was a great way to combine two programs that have impacted our lives.”

Each year, more than 2,000 participants circumnavigate the globe aboard the MV World Odyssey. Sponsored by Colorado State ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, the program champions a global comparative experiential learning model as it connects students to world challenges and fosters global awareness through profound international learning experiences.

For Buckley, the experience was transformative, and she attests that each family member who subsequently went to sea was similarly influenced.

“You realize how small the world really is and how impactful your footprint can be in the big picture,” she says. “It’s changed all of our lives and we just feel that everyone needs an opportunity to go outside their comfort zone and look at the big global picture and see how small the world actually is. Everything you do can make a difference.”

She describes the ripple effect of a Semester at Sea education.

“Just one student sailing and then coming back can change a handful of students at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and then they change another handful and it just grows from there,” she says.

The Brawn Family Foundation scholarship will be available to students across all disciplines at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Eligible participants must be a second-year undergraduate student, a Canadian resident or permanent resident and have been accepted to participate by Semester at Sea. Applicants must have successfully completed 10 courses with a minimum GPA of 2.75 and will be required to answer essay questions for consideration, focusing on how they expect their voyage will impact their education and how the experience will be translated and promoted on campus upon their return.

Paul Pan, executive director International at the U of L, says the goals and mission of the Semester at Sea program align with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s internationalization strategy which encompasses liberal arts ideals and the strategic direction of graduating global citizens.

“The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is committed to the internationalization of our campus,” he says. “Providing our students with educational abroad experiences such as the Semester at Sea program is vital in providing our graduates with global perspectives, international and intercultural skills and knowledge to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world.”

U of L students can now apply to be the first successful U of L Brawn Family Foundation scholarship candidate to sail with Semester at Sea. Contact the International Office at 403-329-2053 for more information.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ excited to celebrate International Education Week and the global perspective

trevor.kenney — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 17:10:44 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will join over 100 countries around the globe in celebrating International Education Week (IEW) Nov. 6-10, 2017 with a host of performances, demonstrations, lectures, films and assorted activities.

As part of IEW, the Department of Asian Studies and the International Office will also be presenting Asian Culture Days.

“Our campus is truly a global campus, with students from more than 70 countries attending the U of L,” says Paul Pan, executive director, International. “We are extremely fortunate that our campus experience features this amazing collection of people from all over the world. We have this great opportunity to learn from each other, share our experiences and gain a global perspective.”

The week begins with a major gift announcement from the Brawn Family Foundation that supports students and global citizenship at 12 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts Atrium. There will be a photo booth in the atrium where students are invited to share what International Education Week means to them and a performance from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Global Drums ensemble.

Throughout the week, a variety of events have been designed to both illuminate and celebrate internationalization. Asian Culture Days activities include lectures, performances from the Taka Karate School and Champion Tae Kwon Do, feature films, Minyo Dancers and more.

“Creating intercultural skills through events such as these leads to knowledge and understanding,” says Pan. “We are proud to graduate students with an enhanced world view, giving them an advantage both culturally and professionally as they look to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world.”

For a complete look at IEW and Asian Culture Days events, follow this link: http://www.uleth.ca/international/international-education-week-and-asian-culture-days-2017

Student Refugee Program gets a strong start at the U of L

caroline.zentner — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 19:00:00 +0000

Abdullah Mouslli didn’t want to become one of the lost generation whose life and future was limited because of the civil war in Syria. He’d seen it happen to his friends, their lives cut short when they joined rebels because their families had no money to send them to university and good work opportunities were few and far between.

After he graduated from high school in Damascus, Syria in 2012, Mouslli enrolled at Damascus ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to study architecture.

“I studied there for one semester but it wasn’t safe at all, especially for young men at the age of 18 and 19. There is mandatory military service in Syria so if you are at that age, you are probably going to be taken for the military service,” he says, adding that young men who are studying can delay their military service. “When I graduated it was very chaotic so they could stop you at any checkpoint. They tell you that your documents are fake and they take you into military service. It happened to lots of guys.”

Members of the WUSC committee at the U of L pose for a photo with Abdullah Mouslli, a student refugee from Syria. From left to right are Farah Rajan, Mouslli, Jamie Lewis, Elise Pundyk and Taylor Myndio.

Mouslli moved to neighbouring Jordan to continue studying architecture. He was in his second semester when a rocket tore through his family’s pharmacy in Al-Bukamal, destroying the store and his family’s livelihood along with it. He had to drop out of university because his family could no longer afford to pay for his studies.

“It’s a crazy war. I don’t actually know who bombed that building because you can’t even know who is who and which is which,” he says.

Mouslli, now 22 years old, is the youngest of six children. He was born in Al-Bukamal, a rural city in eastern Syria close to the Iraq border. His father, a pharmacist, died in a vehicle crash when Mouslli was only a few months old. An uncle, who still lives in Syria and is like a father to Mouslli, took over managing the family’s pharmacy and real estate businesses. When Mouslli was nine, his family moved to Damascus. His three older brothers were of university age; two had moved to Damascus and another to Jordan to pursue post-secondary education. And just like his brothers, Mouslli had grown up believing he would be able to attend university.

“After I dropped out of university, it was really hard for me,” he says. “When I was a kid, I never thought of money as an obstacle towards my education. All of my family got university degrees so I thought it would be like a piece of cake. I thought that the only hope for me was applying for scholarships. I applied for any scholarship I saw.”

Meanwhile, halfway around the world, Elise Pundyk was studying Art History and Museum Studies at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, and could not get the image of Alan Kurdi, a three-year-old Syrian boy who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea after his family fled the war in Syria, out of her mind. Jamie Lewis, who was in her first year of studies at the U of L and part of the Global Citizenship Cohort, was similarly affected.

“I had an overwhelming feeling of helplessness,” says Lewis. “It was at the height of media coverage regarding the Syrian refugee crisis. For so many of us, I think it put a human face onto this abstract political concept that we hadn’t been able to previously understand to its full extent. Having this visual was a spur for a lot of us.”

She spoke to Dr. Shelly Wismath, her professor in the Global Citizenship Cohort, who in turn referred her to Dr. Anne Dymond, a professor in the Faculty of Fine Arts. Dymond and Chaplain Erin Phillips were instrumental in establishing the U of L Refugee Action Committee, which was focusing its efforts on bringing a Syrian family to Lethbridge.

Dymond and Pundyk had begun to explore the possibility of starting a local chapter of a national student organization—World ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Service of Canada—that helps refugees through its Student Refugee Program (SRP). At least 20 students had indicated an interest in helping the Refugee Action Committee and together they founded a WUSC committee at the U of L. In short order, they elected an executive and got to work fundraising the roughly $26,000 they would need to bring a refugee student to the U of L for one year. They’d been told it usually takes a couple of years to establish a successful local committee and get the necessary funds in place.

Pundyk and Grace Wirzba, the first WUSC co-chairs, talked to ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ administrators, the U of L International office and the U of L Refugee Action Committee. The President’s Office supplied funding to assist with housing and food, Paul Pan of the International Office helped secure significant funding from the west-side Scotiabank, which matched funds raised at the annual International Dinner, and Lethbridge Family Services - Immigrant Services lent their expertise in the process of welcoming a refugee. The WUSC committee held a bake sale, a bottle drive and a movie and pizza night. When Scotiabank matched the donations from the silent auction at the International Dinner, they knew they had reached their goal and pulled it off in four months.

“There were lots of tears at the International dinner,” says Farah Rajan, a WUSC member.

The committee, with 15 active members, is now focusing on an upcoming referendum that will be held in conjunction with the U of L Students’ Union elections sometime in early March. The referendum will ask students to support a levy of $2 per semester to fund one refugee student per year at the U of L.

Back in Jordan, Mouslli was applying for scholarships, including the WUSC Student Refugee Program. He also completed a diploma in multi-media at a community college in Jordan and volunteered with international organizations. His last position put him in contact with people from all over the world and, since English was the official language in the office, he improved upon the English he’d learned in public school. Most of his family members lived nearby, including his mother, sister and two brothers—his two other brothers live in Germany. After he had to drop out of university, relatives offered to loan him money to continue his education. Mouslli turned down the offer because he felt he wouldn’t be able to repay the loan if he stayed in Jordan. He explains that Syrians are not allowed to work in Jordan but the government often looks the other way. Jordanian employers hire Syrians illegally and pay them lower wages. He says his brothers, one is a pharmacist and the other has a master’s degree in finance, earn about half of what a Jordanian citizen in the same job would earn.

Mouslli pinned his hopes on getting a scholarship and he was accepted into the WUSC SRP. Last August, he left Jordan bound for the U of L to study new media.

WUSC members and Mouslli share a laugh.

Lewis and Pundyk were part of the group waiting to meet him at the airport.

“We had no idea what to expect. We knew his first name and we knew he had good enough English to get through the WUSC and governmental screening processes but we didn’t know how his conversational English would be. We didn’t know if he was an outgoing person or an introvert. We knew nothing,” says Lewis. “He walked into the airport and it was like the most wonderful, happy experience. He was so energetic. He’d been travelling for 27 hours and he was chatting with all of us.”

Lewis, Pundyk, Wirzba and other members of WUSC helped Mouslli settle in, taking him shopping for groceries, to the mall and to a pancake breakfast for his first taste of maple syrup.

“It was so much fun to find out how much I had in common with this person from a completely different background and place. Yet, it’s like he fit right in. He became a part of our little WUSC family immediately,” says Lewis. “It was just so smooth.”

“When I knew I was going to Canada, I educated myself to avoid cultural shock and yeah, it worked,” says Mouslli. “The thing I was most shocked about was landing here in a small, tiny city. For me, it’s like a village but for Canadians it’s like the third biggest city in Alberta. I’m not used to walking the street and it’s empty.”

He admits he first thought he wouldn’t stay beyond a year but now he’s planning to complete his degree. The quiet means fewer distractions from his studies and living in Lethbridge is more affordable than in a large city.

“For me it’s a life-changing chance. It’s not just to study; it’s also to be in Canada where there is equality and you’re not being treated as a third- or fourth-class citizen,” he says. “I feel that I can actually get a student loan because I know that I’ll be able to work afterwards and pay it back. For Canadians, it’s a nightmare to take a student loan but for me it’s a golden opportunity.”

Mouslli has already found a job working part time as an interpreter. He plans to be financially independent by the fall so he can cover his living expenses and take out a student loan to cover tuition costs.

“Adjusting here wasn’t a problem. I think it’s all about the values. It’s not about where you are from or your religion or your race. It’s about the values you share and I share lots of values with Canadians.”

Globe-trotting TV producer headlines 22nd Annual International Dinner

trevor.kenney — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 17:00:21 +0000

Geoff Haines-Stiles always had a desire to travel the world – it was just a matter of finding the right itinerary and ticket. Through education, that route was revealed and Haines-Stiles eventually visited all seven continents, including two trips to the most remote, and least visited – Antarctica.

Guest speaker Geoff Haines-Stiles has visited all seven continents, including two trips to the most remote, and least visited – Antarctica.

A senior producer and director for Carl Sagan’s classic 1980 PBS television series, COSMOS, Haines-Stiles will bring his globe-trotting/planetary perspective to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015 as the featured speaker at the 22nd Annual International Dinner.

“As a kid, growing up in England, I was much more an arts person than a science enthusiast – I was not so great in math and physics,” says Haines-Stiles. “But working with Carl for several years and reading Cosmic Connection and Dragons of Eden turned me on to the fact that science is a truly humane endeavour, just as much as Latin and literature. We need to embrace both cultures to build a sustainable future.”

Haines-Stiles completed BA and master’s degree in history at Peterhouse, Cambridge (UK), before earning an MA in Communications from the Annenberg School at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Pennsylvania. Hired initially by CBS Television, Haines-Stiles eventually made his way to KCET Los Angeles to work with Sagan. COSMOS won three Emmys and a Peabody Award, and has now been seen by more than 800 million people worldwide.

“Working on COSMOS showed me that a television series could be as substantive as a book, and could engage large and diverse audiences with exciting and even cutting-edge content,” he says. “It’s really rewarding to find people still commenting favourably on our 1980 series when COSMOS 2.0 with Neil deGrasse Tyson was recently screened on Fox and National Geographic. I’ve been working in science television ever since. COSMOS was my ticket to ride!”

He’ll share a behind-the-scenes look at the production of COSMOS, including stories and clips from his outstanding career, with the International Dinner audience. Haines-Stiles will also address his latest project, the National Science Foundation-supported The Crowd & The Cloud, which covers citizen science, Big Data and the democratization of research. The U of L has a direct connection to The Crowd & The Cloud – several students working with Dr. Jim Byrne (geography) are contributing researchers on the production. Byrne and Haines-Stiles have previously collaborated on a series of climate change videos.

The annual International Dinner celebrates the international spirit at the U of L and its great benefit to the campus environment. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is the institution of choice for more than 600 international students representing 65 different countries.

“The diversity our international students bring is so enriching to our campus,” says Paul Pan, acting executive director of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge International. “The perspectives of their global experience and their eagerness to become a part of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and broader community are extremely beneficial to our students and southern Alberta as a whole.”

In addition to the presentation by Haines-Stiles, the 22nd Annual International Dinner will feature cuisine from around the world. A silent auction in support of the International Students Entrance Scholarship will also take place. Cocktails begin at 5 p.m. with the dinner to follow at 6:30 p.m. in the Students’ Union Ballrooms.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 403-329-2053, email international@uleth.ca or visit the International Dinner website.

UNews - Paul Pan

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