UNews - International Centre

Finding success a long way from home

trevor.kenney — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 21:49:20 +0000

To say Emmanuel Ofoegbunam (BMgt '11) had a plan when he first left Nigeria for post-secondary studies would vastly underrate his intrepid spirit.

Now 25, a recent U of L grad and a junior accountant at Calgary's Edon Management, Ofoegbunam's philosophy is rooted in taking on challenges and adventures. It led him first to Malaysia to begin his education, then brought him across the world to Canada and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Alumnus Emmanuel Ofoegbunam is already working as a junior accountant.

"You can just read about something or some place but I want to feel it, to experience it so that I can tell the story in my own way," says Ofoegbunam, who graduated with a bachelor of management degree in accounting and finance.

His people, from the Igbo tribe, are known for their business acumen, and as Ofoegbunam says, "We work for ourselves, we can get it done."

So it was with that attitude and unfailing support from his parents that he left his hometown of Onitsha for Binary ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ College of Management & Entrepreneurship in Kuala Lumpur.

"When I left home to go to Malaysia, that was the most challenging part," says Ofoegbunam. "When I finished my studies, as much as I'm very close to my parents, sometimes you have to give up something to achieve greater things. They've been with me, they've supported me every way possible with advice, moral support, financial support – you name it."

Setting his sights on Canada, Ofoegbunam was accepted to three schools but the U of L quickly won out.

"The most important thing was the turnaround time for replies from the International Centre for Students office and the Registrar's office," he says. "The cycle time was one day maximum for phone calls or e-mails. It really made me feel like I was in a one-on-one relationship with the people in Lethbridge."

That didn't change when he arrived on campus in April 2007 when he was confronted with, among other things, windy -2C weather and a daunting list of tasks in a completely foreign country.

"It wasn't anything what I expected . . . it's better than what I expected," says Ofoegbunam, thanks largely to the assistance of ICS and specifically International Liaison Officer Charlene Janes.

"I asked her the first week I was here, "Do you treat everybody like this?" She was not just a lady sitting behind a desk getting her job done. She talked to me, gave me advice like a son and that blew me away. She was so helpful from day one."

The cultural challenges Ofoegbunam faced were many, let alone a weather cycle he had never imagined (both Nigeria and Malaysia average temperatures in the 28C range). Janes helped him get settled, find an apartment, register for classes and meet the people in the Faculty of Management who would set him on his path. When he again had questions on what major to focus on following his second year, she facilitated meetings with the professors who would best serve his needs. It was those conversations, what Ofoegbunam calls "out of boundary" talks where his professors related their experience that really pointed him towards his career.

He completed his studies in December 2010 and two weeks later, was employed.

"Now that I live in Calgary, I really see it. If you're a student, Lethbridge is the place for you," he says. "There are less distractions, which is good because am I here to just have fun or to study and the answer for me was simple and straightforward. This was the environment that helped me do better with my studies."

GET THE FACTS

· Ofoegbunam's parents planned to come to Canada for Spring Convocation but were forced to stay behind when his grandmother passed away. "I would have appreciated if they were here with me today but I know they are with me in spirit."

· Ofoegbunam had never seen snow before moving to Lethbridge. "I didn't just see it, I felt it," he says, adding with a laugh. "The wind, God forbid, it's bad. When it gets cold, the wind adds to it and it gets to minus-1 million, at least that's what it feels like."

· Summing up his educational experience at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, Ofoegbunam says, "It wasn't good, it was perfect."

This story first appeared in the Legend. To view the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Experiencing as much as possible

trevor.kenney — Mon, 16 May 2011 20:26:03 +0000

International exchange student Radek Eryk Bachorz might not yet know where he's going to end up, but it's safe to say it'll be an interesting ride getting there.

The 26-year-old native of Poland is completing his fourth year of study at the U of L, turning what was initially a one-year exchange opportunity into an entirely new life with no apparent boundaries.

"I'm trying to keep the broad perspective on everything," says Bachorz when asked about his career aspirations. "Having a narrow goal isn't the best for me, it's about having wide horizons and looking for something that will really be satisfying, not necessarily profitable at first, but will put a smile on my face and make me happy to go to work every day."

Polish exchange student Radek Eryk Bachorz has made the most of his opportunities at the U of L.

Currently studying international management with minors in supply chain management and social responsibility, Bachorz actually already has a master's degree. He completed his master's in Investment and Corporate Financial Strategies in August 2010 from Poznan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Economics in Poland, a degree supplemented by his exchange work here at the U of L.

But Bachorz's experience is about so much more than the classroom, something he only discovered after finishing his master's and took another look at his education.

"After completing my degree, I got really involved in student life last year," says Bachorz. "I totally changed my way of attending school, where I realize it's not only about getting good marks, it's also about extra-curricular activities."

His involvement with the Faculty of Management's JDC West business case competition was the impetus.

"My co-captains, Jill Morrison and Travis Letwin, put me in this different world and opened my eyes on new opportunities," he says. "I really wanted to give something back to the Alberta community, but there were too many things taking up my time, and I was really determined to finish my degree back in Europe. Last fall I decided to focus a bit less on being outstanding academically to try and get more involved in non-academic activities."

He volunteered for YWCA Lethbridge and the Humane Society, helped out the Management International Programs Office as a mentor in their buddy program, participated in the International Centre for Students (ICS) Cultural Expo and was keen to assist at various faculty functions such as Management Preview Day. This past spring he spent a week hustling change outside the Students' Union as one of the 5 Days for the Homeless participants and gladly had his head shaved (for the fourth straight year) as a supporter of the Head Shave for Cancer initiative.

"When I had the opportunity to take less of a course load, I knew this is what I wanted to do," says Bachorz. "It's not just about the GPA, it's also about getting
involved and participating in the student life."

He credits the U of L culture for helping him thrive in his new country, and gives thanks to both the ICS (especially Charlene Janes) and the International Exchange program in the Faculty of Management (specifically Andrea Amelinckx, Rhonda Crow and Gizelle Tiponut) for helping in his transition.

"Honestly, after the first semester, I was so impressed with how approachable everybody was," he says. "It's a very practical atmosphere here, so many small groups, you can really go to your prof or any faculty or staff member and you'll be treated as a valuable student, not just one of a thousand.

"After just a few semesters I found you would be called by name in the hallways and that was very surprising to me. I had never seen anything like that before. You are really treated as a person here, not just someone known by their Student ID number, who is coming to get a degree and leaving the university unnoticed."

When exactly he'll finish his degree, he's not sure. Right now he's looking to secure a job on campus to stay in Lethbridge for the summer. Beyond that, he will continue to learn and look to make an impact, wherever that may lead him.

"Education is the best investment," says Bachorz. "I have learned so many valuable things from people I've met. The relationships you make are invaluable. You guys in Canada are so supportive. It is great to be given such an amazing opportunity to live and study here."

For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Campus Kudos - May

trevor.kenney — Fri, 13 May 2011 21:18:50 +0000

Dr. Brian Black (Music), Dr. Edward Jurkowski (Music) and Dr. Emily Luce (New Media) all received internal Social Sciences Humanities Research Council grants valued at $4,500 each.

U of L alumnus Christian Darbyshire (BMgt '99) was named one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40™. As a partner with tinePublic Inc., Darbyshire has been instrumental in securing names such as Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, Lance Armstrong and Arnold Schwarzenegger for educational speaking engagements in Canada. It is the second consecutive year that the U of L has had someone recognized by the Globe and Mail's Top 40 Under 40™ program. Dr. Olga Kovalchuk was honoured last year.

Joshua Seerattan, a U of L student from the Faculty of Management, and Courtney Lockhart from the Faculty of Arts and Science, have been awarded a $5,500 USD grant from Alberta Advanced Education and Technology for their participation in The Washington Centre – Alberta Internship Program for summer 2011. Both students will spend six weeks in Washington, D.C. Seerattan will be participating in the Global Trade and Regional Integration program, while Lockhart will take part in the International Affairs program.

Dagmar Dahle's (Art) work is included in the exhibition ANIMAL, at Museum London in Ontario.

Laura Lavigne (BA '06), the co-ordinator, International Programs & Exchange, in the International Centre for Students was awarded a full scholarship ($3,000) to participate in the International Educators Training Program this summer at Queen's ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

Denton Fredrickson (Art) has made the long list for the 2011 Sobey Art Award, Canada's pre-eminent prize for contemporary Canadian art. Following a three-month nomination process, the Curatorial Panel announced the 25 artists vying for this year's award.

Music major Matt Groenheide (percussionist) won the Young Artist Competition presented by the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra. In addition to a cash prize, he receives a guest solo spot with the LSO during their 2011-2012 Masters Series.

Marg McKeen (Office of Research and Innovation Services) is retiring this summer after 33 years of service to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. She began her career at the U of L as an Academic Secretary in the Department of Sociology and was hired by the Office of Research Services in 1986. Since that time, she has served in a number of roles and worked with numerous faculty members and students. A retirement reception will be held on Wednesday, June 8 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Markin Hall Atrium. Anyone wishing to send written messages of congratulations to Marg can contact Penny Pickles (picpj@uleth.ca). Those wanting to have their live messages taped can contact Jane Allan (jane.allan@uleth.ca).

Jazlyn Dow (BFA '10) has been accepted into the Master of Arts in Visual Culture: Costume Studies program at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development at New York ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Global event hits home

trevor.kenney — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:57:41 +0000

On Mar. 11, 2011, the world watched in horror as Japan was rocked by a massive earthquake followed by a crushing tsunami that left behind a mass of death, destruction and devastation. Stirred by human compassion, many people want to help during such tragedies but often don't know how – so they wait for someone to take the lead. For Mieko Okutomi, a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge student with family in Japan – waiting was not an option.

"When it first happened I was at home and I saw my friends on Facebook writing about Japan. I wasn't too concerned because Japan often has large earthquakes – but when I saw all the media coverage I started to realize this was different," recalls Okutomi, whose home is only 100 km away from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. "I felt really bad because at first I couldn't reach some of my family members. It took a while to find out they were OK. That was what initially prompted me to get involved in the fundraiser. I felt compelled to do something. I knew I would never be able to look at myself in the mirror if I hadn't done anything."

Mieko Okutomi (fourth-year accounting), Sayu Ishimine (fourth-year psychology), Yukino Okutomi (volunteer), Eri Asano (volunteer) and professor Eiichi Yokota and his wife Yuko Yokota.

Responding to an plea from the International Centre for Students (ICS), Okutomi, Ayuno Nakahashi, Ryosuke Imura, Sayu Ishimine and Emma Wight met with staff and came up with the idea to fundraise money to aid Japan through the Red Cross. The students created displays and brochures detailing the tragedy and set up donation boxes on campus. The fundraiser took place Mar. 16-18.

"The ICS provided the students with logistical support, organizing tables on campus, supplying presentation material and signing the contract with Red Cross so that the fundraiser could happen," says Trish Jackson, acting manager ICS. "I am just so impressed by how much enthusiasm, love and care the students brought with them and how well it was received around campus."

During the fundraiser, Okutomi became aware of an extraordinary achievement by Yuko Yokota, the wife of Dr. Eiichi Yokota, a visiting professor from Hokkai Shouka Daigaku, Hokkai School of Commerce in Japan. Mrs. Yokota had made more than 1,700 traditional paper cranes that she was willing to donate to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. In Japan, the crane is a very important symbol of hope and peace, and legend says that if you fold 1,000 cranes you are granted a wish.

Thanks to Mrs. Yokota's incredible contribution, the ICS, along with Okutomi, began an awareness campaign with the wish that Japan not be forgotten once the media coverage diminished. Their goal was to see how many cranes they could collect and display in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as a symbol of hope and recovery for Japan.

From Mar. 28 through Apr. 1, Okutomi, her sister Yukino, and other student volunteers manned tables in the Atrium, where everyone was welcome to learn about the legend of the crane and show their continued support for Japan by folding their own cranes and adding them to the collection.

"The crane project is very therapeutic. When you fold a crane you put your love and compassion in it and it becomes a physical symbol for you. When you add it to three or four thousand other cranes it becomes so much more," says Jackson. "You realize that you have support and there is compassion around campus. Each time a tragedy like this happens we have students who come together to find ways to help. We also saw that with the recent earthquake in Haiti."

For Okutomi, thousands of miles away from a tragedy affecting her homeland, the outpouring of support shown was heartening.

"I really have to say thank you to all the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community, our friends and the ICS," she says. "I was really moved by the compassion people showed for our cause, asking if our friends and family were OK, even when they did not know us. I am really proud of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community for its kindness."

GET THE FACTS

· More than $3,000 was raised through the fundraiser and the sale of tickets for an International Dinner hosted by the Ecumenical Campus Ministry. The Ecumenical Campus Ministry held two memorial services to support Japan.

· There are currently four U of L students on exchange programs in Japan, along with one faculty member. All have reported they are safe following the tragedy.

· ICS donated 600 sheets of origami paper as a thank you to Mrs. Yokota. She folded it all, creating more than 2,400 paper cranes for the project.

· Students are also planning on displaying the cranes at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Calgary campus. Anyone wishing to make additional paper cranes is welcome to bring them to the ICS (SU040).

For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Making cranes for Japanese relief

trevor.kenney — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:21:38 +0000

The devastation of the Japanese earthquake has touched virtually everyone, and it is especially being felt by those members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge community who have a personal connection to Japan.

In the previous weeks, a group of Japanese international students, with support from the International Centre for Students, has been raising money in support of relief efforts. They have now created another project, one focused more on symbolism.

A paper crane project will take shape this week in the Atrium. Faculty, staff and students are all invited to participate in the project. To add your own crane to the collection, stop by the table in the Atrium from Monday through Thursday and learn from volunteers how to make a paper crane. You can also drop off paper cranes at the International Centre for Students.

The goal for the paper cranes is that they serve as a memorial symbol of hope, and a reminder of the long term suffering and recovery Japan will face. The cranes will be displayed in a clear glass case as a visual representation of support from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge community to our friends in Japan.

Yuko Yokota, the wife of Hokkai Gakuen faculty member Eiichi Yokota, has already created and donated 2,400 paper cranes to the project. The goal is to more than match her donation and have 5,000 paper cranes created. It is said that for every 1,000 paper cranes created you will receive one wish.

Hansen benefits from personal touch

trevor.kenney — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 20:25:57 +0000

A Wikipedia search led Danish student Stine Hansen to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's web door, but it was the personal attention she received thereafter that brought her to campus.

Hansen is in her fourth year, thriving as an international student with her eyes set on completing a degree in urban and regional studies. Now an ambassador for the U of L experience, she's a far greater resource than any Wikipedia link.

"Everything I learned about Lethbridge before I moved here, I learned on Wikipedia," she laughs, admitting now that to pack up and leave Denmark to study in Lethbridge, Alberta was a major leap of faith.

International student Stine Hansen found the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge through Wikipedia.

"It was a bit of a risk but my parents were, surprisingly enough, very supportive," says the 27-year-old. "The registrar's office was really good helping me with my courses and transcript, and I just got a really good feeling about the place.

"I also got such good support from the International Centre for Students (ICS). They told me what to expect when I arrived, how to get settled, when to arrive, and how they would help me. At the time, because of all that support, it didn't seem that big a deal to sell everything I owned, pack three suitcases and move here. Looking back it was a little bit crazy."

You might think her assimilation into Canadian culture was an easy one. Hansen's a European who speaks English, and she had been motivated to come study in Canada after a high school exchange program took her to Nova Scotia when she was 16. But the culture, food and lifestyle are markedly different and it began to hit her on the drive from the Calgary airport to Lethbridge.

"The first town I went through was Nanton, then Claresholm, then Fort
Macleod and I really started to wonder what I had gotten myself into," she says, having grown up 20 minutes from Copenhagen and recently lived there. "I came into Lethbridge on a rainy Sunday afternoon – it looked deserted and I felt very alone."

She once again used the International Centre for support. Hansen attended the various meet and greet sessions with other international students, took advantage of the Global Connections partner program and signed up to play intramural soccer.

"If you're shy you're never going to get anywhere, you really have to open up. I used to be a shy person but now, I figure you have to step out there," says Hansen.

Her studies followed suit, and she quickly found that the personal attention she received from ICS and the registrar's office was reflected in her classes.

"That's what I like so much about the U of L, it's a small campus and pretty much every class I've ever had I can go to the professors and say, "I don't get this", and they'll sit down and help you out," says Hansen. "They really try, they know your name and I really like that."

Originally interested in pursuing a career in urban planning, she changed her focus to the study of human geography and found a special kinship with anthropology professor, Dr. Jan Newberry. She's excited to work on an Independent Study program with Newberry this summer.

"When I go back home I always say how much I love doing what I'm doing," says Hansen. "Even here, I've convinced a few people to come into my major. I love the multidisciplinary aspect of it, because you can study anthropology, sociology, geography, it's been great."

In fact, Hansen credits women's studies professor, Dr. Tiffany Muller Myrdahl, with setting her on a career path.

"She suggested I attend the Association of American Geographers' Annual Meeting last year. I went with another international student to Washington, D.C., and I came away knowing this is what I wanted to do. I really appreciate her showing that to me," says Hansen, who intends to pursue a master's degree in geography of disability and transportation.

Her success as a student has not been easy, and it hasn't been a straight line but because of support from all over campus, Hansen is eager to talk about her U of L experience. It's why she jumped at the opportunity to participate in the recent International Student Fair in the Atrium, where students from around the globe constructed tri-fold displays to help educate campus about their home nations.

"We got out there and the people who wanted to ask questions got that opportunity," she says. "It's definitely worth doing again. I believe if I only reach a few, it's still a success. I think there's a misconception that international students are only from the Far East but we are a really diverse group and maybe I'm the only one from Denmark but that's OK."

GET THE FACTS

• Post-secondary education in Denmark is free, prompting Hansen to quip, "My parents really love me."

• Hansen's older sister completed a master's degree in economics from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Copenhagen.

• Hansen became ill during her second semester and credits ICS liaison officer Charlene Janes for helping her through. "She is the best person ever. The ICS staff really knows its students and Charlene knew what was best for me at that time. Every time my parents come to visit, they make sure they go visit Charlene because they appreciate how much she looks after us."

• Hansen's tri-fold display highlighted the differences between Canadian and Danish Christmas traditions. She was also eager to tell people just where Denmark is in the world. "I love to talk about my country and I don't expect everyone to know. The Fair was great because I got a chance to show them what my Denmark is like."

For a look at the March issue of the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Japanese students launch relief campaign

trevor.kenney — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:34:42 +0000

The Mar. 11 Japanese earthquake and tsunami has had a profound effect on the world at large, but it has also hit close to home as a number of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge international students are from Japan or have ties to the region.

Beginning Wednesday, Mar. 16, the Japanese students, working with staff from the International Centre for Students, are launching a fundraising and awareness campaign to support relief efforts.

In addition to charitable organizations promoted by the Japanese students, people can also support two major charities operating in the region - Shelterbox International and the Canadian Red Cross.

Look for an awareness display just outside the main entrance to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library.

You can donate online to these organizations by visiting these websites:

Shelterbox

http://shelterboxcanada.org/

Red Cross

http://www.redcross.ca

Japanese Earthquake / Tsunami Update

trevor.kenney — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:50:21 +0000

March 11, 2011
On Friday March 11, 2011, an 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan.

This triggered 4 metre waves in Japan and tsunami warnings across the Pacific coastline, including British Columbia.

Hundreds of people are reported dead, and many more are injured or missing. The earthquake has caused fires and severe damage to buildings, leaving more than 4 million households without electricity.

The students traveling to Japan on ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge exchanges are accounted for and safe.
Four Faculty of Management students have been contacted, are in areas unaffected by the earthquake/tsunami, and are on their way to their host universities.

Students from Japan at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge have been contacted by staff at the International Centre for Students and at this time none of their immediate families have been affected.

Counselling services are available for those wishing to speak to someone about how this has affected them personally. They can be reached through this website: http://www.uleth.ca/counselling/

DONATIONS FOR RELIEF EFFORTS

Beginning next week, the Japanese students, working with staff from the International Centre for Students, will be launching a fundraising and awareness campaign to support relief efforts in Japan through two major charities -- Shelterbox International and the Canadian Red Cross.

Look for awareness displays on campus next week, locations TBA.

You can donate online to these organizations by visiting these websites:

Shelterbox

http://shelterboxcanada.org/

Red Cross

http://www.redcross.ca

The Government of Canada has information relating to the earthquake and tsunami at this website:

http://www.international.gc.ca/humanitarian-humanitaire/japan_earthquake_japon_seisme.aspx?lang=eng

Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

Relevant Media links can be found here:

CBC: http://www.redcross.ca

CTV: http://www.ctv.ca/

Global TV: http://www.globaltv.com/

CNN: http://cnn.com

Opportunity to learn Arabic

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 20:32:03 +0000

A unique opportunity to learn the Arabic language is being offered this fall by the U of L's International Centre for Students.

Spoken Arabic, a free, non-credit course, is open to all students, staff and faculty and will be offered on Wednesday evenings from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 22 and running through Nov. 17.

The course is designed for individuals who have little or no knowledge of Modern Standard Arabic and who are eager to learn Arabic. A graduate student volunteer who has experience teaching the subject will administer the course.

There are a limited number of seats available.

Those interested in registering for this course can do so by visiting the International Centre for Students located in the Students' Union Building, Room SU040, or by contacting Jacqueline St. Aubin at 403-329-2053.

International centre offers unique study opportunity

trevor.kenney — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:02:02 +0000

A unique opportunity to learn the Arabic language is being offered this fall by the U of L's International Centre for Students.

Spoken Arabic, a free, non-credit course, is open to all students, staff and faculty and will be offered on Wednesday evenings from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 22 and running through Nov. 17.

There are a limited number of seats available.

UNews - International Centre

Finding success a long way from home

Related Topics

Experiencing as much as possible

Related Topics

Campus Kudos - May

Related Topics

Global event hits home

Related Topics

Making cranes for Japanese relief

Related Topics

Hansen benefits from personal touch

Related Topics

Japanese students launch relief campaign

Related Topics

Japanese Earthquake / Tsunami Update

Related Topics

Opportunity to learn Arabic

Related Topics

International centre offers unique study opportunity

Related Topics