UNews - International Liaison Officer

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."

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· 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.

Dinner helps bridge gap

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 21:22:18 +0000

Christmas, like many other holidays, can be a difficult time for international students to be away from family and friends. With events like the annual International Christmas Dinner, the International Centre for Students (ICS) helps ease that feeling of isolation, all the while introducing international students to Canadian customs and traditions.

Charlene Janes, the international liaison officer at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, plays a major role in assisting international students as they adapt to campus life socially, academically and culturally.

"I represent international student interests at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, act as an advocate on behalf of international students on both academic and welfare issues, and provide advice, support and referral to students," says Janes.

Janes and the ICS encourage students to participate in the social and recreational activities the office provides. These include the monthly International Café gatherings, where birthdays are celebrated, stories are shared, games are played and students are presented an opportunity to build friendships. Potluck dinners and the annual Christmas gathering are also popular events.

Eddie Sottie, an international student from Ghana and PhD candidate in biomolecular science, has been studying at the U of L for the last 15 months. He says he makes an effort to attend all the events planned by the International Centre.

"The events they organize for us have really helped me to learn so many things about the way Canadians relate to people and treat foreigners," says Sottie. "International students are treated with so much respect, and I am so impressed with the way Charlene pays attention to our needs."

The traditional Christmas dinner was held on Dec. 3 in the Students' Union Ballroom. Students were invited to bring a Canadian guest as well as any family members to the event. In addition, four international alumni also attended.

"My kids were showered with Christmas presents," laughs Sottie. "The event and the dinner mean a lot to us as a family because it helps us feel at home."

The tradition of the International Christmas Dinner started three years ago, and serves as the last major international student event for the fall semester. Its rise in popularity, over the past three years, has been remarkable. The first dinner had just 35 attendees, while the second ballooned to 72. This year, the number doubled once again, with 150 people taking part.

"Many of our students go home or travel at Christmas so this has provided a wonderful opportunity for us all to connect prior to the Christmas break," explains Janes.

"We had two very special guests this year as Dr. Mike Mahon and his wife Maureen attended. They talked with each student and barely had time to eat. It seemed every student wanted their picture taken with the new president and his wife."

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

International Café breaks down barriers

trevor.kenney — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:36:21 +0000

It's amazing the effect candles on a birthday cake can have when you're thousands of miles away from home.

Charlene Janes knows what even the smallest touches can do for a student seeking to belong in a new country. As international liaison officer for the International Centre for Students, Janes sees the challenges that international students face when studying in a foreign country. Any chance she has to stem some of the anxiety they experience, she seizes.

Out of that desire, the International Café was born in the spring of 2009.

"The idea was to provide a casual and comfortable setting for our international students that encourages them to get to know each other and develop friendships," says Janes. "It gives them the chance to ask their advisors or any guests at the Café questions in an informal setting and hopefully breaks down some barriers in the process."

The International Café is held once a month (the last Friday) for the first three months of each semester. Janes books Anderson Hall (AH100) for a two-hour block and students have the opportunity to mingle with their fellow international students as well as guests from the various resource units on campus.

"We do it in AH100 because it has some couches and is much more informal than a classroom setting," says Janes. "The first few events we've held, I've invited staff from Counselling Services, the Health Centre, Arts & Science Academic Advising and so on to try and help develop some awareness with the students of all the resources and services available to them here on campus."

In September, the International Café was attended by students from Belize, Mexico, Brazil, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, China, United Kingdom, the United States, Norway, Malaysia, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, India, Japan, St. Lucia, Dominica, Bahamas, Pakistan and Kenya.

The Café features birthday celebrations for those who've had a birthday in the previous month, while also recognizing major holidays and celebrations that have occurred in the students' country of residence.

"We are just trying to reduce some of the loneliness they can experience by recognizing and celebrating the events they may have left behind in their home country," says Janes. "At the same time, we hope to develop their awareness of the various resources and services available to them on campus.
"I also anticipate that such a program can enhance awareness amongst the broader ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community of the many obstacles, successes, hopes and dreams of our international students. They really are an amazing group and add so much to our campus."

Saint Lucia to Lethbridge proving to be a well-worn path

trevor.kenney — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:23:35 +0000

The Caribbean is a common destination spot for Canadians looking to escape the trials of winter and enjoy life in the tropics. For three cousins to come the other way however, leaving the resort island of Saint Lucia to live in Lethbridge, is hardly an ordinary occurrence.

In May, two of those cousins walked across the stage at the 1st Choice Savings Centre, earning undergraduate degrees from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge as family members cheered them on.

"I could have studied in the Caribbean but it would have been very limited," says Kaisie Anius (BSc '09), the invocation reader for Spring Convocation, Ceremony II. "Caribbean culture is similar throughout the islands, so coming to a different country with a different culture, was good for opening my mind and scope. I feel like I've grown a lot."

Anius followed in the footsteps of her cousin Jeanelle James (BSc '09), who first chose the U of L by researching Canadian universities online. She came to Lethbridge in fall, 2003, while Anius made the trip the following spring.

"I was searching for schools online. I wanted to do a degree in biological sciences and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge was one of the most affordable in Canada," James says.

"All my other family members went to school in the U.S. and England but I didn't want to go there and Canada was the choice."

Once here, it didn't take long for James to fit into the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community and determine that this was a place she was willing to recommend to other family members. After Anius came, a third cousin enrolled and is still studying at the U of L.

"The small class size was the main thing," James says. "The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's not too big, I liked that, and Lethbridge is a good size as well."

The entire island of Saint Lucia boasts a population of just over 160,000, so it was important the family found a place that was welcoming, thereby minimizing culture shock.

"The school is smaller, and it was easy to make friends, so that was really important. I also got to know my professors really well. I had no issues at all as far as my profs being helpful and always available. I was always able to e-mail and they would get right back to me." Anius says. "But it was still tough, the wind and the winter, it was very different for us."

What aided in the transition immensely was the International Centre for Students (ICS).

"Charlene Janes (international liaison officer and winner of the 2009 President's Award for APO/exempt staff) is wonderful, she works so hard at helping us out," Anius says.

Having benefited from the ICS, Anius got involved as a volunteer to help other students. She worked as a coordinator for the open exchange program and also became active in the International Students' Association.

Already employed, Anius is now working in Calgary in a recruitment position. It, however, is just a start.

"I'm not going to stop asking questions. I want to go to graduate school but it's very expensive so I'll have to work for a while," she says. "I need time to decide where I want to go, I want to make sure that whatever degree I take after, it is exactly what I want to do because it's a big investment."

Much like the investment her family first made when they chose the U of L to begin their post-secondary studies – one that obviously paid off.

Cramer, Janes recognized as President's Award recipients

trevor.kenney — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:42:06 +0000

The President's Award for Service Excellence recognizes exceptional service to The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community. The Award is given to two individuals: one AUPE staff member and one APO/Exempt Support Staff member.

Naomi Cramer
(AUPE staff)

Described as the "backbone" of the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, administrative assistant Naomi Cramer consistently goes beyond the call of duty to help students, faculty, staff and the general public.

Cramer has managed the front lines of the CCBN with total composure and competence through the dramatic growth and diversification of the centre. Her contributions to the CCBN extend well beyond what is usually expected of administrative assistants.

Aside from supporting the faculty in their teaching and research efforts, Cramer is involved in fundraising and advertising for major events such as Brain Awareness Week and the Brenda Milner Lecture Series; attends all Neuroscience seminars to gain an understanding of the centre's work; and applies for grants for student, faculty and travel awards.

Cramer also contributes greatly to the graduate program by coordinating external examiners and scheduling master's and PhD defenses.

To many, she is the face and voice of the CCBN as she arranges tours by schools, interest groups and visiting dignitaries, while also coordinating communication with various media representatives. She accomplishes all this and more while still only in a part-time capacity.

One of her most important roles is introducing new students to the Department of Neuroscience. Cramer endeavours to make new students feel at home, devoting significant time and effort to ensure these students are settled in Lethbridge.

With her friendly manner and conscientious approach, Cramer is also a great asset in the department's academic recruitment efforts.

Charlene Janes
(APO/Exempt support staff)

Currently celebrating 10 years of service at the U of L, Charlene Janes fulfills a complex role with gusto and dedication.

Currently the International Liaison Officer, Janes has worked with the International Centre for Students since its inception. Over the years she has implemented and revised procedures to help prospective and newly admitted students navigate the application and acceptance process from a distance.

In response to an ever-changing environment, she constantly refines processes and improves how she delivers programs. Janes provides outstanding leadership and liaises with the U of L community on behalf of international students, working with departments and administrative units to resolve issues and problems.

When assisting international students, Janes has a unique ability to look at the U of L from their perspective, ignoring boundaries between faculties and units. She helps non-traditional students every day, striving to build a community for international students to help them succeed on our campus, backed by an essential network of support. When students are in trouble, sick, or short of funding, it is Janes who helps them.

She doesn't do this alone, having built a network of students and colleagues across the institution that assist in providing services for international students. In that, Janes is a leader in forming collaborative relationships across the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Beyond her work role, she is a regular volunteer at convocation, the APO representative for the Senate, a volunteer on the Supporting Our Students committee and a member of the APO Executive.

Janes working to help her kids

trevor.kenney — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:28:36 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge campus is filled with faculty and staff who go above and beyond the call of duty every day. Charlene Janes is one of those people.
In her role as international liaison officer, she supports more than 550 international students a year. The students she works with come from around the world and know Janes as someone they can turn to, as a mom away from home.
"In a lot of ways I do feel like they're my kids," Janes says with a smile. "Sometimes they just need someone to be there for them, to encourage them, to lend a shoulder to cry on."
Janes' work revolves around finding solutions for the unique challenges these students encounter. She is presented with almost every problem imaginable, one of which is the issue of finances.
"There's a misconception out there that international students have a lot of money. While some of them come from affluence, a lot of them do not. In many cases, an extended family has pooled their money to give one individual an opportunity to go to university," Janes says.
She explains there are times when the necessary financial support for these students becomes unavailable. In such situations, Janes has advised those with high grades to apply for scholarships, but she was frustrated by the lack of funding for students who were not necessarily at the top of the academic ladder.
"What I saw was that these students ended up working a lot of hours to make ends meet, and while they were getting by, they were not really thriving."
At the spring launch of Supporting Our Students 2008, campaign co-chair Randy Joseph spoke about the need for increased bursaries — it was an appeal that hit home for Janes.
"I had seen a need for financial support for international students for a long time. Establishing a bursary turned out to be such an easy thing to do. I contacted the Advancement office, explained what I wanted to do, and they helped me make it happen."
As it turns out, she wasn't the only one who recognized the need — already three other individuals from her department have made contributions to the award.
"Supporting this award has been such a rewarding experience.
These students come here because of the opportunities they believe an education will provide. It feels good to help them get one step closer to reaching their potential."
Supporting Our Students is an annual internal campaign to raise money for U of L student awards. For more information about how you can contribute, visit: www.uleth.ca/giving

UNews - International Liaison Officer

Finding success a long way from home

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