CGE Newsletter April 21, 2016

Beyond Borders Students Prepare to Spend Three Weeks in Germany 

After the anxiety and excitement that usually comes at the end of the semester, 10 FSU students and two team leaders will spend three weeks in Germany as part of the cultural exchange program Beyond Borders. The group will be reunited with the German students and their team leaders who came to FSU in March.

Leaving Sunday, May 1 the FSU Beyond Borders group will spend two weeks with students from Studentenwerk – Dresden where they will explore this historically significant city, visit museums and palaces, hike in Saxony National Park, and more. They will then spend the final week traveling in Berlin.

Beyond Borders offers an alternative to traditional academic study abroad programs and provides students with short-term cultural learning experiences in either Jamaica or Germany. If you are interested in the opportunity to be immersed in another culture and build meaningful, cross-cultural friendships, visit the Beyond Borders page on the CGE website for more details and look for Beyond Borders Info Sessions in the fall.

You may also read the FSU news story about the Beyond Borders Germany program and Studentenwerk-Dresden’s visit to FSU.

FSU International Student-Athletes Succeed On and Off the Court

Senior center Adut Bulgak of Florida State Women’s Basketball was one of 30 student-athletes named to the Wade Watch List. The Wade Trophy is presented to the nation’s most outstanding NCAA® Division I women’s basketball player each year–one who not only excels athletically, but also serves as a positive role model both on and off the court. 

The acclaimed Wade Watch List, from which the Wade Trophy recipient is chosen, consists of players selected on the basis of game and season statistics, leadership, character, overall playing ability, and the positive impact on her respective team. Bulgak is a native of Edmonton, Canada.

Another successful international student-athlete is Leticia Romero (pictured above). She is a junior International Affairs major from Las Palmas, Spain and one of three Seminoles named to the All-ACC Women’s Basketball Academic Team. 

Minimum academic requirements for selection to the All-ACC Academic Team are a 3.0 grade point average for the previous semester and a 3.0 cumulative average during one’s academic career. Athletic achievements during the most recent season are also considered. Congratulations to both students!

International Student Graduates Recognized at CGE Reception 

On Friday, April 15 the Center for Global Engagement recognized international students who completed their programs in Fall 2015 or will finish in Spring 2016. Speakers at the event included CGE Director Dr. Cynthia Green, Dean of the Graduate School Dr. Nancy Marcus, and Interim Dean of the College of Engineering Dr. Bruce Locke. Dr. Mary B. Coburn, Vice President for Student Affairs, was a special guest.

FSU had over 350 international students completing their programs as well 32 exchange students, 19 from the Brazil Science Without Borders program, and 10 participants in our special academic programs. Over 100 students, family and friends were in attendance.

Above: Dr. Marcus congratulates students at the reception.

International Coffee Hour Ends April 29; Starts Again for Summer May 13

As the Spring 2016 semester comes to a close, Friday, April 29 will mark our last International Coffee Hour of the semester. There will be no Coffee Hour on May 6, but International Coffee Hour will resume the following week, May 13, for our summer students.

This week's International Coffee Hour is hosted by BRASA FSU, the Portuguese Language Club. They will serve Palha Italiana, a Brazilian treat made with cookies, sweetened condensed milk, butter, and cocoa. It's a great place to meet new people from various parts of the world, and connect with friends. Free and open to the public.