Isenberg School Celebrates International Education Week

Thu., Nov 29, 2007
“Our students live and work in an increasingly global economy. International awareness and experience are critical to their education and success after graduation,” insists Isenberg School undergraduate dean Carol Barr. For three years, the School has celebrated International Education Week in November with an eye-catching display of flags and student cultural exhibits in the School’s atrium.¹ Coordinated by the School’s George Spiro Business Communication Center and the undergraduate program, the week’s events culminate with a scholarship award of $1,000 to further international study by an Isenberg School student. The award is based on a student essay and financial need.

When former undergraduate dean Dennis Hanno initiated the festivities three years ago, he purchased 73 flags, each representing the national origin—either as citizens or by birth—of students, faculty, and staff members at the Isenberg School. Today, the number of flags has blossomed to 85. “Our students know that their community is internationally diverse. But it’s on International Education Week that they appreciate the extent of that diversity,” underscores Barr. The events also acquaint Isenberg School students with some of their international education options, including the university’s International Programs Office’s semester-long overseas study opportunities in 27 countries and the Isenberg School’s own two-week class trips to Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, Germany/France, Ghana, Ireland, and Italy.

This year’s $1,000 scholarship recipient was Valeriya Leikina ’11, whose essay was judged superior by International Week coordinator Gail Cruise and her fellow Isenberg School writing instructors. Just a freshman, Valeriya describes her family’s recent move from Moscow to Devens, Massachusetts as a “Horatio Algeresque” story. She plans to pursue a dual degree in management and neuroscience. Valeriya’s award will defray costs toward her Isenberg School class trip in January to Germany and France. A second award went to hospitality major Grisha Maziya for correctly identifying all but one of the 85 flags on display (Grisha’s nemesis—the flag of Peru).

“The international character of our community includes individuals born in other countries and student visitors on exchange,” observes Barr. “A third category that we need to track comprises first generation Americans. For them, UMass has always been an invaluable lever of opportunity.”

¹ The cultural exhibits-posters are communication assignments completed by students in the School’s Transitions Program, a mandatory introduction to the School for its freshmen. English-as-a-Second Language students in the School’s junior-year writing seminar also contribute posters.

Pictured at top from left to right are scholarship recipient Valeriya Leikina, Associate Undergraduate Dean Carol Barr and contest winner Grisha Maziya.

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