Events help Bryant students develop world view
Out-of-classroom programs immerse students in the cultures of the European Union, Kazakhstan, and Africa.
One day last month, Bryant students had the chance to interact with Consuls General from Spain, France, and Germany. Last Saturday, a class took part in Bryant's second annual African Studies Workshop, which encourages cultural exchange between students and Rhode Island's African community. To kick off Bryant's International Education Week, students walked into the Koffler Rotunda on Monday to find an authentic Kazakh yurt.
This is just a sampling of the programs organized by students, faculty, and staff as part of Bryant's mission to introduce students to new cultures and prepare them to succeed in today's global environment.
"The EU and its Role in the World"
John Dietrich, associate professor of history and social sciences and coordinator of the Global Studies program (See Dietrich's Web page), and Madan Annavarjula, associate professor of management and coordinator of the International Business program, spearheaded the event "The EU and its Role in the World."
The idea came about over the summer when the French Consul's office in Boston contacted Dietrich as part of an ongoing effort by the consulate to educate college students about the EU. The Consuls General from France, Germany, and Spain gave lectures and met with President Ron Machtley.
"I hope the students got a sense of how other countries see world issues," says Dietrich. "They also had the added advantage of interacting with diplomats who have traveled the world."
In their presentation that focused on the economy and politics, the Consuls General encouraged students who hope to work overseas someday to focus on understanding different customs and traditions and learning multiple languages.
"Today's students live in a global world, and it is critical for them to understand the cultures of other countries," says Dietrich. "I'm happy that students in my United States Foreign Policy class have made reference to the presentations in our class discussion."
Annavarjula says it is fascinating for students to see countries that make up the European Union interacting after years of tenuous relations, while still maintaining their individual identities.
"It is really a very special opportunity for our students to understand how countries can cooperate with each other and work together in spite of their differences in culture, language, and political ideology," he says.
African Studies Workshop
For the second year in a row, Alex Perullo, assistant professor of English and cultural studies (See Perullo's Web page), organized the African Studies Workshop to encourage information and cultural exchange between students and members of Rhode Island's African community.
As part of Perullo's course, students initiated research that explores African culture and history. Part of the investigation involved participating in an active intellectual dialogue with members of the African community who have firsthand knowledge.
"The students and guests were extremely interested in learning from one another," says Perullo. "The students learned new ways of interpreting and understanding the African continent, while guests gained insight into many of the misconceptions about their countries."
Bryant collaborated with the African Alliance of Rhode Island to sponsor the program, which took place at the Providence Public Library. The event included music, dance, a talk by award-winning Ghanaian playwright Ama Ata Aidoo, and a photo exhibit of East Africa.
Beyond Borat
One of the highlights of International Education Week (IEW) at Bryant is the massive Kazakh yurt currently in the Koffler Rotunda. It was designed by Bakhtiyar Baidaralin '12 and his older brother Daniyar, who are originally from Almaty, Kazakhstan, which is located in central Asia, northwest of China.
A steady stream of students, faculty, and staff stopped by to learn about the history, culture, and art of Kazakhstan, as well as the construction of the yurt. No one seemed to mind taking off their shoes before stepping inside the cozy, furnished domed shelter filled with colorful clothing, authentic handmade rungs, and many artifacts.
An International Business major, Bakhtiyar came to the United States with his family in 2001 when he was 11 years old. He thought the yurt was a good way to introduce the Bryant community to his home country. He credits the 4-MILE program, an orientation for international and multicultural students held by the Intercultural Center, with creating an environment that is welcoming to appreciative of different cultures.
With the support of Shontay Delalue King, director of the Intercultural Center, and the ICC staff, members of the International Student Organization and Multicultural Student Union spent six hours on Sunday erecting and decorating the yurt.
"I want to raise students' awareness to Kazakhstan and help them learn more about the culture of my home country," says Bakhtiyar.
International Education Week
IEW continues on Thursday with a lecture titled "Muslim Images, Western Realities: The Status of Women in Islam" by Riham Bahi, adjunct professor of history and social sciences. The talk begins at 5 p.m. in the Bryant Center, Room 2C. At 8 p.m. students are invited to a showing of "A Map for Saturday" and a discussion on study abroad.
On Friday, author Sunil Bhatia will present "American Karma: Race, Culture, and Identity in the Indian Diaspora" at noon in the Papitto Room. IEW ends with i2i on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets will be sold from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday in the Koffler Rotunda and Friday in the Bryant Center. Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for all others in advance, or $5 and $7, respectively, at the door.
This is just a sampling of the programs organized by students, faculty, and staff as part of Bryant's mission to introduce students to new cultures and prepare them to succeed in today's global environment.
"The EU and its Role in the World"
John Dietrich, associate professor of history and social sciences and coordinator of the Global Studies program (See Dietrich's Web page), and Madan Annavarjula, associate professor of management and coordinator of the International Business program, spearheaded the event "The EU and its Role in the World."
The idea came about over the summer when the French Consul's office in Boston contacted Dietrich as part of an ongoing effort by the consulate to educate college students about the EU. The Consuls General from France, Germany, and Spain gave lectures and met with President Ron Machtley.
"I hope the students got a sense of how other countries see world issues," says Dietrich. "They also had the added advantage of interacting with diplomats who have traveled the world."
In their presentation that focused on the economy and politics, the Consuls General encouraged students who hope to work overseas someday to focus on understanding different customs and traditions and learning multiple languages.
"Today's students live in a global world, and it is critical for them to understand the cultures of other countries," says Dietrich. "I'm happy that students in my United States Foreign Policy class have made reference to the presentations in our class discussion."
Annavarjula says it is fascinating for students to see countries that make up the European Union interacting after years of tenuous relations, while still maintaining their individual identities.
"It is really a very special opportunity for our students to understand how countries can cooperate with each other and work together in spite of their differences in culture, language, and political ideology," he says.
African Studies Workshop
For the second year in a row, Alex Perullo, assistant professor of English and cultural studies (See Perullo's Web page), organized the African Studies Workshop to encourage information and cultural exchange between students and members of Rhode Island's African community.
As part of Perullo's course, students initiated research that explores African culture and history. Part of the investigation involved participating in an active intellectual dialogue with members of the African community who have firsthand knowledge.
"The students and guests were extremely interested in learning from one another," says Perullo. "The students learned new ways of interpreting and understanding the African continent, while guests gained insight into many of the misconceptions about their countries."
Bryant collaborated with the African Alliance of Rhode Island to sponsor the program, which took place at the Providence Public Library. The event included music, dance, a talk by award-winning Ghanaian playwright Ama Ata Aidoo, and a photo exhibit of East Africa.
Beyond Borat
One of the highlights of International Education Week (IEW) at Bryant is the massive Kazakh yurt currently in the Koffler Rotunda. It was designed by Bakhtiyar Baidaralin '12 and his older brother Daniyar, who are originally from Almaty, Kazakhstan, which is located in central Asia, northwest of China.
A steady stream of students, faculty, and staff stopped by to learn about the history, culture, and art of Kazakhstan, as well as the construction of the yurt. No one seemed to mind taking off their shoes before stepping inside the cozy, furnished domed shelter filled with colorful clothing, authentic handmade rungs, and many artifacts.
An International Business major, Bakhtiyar came to the United States with his family in 2001 when he was 11 years old. He thought the yurt was a good way to introduce the Bryant community to his home country. He credits the 4-MILE program, an orientation for international and multicultural students held by the Intercultural Center, with creating an environment that is welcoming to appreciative of different cultures.
With the support of Shontay Delalue King, director of the Intercultural Center, and the ICC staff, members of the International Student Organization and Multicultural Student Union spent six hours on Sunday erecting and decorating the yurt.
"I want to raise students' awareness to Kazakhstan and help them learn more about the culture of my home country," says Bakhtiyar.
International Education Week
IEW continues on Thursday with a lecture titled "Muslim Images, Western Realities: The Status of Women in Islam" by Riham Bahi, adjunct professor of history and social sciences. The talk begins at 5 p.m. in the Bryant Center, Room 2C. At 8 p.m. students are invited to a showing of "A Map for Saturday" and a discussion on study abroad.
On Friday, author Sunil Bhatia will present "American Karma: Race, Culture, and Identity in the Indian Diaspora" at noon in the Papitto Room. IEW ends with i2i on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets will be sold from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday in the Koffler Rotunda and Friday in the Bryant Center. Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for all others in advance, or $5 and $7, respectively, at the door.
