An international festival, a Parade of Nations, game night at the student recreation center and a year-end formal ball are just a few of the exciting activities planned each year for Western Michigan University international students by the International Programming Office in the Haenicke Institute for Global Education.

The office is managed by Kimberly Ritter, international student activities program specialist, who assists with student's transition to campus, development, social and personal growth, as well as creating a family environment in which new students can develop a sense of belonging and friendship. "The best part of my job is witnessing the growth and development of each student, and being actively involved in that process," Ritter said.

Ritter is also the advisor for the student-run International Programs Council, and in that role she assists all international student organizations in developing and planning activities.

"We offer students the opportunity to share their culture and experience American culture through a wide variety of events," said Ritter, who has worked with international students since fall 2005. "I work closely with them to secure funding, develop their constitution, plan and develop programs, and advance their personal leadership and intercultural understanding. This diverse group of students create many enjoyable experiences and memories that continucally reinforce my dedication to the University."

The programming office plans activities for all interests, including the Parade of Nations, Halloween Dance, International Education Week, Holiday Parade, Ice Capades, and the International Ball, among others.

The Parade of Nations is a tradition during the WMU Bronco Football Homecoming game each fall, in which about 100 students, faculty, administrators and staff carry their homeland flag, or the national flag of their choice, on the football field prior to the game.

The Halloween Dance is another popular event for which students dress up in costumes—as is customary for this American tradition—to eat, dance and be merry with their peers.

International Education Week is celebrated with a full slate of events and activities that increase global understanding. Most of the events are planned by WMU student organizations and feature the food, art, music, films and culture of many nations, as well as educational presentations and displays.

Ice Capades introduces, for many, the popular Michigan winter activity of ice skating. The event has a theme each year, which adds to the fun. The 2009 theme was Funny Hats; Ugly Sweaters was the 2008 theme.

The International Ball gives students the opportunity to attend a prom-like dance that includes a four-course meal, a horse-drawn carriage ride, professional photos, and dance lessons. The 2008 ball had a masquerade theme.

There are also many small group activities offered, such as the spring break trip, which landed students in the Big Apple—New York City—in March 2009, camping trips, festival visits, trips to Lake Michigan beaches, and many more organized by students working with Ritter and her crew.

"I am fortunate to have such wonderful student staff support," Ritter said. "Fresh ideas, enthusiasm, and efforts are the heart of the office. They really help me keep perspectives fresh, and provide great opportunities for our students."

KIM'S CREW

One of Ritters student staff members is Lygia Mueller, international programming graduate assistant, from Berlin Germany, majoring in higher education and student affairs.

Mueller has worked in the International Programming Office since fall 2008, and one of her major responsibilities is supporting WMU’s International Programs Council, which meets weekly. She assists the executive board in planning and facilitating events and managing the event budgets. The IPC is compromised of domestic and international students.

"International students really enjoy participating in IPC because it gives them a chance to work on a team with other students, and to have fun while planning informative and entertaining activities for the campus community," Mueller said. "Also, being so far away from home IPC often creates a family environment for incoming students, as many students stay after the weekly General Assembly meeting to go out for dinner or to the movies. Some American members even invite students to spend Thanksgiving with their family."

Mueller also helps organizing WMU's International Student Orientation and Registration Program as an ISORP coordinator. Along with two other coordinators and ten student leaders, this team is the first WMU student body to officially welcome international students to the University. The weeklong program in the fall semester provides new students with a comprehensive overview of academic, campus and community life and resources.

Mueller works hard to make sure the three ISORP sessions held each academic year—at the beginning of the fall, spring and summer I semesters—provide a warm and information-rich introduction to WMU. The largest ISORP annually is the fall orientation that has welcomed up to 400 incoming international students.

Although Lygia's main job is guiding IPC in planning and facilitating their events, she also assists in completing office administrative tasks while Ritter is away on recruiting trips.

"Over the summer I have been writing letters to the faculty, presenters, and others involved in ISORP to keep planning rolling along, as well as organizing office meetings with the international programming interns, while Kim has been traveling for recruitment trips and annual leave." Mueller said.

Another member of Kim's Crew is International Programming Office Intern Nicholas DiFranco from Royal Oak, Michigan, a senior majoring in aviation administration, with a business minor.

DiFranco's major responsibilities include working with WMU's international registered student organizations, coordinating International Festival, the Halloween Dance, and Ice Capades, and other fun activities scheduled throughout the academic year. DiFranco manages reserves facilities and manages the volunteers and said he has great fun working with students to plan each event.

"The events we put on are a good time for all and offer new experiences for most," DiFranco said. "They give international students a chance to further adapt to American culture, while simultaneously giving American students insight into cultures from around the globe."

The largest event that the International Program Office plans is International Festival, a student showcase of life around the globe that WMU has hosted for 20 years. The festival includes culinary delights and cultural displays, as well as ethnic music, dancing, and a fashion show featuring traditional clothing from the many countries represented in the festival. More than 3,000 campus and community members attended the 2009 International Festival, breaking existing attendance records. Profits earned by the festival through the sale of food are donated back to participating student organizations.

"The festival takes six months to plan," DiFranco said. "We hold weekly meetings with a ten -person planning committee, as well as members from 15 WMU registered student organizations."

Maran Subramain is the third member of Kim's crew, a graduate student in WMU's Communication Department. He is an international programming intern who came to Kalamazoo from Kulim, Malaysia in spring 2008. Subramain serves a special role as liaison for international students enrolled in the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

"I organize a meet-and-greet reception for University staff, the CEAS staff, and the international students," Subramain said. "Engineering students make up a large majority of our international student population and it's my job to make sure they are introduced to the many resources WMU and the Kalamazoo community has to offer for their academic, professional and personal success."

Subramain also organizes International Education Week activities for the WMU campus. This special week recognizing the importance of international education is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to expand global understanding in the United States and other countries.

"International Education Week activities at WMU include international movies, food festivals, lecture or discussion sessions, guest speakers on an international experience, art exhibits, cultural-display tables, conversation tables, and music performances," Subramain said.

With a seasoned crew at the Helm, Ritter said her office is looking forward to the 2009-2010 academic year and continuing to expand efforts to welcome international students to WMU, Kalamazoo, and other places in the U.S.

"This year we are hoping to expand International Education Week, as well as some of our other activities to include more student organizations in an effort to reach more students," Ritter said.