Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Sylvania Campus to host a multitude of events during International Education Week

Photos and story by Kate Chester

With a headline of “Thinking Globally, Inspiring Locally,” Portland Community College prepares to celebrate its 10^th anniversary of International Education Week, beginning Tuesday, Nov. 13 and continuing through Nov. 16. And at the Sylvania Campus, there are many exciting opportunities in store:

Display throughout the month of November:

Peace Corps Exhibit (Sylvania CC Mall Display Cases and Lower Mall) – Artifacts and cultural items collected from Peace Corps Volunteer veterans, as well as country banners, are on display throughout the month of November.

Tuesday, Nov. 13:

Coffee Break Session: International Professional Development Opportunities for PCC employees (Sylvania TLC, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30am) – Facilitators: Jane Walster and Nicole Tobin, International Education. Connect with professional development returnees and with Office of International Education staff about this year’s international professional development opportunities for management, faculty,  AP, PT faculty with assignment rights and classified staff. Opportunities include academic seminars in other countries, opportunities to learn Spanish language and Mexican culture, teaching opportunities abroad with a study abroad consortium, and intercultural seminars.

Peace Corps Panel Discussion (Sylvania, CC Cedar Room, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.) – Facilitator: Kate Chester, Community Relations; panelists: Martin Kaplan (Somali Republic, 1962-1964), president, Committee for a Museum of the Peace Corps Experience; Ron Myers (Malaysia, 1972-1974); Bill Saphir (Thailand, 1967-1970); Phil Seder (Lesotho, 1982 – 1984), faculty department chair, Business department, Sylvania Campus; Tina Parrott (Botswana 1995-1997), instructional administrative assistant, Social Science Division, Sylvania Campus; and Alex Chester (Kyrgyz Republic, 2005-2007), Financial and Operations manager, Africa Bridge International.

Former Peace Corps volunteers from PCC and the Portland community at large will share their experiences, covering a wide range of countries, volunteer tasks, and cultures. Chuck McConnell (Ukraine, 2008-2010), president of the Columbia River Peace Corps Association, also will be present to offer information and advice to attendees interested in pursuing a Peace Corps experience.

Career Benefits of Learning a Second Language (Sylvania, CC Spruce Room, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.) – Facilitators: Domenica Mendoza-Bueno and Nicole Tobin, International Education. Knowing or learning a second language can have a big impact on career options, career trajectory, day to day communication, and workplace interactions. Hear personal accounts of the benefits of knowing a second language in a multicultural workforce and community, expressed by PCC employees who possess second language skills ranging from beginner level to bilingual.

Wednesday, Nov. 14:

Straight from the Horse’s Mouth: Participant Experiences on PCC International Programs (Sylvania, CC Spruce Room, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.) – Facilitator: Nicole Tobin, International Education; panelists: Students Denver Garrison and Travis Ritchie, and faculty and staff participants from this year’s Oaxaca, Mexico immersion program.

What is it like to participate in one of PCC’s study abroad or international faculty development programs? Past participants describe their experience and participate in a lively Q&A about the unique learning experiences, exhilarating experiences, and culture clashes they encountered while studying abroad.

Fundación En Vía – Changing Lives One Woman at a Time (Sylvania, CC Cedar Room, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.) – Panelists: Shawna Poppe, Business/Humanities, Luis Menchu, TSS, and Kate Chester, Community Relations.

Fundación En Vía combines tourism and micro-finance to fight poverty in Oaxaca, Mexico. By providing interest-free micro-loans to help women in Oaxaca start or expand their small businesses, social change is facilitated and tangible impacts are generated. Learn about this program and some of the women that recent PCC faculty and staff met while participating in the tour.

Creative Practices and Political Association in Contemporary Senegal (Sylvania, CT 212, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.) – Presenter: Mark Smith.

This slide presentation will examine contemporary artistic and literary tendencies in Senegal as they relate to current politics and the cultural shift away from French colonial influence. Slides also will feature Senegal’s vibrant landscape and culture including images from beautiful Goree Island, former seat of the West African slave trade.

Finding Money for Study Abroad (Sylvania, CC Spruce Room, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.) – Facilitator: Nicole Tobin, International Education.

Ever dream of studying in another country but feel that finances are holding you back? This workshop outlines how “money” factors into study abroad program participation and planning. With some planning, most students can make it happen. Come to this session to dream a little now – and develop a plan for international study later.

Thursday, Nov. 15:

The World Games (Sylvania, CC Lower Mall, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) – Supported by ASPCC.

Get ready to test luck, knowledge, and skill! Students from all around the world are here to teach the PCC community some of their favorite games from their home countries. Stop by and stay as long as possible; free popcorn and candy will be provided.

Speed Culturing (Sylvania, CC Spruce Room, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.) – Facilitators: Yoko Honda, International Education, and Sylvania ESOL Faculty.

Learn about the cultures of PCC students during a fast-paced and fun session of speed culturing. All are welcome to participate.

Friday, Nov. 16:

PCC’s Got International Talent! (Sylvania Little Theatre, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) – Sponsors: Sylvania ESOL and the Office of International Education.

This annual show features out-of-this-world talent as students, staff, and faculty showcase songs, dances, comedy, and entertainment from around the globe. Tickets are on sale for $2 each at the Sylvania Tutoring Center (CT 206) and the Office of International Education (CT 103).

Live Music – Seffarine (Sylvania North View Gallery, CT 214, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.) – Sponsored by the Internationalization Steering Committee.

Seffarine is a duo formed by Moroccan singer Lamiae Naki and oud player/flamenco guitarist Nat Hulskamp. Their repertoire varies from classical Arabic and Andalusian music to original compositions influenced by the music of widely varying cultures, such as Spanish flamenco, classical Persian music, and American jazz.

For more information and a complete, district-wide schedule of International Education Week activities, visit: www.pcc.edu/about/events/international.