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The Office of International and Intercultural Programs at Virginia Wesleyan College serves as an international and intercultural resource for the entire college community. In addition to the international residential hall on campus, the OIP fosters the international vision of the College through study abroad experiences, international student experiences and intercultural programs, events and organizations.
"I see us as being a vital part of the internationalization of the campus," said Lena Johnson-Brown, Director of International Programs. "Our goal is to open people's eyes to the world. Not just the world outside of where we live, but the world we actually live in."
The Office seeks to do that in a variety of ways.
Study abroad experiences are open to any and all students who
have demonstrated maturity and established a good academic record and are available in a number of different countries.
"There are many reasons students want to study abroad," Johnson-Brown said. "Some may want to just have some fun. Others want to go to provide community service, such as the group who went to the Dominican Republic through the Community Service office. The third group wants to enhance their language skills, and being immersed in the culture helps that process.
"We live in a global economy and a global society, and when people can put 'study abroad' on their resumes, companies look at them more favorably."
The Office also features an OIP Reference Library, located on the first floor of Blocker Hall, which includes information from colleges and universities all over the world that can host Virginia Wesleyan students as they enjoy studying in foreign countries.
"All of the resources here are being updated," Johnson-Brown said. "Even if we don't have the answer to the question, we have the means to find the answer for the student."
The Office also deals with a number of intercultural programs, events and organizations. The OIP is committed to educating members of the college community about issues of diversity and promoting freedom of thought and opinion in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
"Diversity isn't just about how people look -- it's about thoughts and ideas," Johnson-Brown said. "When you have diversity of thoughts and ideas, that is true diversity."
In addition to study abroad experiences, the campus community
is enriched through programs, activities and interactions celebrating differences as well as similarities and commonalities. Speakers and performers bring rich examples of their culture to share, and cultural celebrations from Kwanzaa to Los Posadas are observed on campus in lively and colorful ways. In addition, Asian-American, African-American, Hispanic and Native American heritage months also offer special events, guests and celebrations.
Other organizations at the College that celebrate cultural diversity include the American Indian Council, the Asian American Society, the Black Student Union, Campus Kaleidoscope (NCCJ) and la Sociedad Americana de Latinos y Sus Amigos (S.A.L.S.A.).
In addition, International Student Services (ISS) exists to assist international students in their adjustment to life on campus as well as their pursuit of academic success in the United States. Some OIP-sponsored programs include a Global Perspectives Series, an International Friendship Program, Student-to-Student Forums and a variety of cultural experiences and travel excursions. ISS is available to help students when culture shock sets in, help students learn more about American culture, inform students about their rights and responsibilities while studying in the U.S. and assist students in times of miscommunication with faculty and/or staff members. ISS holds an international student orientation each fall for incoming international students.
Recent staff changes have also had a positive impact on the OIP.
"The visibility on campus has certainly enhanced with a stable staff," Johnson-Brown said. "We have an excellent support staff in our students as well as our intern. Each of them have a commitment to making a difference and seeing this develop into what it has the potential to be."
Johnson-Brown was appointed Director of International Programs on July 1, 2005. She graduated from Virginia Wesleyan with a B.A. in Social Sciences in December 2001 and received her master’s degree from La Trobe University in Victoria, Australia. Lena returned to Virginia Wesleyan to work in the Adult Studies Program in July 2003.
Andrea Harrell received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Old Dominion University and is currently pursuing a M.S.Ed. in Higher Education Administration with a Student Affairs emphasis from ODU. She has experience working with students in a variety of areas including Career Development, Admissions, Academic Advising, Student Activities and Multicultural Student Services.
Janel Lockwood began working at Virginia Wesleyan as the OIP Residential Assistant on August 15, 2005. She received her B.A. in Economics in May 2004 from Hanover College in Indiana. During her time at Hanover, she spent her time focusing on promoting cultural diversity and assisting international students with their transition to America. As an undergraduate, Janel traveled to Japan and visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara. She also traveled to Europe to study the European Union and visited the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and France.
"We used to have a billboard that said 'Change the world,'" said Johnson-Brown. "But that didn't sit right. We don't want to do that, to have the world just like us as Americans." The new phrase? "Open your eyes to the world. Because really, if you can see the different ways that people do things, taste different foods, just be more open to others, that's where the change takes place, both in you and in those you come in contact with."