Mission: The Center for International Programs is dedicated to giving life to the goals of comprehensive in-

ternationalization built into the University’s strategic plan, Building on Excellence, with a focus on serving

faculty, staff, students, administration and the West Chester University community.

Vision: The Center for International Programs is committed to the goal of comprehensive internationaliza-

tion at West Chester University.

A message from the Director

The Center’s primary mission is to support the University’s strategic

goals of comprehensive internationalization. As one can read in our An-

nual Report, the Center’s goals to increase study abroad participation,

international student enrollment, institutional partners overseas, and the

number of visiting scholars are being achieved. Internationalization not

only helps our students become global citizens, but it also abets diversi-

fication of our campus and adds to our teaching and research opportuni-

ties. Please stop by our offices in Mitchell Hall, 3rd South, for assistance

with your international projects!!

Dr. Peter Loedel

2014 - 2015

ANNUAL REPORT www.wcupa.edu/international 610-436-3515

Center for

International

Programs

Types of Study Abroad Programming

Study Abroad helps students to:

Boost their resume and global competency skills

Gain international and cross-cultural experience

Meet interesting people and travel

Become more self-confident and develop leadership skills

Develop a stronger perspective on global affairs as well your own country

CIP generally supports two types of study abroad programming. Stu-

dents can employ one of our contracted study abroad providers for

their semester length programming – Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer.

CIP also supports faculty led programming, the fastest growing area

in terms of student participation. CIP plays a critical role to ensure

that faculty or staff leaders of each of these programs completes a

program proposal, and once approved, confirm that all participating

students complete a set of paperwork hosted by our Terra Dotta Soft-

ware. CIP can assist faculty members with program development,

marketing, cost center management, and risk management.

Generation Study Abroad is West Chester Uni-

versity’s commitment to double the number of

students participating in an educational abroad

experience – from short-term faculty-led pro-

grams to semester and year-long experienc-

es. Studying abroad assists students in be-

coming globally engaged citizens.

For 2014/15, CIP increased study abroad par-

ticipation by around 28% over the following

year, from 357 international educational expe-

riences to 454. The increase is largely due to

additional faculty-led and other WCU-led pro-

gramming, including large programs from Stu-

dent Affairs, the Honors College in Norway,

and a Nutrition Group to Italy over spring

break.

Study Abroad

28% increase in students

participating in study

abroad!

Dr. Marcos Campillo-Fenoll with his group in Argentina

Study Abroad is now supported via a number of different

scholarship programs. Last Year, 2014-15, CIP gave out

close to $25,000 in scholarships and travel awards. Addi-

tional funding for study abroad from PASSHE has further

supported education abroad opportunities. Through this

and other support from private foundations and scholar-

ships, students who may not have been able to study

abroad are now experiencing the wonderful opportunities

provided by our faculty and providers.

WCU students with Dr. Loedel and Jeff Conradi at the re-entry

conference at Temple University

The week ahead consisted of day hikes and nightly presentations.

Some days were spent by the sea and some in the tropical rainforest. I

learned so much about the native and invasive species of the island

and the anthropological actions that have affected their ecosystems. I

saw very beautiful plants and wildlife and learned from the locals about

the land. We saw trees called mangroves that have the ability to live

in salt water. We kayaked in a bay full of tiny creatures called dinoflag-

ellates, that glow in the dark. At night coqui frogs sang us to sleep.

This was one of the greatest times of my life!

I would like to thank the Center for International Programs for this

opportunity. Without your help I would not have been able to have this

experience and bring back the joy and knowledge I gained from spend-

ing time on the enchanted island of Puerto Rico.

By: Kaloni Baylor, Environmental Health major with a Biology Mi-

nor, participating in the spring semester course, Tropical Ecology,

taught by Dr. Jessica Schedlbauer.

Last year, nine students from West Chester University

(along with Dr. Loedel and Jeff Conradi) participated in

the Delaware Valley Study Abroad Re-entry Conference

held at Temple University. Each student was able to

share their study abroad experiences with peers from

Temple, UPenn, Drexel, and St. Josephs. They also

learned how to transform their study abroad experienc-

es into possible career and professional opportunities.

“After the trip I felt like I had been

changed forever.”

Transforming Lives with the Rafiki Africa Foundation

8 Students and 2 faculty traveled to Kenya to empower

women, increase food security and enhance education.

New to CIP!

In June the Center for Interna-

tional Programs was pleased to

welcome Nora Maurer as the new

Assistant Director of Education Abroad. Nora comes to

WCU from Bowling Green State University.

West Chester University is also increasingly partnering with international higher education institutions to

provide specific exchange programs. Exchange programs allow WCU students to pay their WCU tuition/fees

and travel overseas for a one or two semester study abroad experience. WCU then reciprocates by enrolling

the same number of exchange students from the partner institution. Exchange program opportunities for

study abroad exist with our partners in German, Japan, China, Ireland, Costa Rica, Ghana, Turkey, Guate-

mala, and South Korea. Additional exchange partnerships will be added in the years to come. 2014-2015

saw the first students participating in some of these exchange programs

Irish student Hollie McDonnell enjoyed a visit to Independence

Hall in Philadelphia during her spring semester at WCU. Mary

Immaculate College in Limerick, Ireland, and WCU signed a

memorandum of understanding last June, and McDonnell was

the first Irish student to study at WCU as a result of the new

partnership.

With the career goal of becoming a high school history teach-

er, McDonnell, 21, immersed herself in WCU education classes

and earned a 4.0 GPA for the semester. In addition to Phila-

delphia, she visited Washington, D.C.; New York City and Bos-

ton during her time in the U.S.

Exchange Programs at West Chester University

Exchange students, Yumi Iwaguchi and Rinna Unno

from Hosei University in Japan showcasing their Japa-

nese traditional wear (Yukata) during the WCU World

Festival in Spring 2015. They both spent a year at WCU

and have since returned to Japan to continue with their

college education.

Eleven students, along with Professors Yunong Zhou

and Dr. Lin Tan, participated in a four-week exchange

program at Guizhou University, in Guiyang, China in May

-June of 2015. Students were enrolled in Chinese lan-

guage and culture courses and explored the natural

beauty of the south central region of China.

WCU Students in Guizhou University

International Students and Scholar Services

As we recognized that learning takes place inside and outside the classroom, CIP focused intentionally on providing and identifying pro-grams on our campus for international students. We also identified extracurricular activities, and professional associations for the stu-dents. Below is a list of some events and activities that international students participated.

How to Schedule for Spring

Ask an Employer

STEM (Science & Technology Career Fair)

Ask the DSO: Open forum to answer questions about F-1 visa

status

Curricular Practical Training and Optional Practical Training

New York City and Philadelphia trips

First cohort of visiting scholars from China, Beijing Union

University’s Economics and Finance Programs. Coordinat-

ed by WCU’s Dr. Linda Zhu, Professor of Economics and

Finance

CIP staff and international students at the National Consti-

tutional Center in Philadelphia. During the trip, students

were led on guided tour and learned about the American

Constitution, history and culture. They also had a chance

to see the Liberty Bell.

International Student Luncheon 2014—At the luncheon students

got to meet and interact with other international students and

WCU staff. Through informal conversations, new students

learned how to navigate the new environment from their peers.

International Students Enrolment

24% increase in International

Students Enrollment 2013-2015

From Fall 2013 to Spring 2015, the number of international students

studying at West Chester University increased by 24%. International

students come from a large variety of countries, with the largest num-

ber coming from China, Norway, India, South Korea and Saudi Arabia

May/August 2015 international graduates during the stole ceremony

Libin Feng, a dean at China’s Xi’an Conservatory of Music,

was able to combine business with pleasure when he visited

West Chester University in April. The official purpose of

Dean Feng’s trip was to sign a memorandum of understand-

ing recognizing an educational and artistic partnership be-

tween WCU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts and the

Xi’an Conservatory of Music.

Feng also was in West Chester as a proud parent of a Gold-

en Ram. He and his wife, Shumei Hu, visited their daughter,

Yunfei Feng, who studies piano with Carl Cranmer, an assis-

tant professor of piano. Yunfei Feng will graduate in Decem-

ber.

The Xi’an Conservatory of Music is in Xi’an, the capital of

Shaanxi province, located in the northwest region of China.

It has approximately 4,000 music students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

WCU International Partnership Development

Supportive of the University’s strate-

gic plan, Building on Excellence, and

in order to further explore potential

international institutional partner-

ships and student opportunities for

study, exchange and enrollment, the

Center for International Programs

(CIP) partnered with the Philadelph-

ia-based Peace Islands Institute to

develop a WCU-Turkey initiative. It

is anticipated that two or three part-

nership agreements will be signed.

Dr. Loedel and Rector Dr. Eduardo

Valdes Barria, at the signing ceremo-

ny for the partnership agreement

with the Universidad Rafael Landívar,

Guatemala City, Guatemala. Dr.

Loedel was warmly greeted by the

staff at URL. West Chester University

is the first non-Jesuit partner of URL.

URL boosts a modern campus over-

looking Guatemala City. All URL stu-

dents must complete a service learn-

ing project prior to graduation.

CIP partnered with the Office of Service

learning and Volunteer Programs to develop

a program in Guatemala to support the new

partnership with URL. 9 students and 2 fac-

ulty advisors traveled to Guatemala City over

the spring break in a program designed to

educate school children, build homes, and

learn about the culture of the region. Dr.

Ana Sanchez and Professor Maria-Arias Zeli-

don from the Department of Languages and

Culture helped initiate the program and look

forward to future programs at URL.

WCU President, Dr. Greg R. Weisenstein and Dean Libin Feng

Highlights

Angela Howard, Assistant Director, CIP was awarded a Fulbright

Scholarship to Japan. The purpose of the Fulbright Program was to

take an in depth look at the higher education system in Japan, its

culture, and society. She visited 10 institutions throughout Tokyo,

Kyoto, and Hiroshima which varied in size, academic offerings, and

public vs. private. She also interviewed, faculty, staff, administrators

and students and had opportunities to present information about WCU

to students and participate in classroom discussions.

Charity Alinda, an MPA international student from Uganda was

awarded the outstanding graduate student award in May 2015.

Above, Charity with the Dean of the College of Business and Pub-

lic Affairs Dr. Michelle Patrick and Dr. Jeffrey Osgood the Interim

Associate Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies.

In the Fall of 2014, CIP launched its New Global Ambassadors

Program. Global Ambassadors are students who have returned

from study abroad and are selected to be peer advisors and assist

with promoting study abroad on campus in a variety of ways.

Last year global ambassadors held a variety of study abroad

events as well as assisted and advised students with their study

abroad interests.

Dr. Cheryl Schlamb, Assistant Professor of Nursing, led a

group of Nursing students to Ireland and the United King-

dom to learn more about the health services programs in

both countries and the vital role of the nursing profession in

terms of health care provision.

Center for International Programs Staff

Center for International Programs

West Chester University

Mitchell Hall 3rd Floor

675 S. Church Street

West Chester, PA 19383

Dr. Peter Loedel

Interim Assistant Vice Presi-

dent for International Pro-

grams and Director Center

for International Programs.

Angela Howard

Assistant Director International

Programs and Principal Desig-

nated School Official (PDSO)

and Responsible Officer (RO).

Nora Maurer

Assistant Director Education

Abroad.

Summer Davey

Assistant Director of Interna-

tional and Transfer Admis-

sions.

We moved!

CIP moved to our new offices on 3rd floor South in

Mitchell Hall. Our Study Abroad Resource Room is a

great location for students to meet their peer men-

tors in our Global Ambassadors program and gather

information or work on the computer to download

forms. The conference room at the end of the hall

provides a great location for meetings, presenta-

tions, and social events for international programs

(this conference room is shared locally with the De-

partment of Languages and Culture).

Daniele Clay

Administrative Support.