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S P R I N G 2 0 1 4

Upcoming Events (See 1)

International News

Thank You!

Leslie Durden Editor

Jiaxi Hou

Editor & Staff Writer

Mohammed Alamoud Staff Writer

Abdulelah Abohmoud

Staff Writer

Laura Munoz Staff Writer

Mentees & Mentors

Interviews

Maureen Stephan IPO

Angie Maffeo IPO & ELAP

https://www.facebook.com/USFIPO

https://www.facebook.com/ELAPUSF

Welcome from IPO & IC!

The International Programs Office and International Club are pleased to release another edition of our

international newsletter to keep you updated about what we have been doing and what events we will be

hosting in the future. Please contact us to be a part of the international family, if you want to attend our events, or if you have any suggestions.

[email protected]

Street Fair

March 28, 2014

USF Basketball Tournament

April 5 & 6

Relay for Life

April 12 & 13

https://www.facebook.com/USFIPO

https://www.facebook.com/ELAPUSF

mailto:[email protected]

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SPRING 2016 THE LOREM IPSUMS

Past Events!

Chinese New Year

It is believed the animals in the Chinese zodiac calendar originated from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), during which they were used

to count years in same way as the modern Christian calendar. The Chinese Zodiac, known

as Sheng Xiao, is based on a 12-year cycle and each year in that cycle is related to an animal sign.

These animal signs are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Each animal is associated with an

"earthly branch" such as fire, water, metal or wood.

As it was observed that there were 12 full moons in one year, the number 12 is used to divide years and times of the day.

Years of the Horse are: 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038, and 2050

Those born within these years are recognized as energetic, bright and intelligent. This kind of person is sometimes referred to a "Qianli Ma" - a horse that covers a thousand li a day (one li is equivalent to 500 meters). It is believed those born in the year of the horse have excellent communication skills and enjoy being in the limelight.

What are their weaknesses? Constraint is said to be absent in people born on the year of the horse. While they are believed to be talented, they are impatient and hot-blooded about everything. Failure can result in pessimism.

The year of the horse is associated with people who are bad at managing their finances and pursue high profile careers. They pride themselves on being independent, rarely take advice from others, and have frequent bouts of bad temper.

What will the year of the horse bring? For those born in the year of the horse, they will encounter the Year of Birth (Benming Nian). It is believed they will offend Taisui, the god in charge of fortune, so their finances may fluctuate. In terms of career, it is advised to keep the peace between colleagues. For those not born on a horse year, the year ahead will bring health and prosperity.

Sources: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/chinese-new-year-2014

Year of the Horse

INTERNATIONAL NEWS SPRING 2014

Chinese New Year dinner at Mingxuan Restaurant in Chinatown, Chicago

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/chinese-new-year-2014

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On February 2, International Club hosted a trip to Chicago’s Chinatown during the Chinese New Year. A total of 17 students attended.

There was an amazing parade on that day hosted by the Chinese community. Everyone

who attended enjoyed the atmosphere of the New Year celebration. After the parade, we had delicious authentic Chinese food for lunch at

Mingxuan Restaurant. It was a great day and a great way to experience and learn something about another culture. Everyone was motivated

and pleased. We are all looking forward to the next awesome event from IC!

On February 26, International Club hosted an

Olympic Double Feature showing Cool Runnings and The Cutting Edge in honor of the 2014 Winter Olympics. The students were

taken back to their childhood days by watching Cool Runnings, a 1993 Disney classic that fictionalizes the true story of a bobsledding

team from Jamaica making it to the Olympics, in which they still participate to this day. The

Cutting Edge is a 1992 romantic comedy that has a very spoiled figure skater who is paired up with a ice hockey player for the Olympic

figure skating competition. Many students came out to watch these movies as well as to enjoy refreshments that were provided. It was

great to see such a diverse group of students come together to watch movies that relate to a

major international multi-sport event.

IC Chinese New Year Celebration

2014 Winter Olympics


Laura Munoz, Megha Patel and Ariet Othow

USF Chinese Students’ New Year’s Eve Celebration

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Country Highlights: Saudi Arabia

Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh

Province. More than 5,254,560 people live in it. Moreover, it is one of the fastest expanding cities

in the world; it is the largest Arab city in terms of area.


The Capital of Saudi Arabia

Mecca and Medina are two holy cities of the Islamic religion. Mecca is the direction that all Muslims must face during their daily prayers.

Mecca is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the site where Muslims

believe his first revelation of the Qu’ran took place. It is also the location of the Kaaba, a large cube made of marble. According to the Qu’ran and Islamic tradition, the Kaaba was built by Abraham as the first house for humans to worship Allah (God). Embedded

into the Kaaba is the Black Stone, an Islamic relic believed to date back to the time of Adam and Eve; Muslims believe the stone was put into the Kaaba’s walls by Muhammad

in 605 AD. According to Islamic tradition, the Black Stone fell from heaven to show the building place of an altar. Often thought to be a meteorite, Muslims believe it is the object that links heaven and earth. During their holy pilgrimage to Mecca, Muslims

circle the Kabba 7 times and touch or kiss the stone. Medina, the other Islamic holy city, is the burial place of the prophet Muhammad.

Saudi Arabia takes good care of its two holy cities and it received millions of Muslim

visitors annually.

USF currently has 10 Saudi students who are participating in the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission’s

Scholarship Program.

Saudi students Abdulelah Abohmoud and Mohammed Alamoud contributed to the following stories.

Medina Mecca

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riyadh_Province

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riyadh_Province

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Saudi Arabia’s flag (left) is the only flag of the Islamic

countries which is not lowered at all because the flag includes some words which are believed

for Muslims to mean,"There is only one God and Mohammed

is the messenger of God."


Madain Saleh (right) is one of the most visited

archaeological places in the Middle East. It was built almost 1,400 years ago.

Holy Ramadan!

Ramadan is the ninth and mostly holy month of the Muslim lunar calendar. It begins with the new moon in the ninth month (in 2014, it will be around June 24)

and ends with the first sighted crescent of the next new moon (around July 28, 2014). Ramadan commemorates the time with the holy Qu’ran is said to have been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is a time of prayer, fasting, self-reflection, non-violence,

and charity for all Muslims. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars, or religious duties, of Islam.

Immediately following the month of Ramadan is the Islamic holiday Eid-al-Fitr,

a celebration of the end of fasting and beginning of a feast where people wear their

finest clothes, give and receive gifts, and bring necessities to the poor. The celebration is a time to praise Allah (God) and give thanks.

Sources: http://Timeanddate.com/holidays/us/Ramadan-begins

http://timeanddate.com/holidays/us/Ramadan-begins

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SPRING 2016 THE LOREM IPSUMS INTERNATIONAL NEWS SPRING 2014

Traditional Food during Ramadan after Sunset

Luqaimat Samosas

Vagtet

6 teaspoons oil

2-3 tablespoons raisins

1 roasting chicken

salt

1 cinnamon stick

1 ½ low-sodium chicken

bouillon cubes 2 teasoons garlic powder 1. Heat oil, add onion and cardamom.

2. Stir over medium heat until browned 3. Add boiling water & salt to taste and the remaining ingredients except chicken

4. Stir over medium heat until tomatoes are soft. As seasoning as needed.

5. Add chicken, cover pot with foil, and top with lid. Boil for 30 minutes.

6. Remove chicken and bake at 350 F until golden.

7. Strain broth, return strained ingredients to pot, & add 3 cups of strained broth and rice.

8. Bring to a boil, then turn heat to low and cook for 10 minutes or until rice is cooked.

½ cups basmati rice

3-4 cups water 1 tomato, chopped

1 small onion, finely chopped 2 teaspoons baharat

3 teaspoons cardamom powder

¼ cup tomato paste

A traditional sweet bread

that can be fried or baked

Glazed meat usually consisting of chicken or pork

A soup usually consisting of many vegetables

Kabash

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Learn Some Arabic!

The Ittihad soccer team won the 2004 and 2005 Asian Football Confederation

Champions Leagues.

Saudi Arabia: Fun Facts!

Hamad Al-Montasheri and

Yasser Al-Qahtani were the best soccer players in Asia from 2005- 2007.

Al-Ittihad Al-Hillal

Saudi Arabia’s soccer team has qualified for the World Cup four times. At the Asian Cup,

Saudi Arabia won the championship three times. Most of the people in Saudi Arabia like soccer, whether it is a local soccer league or other European competition league. The Saudi

Arabian teams have made many achievements both locally and outside the country.

Hello - Marhaba

How are you? - Kef halk?

I am fine, thank you. - Ana bekhair shukran.

What about you? - Kaf ha lak anta?

What is your name? - Ma esmuk?

My name is..- Esmi…

Good morning - Sabah al khair

Goodbye - Ma’a alsalama


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IPO & Minooka High School Mentor Program

University of St. Francis has partnered with Minooka Community High School to offer

a mentor program that aims to help international high school students acclimate to

school in the U.S. Six international students from USF have volunteered to go to MCHS

two to three times a week to work with students in the English Language Resource

class. USF students assist the high school students with their homework, talk with

them in English, and try to explain customs in the U.S. from an international

student’s' perspective.

Meet our Mentees Name:

Kerem Kok (15) From Turkey. Came to the U.S. in 2012. What do you like the most about the

U.S.? I like the American education system.

What do you like the most about your school? I like American girls.

What are some of the difficulties that you have besides studying?

The difficult thing for me is trying to speak the perfect English. What do you miss the most?

I miss the Turkish food, Turkish Kebob.


Name: Vitalijs Atrosko (16)

From Republic of Latvia. He came to the U.S. in the summer of 2013. What do you like the most about the

U.S.? I like everything especially the TV shows and

sports. What do you like the most about your school?

I like playing sports and enjoy being on the soccer team. What are some of the difficulties that you

have besides studying? Making friends and speaking English is

hard. What do you miss the most? I miss my family, and friends back home.

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Name:Jennifer Liu / 刘子晴（17）

From Guang Dong, China. Came to the U.S. in June 2013. What do you like the most about the U.S.?

I like the people here. What do you like the most about your school?

I like the students and teachers here. What are some of the difficulties that you

have besides studying? I have a hard time understanding English. What do you miss the most?

I miss my family, my best friends, my ex-boyfriend, and food.

Name: Jesus Lzagoirre (15)

From Mexico. He came to the U.S. in August 2013. What do you like the most about the U.S.?

I like the language. What do you like the most about your school?

I like the new friends that I made from here. What are some of the difficulties that you have besides studying?

Being away from my family. My family is in Mexico.

What do you miss the most? My family.

Name: James Liu / 刘伯健 (16)

From Guang Dong, China. Came to the U.S. in June 2013. What do you like the most about the

U.S.? The people here. What do you like the most about your

school? I like my teacher and the classes that I am

taking. What are some of the difficulties that you have besides studying?

The weather is too cold here. I am waiting for the summer to come. What do you miss the most?

I miss my family, friends, brothers and sisters.


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Name: Damian Laworski (16) From Poznan, Poland. Came to the U.S. in

2012. What do you like the most about the U.S.? The girls.

What do you like the most about your school?

My teacher and girls. What are some of the difficulties that you have besides studying?

I have trouble on focusing in the class because I wake up too early every morning. What do you miss the most?

I miss my friends, family and food.

Mrs. Nelson, a first grade teacher at St. Paul the Apostle school in Joliet, IL was doing a unit on the Chinese New Year with her class. She invited USF's students from China to visit her classroom to tell them more about the holiday and Chinese culture. Last

February, the children learned about the Chinese zodiac, how to make Chinese paper lanterns, and how to write "I love you" in Chinese. In December, the children learned

about traditional Chinese food and children's books, and they learned how to say and write many common phrases in Chinese. Our USF students had the chance to see the inside of an elementary school in the US, which is very different from schools in

China. Both classroom visits were very memorable for everyone involved!

Previous Mentor Program

St. Paul the Apostle School


Feb. 2013 with Ryan Chen & Yuejia Su Dec. 2013 with Stephanie Ling & Ada Lu

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Upcoming Events!

International Street Fair

USF Basketball

Tournament

International Club will be hosting a Street Fair in the courtyard of Marian Hall

on Friday, March 28 from 1-4 p.m. The Street Fair will include food from local ethnic restaurants, music, games, and fair

trade products available for purchasing. We ask that all attendees wear their

International Club shirt so that we can take our annual group photo! If you do not have an International Club shirt, you will

be able to purchase one at the fair. The cost is $5. Please mark your calendars, tell

your friends, and we will see you there!

One of the biggest and most

successful events during last semester

was the USF’s First Annual World Cup Soccer Tournament.18 teams participated, and more than 100 people

played soccer including students, faculty, staff, and students from high

schools, Joliet Junior College, and Lewis University. We raised $500 for a Study Abroad Scholarship.

This semester, International Club & International Programs Office will be

hosting USF’s First Annual 4-on-4 Basketball Tournament. Each team must have a minimum of 4 players and

maximum of 6 players. Each player is required to pay a $5 entry fee. The money that we raise will go to a Study

Abroad scholarship.


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Study Abroad Programs The International Programs Office is excited about the

new exchange programs offered through USF’s partner universities! Semester exchange programs are those in which a student is directly enrolled in a foreign

university that USF has a signed agreement with; USF students will take classes with local students. Students who participate in exchange programs will pay their

regular tuition at USF and room and board to the host institution. All universities offer courses in English as

well as the native language of the country. We currently offer exchange programs with the following universities:


Medical University in Graz, Austria

Federal University of Parana in Curitiba, Brazil

Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Normandy School of Management in Normandy, France

Catholic University of Avila in Avila, Spain

Catholic University of San Antonio in Murcia, Spain

Kristianstad University in Kristianstad, Sweden

Our partner institutions also offers summer study abroad programs. See below for two examples.

UCAM International Summer Program is offered by Catholic University of San Antonio in Murcia, Spain and is an intensive Spanish language and culture

program that runs for two to three weeks in July in Murcia. Students will take classes during the week as well as participate in cultural activities in the region. Students with beginner to advanced level Spanish are eligible to participate!

Catholic University of San Antonio

in Murcia, Spain

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Students who participate in the Know Europe program will acquire competencies and experience in the European Business environment, perceive the cultural

contrasts between Northern and Southern Europe in a business context, conduct a real project with students coming from different universities, and present a

complete business plan to a panel of experts and academics at the end of 4 weeks. They can also earn up

to 6 US academic credits. For more information about any of these programs,

please contact Maureen Stephan at [email protected]. Deadline is April 2014.


Know Europe is a business in Europe program that is offered by our partner institution, Normandy

School of Management. It is a 4 week summer program that is taught in English and travels to four

countries:

Belgium (Brussels)

Holland (Amsterdam)

France (Paris & Normandy)

Spain (Barcelona)

Normandy School of France

mailto:[email protected]

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