OIPS, Center for Global Education, English Language Institute, International Services

In memory of Wafo Ndetatsin, OIPS Open House, ELI Student Organization, Deaf Friendship Indoor Soccer, Sylvain Angouono: Life in Gabon

A Letter from Larry Musa, International Education Week, Yerker Andersson

Dr. Barbara's ESL Class, Kelly's ESL Class, Danillo's CCC/ASL Class

Fall 2007 Census, Maintaining Legal F-1 Status, Optional Practical Training Program, International Student Orientation

`Bunmi Aina

Mona Blanchette McCubbin, Larry Musa,
Alexander Quaynor

Mary Thornley, Jai Meta Posey

Bilal Chinoy

Bilal Chinoy

To the Gallaudet Community,

This has been a most challenging year, perhaps the most challenging semester in our history in terms of the all-round pressures posed by both internal and external factors. Momentous changes have occurred at every level of the University. New programs have been implemented, existing programs have been strengthened, and we have collectively begun to reestablish the image of Gallaudet as a world class University with strong curricular and co-curricular programs for our students.

One of the pleasures I have enjoyed over the past few years of working with the OIPS team is the opportunity to interact with overseas-based individuals and organizations. It has given me an insight into what Gallaudet University means to Deaf people the world over – a beacon of hope; a symbol of unlimited possibility. It is from this perspective that last January’s descent into the Slough of Despondency --Probation-- and October’s relatively rapid forward progression to Warning with our accreditors, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), should be viewed.

From all of us here at the OIPS, kudos to everyone whose commitment to reclaiming and restoring Gallaudet is now bearing fruit. More grease to your elbows! We all know that the road is long; the journey is far, the destination beyond the never-ending horizon. But the determination is not flagging.

This Fall, we celebrated International Education Week, with various activities and panels. Dr. Ian Sutherland, the Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures (FLLC), talked about Global Internship and Foreign Study while Dr. Yerker Andersen, Professor Emeritus and former President of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) presented about how Deaf Americans are viewed internationally. ELI instructor Tissa Peiris and undergraduate student Keith Doene shared comparative experiences of culture shock. It all made for an interesting November.

You will find information about all these, and more, in this new issue of the International E-Newsletter. I hope it is as educative and informative for you as it was for me.

Sincerely,

‘Bunmi Aina
Director, OIPS