Wichita State News: International

University's international students part of global diplomacy

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:54:00 CST

Armin Gerhard runs Wichita State University's international education program. He has helped hundreds of foreign students study at WSU. They come here from 110 countries. There are currently 1,400 at WSU, he said, and another 400 former international students in the U.S. still working with WSU. Most of them face eventual visa deadlines to leave the U.S., he said.

Many want to stay. Many trained at WSU to become engineers, scientists, math teachers, entrepreneurs. After we train them, we make them leave, Gerhard said.

"We haven't been smart enough to keep these people here," he said. "With our immigration policy, we welcome them here, they become virtually a part of our country—they become very American in many ways."

He's been glad to hear that politicians in Washington are talking about changing that.

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Wichita State discovers more with international young minds

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:42:00 CST

Madhulika Srikanth is 24 but looks younger. When John Bardo learned what she's doing at his engineering school, the president of Wichita State University talked about her with bemused pride.

"We've got a young kid working with nanobots to treat cancer," he told people. "She looks young enough, if she ever goes out, she probably gets carded every place she walks in."

Hearing this later, Srikanth grinned. It's actually nanotechnology, and not nanobots, she said. And between classes, lab work and work as a teaching assistant she logs 55 to 60 hours of study and work every week; there's little time for going out.

Besides finding promising leads in cancer treatment research, Srikanth has become for Bardo and other top administrators another example of the value of 1,800 international students studying at or working with WSU. At a university that prides itself on research, she's one of the more promising Ph.D. candidates.

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Four internships prepared comm grad for his career

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 12:38:00 CST

UiSan Cheah learned about Wichita State University as a college student in his native Malaysia. Some of his friends attended WSU and had good things to say. Looking for new opportunities, he decided to follow suit. In 2006, Cheah moved to the United States and settled in as a communication major at WSU.

He initially tried his hand at advertising copywriting because he enjoys the process of creative writing. But, Cheah said, as he progressed through the Elliott School of Communication's program, he realized he wanted a career in marketing communication.

"I still enjoy the writing process, but I also like the process of developing various marketing communication programs," Cheah said. "It's an opportunity to learn more and diversify."

While Cheah worked toward his degree, he also took advantage of on-the-job experience through WSU's Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning program.

Those opportunities helped Cheah stand out when it came time to pass resumes around and look for a job.

"I definitely would not have been as successful, because I've been told many times by recruiters and managers that they like seeing potential candidates with some real-world experience," he said. "Some have said that they will not even consider an applicant that has never had an internship. It just shows that you're prepared to enter the professional world and have had the opportunity to apply some of the knowledge and skills you learn while at school."

Cheah, who graduated with a bachelor's in Integrated Marketing Communication in 2008 and an MBA in 2012, now works as marketing assistant for Dave's Gourmet Inc., a specialty food company based in San Francisco.

Making the most of college

While at WSU, Cheah received four internships, giving him a range of experience.

During his undergraduate studies, he interned at Momentum Marketing & Design and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Once he began pursuing his master's, Cheah was offered an internship at the Human Rights Campaign in Washington, D.C. After that was over, he returned to Wichita to intern at the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation.

"The internships were really helpful as they prepared me for what to expect from a professional environment, not only with the different responsibilities and expectations but also the types of people and personalities that I might encounter," Cheah said.

Now as marketing assistant at Dave's, Cheah reports directly to the company founder, and his responsibilities include information research, executing various marketing communication programs, and tracking the company's promotional efforts. As a fun bonus, he gets to taste test potential sauces and food that the research and development chef comes up with.

Cheah said he wouldn't be where he is today without his time at Wichita State and, for him, that included more than just work experience. He also volunteered for the Student Activities Council, planning events for WSU and the Wichita community.

And during his final semester in the MBA program, Cheah participated in the Berlin Experience, a program that lets MBA students work as a team with students from Berlin, Germany.

"I had a wonderful time traveling with other students in the class, meeting new people, and visiting Berlin. These were some of my best memories at WSU," Cheah said. "I am thankful for all the opportunities that were available at WSU, and I believe I made the most out of my college experience."

Toolika Ghose wins first Sawan Fellowship award of $6,400

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:12:00 CST

Toolika Ghose

Toolika Ghose, a doctoral student in electrical engineering and computer science, is the first recipient of the Maha "Maggie" Sawan Fellowship for Graduate Students at Wichita State University.

The award was announced in an award ceremony Friday, Nov. 11 at the Wichita State's Garvey International Center.

The Sawan Fellowship award totals $6,400 for the current academic year, and is to be evenly divided between fall 2011 and spring 2012 semesters, said Armin Gerhard, executive director of the Office of International Education at Wichita State.

Don Beggs, president; Ravi Pendse, chief information officer and executive director of Advanced Networking Research Institute; and Elizabeth King, CEO of the WSU Foundation, attended the award ceremony to congratulate the fellowship recipient.

"I am honored to have been selected," said Ghose. "I am thankful for the wonderful people willing to help me."

Ghose came to Wichita State in spring 2010 to work on her doctorate in electrical engineering after earning her bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering at the University of Texas, Tyler. She is working with Pendse and assistant professor Vinod Namboodiri on increasing the energy efficiency and sustainability of smartphones and other such portable devices.

Ghose met and married her husband, Nikhil Ghose, while both were students in Texas. He is working on his Ph.D. in nano-techonology at Oklahoma State University. They spend their weekends together.

Edwin Sawan

The Maha "Maggie" Sawan Fellowship for Graduate Students was established by Edwin Sawan, professor emeritus in electrical engineering and computer science at Wichita State University.

It is established in memory of his wife, Maha "Maggie" Sawan, who died in 2010, and honors her lifelong dedication to education and service to family and community.

WSU international students to host fundraiser to end polio

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 16:51:00 CST

In conjunction with International Education Week, Wichita State University's International Student Union will present "All the World's on Stage at WSU," a fundraiser to end polio, at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, in the CAC Theater.

Tickets are $5 for the general public and $3 for WSU students.

The program will feature cultural performances around the world and support the East Wichita Rotary Club 2012 Polio Plus Challenge — an effort to eradicate polio in the last four countries in which it is endemic.

There are about 1,300 international students at Wichita State, representing about 110 countries.

WSU to co-present documentary 'Afghan Star'

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:11:27 CST

Wichita State University's Office of International Education will co-host a special screening of the acclaimed British-Afghan documentary "Afghan Star" with the Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts/Tallgrass Film Festival at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, in the CAC Theater at the Rhatigan Student Center.

Tickets are $9 general admission ($7 for seniors) with special prices of $5 for WSU faculty/ staff and $2 for college and high school students with ID.

After 30 years of war and Taliban rule, pop culture has returned to Afghanistan. Millions are watching "Afghan Star," a pop idol-style TV series in which people from across the country compete for a cash prize and record deal. Three brave women are among the 2,000 people who audition.

Viewers vote for favorite singers by mobile phone, for many their first encounter with democracy. This timely and inspired film follows the moving stories of four young contestants looking for a new life. But their journeys take a terrifying turn as one young woman dances on stage, threatening her own safety and the future of the show itself.

"Afghan Star" is the feature directorial debut of British director Havana Marking and is a joint production of Afghanistan and the United Kingdom (www.afghanstardocumentary.com).

The film is being shown at theaters and festivals the world over and was the winner of the Best World Cinema Documentary Director Award and the World Cinema Documentary Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, where it had its American premiere in 2009.

It continues to be one of the best reviewed films of the past year, still retaining a rare 100 percent on the "Tomatometer," a compilation of the published film reviews of more than 200 top film critics (www.rottentomatoes.com), resulting in a Golden Tomato Award. It also was named as Britain's submission to the 2010 Academy Awards competition for Best Foreign Language Film of 2009.

Wichita State University's Office of International Education was established to assist international students at WSU. This also means assisting the university community to understand more about the experience of being an international student and to help them derive educational benefit from the presence of representatives of other cultures.

Founded in 2003 by the late Timothy Gruver, the Tallgrass Film Festival is a program of the Wichita Association for the Motion Picture Arts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, entertaining and enlightening audiences in America's heartland (www.tallgrassfilmfest.com).

Global sales is the focus of upcoming Word Trade Council event

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:41:47 CST

The World Trade Council of Wichita and the Center for International Business Advancement (CIBA) will host a reception, dinner and keynote address, "Export Strategy & Success of Research Products Co. – Division of McShares Inc. and Viobin USA," at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Olive Tree Banquet Hall, 2949 N. Rock Road.

The event will feature an EMBA research project by Wichita State University students Amy Shoemaker, Mickey Hines, Saeed Cheema and John Walker, who will present their findings on "McShares Enriched Grain: Exporting Nutrition to Mexico."

Dharma deSilva

CIBA Director Dharma deSilva said the project is a unique opportunity for the participating company and students to benefit from real-world research collaboration efforts.

The keynote address, "Successful Strategies for Increasing Global Sales," will be given by Monte White, president and CEO of Research Products Co., a division of McShares Inc. McShares was a finalist for the 2009 Governor's Exporter of the Year Award.

Reservations can be made by fax at (316) 978-3698, online at www.wtc.wichita.edu or by e-mail at wtc.ciba@wichita.edu. Reservations and payment are due by Monday, Nov 16.

The cost is $25 for WTC members, $30 for nonmembers and $15 for students.

World Trade Council hosts 'Doing Business with Argentina'

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:12:17 CST

The World Trade Council of Wichita will host "Doing Business with Argentina" at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Olive Tree Banquet Hall, 2949 N. Rock Road.

The event is in association with the Center for International Business Advancement at Wichita State University and AIESEC-WSU, consulate general of Argentina.

The keynote speaker will be Gustavo Martino, consul general, consulate general of Argentina in Chicago.

Reservations can be made by fax at (316) 978-3698, online at www.wtc.wichita.edu or by e-mail at wtc.ciba@wichita.edu. Reservations and payment are due by Oct. 19.

The cost is $25 for WTC members, $30 for nonmembers and $15 for students.

Student studies abroad to benefit from the international market

Thu, 28 May 2009 12:18:52 CST

Junior Jana Riddick traveled to Austria last fall to study abroad for a year.

"Being an international business major, I think it would be crazy not to study abroad," she said. "It shows employers that I am able to adapt to different surroundings and cultures."

Riddick said international business offers a global perspective, which she believes is beneficial, especially with the economic problems many countries have.

Riddick came to WSU because of the "great business program."

"I was really interested in business throughout high school," she said. "But I also enjoy learning and experiencing different cultures, so I thought international business would be a good fit."

For her study abroad, Riddick attended Fachhochschule Wiener Neustadt, in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. The school only offers business and engineering courses, and the majority of her classes were marketing.

Vienna is 30 minutes away from her college town by train, so she could go to a big city if she needed to and travel easily around Europe. If her classes were cancelled, she could fly to Ireland on a whim.

She said Wiener Neustadt is a small town that has a "typical college atmosphere."

She stayed in the dorms at Fachhochschule with other exchange students. Her roommate was Chinese, and she studied with students from Sweden, Poland, Canada and Spain.

Riddick wants to travel between the United States and Europe, spending a few weeks at a time on each continent as a consultant.

She said her dream job would be "helping companies succeed in international markets."

At WSU, Riddick is a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and is involved with the Student Ambassador Society.

She helps the admissions office with recruitment events, such as Senior Day. She and other SAS members give tours, hold student panels and give their viewpoint of WSU.

In spring 2008, Riddick was vice president of selections, which oversees the application process for new members.

"I joined SAS as a way to give back to the university and help promote WSU," she said.

Riddick will be back for her senior year in fall 2009. After she graduates, she hopes to continue to the master's program at WSU.

Scholarships help first generation student climb academic ladder

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:39:55 CST

When Ana Lazarin came to the United States from Mexico, she was a frightened 13-year-old who couldn't speak English.

By the end of her first year of school in Ulysses, Kan., she had a 3.8 GPA. In December 2008, she earned her bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from Wichita State University.

Today, she continues at WSU working on her master's degree in counseling.

Alicia Martinez Newell

"I remember her being a little shy and reserved," said Alicia Martinez Newell, program coordinator for WSU's Office of Multicultural Affairs. "But [I] saw a light in her and knew that this young woman was going to go far in life no matter where she went."

Lazarin now works within the College of Engineering as the director of programs to broaden participation in engineering.

She's been in that position since July and aiming to recruit minority students into the engineering program. She arranges campus visits and tours, as well as off-campus activities at local schools.

"I really love what I've been doing," she said. "It's rewarding when students say they are touched just by my story."

Lazarin's story begins in Mexico. She said her family didn't have much money, so her dad and brothers spent a lot of time in the United States working as farmers trying to do better for the family.

She stayed behind with her mother and grandmother. It was tough going in both places. Her parents didn't have an education, so they had to work harder to provide for their family. Her two brothers dropped out of school to earn extra money.

While the men provided financial support, it was Lazarin's grandmother who provided the inspiration.

"She had huge expectations of me," Lazarin said. "She would always tell me that I was going to be someone in life."

Lazarin said it was that encouragement that kept her from ever wanting to quit school.

It also was that encouragement that made it so difficult for her to leave her grandmother behind when Lazarin and her mother joined the rest of their family in the United States.

"Leaving my grandma behind was so sad for me," she said. "I promised her that one day I would come back to Mexico and bring her my college diploma."

Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

A year after Lazarin left Mexico, her grandmother started to succumb to Alzheimer's and died a few years later. Lazarin couldn't return for a visit or even for her funeral.

She wasn't a U.S. citizen and feared not being allowed back into the country.

"For me, that was the hardest thing," she said. "It inspired me even more to finish my college degree."

Now, she has her education and citizenship.

Since Lazarin was an immigrant student, she couldn't apply for financial aid the way many traditional students do. She wasn't eligible for federal grants or student loans, but because of her good grades, community service and leadership involvement, she was the recipient of several scholarships.

"Ana has a gentle way of prodding and encouraging that brings out the best effort of that person," said Newell. "She is a natural leader with a quiet strength."

"I was blessed with scholarships and people that believed in me," Lazarin said.

Those scholarships and additional help from her family paid the way through her undergraduate education. After she completes her master's degree, she plans on returning the generosity by helping her family.

"My parents have always told me that they're proud of me and support me in anything I want to do," she said. "I want them to think all the sacrifices of coming to the United States were worth it."

Even though Lazarin has faced many obstacles for a 23-year-old, she remains positive and cheerful about her future and even her past.

She began to laugh as she started to tell a story about a time when she was a waitress in high school. She said her English was improving, but it still wasn't good. She knew the words on the menu. She could take the customers' orders.

Then one day a customer asked her for some tap water.

She didn't understand what he wanted, so she asked him to repeat it. He told her again he wanted tap water. Then Lazarin decided that if she didn't recognize the term, it wasn't on the menu, so the restaurant must not serve it.

She told the customer they didn't have tap water.

"I was so embarrassed," she said.

But she just chalks it up to one of many lessons she's learned since coming to the United States.

"We just have to go through some embarrassing moments and difficult times," Lazarin said. "But here we are."

Scholarship competition unites American, international students

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:10:18 CST

The Office of International Education at Wichita State University is sponsoring a fun scholarship competition that brings American and international students together.

The event will be 1:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4, in Charles Koch Arena.

Teams, made up of one American student and one international student, will make paper airplanes and throw them at a specified target during the competition.

The first and second teams to hit the target will win scholarships.

For more information please go to www.wichita.edu/goingglobal.

2009 Global Economic Outlook set for Feb. 26

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:13:59 CST

The World Trade Council of Wichita Inc. is hosting a reception and dinner for the 2009 Global Economic Outlook event at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, in the Olive Tree Banquet Hall.

Dan Meyer, Grant Thornton LLP audit partner, will discuss economic prospects, including the impact of the credit crunch on doing business globally.

His presentation includes insights from Stephen Chipman, CEO of Grant Thornton Greater China Management Co., Stephan McGee, director of Grant Thornton's Global Finance Services and other Grant Thornton partners.

To make reservations for the event, send a fax to (316) 978-3698, go to www.wtc.wichita.edu or e-mail wtc.ciba@wichita.edu.

Please make reservations with payment before Monday, Feb. 23.

Reservations not cancelled 48 hours in advance will be billed.

The event is $25 for members, $30 for nonmembers and $15 for students.

2009 Global Economic Outlook is sponsored by WTC, which is affiliated with the Wichita State University Center for International Business Advancement and the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce. Grant Thornton LLP is also a sponsor.

International student deals with tough application process

Tue, 9 Dec 2008 14:37:38 CST

International students suffer from a difficult application process, expensive tuition and language barriers, but Cecilia Martinez didn't let hardships stop her from studying at Wichita State University.

Her mother was sad to see her go. Martinez said in Paraguay students don't travel internationally very often.

"You still live with your parents when you're in the university," she said. "You live in the same city all of your life."

Martinez grew up in Asuncion, Paraguay, and she knew before coming to America that she wanted to study English.

"My goal was to learn English, and then go back," she said. "But I saw a great opportunity for me."

Her tuition stress was lessened because of an agreement between Paraguay and Kansas, Martinez said. International students in Paraguay are given the opportunity to pay in-state tuition in Kansas.

"I saw that it would not be too expensive to stay," she said.

However, her visa process was no less painful than for other international students. U.S. embassies look for proof that a student will come back to their home country, Martinez said, and not stay in America illegally.

"When I applied, they asked for grades, bank statements, whether I had a house," she said.

When she was accepted to WSU, she went to the U.S. embassy to prove her admission, and they gave her a four-year student visa, which is very rare, she said.

Her next problem was money. The value of currency in Paraguay is low compared to American money, Martinez said.

During her first year of college, her father and grandmother supported her financially. From then on, she got a job and scholarships to pay tuition and bills.

"It's a headache to get scholarships for international students," she said.

International students are limited to working on campus, unless they are given special permission, or they use a cooperative education program.

"Everything is really regulated," she said.

When she thought about transferring to the University of Kansas, Martinez was offered a position at the WSU Office of International Education. She also works as a resident assistant in the Wheatshocker apartments to pay for her expenses.

"It was so perfect," she said. "Obviously it was a sign that I had to stay here."

Martinez is getting her bachelor's in communication with an emphasis in integrated marketing communication. She wanted to combine advertising, writing and graphic design into her major, which led her to IMC. She also wants to get a master's in international relations.

"My long-term goal is to be an ambassador representing my country," she said.

After she completes her degree, she wants to work in an international organization such as the United Nations or the World Wildlife Foundation.

As a member of the Cultural Ambassador Program at WSU, Martinez is able to act as a diplomat for her country in college.

The ambassadors give presentations about their home countries to schools.

"People love it," she said. "The questions you get are amazing."

At Beech Elementary School, children were shocked when Martinez told them Paraguay didn't have a Wal-Mart or a Popeyes Chicken.

"I love doing it because I'm pretty sure I'm the only person from Paraguay they will ever know," she said. "We may be the only way they get to know about our countries."

CIBA-WTC hosting 'Doing Business with Mexico'

Tue, 7 Oct 2008 16:47:24 CST

The World Trade Council of Wichita and the Center for International Business Advancement at Wichita State University, in sponsorship with Spirit AeroSystems, will feature a day seminar "Doing Business with Mexico" from 1-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23.

"Doing Business with Mexico" will be held at the Olive Tree Banquet Hall, 2949 N. Rock Road.

Registration begins at noon, and lunch is at 12:15 p.m. The seminar starts at 1 p.m.

The seminar and networking luncheon is an overview and update of current issues of relevance in doing business with Mexico under NAFTA.

The World Trade Council is affiliated with the Center for International Business Advancement at Wichita State University.
Cost for the event is $60.

To make reservations with payment before Oct. 21, go to www.wtc.wichita.edu, fax (316) 978-3698 or e-mail wtc.ciba@wichita.edu.

You can also send in your reservation to World Trade Council of Wichita Inc., CIBA, Barton School, CH 034, Wichita State University, 1845 N. Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260-0088.

Reservations not canceled 48 hours in advance will be billed.

The afternoon program will focus on practical, hands-on familiarization with all aspects of NAFTA, covering current issues, problems, practices and emerging trends to succeed in doing business with Mexico.

Wichita State's international appeal remains strong

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:24:04 CST

The Wichita State University campus boasts the most diverse student body in Kansas.

International students make up about 10 percent of the student population and account for approximately 30 percent of the university's tuition, according to Vince Altum, associate director of marketing, recruitment and admissions in the department of international education.

Since enrolling its first international students in 1917, WSU has seen a steady increase including an explosion of growth in the early 1980s.

Out of more than 14,500 students attending WSU for the 2008-09 school year, almost 1,400 are from countries outside the U.S.

A recent poll administered by the Office of International Education found that 93 percent of international students chose WSU because it was the university that contacted them first. WSU is able to reach students in such an efficient manner because of its steady work in communicating with international agents and by processing applications as quickly as possible.

Altum and the international education department are motivated by the belief that the presence of international students truly adds to the university and the community.

"International students are important (to the university) because they bring diversity to the Wichita State campus," he said. "International students have the opportunity to learn more about the U.S. when they are here and Americans, in turn, have a chance to learn a little bit more about other cultures and perspectives."

One international student who has explored this opportunity is Arvin Cruz, a 30-year-old graduate student from Manila, Philippines. He has been at WSU for seven years studying chemistry and plans to earn his master's degree in December 2008.

Cruz was drawn to WSU because it offered his field of study, replied quickly to his application, is situated in the Midwest, which offers low cost of living, and he wanted to see a new culture, having already visited major U.S. cities on both coasts.

To his surprise, Cruz immediately noticed the diverse international student population on campus and felt welcome after several positive encounters with friendly people in the area.

"I was nervous. I didn't know what to expect because I heard about people having prejudices," Cruz said. "But I've never experienced any racism here, and I've encouraged more Filipinos to come to WSU."

One of the ways Cruz has delved into American culture is through his involvement with the WSU Cultural Ambassadors Program. As an ambassador, he visits area public schools to share with students about Philippine culture and his experiences living and studying in the U.S.

Altum believes that CAP promotes cultural understanding and allows Americans and international students to learn a great deal from each other.

"It is important to remember that many international students have already learned a lot about American culture before they even came to the U.S.," Altum said. "International students, therefore, have a leg-up on many Americans who may have never studied another language or really gotten to know someone from another country.

"The Cultural Ambassador Program at Wichita State helps to bridge that gap by having some of our international students act as ambassadors in the community."

Cruz considers the ambassador opportunity to be a highlight of his time at WSU. In fact, he has adapted to American culture so much that he was surprised to feel somewhat disoriented when he returned home to the Philippines for a visit. When Cruz graduates in December, he plans to remain in the U.S. and apply for jobs in his field.

In order to continue recruiting a wealth of international students like Cruz, Altum has three goals for WSU in the coming years: grow the international undergraduate population at a manageable rate, continue to better diversify the international undergraduate population and target up-and-coming markets such as China and Vietnam.