Friends of the International Center, at UC San Diego Newsletter

Volume XXXIX No.1 September 2011

President’s Message • Join the Family Orientation “team” helping international families adjust to life in the U.S. How inspiring it • Participate in the many Wednesday Morning Coffee was on May 3rd to activities (crafts, book discussions, language table, celebrate 50 years of Mommy & Me group—or suggest something new) the Friends activities • Share your cooking skills—in the International in international Kitchen, Cooking in America classes, Ethnic education. So Dinners many dedicated • Help organize or publicize Friends’ events (e.g., people and so many Holiday Lunch, ArtPower dinners, I-Café, Resale successful programs Shop Holiday Sale, Annual Awards Dinner) have continuously • Tutor an international student or scholar extended hospitality • Host an international student or scholar for a few to our international visitors, provided scholarship days (since the I-Center can no longer run this money for students abroad as well as at UC San program, it is now organized by the Solana Beach Diego, and sponsored exciting events for the campus Presbyterian Church) community at the Center. • Help serve at the Orientation Dinner on Wednesday, Now, as we begin our next half-century, we continue September 21 to advance the Friends’ activities in these three arenas. • New ideas? Let us know your idea and how you Despite modern technology, despite the huge growth would implement it. in the numbers of internationals here and students abroad, and despite the increase in the International You can find out more about these volunteer Center staff—it is still the person-to-person interaction opportunities on our website: http://icenter.ucsd.edu/ that we provide that is so necessary, and works! friends, or by e-mailing: [email protected], or by In June, at its annual retreat, the Friends Board calling us: 858/534-0731. Let us know your volunteer agreed that developing our membership is essential interests soon. for the Friends’ programs to continue and to grow. As I take up the reins as President of the Friends, We have already begun work on designing a new I want to thank Eleanor tum Suden for her excellent brochure and developing our outreach methods, as leadership over the last two years, for her example, and well as streamlining our communications procedures her ongoing tutoring. Eleanor continues on the Board for prospective and current members. as our Financial Advisor, handling all the paperwork Right now, please consider what you can do required for our tax-exempt and campus Support to enhance the Friends’ work in support of the Group status. International Center. We are a service organization As we jump now into our 51st year, I look forward and you, our volunteers, make our programs work. to working with our fine Board, and all of you, to sustain the Friends’ spirit and vitality, and to grow to • Volunteer in the Resale Shop to raise money for meet new needs and challenges. scholarships Joan Adamo Page 2

Annual Friends Membership Dinner and Awards Ceremony

The Friends Annual Membership Herlien, Horst Hoffmann, Karla Dinner and Scholarship Awards Macias, Sophia Marshall, Tonia Ceremony, held on May 24 at Pizer, Rachel Rigoli, Carol the International Center, went Robertson, Ruby Rosas, Layla San off this year like clockwork. Vice Jose, Kelly Schober), each assuming Presidents Joan Adamo and Barbara the position of table host and helping Fitzsimmons were seasoned co- with service. chairs and knew exactly what to do, Each annual dinner gets as did President Eleanor tum Suden, evaluated carefully. By 2010, the who, among endless other things, number of awards given had grown did a skillful job of seating the guests, to such an extent that the program JoAnn and David Wirth with Bianca Strosnider while Scholarship Committee Chair, became so long that many of the Ruth Newmark, kept track of which students left early to study for their recipients of the So Scholarship, Friends Scholarship recipients final exams, leading to the decision as was Dr. Ernest Mort, retired would attend the dinner and this year to separate the Chancellor’s Dean of Revelle College, who was whether they preferred a regular or Awards (see p. 4) from the Annual seated with the recipients of the vegetarian meal. Gail Fliesbach took Membership Dinner. Although there Mort Scholarship. Past Friends care of the printed programs and was some hesitation that by doing President JoAnn Wirth and her the scholarship certificates. Renate so, we might lose a considerable husband David came down from Schmid-Schoenbein prepared segment of the audience, this fear Northern California and brought the nametags, and Joan Adamo, proved unfounded, as attendance, their granddaughter to the dinner. Barbara Fitzsimmons, Arline Paa, albeit slightly lower than usual, The evening proceeded Renate Schmid-Schoenbein, Alice exceeded 100. smoothly, beginning with time for Blake-Stalker, and Eleanor tum The Friends were pleased to see mingling in the Zonta Lounge, Suden set tables. Candace Kohl among the many guests Associate followed by a Thai dinner served came laden with flowers, including Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Ed outdoors in the central courtyard. gorgeous roses provided by Cathy Spriggs, Dean of Graduate Studies The program began with words Reed from the Del Mar Rose Society; Kim Barrett, and Kim Signoret- of welcome by Eleanor tum Suden blue and gold balloons, compliments Paar, Student Affairs’ Director and a brief business meeting that of the International Center Office, of Development. Regretfully, Dr. included the election of officers added to the festive spirit. The heat Carolyn Kelly from the School of for the year 2011-12. Nominating lamps kept the evening chill at bay. Medicine was detained by having Committee Chair Alma Coles Ginny Young, Jennie Chin, Alma to tend to a student emergency. placed the proposed slate before Coles, John Filoso, and Keiko Kwan So (his wife, Marion, was in the membership. The slate was Hirai worked in the kitchen; Lou Hong Kong) was there to greet the enthusiastically received and Adamo, Nancy and Bill Homeyer, and David Paa tended bar. Carol and Stu Smith, as well as Betty Friends Officers 2011-2012 Burton, documented the event by snapping pictures. Lynn Anderson, President: Joan Adamo Director of the International Center, 1st Vice President: Arline Paa was involved with planning and 2nd Vice President, Membership: Renate Schmid-Schoenbein coordination. A large contingency Recording Secretary: Nancy Homeyer of the International Center staff Treasurer: Jeri Abernathy attended (Lynn Anderson, Danelle Corresponding Secretary: Betty Shor Boone, Kim Burton, Gladys Nominating Committee: Alma Coles, Josie Foulks, Calderon, Tricia Chan, Dulce Candace Kohl Dorado, James Galvin, Charmagne

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unanimously approved. Once the Friends Parliamentarian, Betty Shor, Thank you! Obrigado. Gracias. Danke. Arigato. had determined that the number Tak. Merci. Mahalo. Dziękuję. Xie xie. Kiitos. of members voting represented a quorum, the elected officers were Dhanyawaad. Toda. Grazie. Asante. introduced to the assembled dinner guests. Lynn Anderson expressed her thanks to the Friends for their continued support of International Center programs. Ruth Newmark spoke about the Friends Scholarship program, pointing to the fine cooperation between campus staff and volunteers, and acknowledged the financial assistance that make these international scholarships a reality. Students receiving scholarships were asked to come to the podium to receive their awards and to have group photos taken. Many students commented afterwards on how much they enjoyed the exceptional mix of people from different parts of the campus and the local community, and marveled at the ease with which everyone communicated. This exchange of information and ideas is as important to the Friends Volunteer as it is to the students. Our thanks go to all who helped Appreciation Lunch to make the 2011 Annual Dinner and —by Lynn Anderson, Dean of International Education Scholarship Awards Ceremony a rousing success! On May 17, 2011, the International Center hosted the first annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. We recognized all of the volunteers who donate their time and resources to the programs and services of the International Center that support and engage our international students, international Notice of Dues scholars, and study-abroad students. We honored volunteers who work in Increase the Resale Shop, provide tutoring through the English in Action program, plan and offer Wednesday Coffees and our Wednesday Family Orientations, After careful review and discussion, assist with Cooking in America, prepare and serve our delicious Friday the Friends Board of Directors Café lunches, tend the Kitchen Exchange, prepare this Newsletter, serve on decided to increase regular dues to the scholarship selection committee, and so much more. $35.00 per year, effective October Approximately 100 volunteers plus almost the entire IC staff were in 1, 2011. Other categories of dues attendance. We enjoyed a delicious meal together; volunteers received IC remain unchanged. Since the last mugs, pins, and well-deserved appreciation; and we enjoyed a delightful dues increase in 1998, basic operating vocal performance by UCSD Frequency, an all-male a capella group. costs have increased considerably, Eleanor tum Suden’s 75th birthday was celebrated with cake and song. and the Board felt that this change Sophia Marshall organized the event with terrific help from many is necessary to continue operating IC staff members. The International Center looks forward to hosting this effectively. luncheon each year and honoring our many wonderful volunteers. Eleanor tum Suden, Prof. Kim Barrett, Dean of Graduate Studies, concluded the event by Financial Adviser presenting the 2010-2011 Chancellor’s Awards.

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Chancellor’s Awards 2010-2011

Friends Member of the Year: Wednesday Coffee has appreciated her efforts, and Betty Shor Georgina Sham, one of the coordinators, notes that For many years, “Jennie arrives at the Center by 9:30 every Wednesday Betty Shor has and opens our cupboard, puts out the sign-in book, and been a member of generally gets the place ready for the activity of the day. the Friends of the She has led crafts in Kumihimo loom braiding, knitting, International Center and beading.” Jennie’s cooking skills are appreciated and a volunteer at the during the Coffee’s international lunches. She even Friends Resale Shop. persuades her father to contribute his talents as a chef There she regularly when he is here on his annual visits. brightens things up by In addition to these activities, Jennie is a sound bringing in succulents source of advice and has offered suggestions with and other small plants possible solutions several times during the year. that many regular customers are eager Dean Kim Barrett and Betty Shor to buy. She reviews International Visitor of the Year books donated for sale at the Shop, prices them, and 2010-2011: Moira Igor restocks when those placed out have been sold. A visitor from Argentina, Moira Igor is here with her Betty has served on the Friends Board of Directors, husband, a marine biologist at Scripps Institution of as Parliamentarian, where she keeps the group Oceanography. Moira volunteers in the Resale Shop. functioning properly. For the past two years, Betty She came to help with the special Holiday Sale, and has also served as one of the Friends Corresponding quickly became a regular Shop volunteer in January. Secretaries. On occasion, she also volunteers with the Friday During the past year, Betty has assisted Ruth International Café. Her bright, outgoing, and helpful Newmark in compiling the history of the Center and contributions add to two of the programs at the Center. the Friends, searching through files and other sources Moira is artistic, and besides enjoying her volunteer to document many facts about our history. efforts at the Center, is interested in photography.

Study Abroad Returnee of the Year: New Volunteer of the Year: Amber Robinson-Siddiqi Jennie Chin Amber Robinson-Siddiqi is an International Studies Jennie Chin is a delightful major with a focus in African Studies. She studied contributor to several of abroad for the 2010 Fall Semester at the University of our programs, and has Ghana, Legon. She excelled academically during her increased her efforts time abroad and continues to do well here at UC San following her retirement Diego as a Sixth College student with a current GPA last year. She regularly of 3.55. helps in the kitchen Upon returning to UC San Diego, Amber was ready with events such as our to share her experiences and inspire others to study ethnic dinners that help abroad. She has enthusiastically volunteered her time support the Friends by helping with the Ghana applicant interviews and scholarship program. pre-departure orientations. Amber understands that She has also assisted her contributions as a returnee are crucial in order to with other special events, provide departing students with essential information including the Fourth before they study abroad in such a unique environment. of July celebration, as Amber’s connection with her study abroad well as with the Friday experience continues with her motivation to start an International Café. Jennie Chin and Kim Barrett internship program in Ghana. Her idea is to have the

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study abroad students teach at a night school for the Organization of the Year: youth in the area who cannot attend school during UC San Diego Peace Corps the day for various socio-economic reasons. Her Life is calling, how “commitment to action” has already been accepted by far will you go? This the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U). An year the Peace Corps excellent student, an ideal returnee, Amber Robinson- is celebrating 50 Siddiqi is the Returnee of the Year! years of promoting peace and friendship around the world. I-Club Member of the Year: With 67 alumni Pauline Dizon currently serving Pauline Dizon is a senior in John Muir College studying as Peace Corps psychology with a minor in sociology. She is also volunteers, UC San a dedicated member of the I-Club and is its Events Diego ranks 14th Coordinator. In her position, she has worked diligently among all large to construct all club events, coming up with “Grilled universities, up from Kim Barrett and Diana Gomez Cheese Day” and “That’s Amore” as her concepts. Both 22nd last year. UC events, as with all I-Club events, were highly successful. San Diego and the Peace Corps, both turning 50 this As a member of I-Club, Pauline has done shopping year, have partnered to bring 678 UC San Diego alumni for events and conducted outreach efforts to make as volunteers. I-Club a well-known student organization on campus. Diana Gomez has been instrumental in creating Her involvement with I-Club started with her partnerships here and abroad, and in particular in experience as volunteer Orientation Assistant for fall the International Center. To whit: she sends potential 2010. Ever since then, she has enjoyed being a part of Peace Corps volunteers to the English in Action. the international events that take place at our Center tutor program to experience teaching English as a and beyond. second language. The Peace Corps also sponsors one of our Friday Cafés each year. We are delighted to honor the Peace Corps with English in Action Tutor of the Year: the 2010-2011 Organization of the Year award. Dana Johnson Dana Johnson has been a volunteer for the English th in Action (EIA) tutor 50 Anniversary Books program since January —by Ruth Newmark 2011. As a tutor, Dana works with Saeah Shon, After I mailed a copy of the Friends anniversary an EAP student from book, Celebrating 50 Years of the International Center at South Korea. During their UC San Diego: 1961-2011, to Heather Smedberg, the tutoring sessions, Dana Geisel librarian who had helped me with my research. helps Saeah practice her Heather replied: “Thank you for sending over the English by reading movie book; it looks great. And thank you for the kind words scripts. in the acknowledgements. We are delighted to add Dana deserves this this to the Special Collections/University Archives award because she so for future generations to enjoy. I’ve passed it along to clearly illustrates a tutor Lynda Claassen, who will make sure it gets into our who has gone above and Dana Johnson and Kim Barrett new books processing stream.” beyond for her tutee. Not By now most of the Friends and all contributors only do teacher and student enjoy working together, but have received a complimentary copy of the anniversary Dana has persisted in finding a solution to a common book. If you haven’t as yet received yours or would problem for Saeah: meeting people. Addressing this like to purchase an additional copy, available at $10 problem, Dana has carefully researched organizations each, you may e-mail your request to icfriends@ucsd. on the UC San Diego campus that might be of interest edu or leave a voicemail message for the Friends at to Saeah and that she might join. 858/534-0731.

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International Center News —by Lynn Anderson, Dean of International Education and Director of the International Center

For those of us in higher education, number of international students. in Durango, CO with a B.A. in fall is the beginning of the year. New and exciting programs, Business Administration. Shelly This fall, much will be the same, workshops, and services are in also received her Professional but much will also be different. the works for our international Certificate in Teaching English as What remains the same is our students—stay tuned! a Second Language from UC San commitment to providing our We also have several staffing Diego Extension, which prepared incoming international students changes to share with you. As many her for teaching English in Turkey. and scholars with the best possible of you know, Dr. Horst Hoffmann As I write this article, we are welcome, support, and professional retired from his position as Director in the middle of a search for a new services. You, the Friends of the of the International Scholar Office Director of the Programs Abroad International Center, are key after nearly 30 years at UC Riverside Office. Kim Burton has taken over in helping us provide a warm and UC San Diego. We miss him. the responsibilities of the Director of and personal welcome. What It is my privilege to introduce EAP, a position vacated by Jinous also remains the same is our to you our new Director of the Kasravi in late May. Kim served as commitment to providing access International Scholar Office, Director of PAO for over 19 years— to high-quality programs abroad Dr. Roark Miller. Roark earned what an accomplishment! In late for all of our students. Again, his baccalaureate degree from June we said goodbye to Molly the Friends play a crucial role in Oberlin College, a master’s in Ann McCarron who has retired providing scholarships for our Piano Performance from New after decades in PAO. students ($57,000 last year for our Mexico State University, and a Sarah Ross, Director of incoming international students second master’s and a doctorate in International Education, joined and our outgoing students). We Musicology from the University of our staff in March and has been are deeply appreciative of your Michigan. He taught at Southern a tremendous addition. Sarah involvement in both areas. Methodist University and at Emory is implementing the Global I want to begin by thanking University. Since March 2004, Roark Leadership Certificate that Shahla Eleanor tum Suden for her two has directed the International Akbari (a volunteer intern) and years of outstanding leadership as Program Services at the Morehouse I began developing last year. We President of the Friends Board—her School of Medicine. Roark studied have conducted focus groups with accomplishments are numerous and lived in Italy. UCSD students and believe we will and the Friends are in a great place I am also pleased to announce have a lively response to the GLC. because of her leadership. I also that Shelly Taskin joined the Sarah will launch the program want to say how pleased we are to International Students and this fall. Stephen Gotfredson has welcome Joan Adamo (an alum of Programs Office team. She replaces been interning with us since late PAO) as the new President of the Sophia Marshall as the Programs spring and is developing a series Friends Coordinator/International Student of new initiatives that connect What is new at the IC is the Advisor. Shelly’s immediate study abroad and sustainability. dramatically increasing number responsibilities include English We are partnering with Earthwatch of international students attending in Action Tutor Coordinator, Institute and hope to offer the first of UC San Diego this fall. Last year Orientation Assistant Program these new programs in spring, 2012. we had 100 new freshmen and Coordinator, and I-Club Staff As you might imagine, and this year we will have about Advisor. For the last five years, as many of you have seen, the 330. We’ll also welcome about Shelly worked as a Program expanding number of students, 450 new international transfer Representative and Teaching programs, services, and staff at students and approximately 200 English as a Foreign Language the International Center has us EAP reciprocal exchange students. (TEFL) Student Advisor at the even more cramped than before. We are in the process of hiring two English Language Institute at However, the IC is not the building, new staff members to assist with UC San Diego Extension. She but the programs, services, and additional advising, services, and grew up in South Dakota and people who engage with each other programming for our increasing graduated from Fort Lewis College at the IC. We are appreciative of

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all that the Friends do to assist us There is much, much more to in this critical mission. The ripple share but I don’t want to take up the September Calendar effect of our work is felt, literally, entire Newsletter! The exponential throughout the world. growth, the great new programs Sept. 1-16: Resale Shop hours: As chair of UC’s Senior we are developing and launching, Tuesday-Thursday, 10:30–2:00 International Leaders Council our plans for a new building, the this past year, I volunteered to excitement of welcoming our new Sept. 7, 21: Family Orienta- develop a set of talking points colleagues, many new Friends tion, 9:30 about international education at board members, and the beginning Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28: Wednesday the University of California that of a new year helped me decide to Morning Coffee, 10:00-Noon President Yudof and Provost offer a “State of the International Pitts (and others) could use in Center” address during the first Sept. 19: Fall Quarter Begins presentations to students, parents, week in October. This will be a alumni, faculty, administrators, etc. chance for Friends, Oceanids, UC Sept. 19: Resale Shop resumes I was very fortunate to engage Ann San Diego students, staff, faculty, regular academic schedule, Craig, Provost Emeritus of Eleanor and administrators to learn about Monday-Friday, 10:00-4:00 Roosevelt College, to work with me who we are and what we are Sept. 20: Board Meeting, 10:00 in preparing these talking points. doing—and to ask questions! They were sent to Yudof and Pitts Please plan to join us; details to Sept. 21: Orientation Dinner in early August. You can read the come. and Square Dance, 5:00-9:00 2.5 pages of talking points and 7 With best wishes for the start pages of background material at of the new year! Sept. 28: International http://icenter.ucsd.edu/pdfs/ Kitchen, Oktoberfest, Noon talkingpoints.pdf. Sept. 30: Friday International Café, Noon-1:15 July Fourth Celebration —by Jennie Chin Donations This year’s July 4th festive picnic celebration (for a nominal fee of $6.00) was hosted on the lawn outside the International Center for about 55 Friends Treasurer Jeri Abernathy newcomers and familiar faces. There is nothing quite like the laughter and reports that over the summer fun of a picnic, of people reaching out to each other regardless of where months the Friends received a they come from around the world. The Friends/Oceanids July 4th picnic significant number of contributions is a wonderful venue to celebrate those differences and similarities, and to our scholarship fund. First, especially the spirit of community and generosity. Therese Tanalski sent a gift, Thanks to Georgina Sham’s crafting abilities we had beanbags to followed soon by donations from toss, sack races to run, and first place blue ribbons to handout to winners. Ray & Debby Park, Sally Ashburn, Since we had several children and teenagers this year, activities from rock JoAnn & David Wirth, and Barbara painting to kumihimo (a Japanese braiding technique), and balloon animals Baehr. to face painting, were also included. The face painting (compliments of In mid-July, a number of two very artistic young women—Dagmar Bocacova wth Keiko Hirai Ruth Newmark’s friends made assisting—was so successful that even the adults wanted in on this event. donations to the Newmark The menu included the traditional American “fixins” of hotdogs, Scholarship in honor of Ruth’s baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, watermelon, and brownies, prepared 80th birthday. For these we thank under the talented supervision of Ginny Young and her helpers, who put Candace Kohl, Manny & Paula in several long hours to cook, serve, and clean up for the event. Rotenberg, Audrey & Mel Spiro, Sincere thanks also go to Barbara and Prof. Randolph Bank, who Avrum & Mary Stroll, Nick & kindly provided the decorations; to Alice Blake-Stalker for running the Peggy Stamon, Chris & Liz Wills, races; to Liz Fong Wills who called us from Boston with useful advice; to and Gina Wright. Eleanor tum Suden and Barbara Starkey for registering the guests and We extend our appreciation finalizing the arrangements for people to carpool to La Jolla Shores; and to all who continue to support the to Bob Starkey for leading the troops into La Jolla to watch the fireworks. Friends scholarship program.

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Membership News Resale Shop —by Joe Nichols While the Friends did not learn of Anna Skalak’s death on April 24, 2011, at the age of 86, until we read her obituary in the San Diego Union-Tribune The summer is zipping by and it in the middle of June, it prompted discussion of her life. Anna Skalak has been a wonderful one for us and her husband moved to San Diego when Richard Skalak (1923-1997) who live in the San Diego area. The joined the faculty of the Department of Bioengineering after retiring from Friends Resale Shop, although on Columbia University, where he taught for more than 40 years. Geert limited hours, has been buzzing Schmid-Schoenbein tells that Renate and he knew the Skalaks long before along generating scholarship Richard, a pioneer in bioengineering and biomechanics, joined him as a money. We go back to our yearly UC San Diego colleague, and Renate believes that she was responsible schedule on Monday, September for encouraging Anna to become a member of the Friends. There is no 19, with hours Monday through doubt that Anna also learned about our organization’s activities from Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. another bioengineering family and life members of the Friends: Y.C. and ALERT: For the incoming Luna Fung. students there is a great need for We took pleasure in the happy news of the induction of Anne Cleveland blankets, sheets, flatware, utensils, into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame. On June 17, her lamps, and other household goods. proud mother, Mildred Cleveland, wrote: “Anne left this morning for Check to see if you have unwanted New York City—very excited for many reasons. One of which is that this items and donate now. Donations is her first visit to NYC. She says she will take a photo for me of The Little need to be clean and in good repair. Church Around the Corner. It’s where my parents were married in 1925.” Gayle Barsamian entered We extend congratulations to Renate Berthold, who sent a picture of the names of all those who had her new granddaughter, Ruby, born June 16, 2011, in Stockholm, Sweden. volunteered 50 hours in the In a follow-up note, Renate wrote: “We are still in Switzerland; will go Resale Shop this past year in to Sweden next week. I want to thank you for the anniversary issue of the University’s “Volunteer 50” the Newsletter. Very well done, and interesting to see that the Friends contest and, voilà, Joe Nichols have been going so strong for such a long time. Fifty Years! Just amazing. was one of the winners with a Congratulations to all. I wish I could have joined the celebrations.” Chancellor’s Award and a training session at Rimac. Thanks, Gayle! Here’s betting on the best year Wednesday Morning Coffee ever in sales. —by Georgina Sham Active the year around, here follows this month’s Wednesday Morning Coffee Hour schedule: Friday Café Sept. 7: Discussion of the evolution of social and political roles Interact with members of the UC of women in our visitors’ home countries, with Alice Blake-Stalker as San Diego community from all over moderator. Mommy and Me class will meet at Keiko Bott-Suzuki’s; please the world while eating a delicious e-mail her for more information: [email protected] meal during the International Sept. 14: Since the International Center will be taken up entirely with Center’s International Café held Orientation activities, we will meet at Doyle Recreation Center (8175 every Friday during the academic Regents Road, San Diego 92122) from 10 - 12. Please bring your handcrafts; year from 12:00-1:15. Cost for the we can work and chat sitting at picnic tables, while the children play in lunch that includes an entrée, drink, the playground. Refreshments will be provided. Mommy and Me class and dessert is $5. will meet at Keiko’s. The Café coordinator, Ginny Sept 21: Make stuffed animals. We will start the year by making Young, has planned a varied bill of stuffed animals for ourselves, then for the children at our holiday party fare for the Fall Quarter, beginning on December 7. Animals may be knitted, crocheted, or sewn. We have with a Mexican meal on Friday, patterns and materials. Book discussion: Letty Ponomareff will lead a September 30 sponsored by the discussion of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak at 10:30. Division of Social Sciences. For Sept. 28: Oktoberfest. We will all help to prepare a lunch of bratwurst, an itemized menu, please consult: potato salad, sauerkraut, and rolls with apple strudel for dessert. Lunch http://icenter.ucsd.edu/cafe/ will be served at noon for $5/person. index.html.

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Scholarship Letters

On July 13, I celebrated my 80th birthday. Rather than presenting me with unneeded gifts, a number of my friends made contributions to the Newmark Scholarship. Naturally, I was thrilled; the more so, since I could share with them the following note from the most recent recipient: Tara Whitty, a Scripps Institution of Oceanography Ph.D. candidate whose special interest is in marine conservation with a focus on dolphin populations. While I regretted that Tara could not attend the Friends Scholarship Awards Ceremony on May 24 because she was hosting a workshop she had organized, I had a chance to speak to her at length at our house on a subsequent date. I learned that her mother is Japanese, her father Irish; that she is a graduate of Princeton University; and that her Dear Friends of the International Center, dedication to her studies, world travels, It has been a wonderful four weeks in Seoul so far and I am a sad that I only and charm stand out. have a little over two weeks left. The Friends Scholarship Committee Seoul is a lively city. Yonsei University, where I am studying abroad this was so impressed by Tara’s work and summer, is located in the area of Sinchon near Ehwa Womans University. Filled her 2010 scholarship report that we with college students and young families, this part of town is lively day and night. awarded her a second scholarship this Only when 10 p.m. hits will you see everyone wandering home. Spring.—Ruth Newmark, Scholarship Born and raised in Southern California, subways are not part of my available Committee Chair modes of transportation. Learning to navigate the Seoul Metro Lines Subway system was therefore a brand new eye-opening experience. What amazes me Dear Ruth, the most is that some subway stations are connected to giant shopping centers, I’m writing to you from Puerto Princesa, supermarkets, and one is even connected to an amusement park. The subway the capital city of the province of system is very efficient, with signs and announcements available in Korean, Palawan! I arrived in the Philippines English, Japanese, and Mandarin. this past Sunday, and I already feel My most memorable experience on the subway would have to be going like San Diego was eons ago. I am across town during rush hour. People squeeze together back to back. There very, very excited about the coming is no room to move, and if you need to get off at a stop, all you can do is simply months—as you may recall, I received push and shove. Though I would not call it a comfortable ride, traveling during a Fulbright student scholarship to rush hour allows me to experience living in Korea from the perspective of a local. do research here for 9 months. The One cannot talk about summer in Seoul without mentioning the weather. Fulbright covers my travel and living First of all, I arrived on the first day of monsoon season and therefore did not expenses, while the generous support experience a sunny day in Seoul until a week after my arrival. When it rains, it from your scholarship, and funds from pours. Moments when I am caught in the middle of a thunderstorm make me the National Geographic Society-Waitt regret not bringing my rain boots. Rain or shine, humidity never ceases to exist. grants will provide for my research The weather definitely takes a couple of days to get used to. expenses (boat rental, field assistants, Thank you for helping to make my goal of studying abroad happen. I will and equipment). I am so grateful to continue to learn and enjoy the experience of being on this side of the world have your support, as it allows to me Amy Lam to maximize the research that I can do

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during my time here! Looking out from the bus, I cars reached beyond the horizon. I wanted to let you know could always see gers, traditional We excitedly looked around only to about my research blog, http:// Mongolian tents, and and find that every step we took, there ofdolphinsandfishers.wordpress. cows. Even in modern times, a great were huge bugs flying out from the com/. There already is background percentage of Mongolians still live in grasses, making big clap, clap noises. about my research (“About gers, big white round tents that are After some minutes of searching, my Project”), and I will be posting a lot more spacious than they seem we found an area for tourists that information about my field experiences, from the outside. Even in the capital, consisted of a few gers with each as well as some background Ulaanbaatar, there is a ger district, ger showing an aspect of Mongolian information on the general area of and gers can be seen here and there culture: folktales, Mongolian bows, my research. If you get a chance, I when one walks around the city. art, writing, and more. Outside the hope you enjoy reading what I manage Only one and a half months have tents, a musician played the traditional to post! passed and I have already hiked the Mongolian -head fiddle. This was I hope this e-mail finds you and great Turtle Rock, visited the biggest very beautiful and emitted a rather your family happy and healthy! temple in , toured the sad tune. Thank you again (or, “Maraming Natural History Museum that has an Finally, we gathered around salamat po!”), amazing collection of dinosaur fossils, the “benches,” literally round sticks Tara and shopped at various department stacked together, and waited for stores. However, the best time was, the to begin. After two of course, during Festival, the hours of waiting, the crowds started Dear Friends, Mongolian national holiday. cheering and we knew the race had My time here in Mongolia has been This event is a huge sports begun. We waited another thirty wonderful! Although the plane ride competition, consisting of wrestling, minutes or so before we saw dust seemed forever and the hot weather archery, and horse racing. The first day flying in the distance. Slowly, we could really surprised me, I’m loving my started off with a huge ceremony at see the horses. As they got closer, time here. the stadium that had people dressed I realized that all the contestants On weekdays, I study at the up in ancient clothing and walking were children! The small children, Epidemiology Hospital of Mongolia. around the stadium, dancing and around age six or seven, raced like Following the doctors as they examine singing. The president of Mongolia professionals on their full-grown patients, I have seen many infectious gave a speech. Surprisingly, there horses. It was amazing! It was worth diseases that I wouldn’t have seen were many foreigners who came the long bus ride and two-hour wait. in United States, such as mumps, just for this festival. Afterwards, I have so much more to tell you, erysipelas, and chickenpox (which the wrestlers came forth in their but I have to get going now. Sorry for interestingly is consisted of blue traditional clothes and started the late update, but I actually didn’t rashes, like finger paints!). At home, the competition. Unfortunately, I have Internet till a few weeks after I my host family shares their family was unable to attend the archery arrived. I hope I didn’t type too much photos with me. as well as cooks me competition, which was located at due to my excitement! delicious Mongolian food. Even though another stadium. Annie Yu the ingredients are limited here, I feel The next day, a group of us went like I have tried more than dozens of by bus to the countryside where the different dishes with just lamb, potato, horse races were being held. The ride, though, was quite unpleasant. carrots, and onions! RESALE SHOP During weekends, I participate in We were cramped in the bus like the activities set up by my program, sandwiches; additionally, the roads in VOLUNTEERS Projects Abroad, and go to the Mongolia aren’t in the best condition NEEDED countryside. Unlike the crowded city, and due to the downpour the night Friday, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. the countryside is absolutely beautiful before, the roads were flooded with weekly, beginning and the air is very fresh. It is exactly holes. I really respected the driver’s September 19 what it’s like to be surrounded by skill that the whole bus didn’t just contact Gayle Barsamian, nature. To my surprise, the country is collapse! pretty green. Before I came, I thought When we arrived, it felt like [email protected] there would be mostly desert, like the the whole Ulaanbaatar population or phone the Resale Shop, Gobi, but it is covered with grass and had come here. Rows and rows of 858/534-1123 mountains. gers were set up and the parked

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Friends Fall Quarter Schedule of Events SEPTEMBER Wed. 21: Orientation Dinner for new international students and scholars OCTOBER Sat. 22: Family Weekend/Scholarship Benefit: Thai Ethnic Dinner with illustrated talk by Prof. Chris Wills NOVEMBER Tues. 1: Held in conjunction with a performance at the Mandeville Auditorium by the Creole Choir of Cuba, ArtPower! Community Supper will feature dishes with a Cuban flavor Mon. 14 - Fri. 18: International Education Week

DECEMBER Friday 2: Resale Shop Holiday Sale Friends sponsor Friday International Café Chiang Mai woman, Thailand Tues. 13: Holiday Lunch

✄ GIVE THE GIFT OF LEARNING: Friends of the International Center, HONOR SOMEONE SPECIAL with a gift to the Friends of the International Center Scholarship Fund UC San Diego http://icenter.ucsd.edu/friends/friends.html Birthday ------In Honor of [email protected] In Celebration of ------Anniversary Congratulations ------Other -----In Memory The Friends of the International Center Newsletter is published monthly, September through June. Name of Honoree ______All material submitted must be received in writing Address______by the editor no later than the 10th of the month City ______State _____ Zip______Message ______prior to publication.

Name of Donor ______Editor: Ruth Newmark ([email protected]) Address______City ______State _____ Zip______Contributing Writers: Jeri Abernathy, Joan Adamo, Barbara Baehr, Jennie Chin, Barbara Amount of Gift Enclosed: $ ______Fitzsimmons, Nancy Homeyer, Joe Nichols, No donation is too small. Arline Paa, Renate Schmid-Schoenbein, Georgina Sham, Carol Smith, Barbara Starkey, Please make your gift payable to Friends of the International Eleanor tum Suden, Liz Fong Wills, Ginny Center Scholarship Fund and mail to: Friends of the International Young Center, UCSD International Center 0018, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0018. Your gift is tax deductible. Contributing Photographers: Madeleine Rast, ✄ Carol Smith, Stuart Smith, Christopher Wills

Computer Consultant: Leonard Newmark IC TELEPHONE NUMBERS Circulation: Renate Schmid-Schoenbein, The Friends Office 858/534-0731 Madeleine Rast The Friends Resale Shop 858/534-1124 English in Action Tutor Program 858/534-0603 Please report all address changes to the Friends of International Center Main Office 858/534-3730 the International Center; the U.S. Postal Service Programs Abroad Office 858/534-1123 will not forward the Newsletter.

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September 2011

THE FRIENDS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER UC San Diego

The purpose of Friends of the International Center—a nonprofit organization—is to support international education, to foster friendship, understanding, and coöperation within the inter- national community, and to create a meeting place on the UC San Diego campus for people who share these aims.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION I wish to join the Friends of the International Center: * ❏ Membership $ 35.00 ❏ UCSD Student Member $ 10.00 Think Globally: Support International Education * ❏ Life Membership $ 500.00 Act Locally: Join the Friends of the International Center ❏ Corporate Member $ 500.00 ❏ Donation $ ______

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