‘All Abroad’

Welcome to WLC Connie!

My name is Connie Pickart, and I joined the Center for International Education at Wisconsin Lutheran College in January 2010. I work as a specialized enrollment counselor, and my focus is on China.

As a native-born Chinese who spent the last two and a half years in the United States, I strongly believe in the benefits of my intercultural experience. It is really not a cliché to say that intercultural experience broadens my mind and helps me view the world in different perspectives. I also focused on intercultural communication in my graduate studies, which further helped me understand the commonalities and differences of cultures. I enjoy applying what I have learned as I work with students from all countries.

In my spare time I enjoy music and theater, and I found Milwaukee a very good place for this hobby. I also like cooking and baking, especially experimenting new dishes from all parts of China. I love to travel and to experience different cultures around the world. Yet so far I have only been to parts of China and the United States. I would love to see Europe, Africa, Latin America, and other parts of Asia in the future!

I feel very fortunate to be here at WLC because I truly believe that liberal arts education is the best way to shape character. I hope you enjoy your experience here and I assure you that you will benefit from these four years of education!

Outlet malls typically offer tremendous deals when it comes to shopping for name brand items. During the Christmas season those sales tend to increase, causing some prices to seem like a steal of a deal! In early December staff and students traveled to an outlet mall just outside of Milwaukee called Johnson Creek Outlet Mall. They sure took advantage of the dropped prices!

After a long day of shopping, the group regained their strength with food and relaxation at staff member Eric Duwe’s family farm. Here all enjoyed checking out the equipment and materials that are found on the farm. A major highlight was climbing the side of a silo filled with animal feed.

In early November, students who are new to WLC gathered together to learn important information about the winter season, especially what to expect living in the state of Wisconsin.

 
CIE Student Intern, Jazelle, shared useful information about how to take care of your skin during the climate change and the importance of remaining hydrated (drink lots of water!). Important winter terms, like wind chill & lake effect snow, were also discussed to ensure everyone was prepared to understand weather forecasts. After trying on some winter weather clothing, such as gloves, hats, scarves, and winter coats, we went shopping!

 
Here are just a few of the fun activities to participate in during the winter:

• Making snow angels
• Sledding
• Skiing & Snowboarding
• Ice skating

This winter is sure to be beautiful and a lot of fun. There’s nothing like snow falling all around you! Everyone should experience it at least once in their lifetime.

Homecoming is a festive time on campus that occurs around the beginning of October every year. During this time students share their school spirit by participating in a wide variety of events throughout the week. Alumni often return during this weekend to visit with old classmates and professors.

Celebrating the 10th year of WLC’s football program, the Warriors competed in the 2009 Homecoming game on Saturday, October 3 on our home field, Raabe Stadium. International student, Heikki Luoma, plays on the defensive line and assisted the team to a victory!

Other activities sponsored throughout the week for students included face painting, tie-dying T-shirts, a corn roast, and a Homecoming pep rally. The fall weather in Milwaukee made it a perfect time to be outside for many of these events. Students, staff, faculty, and alumni all enjoyed connecting with one another in celebration of WLC!

During a recent business trip to Southeast Asia, CIE Assistant Director Cynthia Fitzsimmons had the opportunity to meet with many impressive students to share their future possibilities at WLC! Countries visited included Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Hong Kong.

A true highlight of the trip occurred in Bangkok, Thailand, when during an educational exposition a fantastic family sat down to learn more about WLC. The interested student just happened to have on a T-shirt of a football team in Wisconsin!

The CIE is eager to work with future WLC students in the next year!

The CIE kicked off the school year hosting a trip to a local Harley-Davidson plant. The city of Milwaukee is very proud to be the home of Harley-Davidson, an international company that builds and sells motorcycles to countries all over the world.

The particular location that we visited was a Powertrain Operations Plant. Here they make engines for all Harley bikes. We enjoyed an introductory movie of the history of the company, and then participated in a walking tour inside the plant facilities. It was fascinating to see the men and women at work along the production line as they created an engine.

The CIE successfully hosted WLC’s first ever international student focused orientation. The purpose of the program is to aid our new foreign students in their adjustment to a new culture, campus, and community. The schedule included guest speakers from the community and various areas around campus. Topics consisted of health services and insurance, safety on and around campus, banking in the U.S., technology, academic success, and many others. 

 
Activities included lunch off campus at a local noodle restaurant and a shopping trip to Target. We also enjoyed a group cookout at CIE staff member Carol’s home. It was a wonderful way to relax and get to know one another while enjoying some great food. 

Have a great year!

Luggage is packed, flight times have been checked, and passports are in hand … new international students will arrive this weekend from all over the world. We are so pleased to welcome them to their new home.

International Orientation is a new program offered by the CIE, and we think it will be a fantastic way for students to adjust to three new “BIG Cs”: culture, climate, and campus. A few of the topics covered will include technology, health & safety, and academic success. Community members, campus professionals, and current students are all participating and offering their expertise and support.

Make sure to check our blog often as there are sure to be exciting things occurring throughout the school year.

The Center for International Education would like to welcome our newest staff member: Eric Duwe, ESL Institute Instructor. Here’s a little introduction from him:

Hello! My name is Eric Duwe, and I am pleased to serve you as part of the ESL Institute staff at Wisconsin Lutheran College.

My interest in working with international students comes largely from my own experiences in international education. As an undergraduate student, I had much focused coursework in Latin American Studies, including the opportunity to study in Central America. I experienced firsthand the incredible joys and challenges of learning how to communicate in a language that wasn’t my own — that is, until I felt comfortable and confident enough to take ownership in the new language, which makes all the difference.

My experiences in teaching English to non-native speakers have taken me from primary school classrooms in Costa Rica, to the homes of adult language learners in rural Wisconsin, to both big-city and village classrooms in Thailand. As a part of the ESL Institute at WLC, it is my privilege and aim to provide our international students with the resources they need to be able to confidently communicate in English as they pursue their academic and lifelong goals.

When not in the classroom, you might find me catching up on a good book, playing sports (especially basketball and ultimate Frisbee), running somewhere through Milwaukee’s beautiful park system, or hanging out at a great cultural event around town.

Again, it is my sincere pleasure to serve the international students on campus, and I look forward to learning a great deal from them as well.

With finals right around the corner, students, staff and friends of the CIE enjoyed an end of the year Celebration Cookout. It was a great time to break from studying and packing boxes to enjoy some beautiful weather!

The cuisine included BBQ favorites: hot dogs and hamburgers, along with rice, veggies, chips and fruit. S’mores assembling began shortly after dinner. For most students it was their first time enjoying a s’more for dessert.

S’mores Assembly:

• Roast marshmallows over the hot coals of the grill
• Once hot, place the marshmallow between two graham crackers with a piece of chocolate in the middle
• Gently squeeze together to make a yummy, gooey mess

Have a blessed and safe summer!