Hofstra University successfully
welcomed our new summer English Language Program (ELP) students on the Sunday,
July 13. ELP is a 6 week summer program for new Hofstra students studying
English as a second language; this program not only offers strongly instituted
daily classes to increase English proficiency, but also aids with the
international student adjustment to U.S. culture with bi-weekly cross-cultural
and community building events. A total of 27 undergraduate and 2 graduate students
from 5 countries (China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Venezuela) were
exhausted from jet-lag, yet excited to be in a foreign environment.
Noting that this is only the
second year of ELP, the number of students have more than quadrupled since the
first summer ELP. As a graduate student ELP coordinator for the Multiculturaland International Student Programs Office (MISPO) working with Olivier Andre,
ELP Residential Assistant, I was beyond excited to connect with each of the ELP
students. At the age of 13, I also personally and academically experienced the
cultural adjustment moving to U.S., away from my family, chasing after my own
American dream as an international student.
Every Wednesday and Saturday
during the ELP summer period, we held on and off campus events specifically to
accommodate the students’ U.S. and Hofstra adaptation. With the help of the
Alliance Residential Assistants and fellow Hofstra Students, we conducted
various types of ice breaker games and program bonding activities such as
playing basketball and Pictionary. On our 4 Saturday trips, we presented
Brooklyn, Manhattan, and classic Dave and Busters to our students. Even a
simple people watching experience at Coney Island and trying gelato ice cream
was an electrifying experience for our students.
Attending Hofstra for the past 5
years and now finishing up my MBA, I was given a chance to share what Hofstra
has granted me. This experience allowed me to give-back to the Hofstra
community with experiences that helped me achieve my goals and gain a broadened
perspective for my future. Therefore, I am grateful to be part of the MISPO
family. Now that the ELP summer session is over, it is sad to be out of the
routine of constantly being in contact with our ELP students. However, the MISPO
staff and I are so excited for the students to start their first fall semester
at Hofstra and absorb all that Hofstra offers!
JD Hyun, Guest Blogger
Summer ELP Graduate Coordinator
Zarb Business School Graduate Student
