Exhibit of Nations

Looking back at the spring semester, we would like to highlight one of the cultural events that our students coordinated to celebrate the diversity of the world.

On April 29, 2015 Hofstra International Students Club (H*INT) organized an extravaganza event “Exhibit of Nations.” The idea behind this event was to celebrate the international diversity that our international students from over 62 nations across the globe bring to Hofstra University.

Our international students from various nations actively participated in this event. There were different tables set up by the students exhibiting the culture of their respective nations. These tables had collection of many interesting things like flags, stamps, currency, photographs, traditional dresses, snacks, handmade things etc. The tables were then judged based on how well they displayed and explained their culture to the audience. The judge panel included Sonia Fernandes - Assistant Director from MISPO, Kavneet Baweja – Graduate Coordinator from MISPO and Athraja de Silva – President of H*INT and they decided to award Japan, Bangladesh and Costa Rica first, second and third prize respectively.
     

There were also various multinational dance performances, like Indian Bollywood dance by Hofstra Zeenat, African dance by Hofstra African Student Association and Ballet dance by Hofstra Ballroom. Not only this, but students also enjoyed delicacies of Asian and Hispanic cuisines offered for the dinner.

To sum up, it was a night of frolic fun and vibrant colors all around as Hofstra students really enjoyed the food, music and the cultural display of different nations all under one roof and at one place.

Guest Blogger:
Kavneet Baweja
Graduate Student - MBA Business Analytics
Graduate Student Coordinator, Multicultural and International Student Programs Office (MISPO)

Engaging with the World as a Global Mentor

Being a Global Mentor is like tasting little pieces of the world without ever having to get on a plane, and, as a sufferer of the infamous travel bug, it is one of the most rewarding experiences of my Hofstra career so far.

Mentoring, like any multicultural occasion, is a combination of give and take. Not only did I attempt to impart my Hofstra knowledge on the new students, (which mostly consisted of the secrets to the LIRR) I also wanted to learn from them, about their culture, their language and anything really that they would share with me.

As an international student myself, going in, one of my hopes was to somehow help new students make Hofstra their home away from home. Coming from Zimbabwe I feel like I can relate to all the new international students because we experience a lot of similar things when coming to Hofstra, which made being a mentor sort of like helping “young me.” Taking everyone into Manhattan for the first time and experiencing Fall Fest and generally helping the mentees find clubs and organizations on campus that they would be interested in, is a lot easier through the global mentor program. We build relationships with our mentees, where they feel comfortable enough with us to ask for help. As a biochemistry major, I was also able to help some of my fellow science majors in their studies, advising them on textbooks and what to expect with different classes.

I must say that one of my favorite parts of being a global mentor is the people I get to work with. As mentors, we spend a lot of time together not only throughout orientation, but also during training, so it is no surprise that we have become good friends, who to this day still hangout whenever we can! All in all, being a global mentor is more than simply helping new international students acclimate to the United States, it's about gaining two new groups of amazing friends that you would never have had the chance to meet otherwise!

Guest Blogger:
Muthoni Mahachi
Sophomore
Biochemistry and Fine Arts Major
Global Mentor Fall 2014 and Spring 2015

The Fall 2014 Global Mentor team

The Global Mentor program is a part of Hofstra's Peer Mentor Initiative. Both international students and domestic students are encouraged to apply.

Apply for our next group of Peer Mentors!

3 tracks to choose from:
•         Commuter Mentors 
These mentors work with new commuter students. For more information, contact commuters@hofstra.edu
•         Global Mentors
These mentors work with new international students. For more information, contact international@hofstra.edu
•         Involvement Mentors
These mentors work with new residential students. For more information, contact osla@hofstra.edu

Apply online today! Applications are due Friday, March 6, 2015!

Thanksgiving Homestay

During this Thanksgiving break, the Office of Parent and Family Programs and the Multicultural & International Student Programs Office (MISPO) offered a “Thanksgiving Homestay” for Hofstra students to experience this U.S. Holiday at someone’s home.  Last year, two international students celebrated with one family.  This year, two families of current Hofstra students hosted six international students.  This was the first Thanksgiving for most of these students.  Here is the student account of their stay: 

From Xiaokan Chen, the J-1 exchange student from China:

“I really enjoyed the Thanksgiving at the Mohammed family. They are very nice and wonderful people! We had great dinner, pleasant chats and watched a wonderful movie together. Thank you so much for such a wonderful program! This would be one of my best experience in America.”

From Yina Peng, the first year graduate school student from China:

“I really appreciate that I had this wonderful experience. This is a great chance to get familiar with the American life and different custom. 

I stayed with Mr. Murray, Alan's family for three days. And I learned a lot of American and Latin American traditional food. Everything was so new to me. We cooked the thanksgiving dinner together and drove around their small town. We had a lot of fun and I hope I can keep in contact with this nice family. 

I'm very grateful to the Office of Parent and Family Programs, MISPO, and this wonderful volunteer family! ”

If your family is interested in hosting students for future events (both international and U.S. students who can’t get home for Thanksgiving), please have them contact parents@hofstra.edu.