Hello and welcome to
the IIC blog!
Fall is here and the 2012-2013 academic year is off and
running! I’m Joanna, a first year IIC student, and one of your communications
assistants for this year. Along with Katie, we will be keeping you updated with
IIC news, events, reminders and photos. Feel free to share any ideas or events with us
and we will gladly post it for everyone to see.
IIC kicked off the new quarter with an orientation on
Saturday, September 8th at the International House. This year IIC
has 15 incoming graduate students and 17 returning students.
First came introductions…
As new and returning IIC students introduced themselves, it
quickly became apparent that this program has one of the most unique groups of
people around. Several students recently returned from the Peace Corps in places
like Tanzania, Indonesia and the Philippines while another just finished
teaching English to high school students in France. Many have been working full
time for the past five to 10 years all across the United States, while others
graduated from college within the past year. It was a great opportunity for everyone
to hear about the exciting backgrounds of their peers.
Among our IIC students, specific interests and ambitions
range all over the map. Many are interested in human rights issues and
international non-profit work. Others are thinking about careers in diplomacy
and higher education. News reporting, study abroad advising, international
social networking and many more future career paths were discussed.
…then came an interactive exercise
IIC Director Margie Thompson has spent many summers working
in Costa Rica as a journalist for ESCIBANA, an online non-profit women’s
communication agency. During her time in Costa Rica, Margie became aware of a
situation of conflict in Panama between the Ngäbe Buglé, an indigenous group,
and the government. The Ngäbe Buglé are involved in a very conflictive struggle
and resistance to mining and water concessions to transnational corporations. The
assignment was to split up into different stakeholder groups and identify needs,
concerns or self-interests. Each group also had to come up with strategies and
suggestions on how their particular stakeholder could contribute to the
resolution of this situation.
After discussing their ideas, students then tried to find
parallels between these groups. The situation was a great example of the type
of topics IIC students will encounter throughout their studies in the program and was an excellent way to get started.
…and then came dinner and socializing!
After the interactive exercise and discussion, students and
a few faculty members were able to enjoy dinner together. Several second-year
mentors met their mentees, socialized and asked questions about the IIC
program, campus and coursework. All in all, the orientation was a success and a
great opportunity for everyone to meet and get excited for a new experience and
a new school year.
We hope your classes are going well and make sure to check back
in with us for updates!
2012-2013 IIC Grad
Students and Professors
IIC Returning
Students
*Photos courtesy of
fellow IIC student Kate Haake with Kasa Photography
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