Student Spotlight of the Week

Eki Isabel Lau

Hometown: Hong Kong

College: University of Central Missouri, BS
              University of Denver, MA

Undergraduate Focus: Public Relations and Corporate Communications

How did you become interested in the IIC program?

I found the IIC program at DU during my search for grad programs. The IIC program is a very unique program that offers a variety of skill training, which perfectly fulfills my goals and interest areas.

Name some specific areas within IIC you’re interested in:
Multicultural programs in higher education, international nonprofits, strategic planning and intercultural training

Favorite place you’ve traveled to so far: Hokkaido, Japan. But I am also in love with Denver after being here for a quarter now. 

Dream job: I don’t have a specific position in mind yet, but my dream job will be something that energizes me everyday and keep me moving forward.

Don't Miss These Events!

Welcome back IICers! Hope you all had a great spring break. There are several upcoming events next week that may be of interest to you. Please check out the following list and links and be sure to stay updated for more events through our calendar below!

April 3  

Sam Freedman, New York Times columnist will speak 2-3:50 p.m.

(College of Education)

http://www.du.edu/ahss/mfjs/news_events/samfreedman.html

April 3

Environmental journalist Bill McKibben will accept the Anvil of Freedom Award and give the Estlow Lecture at 6:30 p.m.

http://www.du.edu/ahss/mfjs/news_events/mckibben2013.html

April 3-4

Journalism that Matters conference at DU

http://journalismthatmatters.org/newjournalism/

April 4
Special Screening of Girl Rising
Trailer 
Click for more information and tickets

Is Peace Corps the Path for You?

What would you do if you found yourself in a country, completely unlike your own, where everyday everything you have known to be true was being questioned? 

Serving in the Peace Corps is not for the faint of heart. It is a journey that forces you outside of your comfort zone and into situations that you never thought you'd be in, let alone be able to handle, in a million years. Last week in Margie's intro to Intercultural Communications class, students were led by a panel of Return Peace Corps Volunteers, on just what it could mean to enlist.

The panel was able to bring prospective from all different parts of the world. From Tanzania to Albania, to the Philippines and Indonesia. The class heard of stories and experiences, hardships and successes, but regardless, it seemed unanimous that Peace Corps would be life-altering. The Peace Corps, which has been around for 50 years, brings its members into countries where they are left to deal with different cultural implications everyday. From remembering to shake everyone's hand when you leave a room, to how to answer certain questions appropriately, to adapting to washing your laundry by hand and living without toilet paper. You begin to adjust to a new normal, because you have to. One of the most important points that the panel highlighted was that there may be times when you feel frustrated with how much you are actually contributing. Maybe there are days when you don't feel like you will ever make a difference. However, they noted that things may not change overnight, but you've got the ball rolling, began the conversation. 

"When you are in the Peace Corps you are representing America." It is essential to remember this during your service as brought forth by the panel, because you may be the only contact that the family or community you are with has with Americans. What you do reflects on the entire country. 

At the start of the class, the panel posed the question, "how many have you considered the Peace Corps?" After a very intriguing two hours, it's hard to say if the group convinced those on the edge to enlist or made them glad to be sitting in class that night. For  there is a lot to consider. Could you adapt to bucket baths, stray cats, and having the weight of your home country on your shoulders? These RPCVs seem to think so. 

The Return Peace Corps Panel Presents in MFJS 4912

Winter Dinner Party

Thanks to those of you who made it to the IIC quarterly dinner this past Thursday evening! We had a great get together at Axum where we all tried traditional Ethiopian cuisine like Misir Wot and Shiro served on Injera, just to name a few. If you weren't able to make it, we'll be having another IIC dinner during the spring quarter, so be watching for that date.

Check out the photos from Axum below!

 IIC Students & Faculty

 Misir Wot, Kik Alicha, Atakilit Wot, Gomen Beayib and Shiro on Injera (a type of spongy flatbread)

Student Spotlight of the Week

 

       Travis Lindner

Hometown: Barre, VT (but not for a very long time)

 College: Emerson College, Boston MA

Undergraduate Focus: Music Studies/Audio Production

How did you become interested in the IIC program?  While I was in the Peace Corps, I found the IIC program because of the fellowship they provide to RPCVs. It seemed as if half the volunteers in my batch were considering applying to this program.

Name some specific areas within IIC you’re interested in: I seem to be fairly obsessed with media representations in the entertainment and sports industries. 

Favorite place you’ve traveled to so far: This is tough because I’m afraid Melbourne or Hoi An is going feel slighted, but I’m going to go with Langkawi, Malaysia. I tend to think about the place I’ve visited by how I remember the food, and the food in Malaysia was pretty incredible. After the Malay population, the two largest ethnic groups in Malaysia are Indian and Chinese, so there’s a pretty phenomenal mix of those three cuisines. 

Dream job: I would really like to be Wes Anderson, though that seems to be increasingly unlikely. 

Quarterly Dinner Date!

Hello everyone!

You should have all received an evite last week, but just wanted to remind you that we've set a date for our quarterly IIC get together. If you haven't yet, please respond to the evite whether you'll be attending or not so that we can make arrangements with the restaurant ahead of time.

We will be meeting at Axum - an Ethiopian restaurant - for dinner next Thursday, February 21 at 7 p.m. If you need a ride, please let Margie, Katie or me know. Also, feel free to bring significant others, friends or family with you. Hope to see you all there!


When: Thursday, February 21 at 7 p.m.
Where: Axum - 5501 East Colfax Avenue Denver, CO 80220
Price Range: $9 - $13
Axum Website

Foundations in IIC Class Blog

Hi all,

Check out Margie Thompson's Foundations in International & Intercultural Communication class blog for the Winter quarter! Students are posting really interesting news articles, videos, photos, etc. and blogging their opinions about these topics. Also, each piece relates to something students have discussed in their class readings.

This is a great way to keep up with current events dealing with international and intercultural communication. Enjoy!

IIC Class Blog