The University’s International Cultural Service Program has helped expose Eugene to the world’s cultural diversity for 20 years. Through the program, University international students visit local schools and community groups and share ideas about culture and world events.
To commemorate its long and rich presence in the community, the program has hosted a variety of events this week, including panel discussions, school presentations and a banquet for program alumni and members of the community.
“We want to maintain the tradition of ICSP,” Albanian graduate student Brikena Haxhiraj said. Haxhiraj, who helped organize the anniversary celebration, is one of 35 international students currently in the ICSP program.
One of the anniversary highlights is student and faculty-led panel discussions, where participants will explore topics such as international business communication, education for women and girls, and governance and democracy. The discussions — which will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the EMU Maple, Oak and Walnut Rooms — are free and open to the public.
ICSP Director Ginny Stark said the program began 20 years ago to develop international competency in school children.
“One of the ways that it was thought that that could happen would be to expose Oregon’s students to people of other cultures,” she said.
A scholarship program evolved that offered international students full or partial tuition coverage in exchange for their community service. Since then, about 35 students a year participate in the program, each spending 80 hours per school year helping the community.
The program has evolved, and now offers presentations to senior citizen centers and rotary clubs. At times, students in the program provide translation services for hospitals or other nonprofit organizations as well.
Stark said students are chosen based on their abilities to present their culture, their English-speaking abilities and their need for financial support.
Haxhiraj has participated in the program since 1999, and she said one of the reasons she applied was for the financial assistance.
“It’s a great financial incentive for international students,” she said, adding that she thought it would be a way to improve her English abilities and immerse herself in American culture.
“You learn so much more about your own culture because you have to do research and learn more so you can present whatever the audience is asking for,” she said.
Haxhiraj said one of the challenges she faces is learning how to balance a full load of classes with the 80 hours a year of community service.
“It can be very demanding,” she said.
As part of the celebration, program members also had cultural presentations in the EMU for local school children on Monday and Wednesday. There will also be presentations today from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
“I think that it’s a wonderful opportunity for the kids,” O’Hara Catholic School teacher Kathy Stahmer said. Her fifth-grade class was at the EMU on Wednesday to learn about Vietnamese culture.
Eleven-year-old Lexie said she was excited to learn about “Vietnamese stuff.”
“I like to learn about new stuff,” she said. “It’s fun.”
The children learned about aspects of different cultures such as games and stories.
“People just get so interested with things they’ve never seen,” graduate student Veronica Sanchez said.
Sanchez, who just started on the ICSP program this fall, said the program allows students to “just share the way you feel, or dress — your culture.”
Haxhiraj said she has fun every time she presents her culture to the community, and her favorite part is when kids give her hugs after the presentations or write her notes about what they’ve learned.
“I take it to heart, you know, because I want to be a teacher, and I love kids,” she said.