The International Club moves forward for semester

On Sept. 7, the International Club lost a member and a fellow international student, Cho Rok “Alice” Chung, from South Korea. The university began preparations to hold a memorial service for Chung the following Wednesday on Sept. 12, and the International Club was prepared to take the reins.

“We lost one of our own, and we were prepared to honor Chung and mourn the loss of life,” Lucine Colignon, junior mass communication major, said. “You don’t normally think of someone your own age dying. I knew who she was but truthfully, didn’t know her very well. Regardless, we were all in some way affected.”

In an effort to prevent an incident like this from happening again, the International Club is preparing to create a support group for all international students. Joe Windish, associate director of the LITC, offered his services to the club.

“Joe Windish is a certified counselor for anti-suicide,” Anshika Rimal, president of the International Club, said. “We don’t know when or how this will be set up for our students, but Mr. Windish is prepared to help in any way he can.”

The International Club, as well as the International Education Center, serve as a home away from home for international students while at GC. International students go through an entirely different application that U.S. students do, using the international page to fill out their application. Libby Davis, advisor to the International Club, is said to be the mother of the international students. She is always there when the students have something go awry, and also serves as a form of support when trying to adjust to American lifestyles.

Comprised of about one-half American students and one-half international students, the student-run International Club sponsors games and activities on campus for all students to participate in. On Oct. 22-25, they will be sponsoring their International Week. The RSO will hold an international photography contest to promote international education and study abroad opportunities, as well as show off cultural dances and songs to all who participate. This semester, the group is planning to also sponsor smaller, more personal events for students to partake in.

“We’re wanting to hold a few more bowling and game nights for students to interact on a  more close-knit level,” Rimal said.

Aside from the events looking to integrate American and international students, the International Club also looks for ways to expose study abroad students to the cultural and tourist spots around Georgia. On Sept. 8, the group took students to the capital to experience an array of Atlanta-based activities. The World of Coke, the High Museum, and a day of metro-area shopping were part of the trip.

“Trips and other experiences here in America are vital to the studying abroad education program,” Rimal said. “It is the best way for international students to learn outside of the classroom and to get a better grasp on Georgian and American life.”

For more information about the International Club or the International Education Center, visit www.gcsu.edu/international.

Posted by ConnorJohnson on Sep 20 2012. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.