Crimson Culture Gala 2018

• October 25th, 2018
• in Capstone International Services International Main

The Crimson Culture Gala is an annual event organized to allow students to expand their horizons by immersing themselves in cultures vastly different from their own and to promote an atmosphere of inclusivity and diversity on campus. We hope to do so through dance, music, fashion and food. The event is hosted by International Students Association, Honors College Assembly and South Asian Culture Club. Many cultural organizations as well as organizations that promote diversity and volunteer work abroad were present. The organizations are encouraged to create a tri-fold and bring promotional material to talk to students about their organization and culture they represent. The planning of the event began when the semester started so there was enough time to talk to student organizations, organize the event (location, décor, DJ) and arrange the food that was catered by cultural restaurants in Tuscaloosa. We encourage students to come “dressed to impress” (business casual) or in cultural clothes.

The event kicked off with food and an opportunity to meet the 19 organizations present. The night featured performances, fashion shows, and dance tutorials held by different organizations on campus. The night ended with an opportunity to showcase the new moves learned on the dance floor.

In the fall of 2018 The University of Alabama welcomed more than 1,200 International students from over 75 countries and territories to study and call Tuscaloosa their home. To learn more about multicultural clubs and opportunities at UA, please visit the Programs and Activities page and discover new ways to be involved today!

Participating Organizations

1. African Student Association
2. Asian American Student Association
3. Association of Chinese Students and Scholars
4. BLEND
5. Caribbean Student Association
6. Hispanic Latino Association
7. Honors College Assembly
8. International Relations Club
9. International Students Association
10. Korean Student Association
11. Nepal Student Association
12. German Club
13. SACC
14. Students for Fair labor
15. Spectrum
16. Crossroads
17. Vietnamese Student Association
18. Black Student Union
19. Habitat for Humanity

United Way Day of Action 2018

• July 10th, 2018
• in Capstone International Services English Language Institute International Main

Continuing the annual tradition of serving the Tuscaloosa community, 34 Capstone International Center volunteers including faculty, staff, and students participated in The United Way of West Alabama’s Day of Action. The United Way organized 40 local service projects to assist nonprofit organizations and schools in the Tuscaloosa community. More than 500 volunteers came together for this year’s Day of Action to improve the community where The University of Alabama calls home.

The Capstone International Center volunteer teams spent their day at the Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter, The Arc of Tuscaloosa, Temporary Emergency Services, and Stillman College. The team completed much needed yard work projects, painted dorm rooms, organized donations, folded laundry, engaged with the community, and learned about local organizations working to make a difference. One of these United Way agencies, Temporary Emergency Services, has been in the Tuscaloosa community since 1945 helping individuals and families in crisis situations by providing financial and other temporary assistance.

The United Way of West Alabama strengthens education, income stability, and health in our community by developing resources and partnerships. The Capstone International Center is honored to participate every year in the service opportunities that the United Way organizes in the community. Sharing our love of service with UA’s International students only strengthens our relationships!

AAIE Conference Held at UA

• April 17th, 2018
• in Capstone International Services International Main

In mid April, the University of Alabama hosted the 2018 Alabama Association of International Educators (AAIE) annual conference. This organization is the Alabama chapter of Association of International Educators (NAFSA), and holds at its core a mission to promote international educational and cultural exchange through the support of students and scholars who choose to study in the state of Alabama and of Alabamians who seek education abroad.

Approximately 120 professional staff from international education offices across Alabama attended. Presentation topics covered a range of topics including using technology in the office and creating culturally inclusive programs for students from different countries. The University of Alabama’s staff presented on eight different topics . Participants also enjoyed a keynote speech by Mr. Mark Jackson, Honorary Consul General of Japan, who stressed the importance of diverse cultural knowledge and travel.

More information about AAIE, its mission, and events can be found at http://aaieorg.blogspot.com/.

A Sweet Taste of Culture for International Students

• December 14th, 2017
• in Capstone International Services English Language Institute

International students experience American Christmas traditions – decorating cookies, making gingerbread houses, and singing carols – for the first time.

See the photos and the finished products at the UA News Center.

University Place Elementary Students Learn about World Cultures

• November 18th, 2017
• in Capstone International Services English Language Institute International Main

Tuscaloosa News

By Drew Taylor / Staff Writer

Wearing traditional Chinese garb and a panda hat, Jing Li stood Friday in the middle of a circle of intrigued students from University Place Elementary School.

As the students watched, Li began to spin, kick and softly move across the floor, performing different martial art forms, such as tai chi and changquan.

In the midst of her performance, Li stopped.

“You want to see more?” Li asked.

“Yeah,” the group shouted with excitement.

Li’s performance was one part of a showcase at the school Friday morning that included representatives from 16 different countries to commemorate International Education Week. The showcase, which was organized between the school and the English Language Institute at the University of Alabama, was called “World Friends Day” and included people explaining their cultures and what makes their country unique.

“We want all of our students to have some kind of experience with all cultures,” said Patsy McGahey, science, technology, engineering and mathematics director at University Place. “We want them to be global citizens.”

The forum was organized after Monica Hollie, a receptionist at ELI and a parent of two students at University Place, approached the school about holding an international forum there. ELI works with University of Alabama students who come from across the globe in improving their English skills. The group normally holds forums at different schools throughout the year to teach children about different cultures.

Hollie said that as much as the forum is for the children, it also helps out the ELI fellows.

“Their first language is not English, and they are here to improve their skills in that area,” Hollie said.

Zion Doughty, a third-grader at University Place, said he liked learning about different countries, such as Jordan.

“It seems really cool,” Doughty said.

McGahey said that University Place has many students who live at or below the poverty level, and they may not have had a chance to see the world or understand how other people live in the world.

“By exposing them to other countries, it broadens their experience to what they can do later in life,” she said.

Hollie said that more than just exposure to cultures, forums like the one on Friday help children relate to others in the world, in addition to making people from other cultures feel like they are understood in the process.

“Sometimes, it can be their first time to come to the U.S.,” Hollie said. “It makes it easier for them to know that a few Americans are eager to learn, not quick to criticize.”

ELI Grad Hopes to ‘Copy and Paste’ UA Experience for Son

• October 30th, 2017
• in Capstone International Services English Language Institute International Main

By David Miller

College football games in the Southeastern Conference can start as late as 8:30 p.m. CST, and sometimes push through midnight.

It’s a minor inconvenience for University of Alabama football supporters, whether they’re in Bryant-Denny Stadium or watching the game remotely. Time constraints, travel, lodging and ticket expenses – it’s all worth it to see the Crimson Tide win – and win a lot – right?

In Saudi Arabia, eight hours ahead of Alabama and the Central time zone, Yahya Al-Bokhedaim and his son, Shahaeen, fight sleep each week to watch UA’s prime-time matchups. The CBS games offer a reprieve from the overnight viewings, but during late games, Shahaeen often leaves for school without knowing the final score.

Shahaeen, who recently enrolled in UA’s English Language Institute, will no longer wonder who won the game – or Alabama’s margin of victory. He’s taking the same path Yahya took in the early 1980s: learn both the English language and chemical engineering at UA.

“I want to follow that same step as my father,” Shahaeen said. “I can do that [at UA]. I want to follow his steps and be better than him.”

Yahya arrived at UA in 1983, just a year after the ELI was established. He was one of five Saudi students sponsored by oil company Saudi Aramco. Yahya has worked for Saudi Aramco since earning his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1988.

Yahya soaked in American culture and Southern hospitality during his five years on campus, a transition that was aided by a young, energetic ELI staff, he said.

“There were a lot of close friendships between the students and the faculty,” Yahya said. “Some of the faculty were pursuing their master’s or PhD, so that helped develop excellent relationships. They taught us the game of football, and once we learned, we all grew to love it. This was part of the socialization with some of the teachers.”

Yahya visited UA during homecoming week to help move Shahaeen to campus. It was Yahya’s first visit to campus since 1998 and only his second return to his alma mater since he’d graduated. Campus has grown, and there are “so many sidewalks and bike lanes,” but the same charm and “sweet home” he experienced in the 1980s existed the moment he stepped on campus, he said.

A familiar face greeted him when he visited the ELI.

“I was so happy to see the growth of the ELI – it’s become an excellent center,” Yahya said. “And it surprised me when I saw Mr. (Bill) Wallace, who is now the director. He used to be a teacher at ELI, but he remembered who I was. For them, it’s been 30 years, and they’ve had so many students come and go, so for him to have this memory of me shows how much he cares about people.

“And that’s why we’re here – we’re trying to copy and paste my experience for Shahaeen.”

Diwali Celebration at UA

• October 30th, 2017
• in Capstone International Services International Main

Diwali is the Indian festival of light. The October event was cohosted by UA’s International Students Association, the UA South Asian Society and UA Honors College Assembly. Through this event, the UA community found a transformative and powerful way to experience a culture.   Click here to learn how to become involved with UA’s International and Multicultural student organizations and see more photos from the event here.

ESPN Features UA International Student

• October 18th, 2017
• in Capstone International Services International Main

In a great article, ESPN recently highlighted the achievements of UA international student, Celia Jimenez Delgado for her efforts on the football pitch and in the classroom, where she studies Aerospace Engineering.

President’s Reception

• October 4th, 2017
• in Capstone International Services International Main

On Tuesday, September 26, President and Mrs. Stuart Bell and Associate Provost, Dr. Teresa Wise hosted UA International Students and Tuscaloosa’s International Friends at the Ferguson Student Center Great Hall for a reception. President Bell took the opportunity to recognize the achievements and success of international students at UA as well as to thank the many families of Tuscaloosa’s International Friends for their commitment to international education at UA.

Cultural Retreat

• October 4th, 2017
• in Capstone International Services International Main

On Saturday, September 23, International Student & Scholar Services and a large number of UA international students and scholars joined with the international offices and students of The University of Alabama at Birmingham, The University of West Alabama, Jefferson State Community College, Gadsden State Community College, Birmingham-Southern College, and Samford University for an amazing day of outdoor activities and fun. The International Cultural Retreat was held at Oak Mountain State Park, where students were able to play games, hike, enjoy nature, and make friends with other students from across the state.