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.
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.
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.
The ELI is proud to announce that our Intensive English Program has been accredited by CEA, the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation, through August of 2027.
CEA is the accrediting agency for English language programs in the U.S and is recognized by the U.S. Secretary for Education. Accreditation reflects the ELI’s adherence to professional standards of excellence in areas such as student services, administration, and program design and curriculum.
This accreditation comes after an extensive period of work and review by all ELI faculty and staff, led by Self-Study Coordinator Kelly McPherson. It also continues the ELI’s tradition of being a professionally-engaged and accredited program. The ELI received its original 5-year accreditation in 2002 and a 10-year accreditation in 2007.
The Day of Action harnesses the efforts of hundreds of volunteers willing to roll up their sleeves for one day each year to make a positive impact working at schools and nonprofits across the Tuscaloosa community. This year’s event on June 16 featured more than 400 volunteers pitching in with hammers, brooms, paint brushes and elbow grease at 29 locations. Projects included light office work, landscaping, painting, cleaning and organizing, and much more. The event is sponsored annually by the United Way of West Alabama.
For the second year in a row The Capstone International Center participated in volunteer activities across the Tuscaloosa community. A team of 31 faculty, staff, and international students spent their time at five local aid agencies. The Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter, The Humane Society of West Alabama, The American Red Cross, Temporary Emergency Services, and the Easter Seals received Capstone International Center volunteers. Volunteers sorted donated items, washed dogs, cut back shrubs, loaded moving trucks, checked smoke detectors in the community, and learned about local organizations in the Tuscaloosa area.
Kansai Gaidai University is a private Japanese university known for its focus on foreign languages, study abroad, and Asian Studies programs.
In 2017, the University of Alabama’s English Language Institute began a new partnership with Kansai Gaidai. Several of the UA’s ELI faculty are providing a range of academic English courses for Japanese students on site in Osaka. The first ELI@KGU classes began in April 2017 and the offerings from ELI will continue through at least 2019.
This continues a long association between the UA and KGU. The UA has been hosting international exchange students from KGU for nearly two decades.
On July 7, the ELI held a “Blues in the Plaza” student activity, providing transportation to the Government Plaza in downtown Tuscaloosa. Students enjoyed hanging out and listening to a live 3-hour blues and jazz concert from the Birmingham Seven.
This concert was part of a “Live at the Plaza” weekly outdoor concert series. The series is held each Friday evening in June and July at the at Government Plaza, which is a 15-20 minute walk from campus. The concert is free and listeners can bring lawn chairs or blankets or just relax in the grass and listen to great musical performances.
See Live at the Plaza for more details.
