Fall 1 ELI Welcome Activity

• September 1st, 2017
• in English Language Institute

On Monday August 28, the ELI held its Fall 1 Welcome Activity in the Ferguson Center. Students, friends, faculty and staff enjoyed meeting each other over a dinner of hamburgers, chips, cookies, and sweet tea. The main focus of the activity, however, was a cultural experience: learning how to participate in a traditional American square dance.

Following the activity, Chih Ying from Taiwan said, “I enjoyed it because I have never danced with other people. It’s fun!” Nana from Japan said she’d like to do it again because she likes to dance with people. Ayane from Japan mentioned that she met UA students and was invited to dinner. Finally, when Sae from Japan was asked how she would describe square dancing to someone who had never tried it, she said, “It’s a little difficult, but it is a good way to make new friends.”

Upcoming ELI activities include tailgating on the Quad (Saturday, September 9) and visiting UpSurge Trampoline Park (Tuesday, September 12).

Bama Bloggers Abroad

• August 31st, 2017
• in Education Abroad

Want to hear from fellow UA students about their study abroad experience? Visit bamabloggersabroad.com. We’ve collected over 700 unique study abroad stories. Who knows, maybe you will be able to post about your future study abroad soon!

Fall 2017 Study Abroad Fair

• August 31st, 2017
• in Education Abroad

On Wednesday, September 13, UA’s Education Abroad office will host the Fall Study Abroad Fair on the Crimson Promenade next to B.B. Comer Hall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come explore the options you have to study abroad during your time at UA! Education Abroad staff, UA faculty and representatives from UA affiliate providers will be on hand to meet with students and find a program that works for you.

Contact Info: Chad Berry, chad.berry@ua.edu, 2053485256

Steps to Studying Abroad

• August 31st, 2017
• in Education Abroad

Does the process of figuring out how to study abroad seem overwhelming? Check out our simple study abroad process overview!

United Way Day of Action

• July 21st, 2017
• in International Main

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.

The ELI in Japan

• July 20th, 2017
• in English Language Institute International Main

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.

ELI Summer Blues

• July 20th, 2017
• in English Language Institute International Main

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.