“I teach Year Two and Year Four students, and they are amazing. I love them!” Division of Science and Technology (DST) intern Alexandra Young enthusiastically shared her UIC experience with the delegates from the Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC) on 12 November.
“Colleagues are my family. The Division where I work is warm and engaging.”
Alexandra is an Augsburg College (MPCC member) graduate and working in the Applied Psychology Programme.
“I knew nothing about China before I came here. I wanted to learn new things, and my journey turns out to be a wonderful cultural experience.”
Even though she's a vegetarian Alexandra has learned to appreciate the rich variety of Chinese food and has become a big fan. She's into Buddhism and Asian cultures and learned a lot about them by communicating with students and colleagues, and by travelling.
“My advice for future interns is to be very open-minded and patient. Moreover, respect each other’s culture,” she said.
Intern David Suda first came to UIC three years ago as an exchange student from Bethany Lutheran College. This year is his second year as an intern in the English Language Centre (ELC).
“Few Americans know about what happens outside their country. I think we all should leave our small and relaxing communities and have contact with people from different settings. It is interesting,” he said.
On the job he involves students in the ELC clubs and workshops to enhance their English proficiency. In his spare time he has visited students in their home town and gradually learned to travel by himself in China.
“The money I make here is enough to cover basic living expenses and to visit places. I share my college life experience with first year students. I love the environment here and am working on my Chinese as well,” he continued.
Karentina Albin agrees that sometimes her students are not just students but friends as well. “Marketing students are my favourite, and I want to see them graduate. That’s why I stay at UIC,” she said.
Karentina is from a small town in Minnesota and David’s schoolmate. She admits experiencing a culture shock when she first arrived in China. The outland people, weather and food all made her a little uneasy in the beginning.
“I am a small fish in a big pond,” she giggled.
She completed a Chinese class offered by the Chinese Language and Culture Centre last academic year, and continues to develop her language skills and knowledge of China during her travels.
“Life outside of UIC is also great. I teach two kids in a local family on Sunday afternoons, and the time is always filled with laughter, new English words and fun! ”
ELC Director Prof Eva Lai applauded the interns for their talent. “They are great writers and really help our students improve their academic papers.”
After she and the interns highlighted the Intern Programme, a discussion unfolded between UIC and the MPCC on summer programmes, student exchange, faculty development and other issues.
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| The audience enjoy the interns' sharing |
The morning discussion was attended by St Catherine University’s Director of Office of Global Studies Dr Catherine Spaeth; Augsburg College’s President Dr Paul C Pribbenow, Vice President Dr William P Mullen, Assistant Professor Dr Peter J Stark; Bethany Lutheran College’s Assistant Professor Dr Kurt Paulsen; Hamline University’s Dean of the Business School Dr Anne McCarthy; and UIC’s Dean of the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences Prof Mei-hwa Sung, Acting Director of the International Development Office Dr Katharina Yu, and other staff members.
The MPCC delegates also took part in the Seventh Sino-American Liberal Arts Forum at UIC the next day.
Reporter/Photographer: Deen He
(from MPRO, with special thanks to the ELC)
