Our International Education Week committee for 2024 includes staff and students from around campus who have a passion for supporting international education at UCI. Meet our committee below!
Traveling is a great way to learn about other cultures but we aren’t always able to travel, what is one way that you get connected with cultures outside your own while in Southern California?
Meeting new people and having conversations with people from a variety of backgrounds about their life experiences and traditions. Also, living in SoCal, in addition to great weather, we are lucky to have restaurants that offer different ethnic cuisines. Food, to me, is one of the best ways to explore new restaurants and try different, yummy cuisines 😊.
How has international education been a part of your professional journey?
I grew up with a love of reading about the world around me and spent hours watching documentaries and shows on the Travel Channel. When I had the chance to study abroad in Germany during high school, I fell even more in love with travel, cultures different from my own, and of course the diverse foods you can eat when you travel. When it was time to find a career I loved, I found the opportunity to combine that passion with my passion for education.
What about IEW excites me: I absolutely love highlighting and celebrating different cultures during International Education Week. It provides a vital opportunity for me to learn about and immerse in vibrant cultures. Looking forward to another great year!
Why has being a part of the IEW committee been exciting for you?
Being part of this year’s IEW committee was a great way for me to meet with other campus partners who are also passionate about student support and celebrating diversity. Their excitement and passion was not only extremely contagious but also uplifting
Outside of work, how do you like to be engaged with the global community?
Ever since my first overseas backpacking trip nearly 38 years ago, I still love the thrill of learning, experiencing, and exploring the sights, sounds, and food of a new culture. Fortunately, working at UCI and living in southern California allows easy access to cultural experiences from a diverse global community and with the opportunity to continuously learn more.
What are you most excited about during this year’s IEW? This year’s International Education Week (IEW) excites me because it’s a unique opportunity to witness and celebrate the diversity at UCI. I’m particularly looking forward to the performances by students from different countries and cultures, as well as the booths showcasing iconic items that represent their unique cultural heritage. These performances and displays are a powerful way to foster global understanding and appreciation, and I’m excited to be part of such an enriching experience.
Traveling is a great way to learn about other cultures but we aren’t always able to travel, what is one way that you get connected with cultures outside your own while in Southern California?
I connect with other cultures through food. Food has always connected me to others, and I think it’s a great way to build community and learn about other cultures.
What is most fulfilling for you in your work at UCI?I get to interact and work with a lot of individuals from different cultures and life experiences. It is always nice to learn new perspectives in such a diverse setting. This has definitely contributed to my personal and professional growth.
How has international education been a part of your professional journey?
I came to US for doctoral program after completed master degree in China. So it’s been my second half of lifetime so far and heavily shaped my professional and personal identity.
How has international education been a part of your professional journey?
Traveling and experiencing other cultures is a passion of mine! I’m fortunate to have been able to circumnavigate the globe by visiting over 11 countries in 111 days when I served as the Living Learning Coordinator for Academic Success on the Fall 2011 Semester at Sea Voyage. As the LLC for Academic Success, I had planned and coordinated “Language Practice” sessions where students learned and practiced basic phrases in Arabic, Hindi, Malay, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish before docking at various international ports. During that time abroad, I had also led students on field excursions and had engaged in volunteer work in Ghana, India, Hawaii and Vietnam. Traveling and experiencing other cultures has enhanced and broadened my perspective on life. Traveling and experiencing other ways of living has created memories that my family and I will cherish for many years to come!
How has international education been a part of your professional journey?
International education has always been a big part of my professional journey as I work mainly with international students for short term ESL programs at UCI. It has been a great experience so far getting to know so many students coming from many different cultural backgrounds.
Traveling is a great way to learn about other cultures but we aren’t always able to travel, what is one way that you get connected with cultures outside your own while in Southern California?
As someone who is new to Southern California, I love exploring cultures here through the diversity of food. You can find food from all over the world within our own backyard, and it is a great way to learn about a culture while making new connections. Food is a fundamental part of any culture and it brings people together to create a sense of community.