September 1997
Summer Lures International Students to UMass Boston
UMass Boston hosted more than 110 international students in programs this summer.
The Intensive English Language Program, sponsored by the Center for World Languages and Cultures, hosted 30 students from the University of Puerto Rico&endash;Rio Piedras from June 1-28. Arriving with low English proficiency levels, students were required to speak English exclusively, even in their Tufts University residences. After 98 hours of coursework, proficiency levels increased remarkably.
Ismael Ramirez-Soto, dean of the College of Public and Community Service, credits the program's success to its balance of culture and language. June was broken into weekly themes: Boston History and Culture; American Society and Media; Ethnicity, Race and Gender; and American Music, Literature and Art.
Depending on the theme, the group would visit places such as The Freedom Trail, WGBH and The Boston Globe. "They liked the combination of the tours and having tutors and faculty accompanying them on these tours," Ramirez-Soto said.
Two other language programs, sponsored by the Division of Continuing Education, intertwined language and culture.
The American Seminar Program, a partnership with Chukyo University in Nagoya, Japan, hosted 40 students and two faculty members July 18&endash;Aug. 8. The students, mostly sophomores studying to become English teachers or lawyers, took in a Red Sox game, shopped in Harvard Square and visited the Museum of Fine Arts, Sturbridge Village and the Berkshires.
"The curriculum is very intensive. They are basically in class all day," said Theresa Mortimer, dean of the Division of Continuing Education. "Even the cultural activities are integrated right into the curriculum," she said.
The same was done for the 26 students from Korea, Indonesia, Mexico, Ecuador, Taiwan, France, Germany and Hong Kong who attended the Summer Program in English Language and U.S. Culture for International Students. With varying levels of English backgrounds, the students spent their mornings reading, writing, speaking and listening, preparing in part for the afternoon's field activities.
Management, not language, was the focus for 13 middle level Argentinean executives during in the Advanced Executive Seminar in Modern Management Techniques held July 14-25. Taught in Spanish by primarily UMass Boston faculty, seminars focused on state of the art management methods.
Many international students are interested in attending UMass Boston as a result of the summer programs in which they participate.
According to Fernando Colina of the Center for World Languages and Culture, four students from the University of Puerto Rico were sent applications for graduate study at UMass Boston. "When there was a show of hands asking who wants to return, they all raised their hands," Colina said.
Mortimer said the ultimate goal for many students in the Summer Program in English Language and U.S. Culture for International Students is to attend UMass Boston.
"What's very interesting with this group is that some of them are staying on with us to continue their English language studies," Mortimer said. Several students from the Division of Continuing Education's summer programs have enrolled in a pre-college program being held this fall.