Latest News
At the Visiting International Professional Program, we are always looking for ways to promote the work done by international visitors participating in professional development programs and taking part in cultural enhancement activities.
The following news briefs show how VIPP participants and staff work together alongside MSU faculty, staff, students and community members to promote global awareness.
VIPP Participants Experience Winter Sports
2010-01-30
More than 60 participants from the Visiting International Professional Program hit the slopes at Mt. Holly Ski Resort on Jan 30. Participants chose to ski or snowboard and spent the day at the resort trying their hand at winter sports.
Ju Kwanghee, a VIPP participant from Hanbat National University in Seoul, Korea, noticed several differences in visiting a ski resort in the U.S. versus back home, he said.
“In Korea, we have to wait a very long time to get onto the ski lift to go from one hill to the next,” Kwanghee said. “But here, we get to go on the hills right away.”
Kwanghee also pointed out that ski hills in the U.S. are smaller than those in Korea. An intermediate snowboarder, Kwangee chose to snowboard instead of skiing during the trip because the sport is more thrilling, he said.
“Snowboarding is more risky,” he said. “I like doing something dangerous.”
Other participants tried skiing or snowboarding for the first time during the trip. Participants filled out information cards with their height and weight and were able to rent equipment if they did not have their own. Mei Zhou, a participant from Beijing, China, chose to try skiing.
“I started halfway down the ski hill, so it wasn’t so bad,” Zhou said.
Zhou said she would try skiing again if it weren’t for the uncomfortable cold weather.
On their down time, participants enjoyed lunch at the resort and warmed up around Mt. Holly’s large fireplace.
“It was a lot of fun,” Zhou said.
“Experiencing winter sports is a great way to get a firsthand look at what many Americans like to do during the cold seasons,” said Michael Miller, director of VIPP. “We hope our participants have picked up skills that they can take home with them or utilize next time they visit the U.S.”
VIPP Welcomes New Participants
2010-01-21
The Cowles House at MSU buzzed with activity as new participants of the Visiting International Professional Program got to know each other at a welcome reception on Jan. 21.
Participants, who arrived from Libya, Korea and China earlier this month, enjoyed a variety of dinner choices while chatting and listening to welcome speeches by VIPP and International Studies and Programs staff.
“We love being in Michigan,” said Eissa Omran Nafad, training supervisor from Libya for the group of 35 Libyans participating in VIPP. Most Libyan participants will stay and participate in classes and activities for 2 years, Nafad said.
“A number of Libyans have been sent here to be trained in international diplomacy and foreign affairs,” Nafad said. “They love it here so far.”
Staff members such as Robert Blake, director of MSU’s Center for Latin American Studies, and Carol Wilson-Duffy, teacher in the English Language Center, welcomed participants by explaining different programs and activities the participants can be involved in and what VIPP hopes that they will take away from the program.
“It’s so exciting to look around and see so many people practicing English with each other,” Wilson-Duffy said during her speech.
“Hopefully from here on out you’ll make lots of friends and get to make the most of your experience here.”
VIPP participant Walid Agail said he was excited to begin classes and participating in activities within the program.
“I feel very good about all of it,” said Agail, a participant from Libya. “I’m excited to start learning.”
Michael Miller, director of VIPP, concluded the ceremony by telling participants that their time with VIPP will make a difference in their lives as well as the lives of VIPP staff members.
“A lot of people don’t have a good sense of what it is like to be in the U.S. and what Americans are like,” Miller said. “We hope participants share what they experience with people back home so they get a realistic picture of life here.”
Dean of Kyungwon University visits MSU
2010-01-06
The dean of external affairs at Kyungwon University (KU) in Korea visited Michigan State University the week of Jan. 4 to discuss professional development with MSU, its partner university.
Dean Mira Chung, who handles international matters at KU, visited with faculty members of MSU’s Asian Studies Center as well as faculty within MSU’s College of Nursing to share teaching methods and discuss future plans for each university’s international efforts.
“We met with different departments to get some ideas of collaboration,” Chung said. “
KU and MSU became partner universities in 2003. The partnership’s current focus is on student exchange programs. An average of 10-15 students from KU University visit MSU each school year. MSU leaders have discussed possibilities in the future of MSU students studying at KU.
Members of KU’s international affairs team obtain ideas for educational improvement by visiting partner universities such as MSU, said M.J. Choi, a member of the international affairs team at KU.
Ideas to increase international development between the two colleges which may be implemented in the future include having KU faculty members take part in MSU’s Korean culture nights and MSU Global Festival, Choi said.
“It seems as though there are lots of students interested in Korea in the United States,” Choi said. “We think participating in these activities could offer great benefits and a mutual development for members of each university.”
Other plans for the future include bringing professors from MSU to KU for professional development, Chung said.
Overall, staff members of KU are satisfied with the partnership with MSU and anticipate more collaboration in the future, Chung said.
“MSU has a reputation of academic excellence, and we are impressed with the university and are happy to have it as our partner,” Chung said.
Each school benefits from global developments in the partnership, said Michael Miller, director of the Visiting International Professional Program at MSU.
“The growing partnership between KU and MSU has many advantages for each university,” Miller said.
“We hope they appreciate MSU’s hospitality, and we look forward to building more connections between our schools.”
VIPP Graduates celebrate accomplishments
2009-12-13
More than 15 participants of the Visiting International Professional Program took home certificates of completion at the VIPP Graduation on Sunday at the University Club.
Graduates were from several different companies in Korea including the Korea Land Housing Corporation and Gyeonggi Urban Innovation Corporation. Many expanded their English speaking skills while working with VIPP as well as skills to apply in the work place. They arrived in the U.S. one year ago and will return to their homes in Korea by the end of the month.
Jae Jong Im, a VIPP graduate from South Korea, said she feels satisfied with what she has accomplished during her time in the U.S. and with VIPP.
“There are so many different social norms between the U.S. and Korea that I will try to adopt into my work with people of different cultures,” said Im, a social worker in the Jeju government system.
“VIPP was a great program and my involvement will make a difference in my work.”
Most of the participants took VIPP courses in the Global Professional Education Program (GPEP) and Special Global Professional Education Program (SGPEP). As leadership development programs, GPEP and SGPEP offer opportunities to learn about American culture as well as take courses specific to career interest and development.
Graduates were provided with a buffet-style lunch at the University Club. Speeches were given by valedictorians, including Im, as well as congratulatory remarks made by Michael Miller, director of VIPP, and Shayla Crockett, instructor of MSU Global.
After certificates were distributed, graduates and their families posed for photos with VIPP staff.
Michael Miller, director of VIPP, said graduates will be able to apply what they have learned in America and in the VIPP programs when they return home.
“The VIPP program is important to participants, but it’s also about people really getting a firsthand look at what Americans are like,” Miller said. “We can’t short-change the human side in terms of what this does for people and how they form views of the U.S. and themselves.”
Istanbul professors explore Michigan culture
2009-12-06
A group of professors visiting MSU from Istanbul Technical University (ITU) in Turkey learned about the history of planes, trains and automobiles Sunday.
The professors traveled to the Henry Ford museum in Dearborn with the Visiting International Professional Program for some examples of technology through the ages and an exciting experience in American culture.
“The museum was great; I’d love to go back and spend more time there,” said Cagatay Seckin, a landscape architecture professor at ITU. “We have some museums like that, but they’re smaller.”
The museum gave the group a chance to learn about the impact Henry Ford’s automobiles had on the development of Michigan industry. Also explored were displays of historical furniture, tools and farming equipment.
After the museum, malls in Howell and East Lansing gave the group a firsthand look at the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping in the United States.
Defne Korur, director of the international office at ITU, said she enjoys being in the U.S. for the holidays because American shoppers are particularly friendly.
“Everyone wanted to see what I was buying and chatted with me in line,” Korur said. “It’s easy to be out and about here.”
And partnership between ITU and MSU has benefits for students and professors at both universities, Korur said.
“In a global world, many people will seek jobs where skills required include adapting to many cultures,” Korur said. “This partnership will be great for students and professors looking for this kind of exchange.”
As part of the partnership, students from ITU may be studying abroad at MSU as early as 2011, Korur said.
Collaborative efforts between the two universities are an important way to create bonds between cultures, said Michael Miller, director of the Visiting International Professional Program which hosted Sunday’s cultural experiences.
“Professors from ITU got the chance to see exciting parts of Michigan and what MSU is all about,” Miller said. “We are glad to provide them with opportunities to explore American culture and look forward to future collaboration.”
VIPP Thanksgiving is American Culture and More
2009-11-24
Sushi and turkey went side by side on the dinner plates of Visiting International Professional Program participants at the annual Thanksgiving event on Tuesday.
“It’s all very good,” said Liu Jing, a VIPP participant from China. “Especially the turkey; it’s delicious.”
Jing, who was excited to sample American Thanksgiving favorites for the first time, said the Thanksgiving festivities reminded her of the moon festival in China, when people celebrate a successful harvest season with a feast and celebration.
Professionals from around the world, along with family members and VIPP staff, joined together to celebrate an American Thanksgiving with a cultural twist.
The event, which has been held annually by VIPP for nearly 20 years, included many activities to participants to enjoy before food was served, including postcard-making, crafts for the children and folk music sung by VIPP staffer Ben Hassenger.
Participants were encouraged to bring a dish to share from their home country along with enjoying American favorites such as turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes.
Han Jin Cho, a VIPP participant from Korea, said the Thanksgiving presentation added a whole new level to the experience because it helped put the holiday into perspective.
“It’s very helpful to hear an explanation,” he said. “Without it, we’re just eating food.”
Cho said the folk music, which included songs like “Your Land” and “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain,” were particularly interesting because music like that is not common in Korea.
The holiday celebration gave participants a chance to experience American food while showing others what kind of traditions are important to them, said VIPP Director Michael Miller.
“The Thanksgiving event encompasses many cultures, because participants bring food from their own countries on top of enjoying American favorites,” Miller said.
“We are happy to help them experience American Thanksgiving traditions and food for the first time, and really help them understand what holidays mean in the U.S."
VIPP Participants Experience Silver Bells in the City
2009-11-20
At Silver Bells in the City in downtown Lansing, more than 40 participants and friends experienced an array of holiday events. These included an electric lights parade, tree lighting and fireworks in honor of the upcoming winter holiday season.
Participants had the opportunity to explore the various festivities on their own or stay with VIPP staff who acted as guides during the event. In addition to the parade and tree lighting, participants had the opportunity to experience Lansing museums, restaurants and musical entertainment.
Many participants were surprised to see the vast amount of people who came to downtown Lansing to enjoy the events.
Experiences like Silver Bells in the City show participants what it is like when Americans come together to celebrate holidays, said Michael Miller, director of VIPP.
“It’s nice to have events that are both educational and entertaining for participants in which they explore a new area and see how Americans celebrate the holidays,” Miller said.
President Dong Ho Sul Visits MSU, VIPP
2009-11-08
President Sul and five delegates from Hanbat National University (HNU) in Korea visited MSU last week to discuss possible study abroad opportunities and collaborative faculty research.
"MSU is famous for its excellent programs," said Dong-Ho Sul, the 5th president of HNU.
Strong programs in engineering and business sparked interest in working with MSU, but representatives were especially interested in learning about study abroad programs and international internships.
HNU representatives, including deans of the College of Engineering and College of Business and Economics, participated in various meetings at MSU during their visit, which was sponsored by the Visiting International Professional Program (VIPP).
"We are extremely pleased that President Sul and delegates of Hanbat National University chose MSU as a potential partner for student exchange and collaborative faculty research," said Michael Miller, director of VIPP. "President Sul has excellent ideas for partnership and we are excited to see what the future brings for MSU and HNU working together," he said.
President Sul's ideas of collaborative research and student exchange programs with MSU are demonstrative of universities responding to the demand to promote global awareness.
"The most important result of this partnership would be increasing collaboration to increase students' ability to compete in their field in the future," said President Sul. "And the sooner the better."
VIPP Staff Make Connections in Latin America
2009-11-01
Director Mike Miller recently returned from a trip to Latin America, where he helped promote global outreach and professional development opportunities offered by MSU and VIPP to Bi-National Centers (BNCs) in four countries.
Directors and program coordinators from more than 40 BNCs located in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Chile met with Miller and other VIPP staff to discuss various professional partnership development techniques and how to link programs in Latin America to various units at MSU.
Points of discussion included international language training for BNC teachers, guest lectures at each center by visiting MSU faculty and opportunities for students to to broaden their understanding of Latin American languages and culture by visiting BNCs.
BNCs, centers that teach American language and culture, are found throughout Latin America, and serve a growing constituency of professionals and students who are looking for global awareness as a means to enhance their professional career.
In addition to meeting with BNC representatives, Miller also met with VIPP alumni who work at companies in Latin America such as Ford Motor Co. in Argentina.
"Our goals for this trip were to build ties with the vast network of Bi-National Centers in various countries throughout Latin American and to promote a VIPP/MSU connection through mutually beneficial opportunities in professional development, outreach, education and research," Miller said. "Trips such as this one are important because they help build an understanding between their country and ours."
VIPP Participants and Friends Get Spooked at American Culture Night
2009-10-29
VIPP participants saw the spooky side of American tradition at the latest American Culture Night hosted by the Visiting International Professional Program at MSU.
Participants took part in Halloween activities, such as bobbing for apples, while learning the history and culture behind the holiday through a special presentation. 'Graveyard juice,' a concoction of cider and gummy worms, and candy body parts were just some of the unique Halloween fare enjoyed at the event.
Participants also had hands-on experience with carving pumpkins as VIPP staff demonstrated the creation of jack o'lanterns.
To cap the event, participants chose from a variety of Halloween movies, ranging from kids movies to suspense, and from classic horror to present-day slasher films.
To volunteer at VIPP cultural activities, please contact the VIPP offices at 517.432.3663 or email vipp@msu.edu.
VIPP Participants Experience American Culture at Local Cider Mill
2009-10-17
Visiting professionals and students from around the globe discovered apple cider and other fall traditions Saturday at the Country Mill in Charlotte.
Participants were greeted by the smell of fresh apple cider, cinnamon donuts and the promise of a truly cultural experience with various activities around the property.
International visitors picked apples, explored a corn maze, survived a haunted house and enjoyed roasted marshmallows around a bonfire as part of a cultural experience organized by VIPP, an experience that helped a local business while allowing internationals to experience various fall traditions. After dark, some took part in a haunted corn maze and cider mill while others gathered around the bonfire to learn about the business of running an apple orchard.
To learn more about VIPP events, please contact the VIPP offices at 517.432.3663 or email vipp@msu.edu.
Tailgating Experience Shows Participants an Important American Tradition
2009-10-03
More than 100 people gathered together to show support to the MSU Spartans at the VIPP tailgate last Saturday. Playing rivals from the University of Michigan (the Wolverines), the Spartans pulled off the victory, thanks to the large crowd cheering in support.
Participants at the tailgate enjoyed a cookout with burgers and hotdogs, as well as some catch with footballs and more than a few rounds of bean bag toss. VIPP was especially glad to welcome ISP Dean Jeffrey Riedinger to the tailgate, as well as participants fromthe Michigan Council on Citizen Diplomacy Maldives program, who enjoyed the tailgate despite unfamiliar weather.
To receive emails about upcoming American cultural experiences such as the VIPP tailgate, email vipp@msu.edu and ask to be added to our distribution list.
VIPP Participants and Friends Get in the Game at American Culture Night
2009-09-25
MSU students, faculty and staff joined VIPP Thursday in showing participants another side of American culture. People from around the world gathered together at the International Center to teach and play American card games and board games.
Monopoly, Clue, Apples to Apples, Charades and Spoons were popular games that participants and their families learned at the event, which was the first of a series of American Culture Nights to be hosted by VIPP this year.
Stay up-to-date on future American Culture Nights by visiting the upcoming events section of this site.
VIPP Welcomes 2009-2010 Participants
2009-09-18
VIPP staff, as well as MSU department and community representatives, welcomed new participants to the program today at a special lunch held at the University Club.
"It is refreshing to see the number of professionals interested in programs for professional development that also enhance their global awareness is still climbing," said Michael F. Miller, Director of VIPP.
As the fall semester begins at Michigan State University, the Visiting International Professional Program is proud to announce more than 30 new participants representing countries ranging from Korea to Mexico.
Despite economic concerns around the world, professionals are still seeking programs and VIPP is continuing to provide its one-of-a-kind services to visiting professionals from around the world, he said.
A majority of new participants will be taking part in a year-long Global Professional Education Program, including participants from various universities in China here as part of the Beijing Teachers Training Cooperative for Higher Education.
These participants will make connections in units or departments on campus that most closely match their individual research interests, sitting in on courses and working with faculty to foster professional development. They will also have the opportunity to engage in various cultural activities held by VIPP throughout the year.
Special thanks go to the Korean Fellows Association, the Asian Studies Center and International Studies and Programs representatives who attended the event to welcome participants.
To learn more about the Global Professional Education Program, see the GPEP section of our Web site under the 'Programs' tab.
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