The international flags in the Niswonger Commons Living Room at Tusculum College were revitalized with new flags representing the College’s international student population in a ceremony on Friday, November 13. Five new flags were added to those that represent current students and alumni, and the ceremony was held as part of the College’s International Education Week activities.
Tusculum College currently has 38 flags representing current and former students, including the five added in the ceremony. Currently enrolled students come from Canada, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Argentina, England, Germany, Guatemala, Venezuela, Croatia, Honduras, Sweden, Taiwan and the Ukraine. The five new flags added included those for Chile, Finland, Israel, Serbia and Switzerland.
One additional flag for the Dominican Republic will be added later in the year, as a student from that country was recently identified, according to Bonnie Taylor, student life coordinator at the College and coordinator of the International Education Week events.
As part of the ceremony, which included several of the College’s international students, senior Estefania Chavez of Honduras spoke to the group about attending Tusculum College and her experiences as an international student.
“I appreciate Tusculum and all the faculty and staff that have made it feel like home,” she said. She added that in addition to her education, she has learned a lot about American culture and the cultures of the other international students she has come to know.
Brooke Haymaker, this year’s vice president of the Student Government Association, also spoke and talked about how the international community at Tusculum really provides a diversity not found in other places. “Tusculum gives you not only an academic, but also a cultural education.”
Haymaker is a junior, pre-med major from Kettering, Ohio.
Finishing off the program were sisters Mary Ann and Adriana Vizcarrondo of Venezuela. Mary Ann, a senior business major told the group that Tusculum College was a good choice for her. “I like the small environment. Everyone is very supportive and made the transition very easy.”
Adriana, a junior business and economics major, agreed. “There was a culture shock at first, but the students here are very open to cultural differences.”
Dr. Steve Weisz, associate professor of religious studies and campus chaplain, closed the ceremony with a prayer of thanks for the opportunity to “live in an open and free society where we can learn from each other.”
International Education Week was held the week of Nov. 9, and included events such as programs focused on world religions and a sushi-making course. Activities were scheduled to celebrate the cultural diversity of the Tusculum College campus through education.
“International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of efforts to prepare students for a global environment and to attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences in the United States,” said Taylor.
For more information on Tusculum College’s multicultural programs or to find out more about upcoming events, contact Taylor at 5412 or email btaylor@tusculum.edu.
