Category: News

News from ISA

Extravaganza 2016 Schedule

by Ivan Evtimov

extravaganzaPoster

Our annual week-long Extravaganza celebration will showcase the diverse cultures found on our campus. Through brown bags, discussions and interactive events, members of the Lafayette community will be exposed to global perspectives on a multitude of issues.

On the first day(March28th) we will have a Tea and Cookies event hosted by Grossman House.

A series of brown bags will focus on Islam and the western world, study abroad experiences, mexico’s drug war and discussions on holi. More information can be found here

For the first time, Extravaganza will also feature the celebration of the Hindu festival of colors, Holi. An interactive panel discussion with students and faculty will focus on the origins of the holiday while the Day of Colors will allow participants to immerse themselves in an on-campus color party outside Grossman House.
Students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to sample traditional food from around the globe at the ever popular Food Tasting event on Friday, April 1st at 6:00 pm in the Marlo room.
Extravaganza will conclude with the Grand Finale on Saturday, April 2nd at 8:30 pm in the Williams Center for the Arts. This show featuring performances from various student groups on campus will showcase the multitude of creative talent at Lafayette. Tickets will be available at all Extravaganza Week events.

Disaster in Nepal

by Ivan Evtimov

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The ISA and the entire Lafayette community was deeply saddened to learn the news of the devastating earthquake in Nepal this past weekend. We are participating in the multitude of campus events that are geared towards gathering financial support for relief efforts and expressing sympathy for the victims and their families.

Please, read this short announcement from the ISA board:

Dear ISA community,

On the 25th of April, Nepal was rocked by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, with the epicenter very near the capital, Kathmandu, a city with a population of 1.2 million.

The death toll is now nearly 4,000 and is likely to increase in upcoming weeks. Countless homes and buildings were destroyed, many temples and historical sites have collapsed, and many are displaced as aftershocks from the quake continue to shake the region. Hospitals are treating the injured in the streets due to lack of resources. Nepal is running out of food and necessities.

 The Lafayette community is responding in a number of ways.

 1.      A candlelight vigil will be held tomorrow (Tuesday, April 28th) at 8:15pm on the Quad outside of Farinon to commemorate the victims of this tragic event.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1388560874804243/ 

 2.      A prayer service/brown bag will be held on Thursday, April 30th at 12:15pm in Oechsle 224. The purpose of this gathering will be to raise awareness of those injured in this tragedy, of the people who have lost their homes, and to lift up good thoughts for the safety of all the people in Nepal and for the speedy recovery of the country. We will also discuss how you can help the emergency relief efforts in Nepal.

 3.      Donation jars will soon be available around campus. There are also plans to have tables in Farinon to sell t-shirts and jewelry, with all the proceeds will going to a relief camp in Nepal. If you do not wish to donate money, please consider donating one of the items listed below. Details on where to bring your donations will be shared at the Thursday brown bag.

 4.      Like the Facebook page Lafayette Nepal Earthquake Relief (https://www.facebook.com/lafayettenepalearthquakerelief) for more details and to receive updates.

 Many thanks to two Nepali students, Monika Niroula ’17 and Nirupa Basnet ’17, who are working to organize these relief efforts. You can contact Alex Hendricson or the students listed above if you have any questions.

Items You Can Donate

Money

Food Items:

  • Energy bars
  • Nuts
  • Dried breads, crackers, instant noodles
  • Glucose

Medical Items:

  • paracetamols, ibuprofen
  • I/V antibiotics (Gentamicin, Ceftriaxone)
  • Emergency medicines (I/V cannula, I/V drip sets, elastoplasts, leucoplast, splints, casts for plaster- plaster of paris (4 inch and 6 inch), gloves, blades and scalpels, bandages and dressing pads, Inj. Xylocaine, lidocaine, zigzag cotton role)
  • Metronidazole
  • First aid material

Personal Hygiene Items:

  • sanitary napkins
  • diapers
  • hand sanitizer

Other Items:

  • Tents
  • chlorine tablets
  • Torches
  • Batteries
  • Large Plastic Sheets/Trash Bags

 

Extravaganza Brownbags

by Ivan Evtimov

The annual Extravaganza week will offer many opportunities to learn about interesting topics from a global perspective during a series of brown bags.

Lunch will be provided at the lunch-time talks.

Kicking off Extravaganza Week on March28th (Monday) at 12:15 pm in Kirby 104, an interactive panel discussion will explore the topic of Islam in the western world. This event, will feature talks by Professor Youshaa Patel (Religious Studies) and Professor Rachel Goshgarian (History). The event will be moderated by Abdul Manan Bhatt ’18.

On March 29th (Tuesday) at 12:15 pm in Hugel 103, Namarata Joshi ’16 will be presenting about the the festival of Colors,Holi. The talk will showcase the origination of Holi festival and several interesting ways it is celebrated in different parts of the world.


On Wednesday, March 30th at 12:15  pm in Oeschle 224,  Rebeka Ramangamihanta ’16, Kemal Dilsiz ’17 and Tomoki Sasaki ’19 will be sharing their experiences about visiting several parts of the globe, and presenting about their opinions about the arts,cultures,travel and education in their respective study abroad countries.

On Thursday, March 31st at 12:15  pm in Kirby 104, Professor Brandon Van Dyck (Government & Law) and Jesse Baer ‘16 will be presenting about socie-economic and several other consequences of the Drug War in Mexico.

 

Cooks needed for the Food Tasting!

by Ivan Evtimov
Food Tasting 2011. Photo by Lafayette College Flickr

Extravaganza week is the ISA’s biggest event of the year, and is happening in  2 WEEKS! We have planned a series of engaging brown bags and other events for the entire Lafayette community to enjoy. One of our most popular extravaganza events/traditions is the Food Tasting Night, which will take place on Friday,April 10th in the Marlo Room.

In order to make this event as successful as it can be, we are in need of LOTS OF HELP… and we were wondering if we could count on you!

WE NEED COOKS!!… (and servers) 

We are seeking cooks from all regions! (yes, that includes North America)  So grab your friends  and members of your organizations and please consider showcasing your cooking skills by preparing a favorite dish from your country. Help us make this year’s Food Tasting another smashing success!

We are asking that all recipes be submitted to us by next Tuesday, March 31 by filling out this survey.

(Or copy and paste this link in your browser: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ICzf7WoKgtDw4OUhSUUGjap5UbzJ6D0gfWFu3KdjyQc/viewform?usp=send_form#start=invite )

Important info you need to know:

  • Since we get about 250-400 people, cooks must prepare 3 XL trays (available thru Janine) of each dish to ensure all attendees get a taste
  • Food should be able to be served in tablespoon size portions for easy distribution (remember it is a food TASTING)
  • Food must be completely cooked before being brought to Marlo in Farinon on Friday, April 10th at 6:00pm – we have tall warming tray units and heating pans to keep hot foods warm until they are served but nothing that can cook food there (check meat to make sure it is fully cooked)
  • Use food safety measures when cooking (check temperatures – keep cold foods cold, hot foods hot, hands washed, etc.).
  • We will have shopping trips to Giant the week of the event so you can purchase the necessary ingredients on our purchase order and not out of pocket
  • Specialty items will be reimbursed but you must have them pre-approved by Janine and you must turn in a receipt or the Controller’s office will not give you the money
  • If your dish requires rice as a base, to save time we can purchase trays of rice from Great Wall
  • ISA has some pots you can use to cook stews as well as a few baking items.
  • Ask friends to help with prep work – you can cook in any residence hall with appropriate facilities as well as Portlock BCC – we recommend cooking as close to Farinon as possible

Mariela Gratero is the Food Tasting Coordinator and will be organizing the shopping trips, making signs for all the dishes, ensuring you have the correct serving utensils for the night of and overseeing the volunteers serving food.  Please feel free to contact her at (graterom@lafayette.edu or 646.755.5916) and  look for future emails from me.

It’s always better to have food left over than to not have enough so please encourage your friends to cook as well.  Let’s make this the best Food Tasting ever!

 

Meet the new Peer Advisors!

by Ivan Evtimov
ISA Orientation 2013. Photo by Bach Nguyen'17
ISA Orientation 2013. Photo by Bach Nguyen’17

Iris Xu and Xenia Dubischar have been appointed as the Class of 2019 Head PAs and will be joined by Austin Botelho, Hagar Kenawy, Jocelyn Mizero, Prisca Ratsimbazafy and Samantha Yepez. We are confident they will all do an awesome job!

Help Plan Extravaganza!

by Ivan Evtimov
Photo credit: Lafayette College Flickr
Photo credit: Lafayette College Flickr

The most exciting week for ISA is drawing closer. Everyone can be part of it by participating on one of the committees set up to organize different aspects of the event.

Here are the descriptions and you can contact each person for more information. In addition, you can sign up to be a part of one of the committees by filling out this short survey.

(Or, copy and paste this URL into your browser: https://qtrial2015az1.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0DJEeLEcXFMtsxv)

Marketing Committee

Contact: Ivan P Evtimov evtimovi@lafayette.edu

As a member of the marketing committee you will work together with individuals that are responsible for all aspects of advertising:

  • Designing and distributing posters of events (e.g., brown bags, grand finale, food tasting)
  • Facebook events/groups (maintaining a strong FB presence)
  • Maintaining/continuously updating the ISA website (i.e., provide information about upcoming events and pictures/videos of past events)
  • Intermittently advertising events via tables in Farinon Atrium 

Grand Finale Committee

Contact: Tamar Jakeli jakelit@lafayette.edu

The closing night of the Extravaganza week, the Grand Finale, is going to be held on the main stage of Williams Arts Center on April 11th. The Grand Finale committee is responsible for:

  • Meeting twice a month to discuss the committee’s progress and outline further goals
  • Maintaining contact with the performers 
  • Attending auditions
  • Attending final rehearsals
  • Helping out with various tasks on the day prior to, and the day of, the Grand Finale
  • Keeping in touch with other members of the committee via email

Food Tasting Committee
Contact: Kanako Shibano shibanok@lafayette.edu

The Food Committee is responsible for handling tasks associated with food consumption during all Extravaganza week events. This includes brown bag lunches, evening events, the Grand Finale dress rehearsal, Grand Finale performer needs, and most significantly, the Food Tasting, which takes place on April 10th (the night prior to the Grand Finale).

  • Brown Bags: Work with Brown Bag team to determine type and quantity of food required for each day, as well as obtain account numbers/purchasing information for paying all vendors.
  • Grand Finale: FTC will bring all necessary supplies to WAC and ensure everything is cleaned up by the time the dress rehearsals are complete.
  • During the performances, water jugs and small cups should be made available in the dressing rooms and cleaned up after the event.
  • Food Tasting: Solicit cooks, obtain their recipes in electronic form using an online tool, provide guidance on types of dishes that work best, explain the quantities needed and compile the recipes by region, and assist people cooking as needed.
  • Ensure that everything is set up and cleaned up satisfactorily.

ISA Derby Day Feedback

by Ivan Evtimov
Derby Day 2014; Lafayette College Flickr
Derby Day 2014; Lafayette College Flickr

Student Government asked the ISA board to provide feedback on ways of improving Derby Day, a campus-wide celebration held in the spring. We are providing all ISA members with the opportunity to share their thoughts on this question. Please, find out more about Derby Day at this link. This is your chance to make your voice heard, so go ahead and fill out this quick survey!

Peer Advisor Applications

by Ivan Evtimov
ISA Orientation 2013. Photo by Bach Nguyen'17
ISA Orientation 2013. Photo by Bach Nguyen’17

 

It’s that time of year already! We’re looking to appoint Peer Advisors for the incoming class to help correspond with accepted students, run the international orientation, work with the board and more!

If you are interested in applying to be on the International Students Association board as an International Peer Advisor or Roommate Peer Advisor for the Class of 2019, follow the link below to submit your application. Please read the Peer Advisor Requirements within the application carefully.

Recommendations and application are due by 5pm on Thursday, March 5th. Applicants whose submissions are on time and complete will be contacted to set up an interview for Sunday, March 8th.

FYI, RA appointments will be sent out on March 5th so you will know whether or not you are eligible to apply for a Peer Advisor position. Keep in mind that RA Alternates who choose to remain on the RA wait list are not eligible to continue with the ISA Peer Advisor selection process.

Please keep in mind that you MUST be able to return to campus on Friday, August 21st to attend training, finish preparing for the international orientation and assist with the new student arrivals.

After reading through the position requirements, you may direct any questions to Janine Block (ISA Advisor) or Mariela Gratero (ISA President). (blockj@lafayette.edu or graterom@lafayette.edu)

This is a very rewarding role, so click here if you are interested in being a part of the ISA Peer Advisor Team!

(Or, alternatively, copy and paste this link in your browser: https://lafayettec.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_0AszHgnamhsw8kJ)

Work Authorization Workshops

by Ivan Evtimov

The work authorization workshops for this semester have ended. For information on CPT and OPT and other immigration related issues, Janine can always be reached for questions at x5546 or at blockj@lafayette.edu. More information on Janine’s availability can be found here.

Our International Student Advisor, Janine Block, will hold two workshops on work authorization for F-1 students this semester.

Information on Curricular Practical Training (CPT) will be presented on Sunday, February 1st before our February General Body Meeting in Keefe Commons. The workshop begins at 2 pm and will be followed by the meeting at 3 pm.

Topics to be discussed include:

  1. Lafayette’s Internship Policies and how they fit in CPT authorization
  2. How to apply for CPT
  3. What to do if you don’t qualify for CPT, but still want to work off campus

Information on Optional Practical Training (OPT) will be presented on Monday, February 23rd. The workshop begins at 5:30 pm and will be held in 101 Hogg Hall.

The process of applying for OPT takes 3 steps:

  1. Schedule an appointment with Janine between February 9th and February 20th to obtain the required I-20.
  2. Gather all you application documents, including two passport pictures.
  3. Come by Hogg on February 21st to make copies and prepare your application for mailing.

IMPORTANT: The OPT Workshop that was to be held on Saturday, Februray 21st has been postponed for Monday, February 23rd, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm in Hogg Hall due to the inclement weather.

 

Extravaganza 2016 coming up!

by Ivan Evtimov
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Grand Finale’12

The ISA is busy at planning the next amazing week of events celebrating the many different cultures at Lafayette. Please, stay tuned for information on how to get involved and the events that we will be holding this year.

Extravaganza is going to run from March 28th to April 2nd, culminating with a Grand Finale, an amazing show with international and domestic students presenting music, dances and other performances from around the world.

March Around the World

by Ivan Evtimov

March Around the World is an annual event where Lafayette students visit the March Elementary School and teach the kids the different cultures in the world. We will focus on four aspects of cultures: physical, creative, food, and language, which includes Irish dancing, making spring rolls, learning animal names in Swahili, and making Columbian paper molas. This year, we have over 35 students participating in March Around the World. Pictures are coming soon!

Make a Difference Day

by Ivan Evtimov
October 18th was ISA’s first time paticipating in Make a Difference day at a couple of local community sites as a group. The members were removing weeds from the garden, sorting tomatoes, painting chairs, and much more. At the end, students were encouraged to bring flowers and fresh produces home with them. Please check out the pictures taken at the event today!!

October General Body Meeting

by Ivan Evtimov

ISA Senior Panel PosterJoin us this Sunday, October 5th at 4 pm in Keefe Commons for our monthly general body meeting.

All freshmen are strongly encouraged to attend as we will be having a panel of juniors and seniors who will cover strategies for academic and personal success at Lafayette.

Of course, we will also have delicious food for everybody who comes.

Brownbag on ISIS

by Ivan Evtimov

ISIS Brownbag

 

On October 7th, from 12:15 to 1:00 pm, several Lafayette faculty will give short talks on the current situation with ISIS in an ISA-sponsored brown bag.
Professor Il Hyun Cho (Lafayette College, Department of Government and Law) will speak about the global response to the ISIS threat.

Professor Joel Shelton (Lafayette College, Department of Government and Law) will cover the emergence of the organization and the political economy of ISIS, with an emphasis on the sources of funding for their activities.

Professor Youshaa Patel (Lafayette College, Department of Religious Studies) will give a talk titled “The Black Standards of ISIS.”

A chronology of the major events around ISIS can be found on the website of the Deutsche Welle.
Pizza will be provided and there will be a short time frame for questions and answers. The event is open to the general campus community and everyone is invited!

Skateaway and Friendly’s Fun Nite!

by Ivan Evtimov

Get your groove on and join us for an afternoon of roller skating through the 80’s followed by dinner at famous Friendly’s restaurant on Saturday, September 27thfrom 2:30PM – 8:00PM.

FYI…Friendly’s is known for its awesome ice cream sundaes. We recommend the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup!

Details to know:
• Sign-ups run from 9/19 – 9/25 with Tracey Itterly in Hogg Hall. (Must sign-up by 5PM)
• Cost for skating and transportation is $10 to sign-up ($5 will be refunded at the skate rink)
• Dinner cost is on your own
• Please bring 2 $5 bills when you sign-up
• Meet in front of WAC (Williams Art Center) at 2:20PM – Leaving PROMPTLY at 2:30PM
• Qi will be the point person during the trip. (yuq@lafayette.edu)

 

Burlington Coat Factory Trip

by Ivan Evtimov

burlington-coat-factory

Oooh… it’s getting chilly. Did you know that temperatures in Pennsylvania can go down to -41 C (conveniently, that’s -42 F) during the winter? Go grab some warm clothing on the Burlington Coat Factor Trip.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 4th from 10:00AM – 4:00PM. The trip is taking place early in the day for those planning to attend the LACSA and EID events later in the day.

Lehigh Valley Mall has a lot of name brand clothing stores as well as Barnes and Noble and Apple. There are many restaurants where you can grab lunch. We recommend Dunderbak’s if you like German cuisine!

Details to know:
• Sign-ups run from 9/19 – 10/2 with Tracey Itterly in Hogg. (Must sign-up by 5PM)
• Cost is $10 to sign-up (non-refundable). Bring exact change.
• Meet in front of WAC at 9:50PM – Leaving PROMPTLY at 10:00AM
• First-stop will be Burlington Coat Factory for about 1.5 hours followed by LV Mall.
• Xenia and Iris will be arranging the meeting times/locations the day of the trip. (dubischx@lafayette.edu and xum@lafayette.edu)

September General Body Meeting

by Ivan Evtimov

Saturday, September 6th, saw the first general body meeting of the ISA. It was the first meeting of the new board and the new students, so it was a fun time of meeting new people. We also had a special guest by Career Services who spoke to us about the many opportunities offered by her office. Finally, we had some tasty Chinese food while everybody was catching up on what they did over the summer. Remember, general body meetings are every first Sunday of the month in Keefe Commons (this Saturday was an exception). Hope to see you there!

Summer Social

by Ivan Evtimov

The ISA Summer Social on Saturday was a great opportunity to meet and chat with other students staying on campus this July. Everybody was encouraged to bring some food to share and this produced a number of culinary delights, including homemade hummus with hot sauce, Albanian pastichio, Vietnamese prawn crackers and cupcakes with M&M icing. No outdoor event would have been complete, however, without the grilled hamburgers, hot dogs and corn. Of course, there was also time for some fun and games – you can see the interesting positions people were forced to take in the game of Twister.

We would like to thank everyone for coming over and invite them again to all of our upcoming ISA events!