Category: Admissions
International Education Week
International Education Week (IEW) is a joint initiative of the U.S. Departments of State and Education and is celebrated in more than 100 countries worldwide. IEW is meant to generate enthusiasm, broaden horizons, spark new dialogues, and encourage new ideas to expand international perspectives. Boston University’s Global Programs celebrated IEW from November 12th through the 22nd by holding different events around campus.
On November 18th, BU Global Programs, CELOP, Study Abroad, ISSO and Marsh Chapel joined together to host the “Cultural Exchange: Ideas, Questions and Stories from Around the World” event. The event was well attended by many students and held in BU’s George Sherman Union.
The event was a cross between an information fair and speed-dating. The activities were designed to introduce international exchange students, including CELOP students, here on campus to those who are preparing to study abroad or take part in an exchange program. Students walking into the event were treated to a language exchange from native speakers from Lebanon, Japan, China and Germany. Students then rotated from one table to the next in order to learn about the culture from the different countries represented at each table.
The cultural exchange was indeed a university-wide celebration of BU’s global engagement.
Seventh Annual College and University Fair
CELOP recently held its Seventh Annual College and University Fair on October 22nd. A majority of the students that attend CELOP choose the "English for Academic Purposes" concentration. Many of these students hope to begin undergraduate or graduate programs in the Boston area. This fair offered students the opportunity to meet with representatives from a variety of local colleges and universities to help answer questions and determine if their school would be a good match.
Student who recently completed high school and others with a Bachelor’s degree from their home countries came out in high numbers. The fair was well attended and as many as 80 students filled the lobby, making sure to review information booklets and fill out information cards. Colleges and universities that offered both undergraduate and graduate programs sent representatives who helped answer questions about either degree.
All CELOP students have access to academic advising with a dedicated advisor. Faculty are also committed to helping students improve their English to meet their academic goals. The College and University Fair is just one example of how CELOP provides students with opportunities to further their academic career.
CELOP Welcomes Fall 2013 Students
CELOP welcomed hundreds of students from over 35 countries for the Fall 2013 Semester. A majority of the students checked-in over two days on September 18th and 19th. The check-in process started with the Admissions staff checking immigration information and making sure each students was registered for their preferred program. As students checked-in, they also met with CELOP faculty and advisors to get help and advice on their classes. However, it wasn't all about class as CELOP's Student Life Coordinator was there to tell students about exciting activities and tours around Boston and Boston University.
Many students also showed up for the Welcome Party on Friday, September 20th. There was food, music and even games. Students were given an "ice-breaker" game that encouraged them to introduce themselves and speak with someone they had not met yet. Prizes, including CELOP t-shirts, were given out to students that won the game.
CELOP welcomes all our new and continuing students and we hope you have a great fall semester!
CELOP Partners with BU College of Engineering
This summer, CELOP partnered with the Boston University College of Engineering to offer a Global Engineering Career Readiness Program. The customized, four-week program was designed to establish a foundation for both academic and workplace success for international Master of Engineering students through intensive English language and cultural immersion.
The program focused on oral and written communication in technology and product development, US and academic culture, skills for successful graduate study and a global career preparation, including job searching, resume writing and interviewing. CELOP faculty assessed students in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing and provided a comprehensive evaluation upon completion of the program.
Students visited Intuit and met with two managers and four engineers. They also had a company tour, product demo, and a question & answer session with the engineers.
Kirstie Miller, Director of Professional Education & Corporate Relations at the College of Engineering, worked collaboratively with CELOP to launch the program. She praised the success of the program and said, “The Global Engineering Career Readiness program was designed to support our growing population of international students as they acclimate to the English language, US culture, and academic and workplace expectations. As a result of the program, these students have acquired a set of communication skills and knowledge which will set them up for success, both while at BU and in their eventual professional careers. We are thrilled with the results and have no doubt this program is poised for growth.”
The students also completed course evaluations and expressed positive feedback. As one student wrote, “Yes I would recommend this program to other international engineering students because it helps with adjusting academically and socially and gives a great feel of the environment at BU.”
Conditionally Admitted Students Thrive at CELOP
This summer, approximately 83% of the conditionally admitted students at CELOP were fully admitted to Boston University for the fall 2013 semester.
The graduating class of 2017 saw a 39% increase in international applications, many from China, South Korea and India. Many more internationals students were given conditional admission to BU. Conditionally Admitted students are reconsidered for full admission, once they meet the TOEFL score requirements of their degree program. Conditionally admitted students are recommended to attend CELOP for intensive academic English language instruction.
The faculty at CELOP prepare these students by providing intensive English language instruction along with cultural and academic orientation. At the end of their CELOP program, students take the TOEFL ITP. The results of the TOEFL ITP and the evaluations from the CELOP classes, help BU International Admissions determine if these students should gain full admission to BU.
We congratulate these students and applaud all of their hard work and efforts. We wish them all the best as fully admitted students to Boston University's class of 2017.
CELOP Welcomes Summer Students
The arrival of new CELOP students was celebrated at a welcome party, after the students participated in a hard but exhilarating scavenger hunt that helped them learn more about Boston University's campus. The party included food items like sushi, cheese, fruit, and sandwiches. Some CELOP faculty and staff were introduced to the students, and students got to know one another by playing a bingo game. "Do you speak more than three languages?" and "Do you have 20 cousins or more?" were some questions students asked of one another as they learned more about each other.
This activity and others like it can build a sense of "home away from home" for students. Jasim Alsaifi, a new CELOP student from Kuwait, talked about this. "It's friendly. I don't feel like I am away from my home. I feel like I am at home. Everyone cooperates with me and helps me - students, teachers, or staff. Everyone is happy with this activity." Judging from the comfortable smiles and laughter shared at the party, Jasim was right.
Students checked in to CELOP began their classes this week to start their 6 week and 12 week summer programs.
Science and Technology Poster Presentations Given at CELOP
Recently, students of an English for Science and Technology core class presented on their research projects at a poster presentations event. Held in the CELOP lobby, topics included neon lighting, left/right brain, biofuel, the future of energy, and bromidrophobia (the fear of body odors).
CELOP teacher Eileen Kramer, who organized the event, said that she prepared the students by looking at pictures of effective posters and discussing format and organization. Co-teacher Nora Smith took the class on a field trip to BU Scholar Day to see the engineering posters. Students did research on their topics, and helped one another create their posters and practice talking to an audience. Finally, Eileen made sure that the event was well attended by CELOP students, faculty, and staff. "I wanted to throw in the unexpected," she said, "for them to see what it's like to have academic conversations they can't anticipate, unlike a canned PowerPoint presentation." The students appeared to handle this well. Attendees engaged the student presenters in conversation about their topics, and they responded with confidence and authority. "They're really good," reacted CELOP teacher Gregg Singer. John Kopec, also a CELOP teacher, echoed Gregg's sentiment, saying that "they really understand their topics."
Some students took their posters home to show family and friends. Others donated their posters to Eileen for use in future science and technology projects. Following the poster presentation, the students reflected on the assignment and agreed unanimously that it was a valuable experience. As one student commented, "I know I'll do this again in classes and when I'm an engineer so it will help me when that day comes. I won't be afraid to show my work."
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube