International Education Week: November 17-21, 2014

Thank you to everyone who celebrated International Education Week with us! 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 promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.  There are many study abroad programs through Moraine Park.

On all three campuses, students and staff had the opportunity to enjoy samples of tasty international treats and listen to music from around the world during the week's celebrations. At the same time, students learned about resources and opportunities through the Multicultural Club and International Education. Thank you to Student Senate for their support!

View more pictures on the International Education Facebook page!

New Program in Ireland: May 2015

We are excited to share a new study abroad program in Ireland! This program is part of a new partnership with the Wisconsin technical colleges and our counterparts in Ireland. This May, students can stay in student housing, explore Waterford and Dublin, and enjoy hands-on learning experiences in business, marketing and IT. Applications are now available: http://tinyurl.com/IrelandWTCS.

Check out more pictures on the International Education Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/internationalmptc.

German Students Visit Moraine Park

Willkommen! As part of our ongoing exchange program with Darmstadt, Germany, Moraine Park Technical College welcomed 17 German students and two German instructors to campus last week. Every year, Moraine Park faculty, staff and students serve as host families to their German counterparts. In addition to attending classes at Moraine Park and interacting with students, the guests have previously participated in several exciting events such as the Green Lake Harvest Days Festival, a Mecan River canoe trip, an overnight stay at Blue Harbor Water Resort, tours through Mercury Marine, visits to Fox Lake Correctional Facility, trips to Michels Corporation and Kohler, and other experiences, which change each year to provide new opportunities. The German students are also able to present to classes and share their knowledge, culture, and career fields.

The students and faculty were welcomed with a meal prepared by Culinary Arts students at Moraine Park. In May, Moraine Park students will visit Germany! For more images of our German visitors as well as our own students' travels to Germany last summer, visit our Facebook page. 

International Education in JAMAICA!

MPTC students just returned from our first study abroad, service-learning trip to Jamaica! Students worked with the Blue Mountain Project in rural Jamaica, and the collaborative program included students and faculty from Moraine Park, Madison Area Technical College, and Red Rocks Community College. During the 10-day program, students installed solar panels, worked on literacy projects with children in Hagley Gap, and worked in health clinics. Students stayed with local families and enjoyed learning about Jamaican culture.

Nursing students conducted blood pressure clinics, conducted home visits, and shared information on health topics at schools in rural Jamaica. MPTC students Liz Rohde (left) and Kassie Anderson (right) are pictured with Hagley Gap community members and Madison College student Lindsey James. 

MPTC students Meghan Stubbe and Kristy Sparacio worked in both education and nursing. The students are pictured with children from the Hagley Gap Basic School.

MPTC student Hannah Miller worked in renewable energy. She is pictured with Madison College student Scott Donovan. The students were excited to install solar panels.

Students and faculty were excited to share information about renewable energy! MPTC students Kristy Sparacio and Meghan Stubbe, as well as instructor Amy Patterson, attended this presentation at Minto Primary School. Troy Wanek from Red Rocks Community College facilitated the work in renewable energy throughout the week.

The group was excited to bring donations to the Blue Mountain Project from the MPTC Multicultural Club and Hillside Dental Associates. Thank you to these groups for their support! International Education would also like to thank the Rotary Club of Beaver Dam for their scholarship donation to assist one student with the travel costs. The wonderful support from the Moraine Park community has been very much appreciated!

To see more pictures and learn more about study abroad opportunities, visit the International Education Facebook page!

International Education Week 2013

Julie Lotto, advisor for the Fond du Lac chapter of the MPTC Multicultural Club, shares ways to support the Blue Mountain Project in Jamaica.

Celebrate International Education Week with us! Today, students enjoyed our Taste of Jamaica event on the Fond du Lac Campus. The Multicultural Club, Diversity Relations, and International Education hosted this event, which included tasty Jamaican treats and music.

We have two more dates planned for Taste of Jamaica: Wednesday, November 13, on the West Bend Campus, and Thursday, November 14, on the Beaver Dam Campus. Each event will take place 11:30-12:30 in the Commons Area.

Additional events planned for International Education Week include:

1) Vote in the Travel Photo Contest on Facebook! View the entire album on our Facebook page, and "like" your favorite pictures. Our students shared pictures from around the world!

2) Support study abroad students at a bake sale at the Habitat for Humanity of Fond du Lac County Affiliate & ReStore on Saturday, 11/16, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Students will hold a 50/50 raffle. Do you also need new furniture, a lawnmower, or other items for your household? On 11/16, 10% of merchandise sales at the Habitat ReStore will be donated to our students, too!

3) Check out our Moroccan Cooking Demonstration at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, 11/18, on the FDL Campus (A-111). Learn how YOU can spend Spring Break in Morocco!

Diversity Relations Coordinator William Green and MPTC Student Alessio Ziel serve authentic and delicious Jamaican food at Taste of Jamaica!

MPTC Student Liz Rohde will complete service-learning projects in health clinics with the Blue Mountain Project in Jamaica this January.

Dean Caron Daugherty talks about our new study abroad program in MOROCCO! The program, which runs March 12-23, 2014, is still accepting applicants. Learn more about this program at an upcoming Moroccan cooking demonstration on 11/18 or the information session on 11/19: http://bit.ly/16WzYC7.

 

Moraine Park German Exchange Program 2013

Hallo wie geht es dir? Which is hello, how are you in German. Last week Thursday fourteen German students arrived from Frankfort, Germany in Madison, Wisconsin. To kick off the new journey in Wisconsin, the German students were welcome by their host.  I was excited to be hosting a German student for the third year in a row. Each time I learn new words, culture similarities and a priceless experience. On Friday, Moraine Park held a Welcome lunch for the German students at Park Terrace!

 

 

On the first night I made dinner for my host Danjeil. The meal included a fresh hamburger, sweet potato fries, and a variety of local beers from Wisconsin. The first night was a huge success with my host. I could tell from day one that my host and I have similarities. I am looking forward meeting the other students to expand my connections in Germany. Although my German speaking is not the greatest, but I do plan on improving my conversation skills before the students leave. Until the next blog I will give you an inside look on the activities planned for the German students.  Until then, Ciao!

Cheers,

Lee IV

MPTC Hosts Japanese Delegates

At Moraine Park Technical College, we love hosting visitors from all over the world! Delegates from Japan recently visited the MPTC West Bend Campus as part of their exchange program with the City of West Bend. Moraine Park Board member Mike Miller, former mayor of West Bend, started the exchange program more than 20 years ago. The Japanese students and their host families explored spaces such as the Telepresence classroom and the nursing simulation lab with Pete Rettler, the West Bend Campus Dean. Kudos to Mike Miller and Pete Rettler for their work strengthening community connections--both locally and globally!

To see more pictures from the tour, please visit our Facebook page!

Join Us in JAMAICA--January 2014!!

Get ready for fun, sun, and service! We’re excited to share a NEW study abroad program for Moraine Park students. Join us for Moraine Park’s new, international service learning experience in Hagley Gap, Jamaica. The program will take place January 2-12, 2014. Plan to take a break from the Wisconsin winter, and enjoy the beautiful Blue Mountains of Jamaica!
    

During the affordable trip, students will live with host families in Hagley Gap, Jamaica, while completing service learning projects with the Blue Mountain Project. Depending on students’ interest, projects might include volunteering in health clinics, providing tutoring to primary school students, working with the local farmers’ cooperative, and/or working in sustainable construction.  Students can also enjoy the beach or even hike the Blue Mountains!

Set aside the dates: January 2-12, 2014. More information will be shared this fall! In the meantime, learn more about other students’ experiences through this video from Ripon College on service learning in Hagley Gap:

MOROCCO--MARCH 2014!!

Students, begin planning now for the next travel opportunity with the college. Spring Break 2014 -- Morocco Bound! Experience the magic and mystery of this fascinating kingdom and learn the language, customs, values, culinary classics and daily life in this coastal country in Northern Africa (it is approximately 9 miles from North Africa to Europe across the Straits of Gibraltar!).

 Hot mint tea service. Moroccan tradition has the server pour the tea from 2-3 feet from the glass.

 Fresh Atlantic catch of the day -- fresh grilled.

 Market

 Fishing fleets

Spice souk (market--fresh saffron, cinnamon and other spices)

Effective July 1, we will start marketing, promoting and encouraging participation in this adventure to the north of Africa. Our guided trip will be directed by a professional guide out of Madison, and Tom Endejan, culinary faculty, will facilitate the learning for the students. Plan now!!

Upcoming Events

Thanks to Danielle Domenosky for posting blogs while the large group toured London and Paris. The pic of the group in front of the Arc de Triomphe at the Place de l'Étoile at the top of the Champs- Élysées made me yearn for those beautiful city streets and sidewalk cafes along the route. What a view from there -- of the Eiffel tower, the city, the river. So gorgeous.

For the 2012-2013 year, our international travels have concluded. We are already preparing for 2013-2014. The first ever international service trip to Jamaica is being planned by Amy Patterson for spring break 2014, and Tom Endejan is planning a culinary-specific excursion to Morocco over spring break. Academic year 2013-2014 is expected to be an exciting year for international travel with Moraine Park Technical College. These two ventures -- both Jamaica and Morocco -- are new excursions for the college and our students. Both faculty members, however, were able to scope and plan their trips by visiting these locales in early 2013.

The two pics below are of Tom (he is on the left in the top pic). This first graphic is of him with a Water Man (the one in the fancy attire). The other pic is of Tom making flatbread.

This YouTube video of is a faculty group in Costa Rica, which is what Amy will be doing in Jamaica with a group of students next year. This picture is of the biodigester the faculty group developed for the community:

Kudos to these faculty. Thank you for your efforts in providing these opportunities for our students!

Moraine Park: Local & International Service-Learning

Fond du Lac: Culinary Arts Students in Brenda Schaefer's Sociology course create delicious, healthy meals at an affordable price to share with the Solutions Center Women's Shelter in Fond du Lac. This service-learning project is educating women on how to cook healthy meals on a budget through recipe ideas and dietary information developed by these students.  Healthy eating can be affordable through these innovative cooking ideas.

Check out more opportunities for service learning by going to www.noblehour.com and joining the Moraine Park Technical College Community. Contact us if you have questions!





Costa Rica: In addition to the local impact our students and faculty make, our reach extends internationally. In January 2013, the college was able to provide representation on a Renewable Energy/Sustainability grant at Rancho Mastatal in Costa Rica. This YouTube video provides an overview of the types of renewable projects the group members completed for the community there. Amy Patterson, Beaver Dam Communication faculty, participated in this grant opportunity.

London and Paris! Spring Break 2013!

Several students depart for London next week, with a day-trip excursion to Paris included with their travels. While only four students were able to share in the experience last year, this year Ms. Danielle Domenosky grabbed the reins and has orchestrated a great itinerary for the 15 travelers. While the first day includes money exchange, getting settled in the lodging, and grocery shopping, the students will have opportunities to become proficient with London public transportation (London's infamous Tube). In addition, they will visit British classics, such as the Changing of the Guard, the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, London Bridge, Camden Lock open market and the London Eye. The trip is not all tourism and historical sites -- Danielle has also reviewed the students' program emphasis areas (most travelers are Cosmetology students) and arranged program-specific activities for the students, which in the past has included visits to a London court room, waste-water treatment facilities, IT specialists, and the police department (shadows for the bobbies).

Safe travels to the group from Moraine Park Technical College as they prepare for their departure. We hope to have a student posting blog entries. Updates soon!

Morocco--Culture and Culinary

Thomas Endejan, Culinary faculty for Moraine Park, is in Morocco this first week of January 2013. Researching Moroccan cuisine and culture, Tom will lead a group of MPTC students to the North African kingdom in 2014. We will post another blog with more pics and stories from him next week.

In these pics, you see him forming and baking flatbread and showcasing the very common and popular Moroccan dish, tagine.

New Title, New Focus, New Updates

Welcome to the revised international education blog, Experience-Based Learning. This blog supports several goals the bloggers intend for the site. 

First, we want to promote the experience-based learning opportunities the college provides students. While Moraine Park Technical College is an advocate for performance-based learning, students with MPTC will find Experience-Based Learning opportunities substantial supplements to their education. These opportunities include not only the international education voyages you've learned to follow through this blog but also the service-learning experiences many students acquire as part of their curriculum with the college.

You will still get the updates and photos to support the international travels, allowing you to follow your friends and colleagues as they engage in college-related travels. We have a familiarity excursion to Morocco scheduled for January, spring break travels to London, and end-of-semester treks to Germany (and additional locations--Italy? Paris? Amsterdam? Where will James' side trip be this year?). As a first, the college will be represented in Costa Rica for a service-oriented trip to increase international education opportunities at community/technical colleges. This venture combines international education with a service component--and the service takes us to the other aspect of the revised and renovated blog.

The college is committed to enhancing community connections, and service-learning experiences infuse aspects of the community in students' courses. With reflection being key to this fusion of curriculum, theory and application, service-learning activities support our role in the community and allow us to connect with community partners. Just as the Costa Rica trip extends and blends service and travel, a trip to the East Coast is being planned to support service to communities in need. A group of MPTC students plans to volunteer with Hurricane Sandy clean-up and assistance over spring break.

Please support us as we move forward with this new goal for the blog. Share us with your friends. Follow us. Better yet -- join us for experience-based learning, both on the local level with service-learning and at the global level through international education.

International Innovation - Global Influences on Students & Community

January was a busy month for a few members of the International Education Committee. Larry Clark, Kim Olson, James Simmers, Christine Jaglowski and I presented information and promoted upcoming travel opportunities to the faculty during the January 18-20 professional development days. While Christine, James and I scurried among campuses – Wednesday in West Bend, Thursday morning in Beaver Dam, and Thursday afternoon in Fond du Lac – to present about Germany and London, Larry and Kim enjoyed the opportunity to present updates on their China trip via TelePresence. They presented updates about their experiences last summer as they toured manufacturing sites in China. Their sessions were very well attended, and several faculty had great questions during those sessions.

We were pleased with the discussions and interest faculty have in exploring not only international travel but also international competencies in their own classes. Cross-cultural experiences are heightened when one is able to navigate the transportation system of London or negotiate items at street markets in China, but we can also share these experiences and educate each other when it comes to cultural awareness and sensitivities. Exploring these issues in the classroom can sometimes then lead to the desire to open Pandora’s travel box.

New Year, New Travels

The International Education program at Moraine Park Technical College looks forward to the opportunities for travel in 2012. Future blogs will highlight some of the trips, but for this first one to welcome us to the New Year, I wanted to congratulate Jeff Sonnleitner, Moraine Park’s IT Network Specialist instructor, on being granted a $500 scholarship from the WTCS International Education Committee to explore Italy during the summer. According to Jeff, his goals for this excursion are “to incorporate this trip into exploratory site inspections of a number of companies (Alitalia, Ferrari, Lamborghini or Maserati, Illy, and possibly Ferrero), a college or two (University of Siena) and start the ball rolling on setting up a Moraine Park student exchange to begin in 2013 with students from Italy.” Congratulations to Jeff for his selection as a recipient of this scholarship. The next blog will highlight Moraine Park’s London trip planned for March 17-27, 2012. Access this site for additional information related to this opportunity: http://www.efcollegestudytours.com/preview-tour.aspx?gt=1100150.  

Celebrate International Education

Celebrate International Education! In the midst of classes, work, shuttling the kids, and preparing for the holiday season, consider how you can benefit from an international education experience. Immersing into a foreign culture and practicing skills to negotiate communication, travel, food, and lodging are experiences that build confidence and help one excel in the classroom and beyond. International education opportunities help us recognize the value of these experiences in a shrinking yet massive global world. Learn more about this shared vision of international education between the US Department of State and US Department of Education by clicking this link: http://iew.state.gov/ In addition, ask you faculty members about participating in an international education experience.

The Weekend Review

Welcome back! This past weekend was filled with fun events and a lot of fun with the Germans. It all started on Friday September 23, 2011, when the Germans students and instructors were invited to a “Meet and Greet” at Moraine Park Technical College with Dr. Sheila Ruhland. They enjoyed food made by students from the Culinary Arts program. Afterwards students went shopping to catch some deals on the latest fashions. That night a group of us drove down to Milwaukee for a Day/Glow concert. As we entered the city area the German students were in awe of the scenery. This concert included all types of techno/ electronic music which included paint. People were able to toss around paint and dance to the music playing on stage. We were there for about four hours, although it felt we were there all night, but it was a lot of fun so it was worth it! Our clothes looked like tie dyes from all the paint colors. The German students enjoyed themselves; they said this was their first time going to an event like this.

Saturday September 24, was another day of shopping. Some people headed down to sweet home Chicago; while others headed up north to Appleton to some of the stores they hadn’t seen yet. After I was done with work I took my guest Philip, and some other friends, to my job at Qdoba to have supper. They enjoyed the fresh Mexican cuisines that were offered; it was so good, they couldn’t stop eating their meal. After being full we went to Wal-Mart to walk off our meal, and to do some grocery shopping. We compared and contrasted what foods were offered in America and Germany. There were some things that they never heard or tried before, so I decided to buy them so they can try them.

Sunday September 25, was a big day for me because the Bears and Packers game was on. Me, being a huge Bears fan, and not liking the Packers as known as “cheese heads,” I was excited to show the Germans students a traditional American football rivalry game. I hosted a Bears/Packers game at my house. All of us chipped in on food such as chips, candy, fried chicken, and other side dishes for the typical tailgate food in America. The football game was a good intense game, although it almost looked like my Bears could’ve made a comeback to beat the Packers, but they fell short. Of course, all the cheese heads made fun of me and were cheering about their victory, but it was all fun and games.

The weekend concluded as we watched a little more football and started to get organized for the week ahead. This week school started for the German student so they can learn about different subjects in America compared to German culture. The German students must do a presentation about a particular subject title they were assigned to. These titles range from German sports to German foods and these presentations are held from September 28 to September 30.

Until next time, hasta luego!

Lee IV

Our German Friends Arrive

Well it looks like everyone is here. We welcomed our guests at the Dane County Regional Airport yesterday and it was a mix of reunions and new meetings. Some of our student hosts have not yet travelled to Germany while others greeted their former hosts from May 2011.

Tom Endejan (MPTC Culinary Arts Baking Instructor) and I have been planning for our guests' arrival for quite some time now. We have a number of activities planned including a cave crawl, a yacht excursion and an afternoon tea, as well as a number of other doings.

Today, the culinary students welcomed some of  their German friends to visit their classes. Bagels and Lavosh were prepared in Mr. Endejan's class as were a number of sauces in Mr. Libby's class. Let's be frank; no one went home hungry.

I will keep everyone updated as the visit progresses...

James

Follow our German Exchange at Moraine Park Technical College

Welcome back to the International Education blog!  Follow our blog to "travel with German students and instructors via the web" while they are at Moraine Park Technical College.

Since May 2006, Moraine Park Technical College has been hosting a 14-day exchange with students and faculty of Darmstadt, Germany.

Each year, our students and faculty in the Culinary Arts program travel to Darmstadt, Germany, in late May and early June. In return, our culinary instructors, James Simmers and Tom Endejan, host a group of nearly 20 German students with two German instructors in late September or early October each year. We welcomed Mr. Armin Meng and Ms. Daniela Butennandt and their students to Moraine Park today, September 23.



Left to right: James Simmers, Culinary Arts Instructor; Caron Daugherty, Dean of General Education and International Education; Christian Schmidt, German student; Dr. Sheila Ruhland, Moraine Park President and Armin Meng, German Instructor



The exchange has included Moraine Park Technical College students traveling in the spring and staying with German families in Darmstadt for one week and in Berlin for a second week. While in Berlin, students visit the German Parliament, take an architectural tour and visit areas of both East and West Berlin, ranging from concentration camp sites to art museums. The trip wraps up in Amsterdam.

In the fall, while the German guests visit Wisconsin, Moraine Park faculty, staff and students serve as host families to their German counterparts. In addition to attending classes at Moraine Park and interacting with students, the guests have participated in the Green Lake Harvest Days Festival, a Mecan River canoe trip, an overnight stay at Blue Harbor Water Resort, tours through Mercury Marine, visits to Fox Lake Correctional Facility, trips to Michels Corporation, and stays at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The German guests then venture to New York City before returning to Germany.  This year the German guests will tour Fox Lake Correctional Facility, Ledgeview Nature Center Caves and Green Lake via the Heidel House Escapade, just to name a few. 

Moraine Park’s International Education program welcomes the German students to our college and the region as they continue a long-standing exchange. We hope this opportunity allows them to develop new friendships while building on existing ones. We look forward to seeing you in Germany in May 2012!

Guten Tag,

Caron Daugherty, Dean of General Education and International Education