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!

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.