Selamat datang! Kyaoso! Kuwakaribisha! Bienvenido! In any language, the word is “welcome” at NIU’s International Area Studies Open House, which will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Thursday, August 25, outside 520 College View Court on east campus.
The annual event is hosted by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), the Center for Burma Studies, the Center for Black Studies and the Center for Latino and Latin American Studies (CLLAS). Students, staff and faculty are invited to taste food from all three parts of the globe, take a turn on the Balinese gamelan with gamelan instructor Ngurah Kertayuda (no experience necessary), learn a few Bachata steps, meet student clubs affiliated with all four centers and learn about area studies at NIU.
“Enjoy free food, great music and learn about all of the area studies here on campus,” said CSEAS Director Judy Ledgerwood. “Learn about student clubs, scholarship opportunities, study abroad programs and great classes, too.”
The Center for Black Studies offers a minor in African or African-American studies including a one-year language sequence in Swahili. CSEAS, CLLAS and the Center for Black
Thai language teacher Kanjana Thepboriruk, left, and visitor Janet Vallejo at the 2015 area studies open house.
Studies offer undergraduate minor and graduate study programs in Southeast Asian and Latino and Latin American studies. CSEAS also offers one-year language sequences in Burmese, Indonesian, Khmer, Tagalog and Thai.
“Our faculty and staff are looking forward to connecting with students on campus and introducing them to these fields,” said Assistant CLLAS Director Sandy Lopez, noting an extra bonus of her center’s location. “At this Pokemon Go stop, you are sure to pick up more than just Pokestop rewards, you may pick up a minor or two.”
In case of rain, the open house will be held in room 100 and the atrium of the Campus Life Building.
