Alumnus - Digitized Resources Murphy Library University of ...
Alumnus - Digitized Resources Murphy Library University of ...
Alumnus - Digitized Resources Murphy Library University of ...
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c o v e r s t o r y<br />
“To ignore our<br />
international ties<br />
and needs would<br />
reduce our quality<br />
<strong>of</strong> life. We are not<br />
an island, and<br />
can’t pretend that<br />
we are.”<br />
Marketing Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
Stephen Brokaw<br />
2 4 • u w - l a c r o s s e a l u m n u s • w i n t e r 2 0 0 8 - 0 9<br />
continued from page 22<br />
recruiting. We have a recruiter based in China and a strategic<br />
plan for international recruiting.”<br />
Lokken says high rankings in U.S.News & World Report<br />
(No. 2 among Midwest public colleges) and Kiplinger’s (No. 30<br />
for out-state students nationally) have increased UW-L’s<br />
reputation worldwide. Those kudos, along with a smaller<br />
campus atmosphere <strong>of</strong>ten gives UW-L an edge over larger, Big<br />
Ten-sized schools. “We’re able to personalize the relationship<br />
here at UW-La Crosse,” notes Lokken. “We <strong>of</strong>fer a chance to<br />
interact in the daily life <strong>of</strong> a typical Wisconsin family.”<br />
Along with a friendly campus, the La Crosse Friends <strong>of</strong><br />
International Students, an organization that connects local<br />
families and international students, has helped make students<br />
feel at home and adjust to American culture. “The international<br />
students are very curious about American life,” notes Richard<br />
Smith, LFIS president. “Most <strong>of</strong> their ideas about American<br />
lifestyles come from the media. Being a host is a good way to<br />
help present what we really are.”<br />
The open house atmosphere is key for the international<br />
students. “These have been extremely popular with our<br />
international students,” says Hong Rost, assistant director in the<br />
International Education Office. “The community and campus<br />
are really so welcoming to international students.”<br />
But it’s not only more students coming to campus. More<br />
American students are heading overseas too, something Lokken<br />
also attributes to UW-L’s ever-growing reputation. “The<br />
increase in study abroad students is also due to UW-L’s excellent<br />
reputation for being a global university,” explains Lokken.<br />
“UW-L attracts students who are expecting an international<br />
experience as part <strong>of</strong> their undergraduate and graduate<br />
education.”<br />
Lokken says as the world continues to change into a global<br />
economy, first-hand international knowledge becomes even<br />
more important. “Wisconsin students need to be exposed to the<br />
world,” he concludes.<br />
Overseas classes, and more<br />
Students attend colleges overseas in both English-speaking<br />
based institutions, or those in the country’s native language.<br />
Mandy Nogle, ’08, spent five months in 2007 at the American<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Rome. She earned 15 credits in five classes; all<br />
transferred when she returned to La Crosse. While classes were<br />
taught in English, Nogle also took an Italian language class that<br />
allowed her to navigate more easily throughout Italy.<br />
The communication studies major says life in another<br />
country was more than she expected. “To experience a situation<br />
where you’re a minority is very challenging, but rewarding,”<br />
explains Nogle, who grew up in Mondovi, a rural Wisconsin<br />
community <strong>of</strong> around 2,500. “It definitely made me more aware<br />
continued on page 26