In fall 2020, Stetson University School of Music chose the winner of the demanding Concerto Competition. WORLD is proud to announce international student Elené Okruashvili, a pianist from the country of Georgia, winner of the completion.
“This is the first time in the past 10 years, a pianist won the Concerto Competition,” said Elene, while also claiming she couldn’t believe that she overcame so many challenges during practices to be the winner.
Elene Okruashvili ’22
Reconciling with the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic, Stetson’s School of Music opened the stage for students to perform to a virtual audience. Students were given a chance to perform and compete in front panel of judges. Students recorded their performances and submitted the videos in advance, judges scored and rated them virtually.
Elene is an international student from Tbilisi, Georgia and currently a third year student at Stetson University. She had exposed to music and competed at a very young age. Elene joined Stetson University in 2018, and majors in Piano Performance. She also a member of the Stetson School of Music Student Advisory Council (SoMSAC). Moreover, Elene holds different leadership roles on campus, such as Resident Assistant for the Catalyst Houses.
Anh Nguyen another international student who works alongside Elene as resident assistant in Residential Living and Learning praised her classmate saying “she’s such an inspiring Resident Assistant and a talented pianist. “
Elene started working on the first movement of Beethoven’s 2nd Piano Concerto during quarantine in Spring 2020, however, due to the global pandemic and every activity being moved to virtual formats, Elene says she lost her motivation. Practicing and finishing the recording for the competition deadline seemed unimportant. Elene mentioned, “Everything was so difficult, and I found no motivation to do anything, so I even thought about not participating in the competition”. She did compete, however. When the semester started in August 2020, one month before the competition, she decided to pick up where she left off and finish the piece. She shared “I feel really happy because I needed that motivational push. It makes me believe choosing piano performance is a correct choice, and coming to America from Georgia is finally paid off.”
All the videos recorded were uploaded on School of Music’s YouTube Channel, including the 2020 Christmas Candlelight concert performed on Friday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m.
As an international student from Syria when I first came to Stetson in the spring of 2020, I faced some hard times fitting in the American society as many international students do. I and a group of my Arab friends: Chama, Saif, Christa, and Noureen noticed that whenever we meet a new person, they would ask about our countries, cultures, and customs and people are curious about more Arab, North African, and Middle Eastern cultures. As we knew more people, we wanted to have a platform that represents our identity and let more people be aware of our culture. So, we thought about starting the Arab Student Organization at Stetson.
At the beginning of fall 2020, the organization advisor, Manal Ammagui, supported us to start a new student organization that will represent the Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African Cultures at Stetson.
Anyone can be a part of the Arab Student Organization (ASO,) regardless of their nationality or ethnicity. We love curious people as our mission is to share Arab culture with everyone and offer them an authentic look into the rich Arab culture that the media misrepresent sometimes.
We will do that through fun events and activities like movie nights, cultural celebrations, and food rushes. Moreover, ASO will be a platform for Arab students to express their cultural identity and connect with other fellow Arab students to help them feel that they do belong at Stetson and that their cultural belonging is celebrated. You can join ASO by contacting us through email or by requesting to join through the Engage platform: https://stetson.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/aso.
The organization has been official for less than a week now and we have been receiving amazing feedback and a lot of people are excited to be at our events and enjoy the good food and learn more about our culture. We would love to have you at (ASO.)
If you have any questions you can reach out to any of these individuals. Each and everyone played a part in making this student organization a reality for all of Stetson’s community.
Yahia Adla, Biology/Pre-medicine major, 2023′. Saif Mostafa, CS/Economics major, 2023’Noureen Saeed, International Business/Entrepreneurship major, 2024′ Christa Assi, International Studies major, 2024’ Chama Bouoad Fulbright FLTA Scholar 2020-2021.
During a time of chaos, uncertainty, and an upheaval from the norm, the WORLD team continued to push through all obstacles by continuing to offer the best service to our Stetson community. This year, the WORLD Center staff and student employees were recognized for all their hard work.
Paula Hentz, Director of International Learning, P.A.R. Award
During Stetson Annual Employee Recognition Award Ceremony, Paula Hentz received the P.A.R. Award which is given to an individual who embodies the three characteristics of professionalism, attitude, and reliability. Her nominator said that during this tumultuous year for international education, Paula “navigated the roller coaster of activity related to the pandemic from carefully building programs to seeing them come to a screeching halt, evacuating students across the globe, border restrictions, political battles, ICE complications, and other global dynamics that threaten international diplomacies and relationships that the WORLD Center worked for many, many years to build.” Paula is a consummate professional and has managed the delicate balance between family life while maintaining the strictest codes of professionalism while attending to her core work responsibilities. “No matter the situation, Paula remains poised, exuding the essence of calm competence so critical to the work of higher education,” said her nominator. Our Center is incredibly honored to work with an incredible leader who has helped our office come out of one of the most difficult times for our field. Paula was also nominated for the Morale Builder of the Year.
Roxanne Lewis, International Student and Scholar Services Coordinator, January 2021 Spirit of Stetson Winner
Roxanne Lewis (top right) receiving her Spirit of Stetson award
The Spirit of Stetson is awarded monthly to a member of the Stetson community who dedicates themselves every day to do a job well done. Roxanne received the award in January for all the incredible work she accomplished with our international student population. The Quality of Service Council recognized the incredible challenges she faced with the ever-changing landscape of immigration laws, changes for a virtual orientation, and the relationships she builds with our students. Her nominator also mentioned that Roxanne is an incredible member of the community and cares deeply for others. During the pandemic, Roxanne regularly reached out to colleagues to check in and see how they were doing. Her empathy and care embodies the Spirit of Stetson. Also, this year at the Employee Recognition Awards event, Roxanne was nominated for the Go Beyond Award for her work with our international students. She successfully worked with Grants, Development, and Financial Aid to find financial support for our students who were unable to support themselves due to the pandemic and/or political and social unrest at home. In addition, Roxanne was a part of a group of faculty and staff to receive recognition during the yearly Top Hatter Awards as a First-Year Advocate.
Morgan Egan, Student Marketing Coordinator, September 2020 Student Employee of the Month – Professionalism and Productivity.
The Office of Student Employment presenting the Student Employee of the Month award to Morgan Egan (top right)
Morgan worked tirelessly from the start of the pandemic assisting the WORLD office in processing refund requests for all the canceled study abroad programs. After the university went entirely virtual, Morgan created a biweekly student-driven program called the Virtual Culture Hour. The series, which continued through the 20/21 academic year, highlighted a different country or region of the world where our international or study abroad students would share the history, culture, misconceptions, brief language lesson, cooking demonstration, and a fun trivia game. Morgan also worked hard throughout the year to update the outdated WORLD websites and make them more visually appealing and easier to navigate. She also assisted in the creation and implementation of our Virtual Study Abroad Fair which we offered 3 times during the year. Morgan is graduating this upcoming weekend and we will miss her professionalism and productivity at the WORLD Center.
Anh Nguyen, Student Clerical Assistant, March 2021 Student Employee of the Month – Global and Intercultural Engagement
Anh Nguyen (bottom right) receiving the March 2021 Student Employee of the Month award
As the Clerical Assistant, Anh Nguyen, works closely with her supervisor, Roxanne Lewis, by designing posters, creating presentations, planning events, managing email communications, and helping fellow international students with the management of their residency status. Anh initially began working with WORLD as a WORLD Ambassador as a member of the Social Committee. She has always had the goal of assisting international students and make them feel at home at Stetson. From the moment she first entered the WORLD building, she knew she wanted to work there and help her fellow classmates. She loves being able to learn new skills that she can apply to all areas of her work and education. Not only is Anh a WORLD student employee, but she is also a Resident Assistant (RA), Vice President of APAC (Asian Pacific American Coalition), and a full-time International Business major.
Anh also was the recipient of the Stetson Values Leader Award for Global Citizenship during the Top Hatter Annual Award Ceremony. The award is given to one outstanding Stetson student that has demonstrated a commitment to Stetson’s Value of Global Citizenship in their involvements, leadership, and contributions to the community.
International student Evans Asuboah wanted to get vaccinated for COVID-19 as soon as possible because the way he sees it, the virus is the enemy.
“I believe that we are on a battlefield, and to protect me and the community that I serve, I had to take this step,” said Asuboah, a Bonner Program Scholar, Honors Program Scholar and computer science major from Ghana. Read more.
When the world is asked to stay home and socially distance from others, it is easy to yearn for a simpler time when we didn’t stare at the same four walls day in and day out. But, as we creep into another month of social distancing, mask wearing, extensive hand sanitizer, and increasing cases, we reflect back on the good times. Those times when we could celebrate, interact, network, share a laugh and a meal with others outside of our house. Today, I reflect back on the NAFSA Region VII Conference held last November at the Hilton Orlando, Lake Buena Vista.
Conference attendees during the Plenary Session
NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the world’s largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education and is comprised of eleven regions throughout the United States that offer conferences each year. The Region VII conference brings together international education professionals from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This conference was especially impactful for me as I had the honor of representing our home town of Orlando/Central Florida as the Local Arrangements Chair.
My role in the Leadership Team started back in November 2018 on the last day of the regional conference held in Memphis. We met as a team and discussed what worked and improvements we could implement during the Orlando conference. March 2019, the entire team joined together again, but this time in Orlando at the host hotel. Over the span of three days we strategized on workshops, layouts, sponsorships, exhibitors, plenary speakers, and more for the 2019 Orlando conference.
My team worked diligently to select a phenomenal plenary speaker that would highlight Orlando perfectly. We selected the Orlando Fringe to showcase how the longest-running Fringe Festival in the United States can bring over 75,000 people to a 14-day theater and arts festival each year. The festival prides itself on bringing together artists from all over the world for a truly inclusive, accessible, and uncensored cultural event.
The Orlando Fringe received the Community Volunteer Award in recognition of their longstanding commitment to globalization and empowerment through the free exchange of artistic expression.
Conference attendees were not only treated to a lively speech from the executive director on the history of the Fringe and their message of equity and inclusion, but also performances from two remarkable artists. Lindsay Taylor presented a monologue from the theater production, The Lightweight and Tymisha Harris brought down the house to roars and a standing ovation after performing two incredible songs from her one-woman burlesque cabaret, Josephine. The regional leadership team said that it was the first time a majority of conference attendees stayed until the very end of the plenary event instead of heading to the session rooms early. Walking the halls of the conference hotel, you could hear people buzzing about how fantastic the plenary event and that the performances gave them goosebumps.
Epcot Forever Fireworks
The biggest decision during the March planning meeting was where would we host the All-Conference Event. It is the main networking event of the conference and a time for the host city to really shine. The previous year it was held in a blues café in Memphis and included a full meal, drinks, and three levels of different live entertainment including an incredible Blues singer. Orlando needed to top that in a big way for no other reason than to showcase our Orlando pride! The decision was an easy one to make. By unanimous decision, they agreed to my proposal of busing the entire conference attendees to Disney’s Epcot for an unforgettable evening of drinks, desserts, and most importantly, fireworks. The bonus, and what probably sealed the deal for everyone, Disney would allow our guests 2 additional hours in the theme park after the fireworks to eat, shop, and enjoy all the attractions. How could we refuse?
Thanks to my fantastic Local Arrangements team, we successfully bussed 550 conference attendees to the backstage area of Epcot before being escorted to our private event area at the World Showcase. Our attendees were so excited to see a little of the backstage Disney magic and to be treated to a prime location to party, network, and watch the new firework show.
Conference attendees enjoying delicious sweets before the fireworks.
Attendees loved the opportunity to explore the theme park after hours and ride the attractions with little to no lines (unthinkable at Disney World). Throughout the night and the next morning, the conference was abuzz sharing stories of the remarkable night they had at Epcot. Many said it was a night they will never forget and cannot believe that any future conference could ever top this experience. Attendees from other NAFSA Regions as well as staff from the NAFSA National organization said it was by far one of these best conferences they have ever attended. I am so bless to have been a part of such a remarkable event and grateful for the hardworking team that supported all our events.
Wendy Viggiano and Kim Priebe presenting on International Faculty Development Programs
On top of organizing all the local events for the conference, I also had the honor of presenting two conference sessions with fantastic colleagues from the region. I partnered with Kim Priebe, Director of NC State Study Abroad, on the session Engaging Faculty through International Faculty Development Programming. The session room was at capacity with conference attendees as we discussed the various professional development opportunities our schools offer for faculty to encourage international programming and intercultural competency.
The second session, Retaining International Students through Student Programming and Events, was a lively discussion with Charlotte Bingham (Florida Gulf Coast University) and Maria Elena Gaborov Jones (UNC Wilmington) as co-presenters. We focused the presentation on the various robust initiatives and best practices our three institutions implement that aid in the retention and engagement of our international student populations. Both sessions were very well attended as well as received incredible feedback from conference session evaluations.
As that conference is well in the books, and the 2020 Region VII conference kicks off this week virtually, I reflect back on our All-Conference event and the closing line of the Epcot Forever firework display. It is as relevant today as much as it was a year ago: “May peace go with you forever and ever as you celebrate the future hand in hand.”
Hello international students,
Since receiving the new regulations from SEVP, WORLD has been working to develop options for our students who are abroad and cannot or are afraid to return to the US. We know this is a stressful time for our international students – you all are managing travel bans, quarantines, and restrictive visa rules, not to mention a global pandemic. We have so much admiration for how you are handling the difficult situation you have been handed. At Stetson, we are bound by U.S. laws, but we want to help you as much as we can within these regulations. We are trying to think creatively for ways to help you. If you cannot return to Stetson this fall and want to continue taking classes, you have a few options:
1. You could take Stetson classes entirely online from home if: you are a returning college student continuing your degree program. First time in college students MUST take at least half their credits face to face or hybrid to remain in good standing so they must come to Stetson and be actively attending classes. 2. First time in college students who have not yet gotten a visa can defer their start date for Stetson and register for classes online. Since you are not officially an international student until you are issued a visa you can choose to stay home and take the first semester of your degree online. you MUST contact the world office to have your I-20 start date deferred until spring. However, remember if you do have a visa you must come to campus and you must be in face to face or Hybrid classes if you want to study this fall. 3. If you have EU or UK citizenship and you are unable to return to Stetson this fall due to the travel bans in place on your country, you can study online from home. Athletes, you should talk to your coaches about this to be sure your athletic scholarships will remain available to you.
Another option you can choose is to spend two weeks in a third country quarantining there before proceeding onto the USA. We strongly suggest you keep all your receipts and travel documents if that is your choice to validate the time in the third country. Remember you will be required to quarantine again in the US upon your entry.
Either scenario, you should be in touch with Financial Aid to see if/how any of these options would impact your financial aid and scholarships. Athletes should be in touch with their coaches to see if/how this would impact their athletic scholarships.
Son Vu is a WORLD Alumni having graduated from Stetson University class of 2020 with a double major in Professional Sales and Marketing and a minor in Psychology. Since that time, Son has been working as a Centurion Sales Delegate for Stetson University Business School while on OPT.
Son Vu ’19
Coming to Stetson from Vietnam for new international student orientation in 2016, marked the first time that Son visited the U.S. He credits Stetson’s small size for the ease of his transition, “I got used to my new life in the States quite smoothly with all the help from the WORLD staff and my professors.” Son said that he was “never made to feel uncomfortable even though I would ask many questions, both in class and in my social interactions”. He said he almost feels like any other student, “including the domestic ones” and says that is probably because English is his second language.
“I would not be where I am now without the personal guidance from the “teachers” that he had at Stetson. Some of them were professors and some of them were his friends. Son came to the U.S. as a new member of Stetson’s Honors Program. He lived in Conrad Hall, a residential hall designated for mostly Honors and Bonner Program students, all four years. He says that living in Conrad was the best decision that he ever made. “I met many of my current friends and mentors from my first few years living there”. Never one to sit still for long, in his sophomore year, Son studied abroad again in Seoul, South Korea for one semester and came back to be a Resident Assistant for Conrad Hall for the last two years as he completed his undergraduate degree. He was also in one of the first groups to graduate from the Centurion Sales Program, under the guidance of Dr. John Riggs.
While Son has always been curious and has had a desire to try new things and explore, he said that none of his experiences would have happened without the encouragement and mentorship of the people that he met at Stetson. After his current job, Son is looking to work on his professional Sales career in a young company and eventually, build his own. Global citizenship, a value Son shares with Stetson, continues to be extremely important to him and he is planning to carry it and live by it wherever he goes during his career.
If you are interested in connecting with son for career networking, please contact WORLD at [email protected].
Anh M. Nguyen is a third-year student from Vietnam majoring in International Business at Stetson University who recently received the Stetson “Student Employee of the Month – March 2021” recognition.
Anh started her employment journey in the WORLD office at Stetson University in 2019 as a clerical assistant, helping the WORLD personnel including Roxanne Lewis, Paula Hentz, and Wendy Viggiano. In this position, Anh manages a lot of assignments and tasks in the form of designing posters and presentations, planning events, handling email communication, and helping fellow international students’ with the management of their residency statuses here, in the U.S.. Before joining WORLD in 2019, Anh had no prior working experience. She was able to navigate her first employment experience with the WORLD with the help of the welcoming staff and fellow co-workers who guided her through all the hardships and challenges. Anh admits to having wanted to work in the WORLD office the moment he entered the place. This is because the WORLD Office creates a welcoming environment for international students to gather, express their feelings and concerns, and gain the necessary support. She wanted to start working at WORLD to contribute to assisting her fellow international students. Her goal in her student employment position has always been to assist them with their concerns and to help WORLD provide as many development opportunities as possible.
Anh notes that she was both very surprised and excited to receive the “Employee of the Month” recognition. She had always thought of this title but had never thought she would be able to receive it. She credits her supervisor Roxanne Lewis for not only helping her grow and gain so much professionalism over the years, but also for recognizing her efforts and dedication.
She says that the recognition means a lot to her,”It is an indication of my dedication and hard work. It means my work is impactful, not only for my personal growth but also for my fellow Hatters” –putting her in perfect alignment with her job goals.
Anh also shared the lessons she learned, the advice she would give to fellow Stetson employees, and her favorite moments working for WORLD. Anh notes that she gained a lot of various skills in her current position. She learned to work effectively both individually and in a team. Moreover, she was able to familiarize herself with all the management systems, such as the Shared drive and different websites/ platforms that the WORLD uses. Anh’s advice to her fellow Hatters who want to get Stetson employment is to, firstly, improve their time management skills. As a person of many commitments (besides her job, Anh is also the Vice-President of APAC, a Residential Assistant (RA), and most importantly, a full-time student), Anh believes that planning is the best way to manage your time. Every morning, she spends 5-10 minutes planning her day and setting clear priorities for the day. Secondly, Anh advices students to not leave everything to the last minute.
She says, “It is important to do disciplined work every day to be able to set time for other commitments and involvements.”
Lastly, Anh’s favorite part of working on campus is being able to learn from so many amazing individuals. She believes that her involvements always challenge her and help her become better. She hopes sharing this story will inspire other international students at Stetson to get out of their comfort zones and get involved on our campus.
