Untitled Document

PROGRAMS

ACTIVITIES

PROGRAMS

PLANET PARTNERS

The Planet Partners program seeks to introduce Ole Miss international students to life in the U.S., and to acquaint American students and Oxford residents with other cultures through personal interaction in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Internationals and Americans are paired together based on common interests to foster understanding and friendship.

The basic commitment is to meet with your partner a minimum of once per month. Partners can plan activities together based on the interests of both the host and the international student. Some suggestions for simple activities are to meet for coffee or lunch to discuss interests or current events. In addition, the Office of International Programs will sponsor a Planet Partners Event approximately once per month. Recent monthly activities have included bowling, roller skating, a Halloween hayride and a welcome party for new students. Applications may be picked up in the Office of International Programs or can be mailed upon request. Please contact Tayla Burns at trburns@olemiss.edu or 915-7404 for details.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2009-2010 ACADEMIC YEAR!

To apply for Planet Partners, please fill out the applicable form below and return it to 331 Martindale or email the form to Tayla Burns <trburns@olemiss.edu>

For International Students and Scholars: Planet Partners International Applicant Form

For American Students and Scholars: Planet Partners American Applicant Form

INTERNATIONAL LADIES’ CLUB

The International Ladies' Club is a group for women interested in meeting other women from different cultures and sharing experiences about living in the U.S. and other countries. Female international students, faculty, staff, and spouses/partners are welcome to join, as well as American women interested in building cross-cultural friendships. Ladies' Club activities include socializing, discussing cultural differences and similarities, playing games, going sight-seeing, and celebrating holidays. The group meets once a week in the University Counseling Center. For additional information please join the International Ladies' Club Facebook group or visit: International Ladies Club Flier. If you have questions please email Counseling Center.

The International Ladies' Club is a joint collaboration between the Department of International Programs, the University Counseling Center, and the Psychological Services Center.

CULTURAL CONNECTIONS CLUB

The Cultural Connections Club (C3) aims to promote positive adjustment through the discussion of common international student concerns. The group’s aim is to help students with culture shock and with adjustment needs. Discussion topics will depend on student wishes. For additional information please visit the Cultural Connections Club

If you have questions please email the Counseling Center.

The Cultural Connections Club is a joint collaboration between the Department of International Programs, the University Counseling Center, and the Psychological Services Center.

ACTIVITIES

WHEREFAIR

WhereFair is an annual event which occurs during the fall semester, usually the second week of November. The event is held in conjunction with International Education Week. The purpose of WhereFair is to reach out to the community, involving both U.S. and International students in the organization of this educational event.

The highlight of WhereFair is the GeoQuiz, a geography quiz show in which teams of middle school students from the Oxford area compete for team recognition and prizes. Other activities include culture tables, a satellite photo contest, and games.

WORLDFEST

WorldFest is held every spring semester in the second week of April. WorldFest is an outdoor festival held in the Grove, and consists of games, food, and music which celebrate the diversity of culture at the University of Mississippi. The event is free to the public and is made possible through the support of the Croft Institute for International Studies, the Ole Miss Parents Association, and Campus Programming.

For more information or to get involved, contact the International Student Advisor, Tim Woodard at twoodard@olemiss.edu or at 915-7404.

WORLD RELIGIONS SERIES

World Religions Poster

In the spring of 2001, the Office of International Programs at the University of Mississippi began the World Religions Series. The lectures have been an integral part of the programming offered by the Office of International Programs ever since. The talks are held each year over the course of four weeks in late-March and early-April.

Initially, the focus of the lecture series was to focus on the 3 major non-Judeo-Christian religions represented at the University of Mississippi. Since the first series, the talks have expanded in scope and now cover Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhism. Each talk is led by students and faculty at the university. The talks are meant to enlighten and engage participants, and each talk includes a question-and-answer period.

Everyone is encouraged to attend the lectures, as they are open to both the community and the university.

For more information, contact Tayla Burns, trburns@olemiss.edu, 915-7404.