Intensive English Program Archives - 91Ƶ News /now/news/tag/iep/ News from the 91Ƶ community. Tue, 16 Dec 2025 02:08:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 One year into his council term, alumnus continues to provide a voice for the voiceless /now/news/2025/one-year-into-his-council-term-alumnus-continues-to-provide-a-voice-for-the-voiceless/ /now/news/2025/one-year-into-his-council-term-alumnus-continues-to-provide-a-voice-for-the-voiceless/#respond Mon, 15 Dec 2025 14:43:24 +0000 /now/news/?p=60254 Alsaadun MA ’17, Harrisonburg’s first refugee councilmember, advocates for local immigrant community

No matter where you come from or which language you speak, there is a place for you in Harrisonburg and at 91Ƶ, and Nasser Alsaadun MA ’17 (education) is living proof of that.

The Iraqi-born educator, who came to the United States in 2008, became the first refugee councilmember in the city’s history when he was elected last fall and began his in January. He says his presence on council sends a clear message that Harrisonburg is diverse and accepting and that local immigrants can feel welcome as a part of the community.

“People can all live in peace and learn from one another—your culture, my culture. We’re all in the same pot,” Alsaadun said. “I think that’s actually a unique thing about this area.”

Through his advocacy work, Alsaadun ensures that the Friendly City lives up to its name as a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds. He volunteers with , a local office of Church World Service that serves and advocates for refugees, asylum seekers, unaccompanied children, and immigrants in the Shenandoah Valley.

He is also a founder and board member of the , a community group that works to make the city more inclusive and supportive for immigrants and newcomers, addressing challenges they face, building relationships with them, and connecting them with resources.

One of those resources is 91Ƶ’s renowned Intensive English Program (IEP). Alsaadun, who teaches Arabic courses as an at James Madison University and English Language Learner (ELL) classes for Rockingham County Public Schools, often motivates residents to enroll in IEP classes. The program, hosted in 91Ƶ’s Roselawn Building, helps English language learners from all around the world find their voice and build a better life for themselves. In a typical semester, IEP has 60 to 80 students of varying ages and language skill levels representing 15 to 20 countries.

“91Ƶ has one of the best English programs in the area,” Alsaadun said. “It has a great reputation with the immigrant community.”

He added that graduates of IEP are highly proficient, professional, and well-prepared to continue their education, not just at 91Ƶ, but at any university. “From Winchester to Charlottesville, (that program) is the best there is.”


Did you know?
In Harrisonburg City Public Schools, more than 70 languages are spoken by the student population. The No. 1 spoken language isn’t English—it’s Spanish! Source: in the Daily News-Record. Learn more about IEP at .


Escaping danger

Alsaadun grew up in Iraq and graduated from the University of Basrah in 1997 with a bachelor of arts in English. When the Iraq War broke out, he served as an interpreter for the U.S. Army in 2003. Because of his help, he became a target of militia insurgents, who came looking for him. When they couldn’t find him, they kidnapped his father for two days, then tortured and killed him.

Alsaadun and his family fled to Syria and later relocated to Lebanon, where they received refugee status from the United Nations. They arrived in the United States in July 2008 and were resettled by CWS Harrisonburg.

While serving as a temporary instructor for JMU’s foreign language department, Alsaadun started working with the refugee resettlement office and other organizations to welcome newcomers and help refugees adjust to their new life. As he helped connect immigrants to 91Ƶ’s Intensive English Program, he learned more about the university. He had heard so many success stories about its graduates and decided to enroll. And in 2017, he graduated from 91Ƶ with a master of arts in education.

It had always been his father’s dream to see him earn a master’s degree, shared Alsaadun, and so it was especially meaningful to him. “I cried,” he said, “because I couldn’t have him there with me seeing that moment.”


Nasser Alsaadun poses for a photo with 91Ƶ Professor Tim Seidel.

‘A different touch’

Since graduating from 91Ƶ, Alsaadun has continued his studies through courses at JMU and the University of Virginia. He said 91Ƶ professors are unlike any others he has encountered in his education.

“I was blessed to have professors who recognized and appreciated the gifts I had,” Alsaadun said. “They knew I wasn’t a native English speaker and that I came from a different culture. Some teachers expect you to know everything, but my teachers at 91Ƶ understood that sometimes you struggle. That kind of understanding is unique to 91Ƶ.”

In August, while attending a city/91Ƶ liaison committee meeting as a council representative, he received an email confirming his acceptance into the doctoral program at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He is now in his first semester, pursuing a PhD of education in curriculum and instruction, and credited 91Ƶ and its professors for providing the tools and skills that have helped him succeed.

“It’s absolutely a different taste of education,” he said. “The courses at 91Ƶ have a different touch.”

Alsaadun, now a U.S. citizen with a wife and four children, opened Babylon, a Middle Eastern restaurant and market in Harrisonburg, in 2016. He’s been invited to the White House on two occasions. He met former President Barack Obama in July 2016, in appreciation for “serving the community and being a good role model for refugees” and attended a leadership summit on refugees at the White House that September. He received the Leader of the Year award from Church World Service in 2022.

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International Food Festival returns to 91Ƶ, reflects rich diversity on campus /now/news/2025/international-food-festival-returns-to-emu-reflects-rich-diversity-on-campus/ Mon, 24 Feb 2025 21:48:13 +0000 /now/news/?p=58251 They came, they saw, they con-Kurd. 

Aram Hanson, an instructor in 91Ƶ’s Intensive English Program (IEP), along with two of his IEP students, Dastan and Shalaw, conquered the competition at the 11th annual International Food Festival on Friday with their crowd-favorite Kurdish dishes.

Competing in the event for his first time, Hanson and his students prepared dolma (vegetables stuffed with rice and meat), biryani (a rice and meat dish), chicken tikka (kebabs), kuba (a type of dumpling), baklava and a variety of salads.  

“It seems that many people here liked our food, and that feels great,” he said after being announced as a winner. He added that two of his family members recently opened a restaurant called Kabob Corner on South Main Street in Harrisonburg, and that if people enjoyed his Kurdish food, they would love the dishes served at the restaurant.

Aram Hanson, right, an instructor with the Intensive English Program, watches as 91Ƶ junior Leah Beachy samples some Kurdish food.

For placing first in the individuals and small groups category, the trio of Kurdish cooks received $200 in winnings. A second-place prize of $125 was awarded to Mohammad Khatiri and Ayam Ali, the cheesecake-baking duo behind , and a $100 third-place prize was given to 91Ƶ staff member Amina Anwar for her Pakistani biryani.

Mohammad Khatiri and Ayam Ali serve cheesecake at the International Food Festival.

Since winning last year’s competition, Khatiri and Ali have been busy selling their cheesecakes through their Instagram page and said they plan to launch a website soon. Khatiri said he was glad to be back at the festival for another year. “We enjoy the whole vibe and like trying different types of food from different countries,” he said. 

A variety of colorful Kurdish foods available to try at the festival.

The winners of the student clubs category received a trophy and bragging rights. They are:

  • First place: Asian-Pacific Islander Student Alliance (APISA)
  • Second place:  Black Student Alliance (BSA)
  • Third place: Latinx Student Alliance (LSA)
Members of 91Ƶ’s Black Student Alliance (BSA) serve foods at Friday’s event.

A total of 14 teams participated in the competition. Those sampling the dishes could vote on their favorite cuisines through a QR code at each table. 

A selection of foods that were available to try at the 11th annual International Food Festival on Friday.

Hosted by the International Students Organization (ISO) and the International Food Festival Committee, the festival is one of the most anticipated events of the year, drawing hundreds of students, faculty, staff and other 91Ƶ community members to celebrate the rich flavors and traditions from around the world. Micah Shristi, director of international student services, said that more than 275 people participated in this year’s festival. He said that students represent 55 countries at 91Ƶ.

“A diversity of cultures, languages, and belief systems make our 91Ƶ community stronger,” he said. “Nothing demonstrates this more deliciously than the International Food Festival.”

Students from the Latinx Student Alliance (LSA) serve empanadas at the festival.

The turnout at the event included many students from other schools who were on campus for the Intercollegiate Peace Fellowship conference held over the weekend. One of those students, Abby Chappell Deckert of Bethel College in Newton, Kansas, said she enjoyed the Pakistani biryani. “I think it’s great,” she said while in line for cheesecake. “It’s really interesting to try food from other countries, and I think it’s a great alternative to the usual everyday ‘caf’ food that people get.” She said that Bethel has a very diverse student body, but does not have a similar food festival of its own.

Third-place winner Amina Anwar, a staff member for the Early Learning Center, spoons some Pakistani biryani on a plate.

While 91Ƶ juniors Maria Longenecker and Leah Beachy may have disagreed on which cuisine earned their vote (Longenecker favored the Ethiopian dishes while her friend preferred the Kurdish ones), they said they both considered the festival among their favorite events of the year. “That Kurdish food was bussin, and you can quote me on that,” said Beachy, using a slang term for “delicious.”

Samosas from Kenya were among the dishes served at the festival.

In between bites, Harrisonburg Vice Mayor Dany Fleming and his wife, Carol, campus visit coordinator for the admissions office, took in the upbeat music and positive energy at the Student Union. “I love the diversity that 91Ƶ brings and has brought historically to Harrisonburg,” the vice mayor said. “Part of the reason we are such an international city is specifically and directly because of 91Ƶ and the work they do around the world.”

Seven new flags join the dozens of flags in the Hall of Nations.

Friday’s event, held at the Orie O. Miller Hall of Nations inside University Commons, also included an announcement from ISO student leaders about seven new flags added to the hall: Belarus, Dominican Republic, Malawi, Mongolia, Puerto Rico, Sudan, and Uruguay. 

“These flags are more than fabric,” said 91Ƶ senior and ISO co-President Fiker Yigzaw. “They are a testament to the stories, journeys, and contributions of our international students, past and present. Let’s continue to learn from one another, share in the joy of cultural exchange, and embrace the vibrant global spirit that unites us all.”

Take a look at more photos from the 2025 International Food Festival in our Flickr gallery below:

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In Rotary talk, Swartzendruber explains why 91Ƶ began sending its students on ‘cross-culturals’ decades ago /now/news/2014/in-rotary-talk-swartzendruber-explains-why-emu-began-sending-its-students-on-cross-culturals-decades-ago/ Tue, 09 Sep 2014 03:37:28 +0000 http://emu.edu/now/news/?p=21464 For more than 30 years, undergraduates at 91Ƶ have been required to immerse themselves in a culture different from their own before graduation. This unusual requirement was the focus of a luncheon address by on September 8.

Speaking to about 100 members of the dining at Spotswood Country Club, Swartzendruber offered several stories to explain the transformative impact of the , including one involving his son Steven.

Steven did his cross-cultural in Central America as a 20-year-old in the spring of his junior year. Inspired by that experience, he did a year-long service stint in Mexico after graduating in 2000. There he lived with a family whose host mother became ill. Steven was holding her hand when she died. He returned to 91Ƶ to earn an MDiv in 2005. Today, as a 36-year-old hospice chaplain, he often relives his Mexico experience by being present for, often holding the hands of, people who are dying.

For students who feel unable to spend a semester off campus, such as some collegiate athletes, Swartzendruber said 91Ƶ offers shorter-term possibilities, often during the summer.

“But we would prefer that our students do their cross-cultural internationally and for a full semester,” he said, adding that “internationally” typically means in a second- or third-world country, rather than in a “posh” location.

He cited standout volleyball player – who graduated from a local public high school – for choosing to go to Spain and Morocco in the fall of 2013, though she missed a season of playing. The cross-cultural sparked her interest in doing three years of service in Central America after she graduates this academic year.

“We don’t send them as a single student to take a course in a university on their own,” he said. 91Ƶ sends students as a cohort, accompanied by a faculty or staff member who typically has years of experience in that culture.

The first question from the audience after Swartzendruber’s talk pertained to the process by which 91Ƶ selects the homes where students stay during their cross-culturals.

The president noted that the university’s decades of experience with these trips, coupled with the on-the-ground knowledge of the 91Ƶ trip leaders, has enabled the university to build up a base of host families and to know how to locate other suitable families as needed.

Another questioner wanted to know about opportunities for people from other countries to study at 91Ƶ. Swartzendruber cited 91Ƶ’s , which has attracted more than 1,000 students from 62 countries since it began in 1989 and is one of the fastest-growing programs at 91Ƶ. Once these IEP students have mastered English, they often go on to enroll at 91Ƶ or at other area colleges and universities.

He also spoke of 91Ƶ’s 20-year-old , which hosted 184 students from 36 countries in 2014. Since its founding, the institute has brought more than 2,800 participants from 121 countries to Harrisonburg.

Finally, he noted that about 37 percent of 91Ƶ’s incoming class is “diverse,” meaning they are not Caucasians from the United States.

The luncheon wrapped up with a Rotarian offering his congratulations to 91Ƶ for having a and a among its alumni group.

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Lancaster school district and 91Ƶ partner for two-week English as a second language program /now/news/2014/lancaster-school-district-and-emu-partner-for-two-week-english-as-a-second-language-program/ Fri, 18 Jul 2014 19:50:13 +0000 http://emu.edu/now/news/?p=21062 Adult students in two English as a second language classes at 91Ƶ (91Ƶ) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania partnered with School District of Lancaster to host a two-week summer program at Burrowes Elementary School, which concluded Thursday, July 17, 2014.

Lessons taught by the 91Ƶ graduate students focused on science topics, such as meteorology, while building students’ language skills. The first-time program counted as practice hours toward the graduate students’ certifications.

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91Ƶ mourns tragic death of incoming student /now/news/2014/emu-mourns-tragic-death-of-incoming-student/ /now/news/2014/emu-mourns-tragic-death-of-incoming-student/#comments Fri, 03 Jan 2014 17:13:42 +0000 http://emu.edu/now/news/?p=18913 The 91Ƶ community was deeply saddened by the sudden death of incoming student Doyeon Ki on Wednesday, January 1, in a tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends in South Korea and here in the United States. The story was reported by local media outlets as the broader community shared in this loss.

The pedestrian who was struck and killed late Wednesday night on Va. 42 was hit by “multiple vehicles,” including an ambulance, police say.

The victim, Doyeon Ki, was a 21-year-old woman from South Korea set to enroll in 91Ƶ’s next week.

She died at Sentara RMH Medical Center after being transported there from the scene, just north of the Harrisonburg city line, according to a Thursday afternoon press release from Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller.

In an earlier phone interview, Sgt. F.L. Tyler of the state police had said the woman died at the scene.

Ki was standing in the right lane of northbound traffic near Hamlet Drive, just north of Harmony Square shopping center in the city, at about 10 p.m. Wednesday when she was struck by more than one vehicle, Tyler said.

The press release only identifies a 1999 Jeep Cherokee as striking Ki. It was not immediately known how many times she was struck or who was operating the Jeep.

Police say the rescue squad involved was from Broadway and returning to its station. The other vehicles were passenger cars, Tyler said.

The crash, which shut down both lanes of northbound traffic, was still under investigation by Trooper B.W. Coleman on Thursday afternoon. No charges have been filed.

Ki was expected to register for the English program at 91Ƶ on Monday with the intention of then pursuing a degree at the school, spokeswoman Andrea Wenger said.

She arrived in the United States in late December and was using the Western name “Rachel,” Wenger added.

Ki was living with a host family in the Park View area.

91Ƶ has her name listed as Doyean, versus state police’s Doyeon.

The woman’s host family did not wish to comment, Wenger said.

Courtesy Daily News-Record, Jan. 3, 2014

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91Ƶ, Seminary alumnus named president of Virginia Mennonite Missions /now/news/2013/emu-seminary-alumnus-named-president-of-virginia-mennonite-missions/ Mon, 21 Oct 2013 14:04:35 +0000 http://emu.edu/now/news/?p=18434 Aaron M. Kauffman of Harrisonburg, Va., was chosen by 15-member Board of Directors as their next president at the October 18-19 meeting.

Kauffman has extensive local and international mission experience serving most recently as VMM global ministries director and advancement associate since 2011. A seven-member search committee of members began their work in June 2013, and recommended Kauffman to the VMM Board.

Phyllis Miller, chair of the VMM Board states, “We are delighted with Aaron’s selection as president. His unanimous selection by the Board indicates a trust level in his leadership along with a proven track record as global ministries director. We are grateful to God for this servant leader he has given us to lead VMM for this next period of time.”

Kauffman will follow Loren Horst, who has served since 2002 as VMM president. Loren and his wife, Earlene, will be considering future VMM mission assignments after he concludes his current role on December 31, 2013. He states, “I am very pleased with the selection of Aaron Kauffman. Aaron is relationally warm, missiologically sound, and administratively competent. He combines mission passion with a deep faith in Jesus and love for the entire church. Aaron’s mission experience and proven leadership have prepared him well for this additional responsibility. I offer my full and prayerful support.”

Growing up in Pennsylvania, and attending , Mountville, Pa., Kauffman recounts learning a mission-minded way of living through the congregation’s refugee ministry, active youth group and mentoring relationships with church members, including mission leader, David Shenk of . As a result, he eagerly participated in local and international short-term mission experiences while a high-school and college student.

After completing a bachelor of arts in at 91Ƶ (91Ƶ), he finished a MA in TESOL and bilingual education at Georgetown University in 2003. Following two years as an ESL teacher in , he and his wife Laura were jointly appointed by VMM and and served from 2005-2008 in La Mesa, Colombia, as church youth group leaders, members of a church planting team, and as a teacher and a nurse, respectively, at the local Mennonite school.

Upon returning to Harrisonburg, Va., to attend seminary, he became curriculum coordinator of the at 91Ƶ while also teaching university courses in language instruction and methodology. He completed a in 2012. He has since taught undergraduate courses in as adjunct professor at 91Ƶ.

Upon his selection, Kauffman notes, “It is truly an honor to be asked to serve Virginia Mennonite Missions in this way. With God’s help and the church’s prayerful support, I look forward to continuing VMM’s legacy of faithful witness to the good news of Jesus Christ. It is an exciting time to be part of what God is doing around the world through the church.”

Aaron and Laura Kauffman are members of , Broadway, Va., a congregation of Virginia Mennonite Conference. They have four children, Abigail, 8, Sophie, 6, Asher, 3, and David, 3 months. Laura Michelle Souder Kauffman completed a at 91Ƶ in 2002 and has worked as a maternal health nurse. She is currently a member of a VMM Ministry Support Team and a stay-at-home mother. Their parents are Paul and Donna Souder, Harrisonburg, Va. and Dennis and Rose Kauffman, Lancaster, Pa.

Virginia Mennonite Missions was formed in 1919, with headquarters in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Now with a budget of $2.5 million, its mission is to invite people to faithful living in Jesus Christ by forming and enabling congregations and individuals to continue God’s reconciling work in the world. Approximately 75 persons serve in 16 countries including the United States in the areas of disciple-making and church planting, education, leadership development, deaf ministry, refugee ministry and urban ministry.

Article courtesy Virginia Mennonite Missions, Oct. 21, 2013

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91Ƶ achieves record enrollment /now/news/2013/emu-achieves-record-enrollment/ Fri, 13 Sep 2013 19:25:02 +0000 http://emu.edu/now/news/?p=18131 Enrollment increased this fall by 8 percent over the previous fall at 91Ƶ, counting all students enrolled in for-credit coursework. The numbers rose from 1,519 to 1,640, a record enrollment for this 96-year-old institution.

In traditional undergraduate population, there was a 2 percent increase, from 912 to 929 students, based on head counts in early September 2012 and 2013.

“I am especially proud of the fact that we attracted a high number of ethnic and racially diverse students,” said Luke Hartman, PhD, vice-president for enrollment. “I believe 91Ƶ may be heading toward being one of the most diverse liberal arts institutions in the state. Greater diversity will, of course, enhance the university experience for all of our students, developing their critical-thinking abilities and emotional intelligence.”

Older students seeking graduate degrees or returning to school to finish their undergraduate degrees were the most significant area of enrollment growth for 91Ƶ.

The older-adult group was heavily concentrated in graduate education outside of the seminary, with the total number of students in six master’s programs increasing by 27 percent, from 271 to 343 students.

Two new master’s degree programs – in and in – contributed heavily to the increase, with the former accounting for 61 students, 74 percent more than the previous year, and the latter accounting for 22 students, three times more than were enrolled the previous year, its first year of operation.

Close behind the graduate programs in growth were those serving adults who wish to complete their bachelor’s degrees. There’s a caveat in reporting the adult-program enrollment statistics: these adults study within cohorts that start at irregular intervals throughout the year, rather than being synchronized to the typical two-semester academic calendar. This makes it problematical to compare enrollment at the same point in time for successive years.

Being mindful of the caveat, 91Ƶ officials are cautiously optimistic that the fall 2013 enrollment statistics may prove to be a harbinger of a jump in total adult enrollment for the coming academic year.

As of Sept. 10, 2013, was 121; last September, it was 79. The Lancaster students are all upgrading their RN degrees to degrees. On the main Harrisonburg campus, enrollment was 102 this fall, compared to 98 last fall. Harrisonburg offers the , as well as a . With 223 students enrolled altogether, these two sites are showing a 26 percent increase in enrollment.

For coursework that is not counted as college credit, has seen a dramatic increase in enrollment, necessitating a move to larger quarters on the Harrisonburg campus in 2012. Since the fall of 2012, IEP enrollment has jumped from 61 to 85, a 39 percent increase.

enrollment has been flat for a number of years, a trend that likely reflects the shrinkage in the membership of traditional churches in wider society.

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91Ƶ Opens Convocation “Like No Other” /now/news/2012/emu-opens-convocation-like-no-other/ Fri, 31 Aug 2012 13:56:34 +0000 http://emu.edu/now/news/?p=13837 91Ƶ (91Ƶ) called students, faculty and staff to be “like no other,” as a Christian university and as servant leaders, to the standing-room only crowd in Lehman Auditorium during opening convocation Wednesday, Aug. 29.

“The story of the Good Samaritan reminds us that those who serve most effectively are not typically the most respected among us, nor do they often come from the ranks of those with obvious power,” said Swartzendruber. “Servant leaders are those who frequently did not seek leadership roles but act out of deeply held values which are often then noticed by others.”

Swartzendruber linked his message to several alumni who have made an impact as servant leaders across the world, including: , a 2007 graduate of and a ; Eliza Barnhart Burkholder, a 2009 nursing graduate who received the first in Harrisonburg; , a 2007 graduate and DREAM Act advocate; and , a 2007 graduate who is leading an environmental effort in Borneo to stop palm oil producers from taking over the rain forest, among others.

Faculty, staff and returning students line up from Lehman Auditorium to the Campus Center in a “human tunnel” to welcome new members to the 91Ƶ community. Photo by Jon Styer.

In distinguishing 91Ƶ from its peers as a “Christian university like no other,” Swartzendruber noted its diverse program base.

“There are five Mennonite colleges in the U.S. and 91Ƶ is the only one that embodies a seminary, a Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, a , and with the advent of the new this fall, a total of ,” said Swartzendruber.

91Ƶ also includes an to prepare non-native speakers for futher academic study and a popular .

In closing, Swartzendruber issued a promise to students that an education at 91Ƶ is more than just a one-way “dissemination of information” that can be found on podcasts and mass lectures.

“Our promise is that for your tuition payments, you will have every opportunity to become an educated person, one who will be prepared to serve and lead in a global context. And we will fulfill that promise by seeking to be ‘like no other.'”

Cross-cultural sending

The convocation closed with a commissioning for students who left campus Wednesday on fall semester cross-cultural seminar to New Zealand and .

, professor of , and his wife Kathy, will lead a group of 22 students to New Zealand to explore the variety of sustainability issues facing the island country.

Faculty, staff and students gather to pray for the cross-cultural groups leaving for South Africa/Lesotho and New Zealand. Photo by Jon Styer.

The program will have two themes—cultural and environmental. The cultural studies will center on homestays and the book, “The Sociology of Everyday Life in New Zealand.” They will spend time in urban and rural areas, focusing on specific environmental issues and applying them to their particular interests and fields of study.

The majority of the stay will be in the mountainous and agricultural environments of the South Island.

The South Africa and Lesotho group, led by Harlan de Brun, instructor in physical education and recreation, and assisted by 91Ƶ alumni Denay Fuglie and Kelsey Yoder, will study the values and norms of South African culture, learn about the African Independent Church movement, do elementary Sesotho language study and focus on community development and projects with particular attention given to AIDS issues.

The group of 21 students will read, hear lectures and journal about the history and culture of Southern Africa, including the Apartheid era and how religious beliefs affected government policy. They return to campus Dec. 5.

‘Shenandoah Welcome’

Returning students, faculty and staff gave new members of the 91Ƶ community a traditional “Shenandoah Welcome” as they wended their way through a human “tunnel” of smiling faces and clapping hands accompanied by Appalachian bluegrass music.

91Ƶ’s fall semester ends Dec. 14.

(President Swartzendruber speaks at 12:50)

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Language Barriers Falling in 91Ƶ’s Intensive English Program /now/news/2012/language-barriers-falling-in-emus-intensive-english-program/ Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:33:29 +0000 http://emu.edu/now/news/?p=13100 When Fanty Polanco immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic five years ago, she spoke no English.

But three years in 91Ƶ’s has made the 31-year-old fluent in the language and ready to take the next step in securing a career.

“Now, I have a big plan to become a dental hygienist,” Polanco said. “The program is amazing.”

The expansion of IEP’s recruiting efforts next year may help the program serve more students like Polanco, according to the program’s director, , a driving force behind a new partnership among 91Ƶ and four other Mennonite institutions.

Students at the other four schools under the will screen admissions applications and recommend international students to 91Ƶ’s program.

The institutions involved in the three-year partnership with 91Ƶ are Bethel College, Bluffton University, Goshen College and Hesston College.

“We are a precollegiate program that teaches intensive English to prepare students to study in an English medium,” Roth said.

This month, an agreement also was made final between 91Ƶ and Bridgewater College that facilitates the same recruiting partnership.

According to Anne Marsh, coordinator of Bridgewater’s Center for International Education, the college will screen students and recommend those who may benefit from the English immersion courses.

The program serves a wide range of students, from professionals to those who want to pursue or continue school in the U.S. or need to learn English for their job at home, to those who want to learn English for personal reasons. Roth is not sure exactly how much the new partnership will affect the program’s enrollment, but said even small numbers would make a difference.

“A lot of these schools have not been able to recruit internationally,” she said.

91Ƶ’s program began in 1989 to support international students wishing to study in America. The classes emphasize listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar.

Currently, 54 students — half of them international students here for the summer, and the other half immigrant or refugee students living in the U.S. — are enrolled in 91Ƶ’s summer IEP program.
The international students represent seven nations and the immigrant or refugee students hail from 14 countries.

“It really helped me,” said Zyad Alqurnas, 24, an international student from Saudi Arabia. “My English skills are improving day after day.”

Courtesy Daily News Record, June 19, 2012

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Mennonite Colleges Collaborate for IEP Students /now/news/2012/mennonite-colleges-collaborate-for-iep-students/ Fri, 04 May 2012 18:20:44 +0000 http://emu.edu/now/news/?p=12650 announced a new three-year agreement among all five colleges/universities of that will facilitate the success of undergraduate international students.

, , and have each signed a memo of understanding with 91Ƶ’s (91Ƶ) . Each college/university has agreed to do an initial screening of students who apply to the institution and then recommend IEP to those who could benefit from the one-semester, or more, English language immersion experience.

Two years ago, IEP Director approached MEA Senior Director with the idea of making IEP available to the other Mennonite colleges/universities. Moyer was excited about the potential for this type of collaboration and encouraged Roth to pursue the idea.

David Graybill, IEP lecturer at 91Ƶ, works with Menghao Yu of PingDingShan, China. Photo by Lindsey Kolb.

Over a period of time, Roth met individually with admissions, enrollment and academic staff of the four colleges/universities.

“I believe very strongly in Mennonite education and the work MEA does to bring educators together. I was grateful for the opportunity to share how IEP could work on their behalf and was pleased by their openness and eagerness to work together,” said Roth.

Moyer believes that this collaboration among Mennonite higher education is one that our missional church can also celebrate.

“The world community is relating in new ways; there is an openness to learn from each other,” said Moyer. “The Anabaptist view of God’s love for all people is being modeled in relationships that go beyond our borders. The faith and values that Mennonite education teaches is significant for our neighbors both near and far.”

91Ƶ’s IEP began in 1989 to support its international students who needed English language skills in order to study in an American academic setting. Classes focus on language skills of listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar through cultural immersion and much personal attention. The program emphasizes the value of cultural diversity even as it helps students understand North American academic rules, methods of study and expectations. Currently, 45 to 55 students, representing 15 to 20 different countries, are enrolled in each IEP session.

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91Ƶ’s Intensive English Program Students Share Their Experiences /now/news/video/iep/ /now/news/video/iep/#respond Thu, 15 Sep 2011 18:53:51 +0000 http://emu.edu/now/video/?p=492 Hear first-hand from international students about why they love 91Ƶ’s Intensive English Program.

Video by: Paul Hairston

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International Students Come Together at Summer IEP Course /now/news/2004/international-students-come-together-at-summer-iep-course/ Thu, 09 Sep 2004 04:00:00 +0000 http://www.emu.edu/blog/news/?p=711 IEP Summer 2004 Classmates
IEP classmates visited other local universities as well to learn about international student services.

Intercultural communication was an important theme in the Intensive English Program’s (IEP) annual Summer Vacation Course, held July 26 – Aug. 20 at 91Ƶ. Twenty-eight students attended from eleven different countries, including China, Japan, Egypt, Mexico, and other countries in Europe and Latin America.

The focus on intercultural communication led to discussions with international students at 91Ƶ who shared their experiences of culture shock and their views on life in American culture. IEP students visited international programs offices at James Madison University in Harrisonburg and the University of Virginia at Charlottesville to discover how these universities work at internationalizing their programs.

Field trips during the four-week program included visits to Washington, D.C., Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, 3rd president of the U.S., and Grand Caverns in Weyers Cave, Va.

Classes in listening and speaking, reading and writing, conversation, and intercultural communication were staffed by four highly qualified IEP instructors. One student commented about one of the teachers, “She is very patient and kind, and an exceptional speaker.” Another wrote, “Reading and writing was sometimes difficult for me, but I was inspired a lot, and I was very glad because the teacher always corrected my paper and gave me encouragement.”

For some of the students, the highlight of the program was the chance to stay with host families. As one student from China wrote: “My host parents are so kind, fervent, and considerate. They cooked various American foods for us and took us to visit several American families to let us know more American culture. Our host family impressed us as friendly and kindhearted. I was so lucky to live in their family.”

Get to know more about the IEP program by reading The IEP Times.

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