Washington field trip report

The following report was written by student Hamad Al Zaabi.

Last Wednesday the Virginia Tech Language and Cultural Institute organized a field trip for us to witness the cherry blossoms in the National Mall area. The trip was more than perfect due to the outstanding weather.

At the beginning we visited the World War II monument. The structure was wonderful as it showed all the states together between the Pacific and the Atlantic with the water fountains in the middle. The monument honored all the soldiers who were killed in World War II.

Then we walked across the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which reflected both the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, toward the Lincoln Memorial, where the statue of Abraham Lincoln is sitting on its chair watching his beloved city, Washington, D.C.

After that we walked back toward the Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Memorial. I was amazed by how the place was set between Jefferson’s Memorial, who wrote the Declaration of Independence that all men are free, and Abraham Lincoln’s Memorial who led the free states in the Civil War.

Through this field trip I learned that many people sacrificed their lives and freedom in order to build a better future for their children.

In short, Washington, D.C., is a very rich place with all the history the city hides between its corners, yet the cherry blossom is another story you should see for yourself.

Photo essays from D.C.

Students in the National Capital Region took a field trip recently to Washington, D.C. They saw the cherry blossoms and visited three memorials -- Franklin D. Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King Jr. Below are the winning photo essays from that trip.

Abdulelh Aloubal

He is like a king sitting in his throne, and just has won a battle. His face is telling me everything, and left nothing to ask about. If he could speak he would say, ooh, little lawyer, stay away from law and politics or fight till you win!

He is listening to you now, and you can ask him any question! Really, he folds his arms across his chest listening. He became a statue so no one can assassinate him again! He told you about his dream, and your job to achieve it.

A little star inside a white cherry blossom talked to me about its original home. I told it that we are both far away from home, and the success that we have made was our main goal. Your value may be more when you are away from home.

The big battle took place over the Atlantic Ocean. It is true that the soldiers defended their homeland, but their country and families are missing them. Each engraved letter of the "Atlantic" has a lot of events, death, and drowning. Sacrificing for the homeland is a national duty and honor.

God's creations are beautiful, and he gave us the opportunity for creativity. You can see one side of the life, and you can create the other one by drawing. Drawing is beautiful, and I wish I could draw.

Nawal Alakeel

Washington Monument was the first thing caught my eyes in the field trip last Wednesday. It is a prominent Obelisk-shape building in the National Mall area. I was told that it was built to honor the first American president, George Washington. The monument was under restoration more than a year now, but we were Fortunate that most of external restoration works had finished before our field trip day.

Cherry blossom trees filled the area with different shades of pastel rosy color. The trees surrounded the Potomac River and made a totally new scenery that last for no more that nine days a year. The weather was pleasant with a gentle spring breeze. Everyone was enjoying the scene and the weather. Two ladies were drawing a water color pictures. Photographers were busy trying to find the perfect angels to capture unique photos. Others were sating on benches chatting with their friends.

Apparently, we were not the only ones enjoying the spring weather. This cute duck was enjoying its time summing in the river with many other ducks and ducklings. Many other birds were flaying aorund glad to see the sun a after a very long winter.

Abraham Lincoln statue in the Lincoln Memorial building was one of the areas that we visited. This huge statue was built in 1919 with very smile tools. The artists engraved the smallest details in this piece of art to be a monument to remember a man with great achievements.

We gathered in front of a large sets of  golden stars to listen to the guide who started explaining historical events America went through during World War 2. These golden stars were displayed in a rectangular wall to honor the 4,048.00 American soldiers who died during the World War 2. Each star represent 100 soldiers who sacrificed their lives to serve their country.

 

Pamela Smart-Smith named assistant director for academics

Pamela Smart-Smith has been named the assistant director for academics at the Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute.

Smart-Smith, who has been involved with the institute since 2012, brings more than 20 years’ experience as an administrator and instructor of English as a second language. She has taught in Virginia and Georgia as well as in Spain, Poland, and England.

Click here to read more.

Dinner serves up a mix of languages and cultures

Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute student Sultan Alamri, right, talks with University Honors Program student Larissa Perara during the dinner at Hillcrest Hall.

A group of Language and Culture Institute students and faculty members recently shared a meal, and some lively discussion, with members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and the University Honors Program.

Seven people at one table in the Hillcrest Hall dining room collectively spoke eight different languages. Another table boasted 11.

The dinner, hosted by the LCI, the honors program, and the Corps of Cadets, brought together more than 100 students and faculty members. It was designed to encourage networking, foster diversity and inclusion, and promote greater understanding of the campus programs.

Click here to read more about the dinner and some of our students' reactions.

A message of gratitude from Fahad Alhowaish's father

The following letter was sent to to the LCI from the father of former student Fahad Alhowaish, who died in a car crash in Saudi Arabia.

Dear Mr. Donald, All Fahad's colleagues, Instructors At Virginia Tech Language Culture Institute & American National University.

We totally appreciate every single effort you guys have made with our lost son Fahad Alhowaish. As Fahad told us how he met new supportive friends who had supported him at every single issue he had faced as well as the instructors who had instructed him to the right track which have made him pass his classes with confidence and specially reaching his goals in meeting the University acceptance requirements. Fahad used to update me with every single improvement he had reached at his career path and used make my heart reach its peak point of happiness as I had dreamed about the graduation day of my son Fahad which I had decided to attend. Moreover, I appreciate every single effort you guys have made with our lost son Fahad as he has been treated as more than a son of yours and at this time all what we can say that may Allah accept him in his paradise.

Finally, I would like to thank Mr. Donald, Miss Diana, Miss Melina, Miss Reem, Dr. Eric, Mr./Miss Ron, Miss Lenaa, Mr./Miss Ran, Mr./Miss Eddie, and All Fahad's colleagues & Instructors for their kindness in supporting us during this hard time and wish everybody a great future in nourishing their goals.

It will be highly appreciated if you could have this message posted at the Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute & American National University for All Fahad's colleagues & Instructors.

Kindly accept our sincere regards.
Adel Alhowaish Fahad's father.

Registration for International Street Fair booths now open

From VT News:

Is your organization interested in promoting a cultural exchange at International Street Fair this year? This event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 27 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Thousands of people attend the International Street Fair. There is a stage for performances and many other opportunities to share the traditions of your culture!

International Street Fair's objective is to promote cultural exchange, RSOs and USCOs as well as any other VT-affiliated organizations or departments are allowed to participate. Due to the limited booth availabilities, priority of booth assignments will be assigned to organizations that align with ISF's objective. Please note that CISO has the right to refuse an application if the organization's vision does not align with the goal of cultural exchange during International Street Fair.

The form is due no later than 8 a.m. March 20. Please apply for a booth by following this link: https://docs.google.com/a/vt.edu/spreadsheet/viewform?usp=drive_web&formkey=dGw3UjJIdXpOVU1QWmdERDJGV3hFMmc6MA#gid=0.

For more information contact Karen Howe at 540-231-6527

Photo essays: U.S. Capitol and the U.S. Botanic Garden

Students in the National Capital Region recently toured the U.S. Capitol and the Botanic Garden. Talah AlSecait and Shahad Nagoor, two students in professor Christine Bobal's RW500 class, took photos during the trip and later added captions.
 

A cacao tree with its suspended fruits. It seems that some are more mature than the others. I thought it was a lemon tree when I saw it first. However, it is a wonderful thing that these fruits are the beans from which chocolate is created.

One of America’s symbols of freedom. It seems to be a perfect dome structure. I wish we were able to see some of the parts that need restoration. I wonder if there is any relation between the words freedom and dome?

All scenes in the Botanic Garden are amazing and make you feel comfortable and relaxed. While I was walking, I stopped suddenly when I smelled a special smell -- a scent that is different from the smell of flowers and plants. When I saw this picture, I recognized the source. It came from the homeland!

The crypt room in the Capitol is full of columns. It was built for burying the remains of George Washington. He isn't buried there because he preferred to be buried at his home, according to his will. The crypt room has 13 statues representing the 13 original states.

Out of Many, One: The United States Capitol Building is a place where laws are made, taxes are gathered, and war is declared (if needed). It’s the place where American citizens can find a common ground. The Capitol was designed by Dr. William Thornton in 1793 and was supposed to be completed by 1800, yet it went through three stages: 1800, 1807, and by 1826 all of its wings were completed.

The Beginning: This hall is the where the tour actually begins at the Capitol. In this room, there are many columns to support the dome and the Statue of Freedom, which has been on the top of the Capitol since 1863, while the citizens of United States were struggling from the Civil War. It was also meant to be a resting area for the president back in the 1800s.

The Rotunda: The Rotunda is a very specious hall at the center of the Capitol where most of the funeral/honoring ceremonies have been held since Abraham Lincoln’s presidency. The funeral for Daniel Inouye, a senator from Ohio, and Rosa Parks honoring ceremony were the last two ceremonies held at this hall. In the Rotunda, there are eight different paintings. One of them is about the time when the Americans requested independence from the British.

National Statuary Hall: This hall has a large number of statues of America’s most extraordinary citizens. All statues were contributed by state governments. This big number of statues makes the visitor wonder about the reason behind the statues' colors – brown or white. We were told those colors are determined by a specific committee at the Capitol and can’t be changed. This hall also has the “Whisper Spot,” where you can hear someone’s voice from the other end of the hall but not the middle or anywhere else.