National Capital Region parties in the park

Students, faculty, and staff from the National Capital Region gathered recently for an end-of-term picnic at Nottoway Park in Vienna. See photos and student essays about the celebration.

'People from Around the World All Gathered in One Place'
By Alanhoof Alotaibi

Thursday has arrived and the day we get to have a picnic with everyone from VTLCI begins. Thanks to Professor Bobal’s video, no one got lost and managed to find the park. 

The weather at first was very hot and humid, but everyone managed to fan away the discomfort. The park was filled with a chill atmosphere. It still fascinates me to see people from around the world all gathered in one place, and the fact that they get along makes it so much greater. You can hear the many different conversations, jokes, and even songs going on in the park.

One of my favorite moments was meeting Professor Sereda’s mother, who only speaks Russian; she is lovely. Not to mention the many delicious foods there were! Just remembering that feast makes me want to travel back in time to eat those yummy burgers Ashley grilled for us.

The picnic ended as soon as the rain started to pour, but it was wonderful.

Language and Culture Institute at Radford University celebrates first graduation

Brazil Scientific Mobility Program students and faculty and staff from the Language and Culture Institute at Radford University celebrate the institute's first graduation ceremony. 

Students play an LCI@RU version of "Jeopardy."

The Language and Culture Institute at Radford University held its first graduation ceremony, on Friday, Aug. 14, 2015, in Heth Hall.

Nine students sponsored by the Brazilian government as part of the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program received certificates from the institute. The program is a one-year, nondegree program for Brazilian students to study abroad in the United States. It is part of the Brazilian government's larger initiative to grant 100,000 university students the opportunity to study abroad at the world's best colleges and universities.

See more photos at the LCI@RU site.

See photos from the National Capital Region summer picnic

Click on a photo below to open a slideshow in Facebook.

See photos from this year's Humphrey Fellows graduation

Click on a photo below to open a slideshow from the ceremony in Facebook.

See photos from the Humphrey Fellows' final presentation and graduation ceremony!
Posted by Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute Humphrey Fellows on Thursday, August 13, 2015

LCI says zài jiàn to Wang Tao

Associate Director Elsie Paredes (right) gives a few parting gifts to Wang Tao.

Wang Tao, a visiting scholar from the University of Science and Technology of China, wrapped up her six-month stay in the United States with a presentation Tuesday afternoon at the Language and Culture Institute. Her talk focused on the importance of "learning by doing."

A professor in the English department at USTC, she observed LCI and Chinese language classes during the spring and talked about the USTC at a meeting of the University Council on International Affairs.

During the summer, she held a seminar on Chinese culture and education and also worked as a co-investigator on research regarding the experience of Chinese students at the LCI in Blacksburg. They set up a focus group, held a group interview, and collected raw data.

Having visited a number of universities across the country, she said she appreciated the tranquility of Blacksburg -- and liked seeing so many squirrels on campus and around town.