Radford students volunteer at Elf Shelf

For the second consecutive year, students, faculty, and staff from the Language and Culture Institute at Radford University donated their time at the Radford Elf Shelf store.

They assisted with setting up the store and arranging Christmas gifts donated by local residents. These presents will be given to low-income families in the area who need assistance with providing presents to their children.

"I believe these types of community service experiences are extremely beneficial to our international students," says Charlene Dandrow, associate director of the institute. "Through participation, our students learn a lot about American values and culture and how to better understand and appreciate diversity. By getting involved in activities that serve the public good and have a positive impact on the community, they gain a strong sense of social connectivity and responsibility as well as a sense of belonging and purpose."

Ahead of Thanksgiving, Fairfax students tour American Indian museum

Last month, students and faculty from the National Capital Region toured the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. The museum is dedicated to the preservation, study, and exhibition of the life, languages, literature, history, and arts of Native Americans.

See photos and students' accounts of their visits below:

End of Semester Announcements

From Kristin Haas:

Class dates for Fall 2 and Spring 1
The last day of Fall 2 classes is December 16, 2015.
Spring 1 classes start January 13, 2016

NEW! Deadline for New River Community College Applications
If you want to start at New River in January 2016, the deadline for applications is December 17, 2015. You must have your entire application complete and submitted by this date.

Travel signature
If you are planning to travel out of the United States during the winter break (December 17-January 12), and you hold an F visa, you should obtain a travel signature.  You must get your I-20 signed so that you will be admitted to the U.S. when you return.

Leave Authorization
If you are not returning to LCI in Spring I, please see Sondra in Blacksburg or Guennadi in Fairfax. You must fill out the correct paperwork.

Annual Vacation
Any student wishing to take Spring I as a vacation must seek approval. To be eligible, you must have attended classes for four consecutive terms. You must turn in the Request for Approved Vacation form to Sondra or Guennadi.