Attention Kelley passengers! Your flight on an international journey through the many cultures represented on the Kelley Indianapolis campus will be departing shortly.
Please store your book bags and laptops in a safe and secure location, as our flight plan will take us to many destinations, both near and far. While aboard KSB International Airlines, you can expect a fun and exciting flight to every corner of the globe, each providing key ingredients to the melting pot that is the student body at the IU Kelley School of Business Indianapolis.
Following in the success of the 2009 Neighborhood Block Party event, the “Now Boarding: Kelley Indianapolis” international study event will highlight the growing international presence among the Kelley student body as well as the international study opportunities currently available to students.
From 1-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16, students entering the second floor of the business building will walk into a mock airport terminal with four stops along the way. Security won’t be tight, so leave your shoes in place, but be sure to take your time to get to learn how a Kelley Indianapolis education features a healthy dose of international flavor.
Currently, more than 100 Kelley students originate from other countries. Dozens of countries are represented on campus, including many from China, Korea, India, Mexico, Peru, Russia and others across the globe.
In addition, 2009 marked the first year a group of Kelley undergraduate students traveled to France for a weeklong study abroad trip and future opportunities are being explored. About 6 percent of current students major in international studies, and this growing number represents the increasing emphasis given to international business among Kelley programming.
The “Arrivals” concourse will serve as a celebration of students studying here from abroad. Various maps and indigenous décor will mark the locations, and international students will be on hand to personally walk participants through the culture and experience of their homeland and how they have transitioned to life on the campus of IUPUI. Students will experience a multi-media slideshow featuring images of the homelands and citizens of their fellow students.
The second concourse will spotlight the IU-Kenya Partnership and the Imani Workshop, a community outreach project that sells hand-made crafts from Kenyans with HIV/AIDS. Proceeds from the sales of these products are used to support more than 60,000 infected citizens and promote economic self-sufficiency.
Elsie Rotich, outreach coordinator for the partnership, will discuss the charity work involved, show pictures of what the partnership has produced and sell products made by Kenyan citizens involved with the group.
The next destination will be Strasbourg, France, where Kelley Indianapolis and the University of Strasbourg have established a 2+2 student exchange program. The French exchange students visiting as part of the program will talk with students about what they have gained from their study abroad experience. Advisors will be able to discuss future opportunities for Kelley students to travel on study abroad trips.
The final concourse will feature information from the IUPUI Study Abroad Office. The university now serves students from 122 countries and supports exchange agreements with more than 70 countries worldwide. Flags, photos and other memorabilia from past student exchange trips will be highlighted.
Within each concourse will be several gates from various campus offices and community service projects. Students will be able to learn more about several groups, including The Confucius Institute, the Peace Corps, international student organization and many others.