Communication is key. Imagine what it would be like to go to school in another country where you don’t know or understand the language. Ohio Valley University has started a new Intensive English Program to teach international students how to communicate in preparation for pursuing a degree.
As part of this program, Ashley Fugett, Intensive English Program director, spent three weeks of the summer in Japan and Korea in an effort to increase awareness of what OVU has to offer. OVU has had several students from both Japan and Korea in the past.
While in Japan, Fugett taught English classes to Japanese students. She had students from ages six to 33. Most of the older students had some base knowledge of English, but the younger students had none. Fugett used songs such as “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” to help them learn.
“Teaching, traveling, and OVU are a few of my passions, so it was wonderful to combine all three while on this trip,” Fugett said.
In Korea, Fugett met with preachers, church members, and school officials, including the president of Korean Christian University. These contacts will be invaluable for spreading the word about OVU and the new program.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome of this trip,” said Lisa West, interim director of admissions. “The contacts made by Ashley during her trip will reap benefits for OVU, international students, and the Mid-Ohio Valley for years to come.”
Fugett was also able to connect with several OVU alumni living in Japan and Korea. Her hope is that these former students will also serve as ambassadors for OVU. Wakana Ito, a 2010 OVU graduate, said, “OVU is in a peaceful, country-side location and is full of heart-warming people. I want to encourage other Japanese people to attend there and I will do all I can to help with that effort.”
The effort doesn’t end with this trip. There are already plans underway for OVU’s international recruiter to visit Japan this fall. There are also plans for an OVU reunion in Japan and Korea for the alumni living there.
Meanwhile at OVU, the Intensive English Program allows students to focus solely on English for one year. International students take a full year of classes that focus on grammar, reading, speaking, and listening in order to prepare students for university coursework in English. Upon graduating from the program, students may then enroll in an associate or bachelor degree program.
“We love our diversity and hope to continue to increase it,” Fugett said.
Currently, OVU has students from Japan, Taiwan, Lithuania, Peru, Latvia, Ghana, Canada, Jamaica, Nigeria, Kenya, Columbia, Guatemala, South Africa, New Zealand, India, Venezuela, Georgia, and Germany.
Fugett not only developed great contacts for the school, she also developed friendships. “I really enjoyed getting to meet all the new people. I made a lot of new friends and several still e-mail me.”
Chartered in 1958, Ohio Valley University is a residential faith-based Tier I institution with four colleges offering 35 undergraduate degrees and a master of education degree to students from 28 states and 14 nations. To learn more about the university, visit www.ovu.edu.
