Internationalizing the Campus at Centenary College:

An Innovative Approach to International Cultural Exchange

By: Arlene S. Young

“The way to a man’s [Centenarian’s] heart is through his [her] stomach.”

Traditionally, international exchanges exist as a goal of Centenary College and, through the initiatives of the International Studies Office, international students at Centenary College present themselves clearly and enhance the cultural experiences available to our entire community.  The vehicle they employ in this effort is food!

Under the guidance of the International Studies Office, the International Student Organization (ISO) revolutionizes the Centenary community in an attempt to avoid conflict through cooperation and dispel fear through knowledge.  Instead of foreign students learning American culture merely through the Conversation Partner Program or English as a Second Language (ESL) Sociology classes, the International Cultural Exchange (ICE) Program provides a fresh and different experience.  This unique program enlists the leadership of international students in the sharing of their cultures by guiding American Centenarians in the exploration of the food, sights, sounds, and shopping of Korea town, Chinatown, and various other cultural communities within the New York metropolitan area. 

According to Milton J. Bennett’s model, which is a developmental approach to training for intercultural sensitivity (1986), the first step is addressing a denial of differences.  Strategies are followed in the ICE program where citizens become knowledgeable of the differences and cultures.  This is, of course, only step one.  The goal of ICE is to continue through the stages of Bennett’s developmental approach and reach the final stage of integration through Study Abroad, and for faculty, teaching abroad.

Creating Partnerships on Campus

The International Studies Office has partnered with two academic classes in this new venture.  The students and faculty in these classes join the ICE Program trips that focus on food and bring their experiences back to the classroom to work on projects related to these cultural exchanges.

Because of the success of the ICE Program, one Freshman Experience class was created and designed around the study of ethnic foods.  Students and faculty who were unable to travel outside the campus, but wanted the international experience, attended classes in which they prepared foods by enlisting the aid of the College’s Food Service.  This union of faculty, staff, and students produced delicious treats from Japan, Korea, South America, Africa, and Europe that were shared with the College community at lunch.

Mutual Benefits

The educational experiences of the ICE Program afford many opportunities to its participants.  The first ICE Program trip took place November 1, 2003 when a bus load of 27 Americans and their international counterparts converged on Korea town, New York City to enjoy authentic Korean food in neighborhood restaurants.  The group experienced an orientation two days prior to the event where Korean students explained the customs of Korean dining and described the types of food that would be served in the restaurants.  At the orientation, the group was divided into teams with one Korean student as leader/guide.  As opposed to one large group, these small, intimate clusters enhanced easy conversation and established a leadership role for the international student.  Instead of being the student, each team leader became the instructor.  It was a pleasant exchange.  As part of the orientation for an upcoming ICE trip, students gather to learn a few key phrases in a second (or third) language.  This language instruction is student guided where international students create the vocabulary lists, explain the language, teach their American counterparts and are, thereby, transformed into student leaders.

Similar trips were taken focusing on Japanese, Turkish, Chinese, and Latin American cultures.  Orientations were held preceding each trip in order to explain traditions, expectations, and a few vocabulary words in the second language.  The Japan cultural trip brought students and faculty to New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Upon arrival, the Japanese student leaders lead the group behind the scenes for a private tour and lecture by the Asian art curator.  The curator demonstrated and explained how Asian artifacts were preserved and repaired for display in the museum.  Following the museum tour, the group dined at an authentic Japanese restaurant.

The latest venture of the ICE Program was hosting an International Cook-off, Iron Chef Style.  Student chefs representing China, Korea, Peru, Russia, and the US tempted faculty judges and audience, alike, with delicious presentations and samples of ethnic foods.  If you’ve ever seen the Food Network’s Iron Chef Program, you will understand the premise of the event.  Student chefs, representing their countries, competed in a cook-off in which they were given one “secret” ingredient which had to be included in each dish presented to the judging panel.  Faculty and staff of the College comprised the panel of judges.  The program was such a success that faculty and students requested another “Cook-off” next semester.

Gleaning Positive Results

Beginning its third year, assessment of the success of the program is based on student participation the program, survey reports, continued inter-cultural exchanges on campus, and a final result of American students planning to study foreign language and study abroad.  Based on student interest derived from the ICE Program activities, several foreign languages have been added to the Centenary course schedule for fall 2005 Semester.     The ICE Program of Centenary College is also pleased to report that it reached its final goal and produced the first American student who studied in Korea for the Spring 2005 Semester.  Three additional American students have been intrigued by their US/Korean experience and are studying the Korean language in preparation for their semesters abroad in Seoul, Korea.  One student will be studying abroad spring 2006 and two others fall 2006.

ICE supports the Mission of Centenary College and is committed to promoting cultural understanding and acceptance among the diverse population of the College.  The program engages students in learning and preparation for satisfying careers, successful lives, community service and lifelong intellectual pursuits in a global community.    

Arlene S. Young is the International Liaison in the International Studies Office and

English and Foreign Languages Department at Centenary College.

References:

            Bennett, M.J. (1986).  “A developmental approach to training for intercultural

Sensitivity”.  International Journal of Intercultural Reloations, 10 (2).  New York:  Pergamon Press.

Bennett, M.J. and Hammer, M.R.  The Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI)

Manual,  Portland, Oregon:  The Intercultural Communication Institute, 1998.

            Brown, E. (2004).  “What precipitates change in cultural diversity awareness during a multicultural course.  Journal of Teacher Education, 55(4), 325-340.  Retrieved September 10, 2004 from Sage Publications Database.

            Food Network:  Iron Chef.  Retrieved November 21, 2005 from http:www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_ic.