Obtaining one's education in a higher education institution such as JMU, does not simply involve attending classes. Learning also takes place outside of classrooms. Getting involved will not only help you explore different personal interests, passions and hobbies that you may have, but it will help develop and gain important skills and experiences that will beneficial for your personal and professional life. Here are some of the ways that you can get involved.
The International Student and Scholar Services office offers several programs and activities for international students, for the larger campus and outside community to promote diversity issues from a global perspective. In addition to the several annual events, oIP supports and facilitates activities and events that students can participate in throughout the year. If you are interesting in learning more and or being involved, please contact Thomas Lavenir, Assistant Director for International Student and Scholar Services, at 540-568-7314, or stop by JMAC 6, Suite 23.
The Madison International program is a Living-Learning Community meant to challenge participants to connect in community, to integrate global and local issues, and to act with intercultural competence.
The Conversation Partner program is designed to provide an opportunity for mutual cultural exchange between the international and domestic individual. Conversation partners practice conversation skills in English and other languages with each other. Discussion topics are available each week for the partner's hour meeting time.
LIFE stands for Leaders in International Friendship Exchange. LIFEmatches JMU international students with local community volunteers who are interested in connecting with international students. The purpose of this program is to facilitate friendship and cultural exchange.
Our office is committed to working with international student organizations to better address their needs, advise them, as well as for all of these student organizations and our office to form an International Council to make sure to address and advocate on the specific issues that international students face on this campus.
International Week is held each September. Bazaars, speakers, musicians, performers, etc. come to James Madison University to share cultural flavor and education.
International Student and Scholar Services and Career and Academic Planning partner together to offer an annual International Career Week in order to address the different concerns and issues that international students may have and face when applying for a job in the U.S. as well as assisting US citizens who are looking to work outside of the country.
JMU and Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) partner together to offer an annual leadership conference to international students studying at universities in the United States. Various workshops focused on leadership development are combined with evening activities and a special keynote speaker. Students from a five-state regional area attend this conference.
the iADVOCATE program or JMU’s globally connected Student Advisory Board consists of 10 active students who, during a one-year commitment, will be given the tools to properly gather data, write a full report with a list of potential options, and present their findings to better serve JMU’s globally connected community and ultimately help in the retention of JMU students.
LINK stands for Leader for International Networking & Knowledge and consists of 4 JMU students. They serve as the main links between incoming international students and the current international community at JMU. Their goal is to positively impact the lives of the JMU international community.
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