BSU Campus Center Blog

Have you ever been interested in studying abroad, partaking in an international exchange program, or global studies? If you’re interested in global awareness, diversity and international engagement, then there is a center that satisfies all of these interests. The Center for International Engagement has recently opened on the third floor of the Maxwell Library room 330, and they are committed to making a difference.

The center’s main priority is to spread the importance of diversity by education and by welcoming foreign students into the college. Dr. Michael Kryzanek is the Executive Director for the Center of International Engagement. Dr. Kryzanek says that the Center of Interantional Engagement is “committed to creating and fostering a learning environment where students and faculty from foreign countries interact with our own students and faculty to help make Bridgewater State University a truly global campus.”

Essentially, the Center of International Engagement is the umbrella over the Office of Global Studies, International Student Services, and the Study Abroad program. With the collaboration and with these three departments, education through diversity is consolidated into one center welcoming all those that are interested. Students should take advantage of this service provided by Bridgewater State University and gain valuable knowledge and perhaps experience through study abroad.

Vision

The Center for International Engagement is “focused on maximizing the quality and frequency of transformative, international experience for all members of the Bridgewater State University community and citizens of Southeastern Massachusetts.” Dr. Kryzanek states that it is the center’s task to  “open doors to the world.”

Goals

1.   Increase Global Awareness

The Center of International Engagement is fully committed to spread global awareness. There is so much we can learn by becoming aware of the world through interacting with people from foreign countries.

2.   Partnerships, Exchanges, and Research

Another goal of the Center of International Engagement is to foster and nurture partnerships, exchanges, and research initiatives. Bridgewater State University currently has 27 exchange agreements with institutions around the world who share this same goal of global diversity. Be adventurous and study abroad! It’s all about the experiences we gain and through those experiences we can learn to be more tolerant and embrace our diversity.

3.   Deep Connections

The Center of International Engagement is driven to establish deep connections between international students and its visitors. Do you know a student or faculty member who is from a foreign country? You can learn so much from them, and they can learn so much from you. By developing  deep connections with international students, people can have a primary source to global education and diversity.

4.   Support Services

Also, the Center of International Engagement is geared to offer a comprehensive range of international support services. By welcoming a wide range of students and faculty from foreign countries, Bridgewater State University must help them have a pleasant experience. With the Center of International Engagement, students and faculty from foreign countries will have a pleasant transition to Bridgewater State University.

5.   Knowledge and Expertise

Finally, the Center of International Engagement is committed to serve as the link of knowledge and expertise on international engagement. Anything to do with diversity, global awareness, and international engagement, the Center will be the authority for students and visitors to help spread education through our diversity.

As students, we go through the stress of conventional learning through classroom discussion and books, but there is something special about learning through others from another country. We need to expand our horizons by thinking globally, welcoming those from other countries with open arms. Likewise, we shall have the same treatment in studying abroad. Education through our diversity can evolve us, creating a sense of understanding and compassion for all of humanity. Education through diversity can make a better world.

What are your thoughts on global awareness, diversity, and international engagement? Have you or known someone who has been involved in an international exchange or study abroad program?

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