Your December Pitt State Passport E-Newsletter is Here 🌍

Greetings from the Pittsburg State International Programs and Services Office!

As our Fall semester comes to a close, we are thankful for all of our international alumni, students, and community members who contributed to a wonderful semester. We were able to host a variety of events and were able to celebrate the achievements of Pitt State's wonderful international community throughout the year so far. We look forward to another year of excitement soon!

Please enjoy this month's stories of a few of the many exceptional PSU Gorillas! #OAGAAG

International Community News

Pittsburg State University honored to host delegation from partner university

Pittsburg State University had the privilege of hosting a delegation from Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent (TTPU) of Uzbekistan on November 1-3. The delegation included Jamshid Inoyatkhodjaev, Rector, Abdujamin Karimov, Vice-Rector, and Javlonbek Abdujalilov, Head of Strategic Development Department.

The delegation attended various meetings with President Scott, faculty members in Engineering Technology, Automotive Technology, Technology and Workforce Learning, Computer Information Systems, and toured campus facilities, including the Kansas Polymer Research Center and the Kansas Technology Center.

TTPU has a 2+2 dual degree program with PSU's Automotive Technology program. The universities are both working together to offer additional program options through this partnership.

Pictured with PSU President, Steve Scott (second from right).

Pitt State International Student Association (ISA) hosts culutral event

The International Student Association (ISA) at Pittsburg State University hosted 'Tastes & Sounds of Nations' last month. The event was an opportunity for our international students and community members to share food and performances from their countries and cultures. We are so thankful we have such a wonderful international community who are willing and excited to share their cultures with us.

Pitt State International students celebrate Thanksgiving

For many new international students, this was their first year celebrating Thanksgiving in the U.S.A. The students celebrated with a variety of families and friends including their Pitt Pals, their Friendship Families, community members, or fellow international students.

I went to celebrate thanksgiving at my Pitt Pal’s place - Andrew. I met Andrew’s mom Jennifer, sister Anna, his dad Justin, Jennifer’s brother and sister in law, and Andrew's great grandparents, Jim and Judy Evans. All of them were graduates of Pitt State and I loved listening their stories and experiences about Pitt state.

This was the first time I celebrated thanksgiving. In India we do not have Thanksgiving. I liked that all family members gathered and had delicious food on this special occasion. Also that, the dish on thanksgiving dinner was specifically made on this day that is one of the reasons they love and wait for this day.

-Saatvik Sbarwal, India

I celebrated Thanksgiving with my relatives in California. We celebrated it on two different days. First day we spent some quality time and explored the nature and food . On second day we were invited on a Thanksgiving dinner by my aunt's friend. We had turkey, lasagna, Mac cheese, flan, cake and much more. It was a memorable week.

-Aiman, Pakistan

Lucky to us to knew this family in Pittsburg.They are the family of Rosaura Lopez who is an amazing woman. We enjoy the delicious meal, and we celebrated all the good things that we have. Rosaura Lopez and her lovely family in Frontenac, Kansas.

-Juan, Peru

I celebrated it with my friendship family, Patsy Kirkpatrick and her children.

We ate the delicious food and played basket ball. It is always fun spending quality time together. Her daughters were very kind. We discussed about cultures, academics and a lot more. One of the finest events I have attended here.

-Mozama Khan, Pakistan

This Thanksgiving Isaac, Emi and I were so lucky to meet wonderful people and families here in Pittsburg. We are so thankful for having these wonderful meetings with great people.

The Hernandez family were able to celebrate Thanksgiving on three seperate occasions with friends.

-Family Hernandez, Mexico

International Student Spotlight

PSU student conducts research for more efficient power sources

As electric car sales around the world soar, researchers continue to search for ways to improve electric vehicles and their power sources.

That is exactly what Wang Lin, of China, is doing at the Kansas Polymer Research Center (KPRC).

“The production and storage of green energy is the subject of my current research,” Lin said.

Lin, a Pitt State graduate student in Materials Science, is researching supercapacitors which are a type of battery known for their high charging and discharging efficiency. The use of supercapacitors can be used as power sources for various electronic products used in daily life, such as for charging cell phones.

Lin said that students at Pitt State and in the Department of Chemistry provides graduate students with many research opportunities.

“Students majoring in chemistry, polymer chemistry, and materials science have a great opportunity to become a graduate research assistant in KPRC as long as you study hard and have a strong research interest in topics related to your major,” he said.

Learn more about PSU's Master in Materials Science here.

International Alumni Spotlight

PSU alumnus’s new book helps develop public speaking skills

Anxiety about public speaking is very common among both college students and the general population. In fact, some estimates are that as many as 20% to 85% of people experience more or less anxiety when they need to speak in public.

Pitt State alumnus HM Atif Wafik, of Bangladesh, is aware of this common fear and has published a book aimed at developing one’s presentation and public speaking skills.

“Impress Your Audience” is my very first book which has been hitting the bookshelves recently and has been written with a motive to develop this generation’s presentation and public speaking skills,” Wafik said. “I believe this book will help everyone to grow and allow looking into this field from a different lens.”

Learn more about PSU's Master of Science in Technology here.

'Joining the Honors College opens doors for you,’ says PSU alumna

Many students who choose to pursue their degree abroad search for opportunities to enhance their experience academically as well as socially.

That is what Magali Chase, of Paraguay, was searching for when she discovered the Honors College program at Pittsburg State University.

“When I was looking for colleges, one of the options was a college in Kansas because we share a sisterhood with the Committee Paraguay-Kansas that enables us to pay in state tuition; so, as I was researching the different options in Kansas I found PSU and of course the honors college scholarship that was a big and amazing opportunity to get me there,” Chase said.

Chase, who graduated in 2017 with a degree in Music, said that once she discovered Pitt State and the Honors College, she began to get excited about the opportunities that awaited her.

"It was definitely a blessing and when I learned about how many international students lived there..,” she said. “As I was learning about the college through emails, thorough Google Maps, and the PSU website I was starting to fall in love with the university and little did I know that I was going to spend the most significant four years of my life and meet unforgettable people.”

Learn more about PSU's Department of Music here.

Learn more about the Honors College below.

Program Spotlight

Pitt State Honors College provides students unique opportunities for success

The Honors College prorgam at Pittsburg State University offers a variety of benefits for incoming first year university Freshman. The mission of the Honors College is to provide a more meaningful educational experience for select high-achieving students.

Financial opportunities, priority enrollment, honors courses, a living-learning community, a peer mentor program, and study abroad opportunities are among the benefits of joining the program.

The deadline to apply to the Honors College is January 15th. Information about the requirements and application process can be found on our website.

Learn more about the Honors College at Pittsburg State University here.

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Gorilla International Scholarship

This scholarship awards admitted Undergraduate and Graduate international students up to $6,000/year, applied in the form of a tuition waiver. Scholarships are available for new international students (freshman, transfer and graduate) applying to PSU for the first time.

Scholarship

PSU Foundation International Programs and Services

The PSU Foundation International Programs and Services Fund helps support international students and furthering our mission. Funds may go toward international student scholarships or sponsoring cultural events on campus. Each gift makes an impact and will aid in creating transformational experiences for international students and community members alike. Please consider supporting the PSU Foundation International Programs and Services Fund.

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