Housing for incoming student

The Department of Applied Linguistics of The Pennsylvania State University is looking for a temporary place to stay for a newly arriving student this fall. Before occupying his apartment, Ximeng Shao must stay in a temporary place only from August 6th to August 13th. If you can help or know someone who can, please contact [email protected] – Celeste Kinginger, Director of Graduate Studies of Department of Applied Linguistics at PSU 

State College Spikes Baseball Game

Come join other Global Connections members for an enjoyable evening of baseball, socializing, and eating. The Spikes will be playing against the West Virginia Black Bears. 

It’s “wine Wednesday!” Adults can enjoy half-price glasses of wine supplied by Seven Mountains Wine Cellars.

When: Wednesday, June 21, at 6:35 PM

Where: Medlar Field at Lubrano Park (next to Beaver Stadium)

Who: GC members, family, and guests (prospective members)

Cost: $14 per ticket. Food and drinks extra

No need to pre-register for this event. Interested people should gather at the entrance near the ticket booths at 6:00 PM on June 21. Individuals pay for their own tickets after we choose a block of seats where we can sit together.

Baseball offers a unique experience in American culture. Even if you don’t know much about baseball, a game like this can be fun. There is a festive atmosphere at the ballpark. There are areas for kids to play. The food and drink offerings are tasty. It’s an opportunity to get to know other Global Connections members.

Centre Gives: Thank you!

We want to express our sincere gratitude for your generous support during Centre Gives. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and your belief in our mission. Your support means the world to us. Thank you so much for making a difference!

Centre Gives

Centre County is hosting the biggest giving event in the area, and Global Connections is waiting for your help. Centre Gives is happening from May 10th, starting at 8 AM, till May 11th, ending at 8 PM. To help Global Connections Please, donate Here! We trully appreciate your generosity. 

Global Connections’ goal during Centre Gives is to raise $2,000. The money will be used to strengthen our finances and expand program offerings.

Our activities include free classes to learn English as a Second Language (ESL), book clubs, cultural luncheons, a discussion group, poetry readings, and informal cultural, educational, and exchange activities and interactions. Also, with the fund, GC can help people in need in the community.

Another essential goal during Centre Gives is to spread the word about Global Connections’ work. It is important to emphasize that no money would go to administrative costs. We aim to foster meaningful relationships through service, education, and partnership. 

Saudi Arabian Cultural Luncheon

Tuesday, April 25, brought Saudi Arabia to State College when Global Connections hosted a Saudi-themed Cultural Luncheon at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Port Matilda.

Heartfelt thanks go to Manar Salamah and her expert team of cooks who prepared a splendid array of Saudi dishes to serve to the 20 guests who registered for the event. Thanks, too, to GC member Abdulaziz Albawardi, who gave an interesting and informative presentation on Saudi Arabia’s strategic goals for 2030.

After the two-year COVID-19 hiatus, we are overjoyed that GC is again been able to mount in-person Cultural Luncheons, one of the pillars of our many activities, We look forward to more such luncheons in the near future and will keep you posted as details arise.

Saudi Arabian Cultural Luncheon

Global Connections (GC), Centre County’s first and longest standing (since 1961) community-based, volunteer-driven non-profit international relations organization, will host a Saudi Arabian luncheon.

This gathering marks a welcome return to cherished Global Connections tradition and is our first in-person cultural luncheon since before the pandemic.

Native Saudis will prepare and serve hot and cold dishes from their country and make presentations on Saudi Arabian culture.  There will also be Saudi music and time for Q&A.

Interested in this unique event? Please, Register Here!

Admission charge is $10 for registered Global Connections members and $15 for nonmembers.   

Global Connections ESL tutor helps former GC member launch U.S. citizenship

One of the very first things Dr. Olga Bakayev, dermatologist from Moscow, did when she relocated to State College in May 2019 was to join Global Connections (GC). “When I arrived in State College,” Olga notes, “my English was nowhere near good enough to pass the US Medical Licensing Exams and get certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign-Trained Medical Graduates so that I could practice medicine in the US. Global Connections kept popping up as a good resource for learning and practicing English, so I joined up. I am really glad I did.”

Olga started out in GC President Bob Persiko’s English Language Classes (www.gc-cc.org/programs/english-language-classes/).  She then contacted Wenjie Fu at Penn State’s Global Programs Office to learn about other available resources. Serendipitously, just a few days before that, GC Treasurer Bruce Truitt had offered to serve as a Global Programs Conversation Partner for Russian (and Spanish) speakers. Wenjie connected Olga and Bruce, and after an initial meeting on June 24, 2019, they began weekly sessions focusing on English grammar, usage, and conversation and on various aspects of the American experience. 

“I am thankful to Bruce for illuminating the similarities between English and Russian grammar. His insights helped me establish a strong foundation in the new language. I truly appreciate his patient and nonjudgmental approach, which enabled me to overcome the fear of speaking English so common among beginners,” Olga noted. 

Olga also feels that “The process of integrating a new member into American society is often undervalued. Even if one has a good grasp of English, cultural differences and social barriers can still pose significant challenges to this integration. This is why I am so glad that Bruce not only taught me English but also helped me learn important things about US society, culture, politics, geography, the arts, and so on. We have worked together steadily over the last 3.5 years, even though I relocated to Brooklyn. And our regular meetings definitely helped me pass the first of the three Medical Licensing Tests I must conquer.”

Olga recently surmounted another critical hurdle – she passed her U.S. Citizenship Test. “I am elated and proud to be an American. I could not have done it without Bruce’s expert assistance or the support of Global Connections. Thanks so much!”

Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by women throughout the history. We honor countless women, who have bravely and tenaciously fought for equality, justice, and opportunity throughout the country. If you want to learn more about this importance observance, please check the following link: https://womenshistorymonth.gov/

Make your donation to Global Connections through Centre Foundation Fund Advisor Portal

From now on, it is easier to make donations to help Global Connections keep their good work. Thanks to the new Centre Foundation Fund Advisor Portal, anyone can make a donation directly into the Global Connections Fund at the Centre Foundation at any time.

Each dollar donated to Global Connections is used to strengthen the cultural fabric of our diverse community through partnerships, service, education, and advocacy. This is accomplished by extending assistance to internationals and offering programs and events that enable intercultural learning and sharing for both internationals and local residents.

Please donate through the following link: Centre Gives or in the QR code in the image.

English Language Resource List

We are pleased to share with you a resource list on Google Docs that we have compiled for those interested in English language learning. The list includes various helpful resources and contacts that we believe will be useful for learners of all levels.

Please find below the link to access the resource list: https://rb.gy/zzlj1a or scan the QR code in the picture.