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⇒ Student & Scholar Advising ⇒ Faculty, Staff, & Visitors ⇒ J-1 Scholars ⇒ Scholar Newsletter: August 2008

Scholar Newsletter: August 2008

What’s New?

It’s Back To School time!

August marks the beginning of the academic year for most US schools.  You will likely notice an increase in population and traffic as students return and new scholars arrive on campus.  Expect local stores to have special sales and large crowds.  Monroe County Schools (primary and secondary) begin classes on August 13, 2008.  If you have school-aged children, please visit this website for more information about enrollment.  Indiana University fall semester classes begin September 2nd. 

Important Dates

August 8:

Last day of classes in Second Summer session.

August 27:

Residence Halls open for fall semester.  Expect an increase in traffic in and around campus as students move into on-campus housing.

September 1:

Labor Day (national holiday).  University offices will be closed and there are no classes.  Many businesses are closed or will have special sales.  Enjoy the long weekend!

September 2:

Classes begin for the Fall Semester.

Scholar Profile

Each month we recognize the activities and accomplishments of a visiting scholar.  We hope this information will be interesting to fellow scholars and open your eyes to the broad array of exchange visitors at IU.  This month, our featured scholar is Romana Slesingerova.

Romana is from Prague, Czech Republic and completed her studies at the University of Economics in Prague.  She has spent the summer working as a cabin counselor at Bradford Woods, where she works with campers with disabilities.  After finishing her work at Bradford Woods in August, she will return to Europe to continue her work as a high school teacher.

Bradford Woods is an auxiliary unit of IU’s School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER), and is located north of Bloomington in Martinsville, Indiana.  Bradford Woods seeks to further and promote the mission of IU through teaching, service, programs and research.  BW is home to programs in Therapeutic Recreation (where Romana is a counselor), Environmental Education, and Adventure Education.  They offer retreats, summer camps, and programming for a wide variety of clients.  Each year, Bradford Woods invites several specialists from around the world to assist with their programming.

We asked Romana to share more about her experience at IU and Bradford Woods:

Q: Why did you choose to come to IU/Bradford Woods?

A: I was working in a different camp and it was a “place to grow” for me.  I had heard about Bradford Woods from my former co-worker, I applied, and after the first session I can say it the right place to spend summer holidays.

Q: Bradford Woods is very different from the typical scholar experience (in a lab or classroom).  Can you tell us more about it?

A: Bradford Woods is a great place to be, a real “place to grow.”  I like working here, the way we look at and treat people with disabilities—all the little things that are small but so important for campers with disabilities, for us, for the society.  The Three E’s concept (Empathy, Empowerment, Engagement), as well as leadership and teamwork are not just phrases here; the meaning of these words is exercised in practice.  We don’t work one-on-one; we work as a team—we work with all the campers, all together.

Q: What advice do you have for other scholars, especially those new to IU and Bloomington?

A: Sometimes we have to leave our home to find our home and BW is the place where you realize you can have two homes, the one for summer and the other for rest of the year.  It’s a special place.

For more information, visit www.bradwoods.org.

Upcoming Events

IU Day at the Indiana State Fair:

Thursday, August 7, 2008, 10:00am–10:00pm, Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis.  IU makes a big difference in the state, from improving Hoosier health to building a better Hoosier economy.  On Expo Hall Street, we’ll celebrate our commitment to Indiana with 40 hands-on booths, giveaways, pep rallies, and awe-inspiring performances!  To learn more about IU Day, click here.  To learn more about the Indiana State Fair, visit their website.

Welcome Week:

Organized by the Office of Orientation Programs, Welcome Week helps new students get acquainted with the university.  The week marks the beginning of the academic year, and there are lots of activities that allow you to discover all IU has to offer.  The following activities are geared toward students, but scholars and families are welcome to attend.

• CultureFest After-Party,

  Thursday, August 28, 7:30–9:30pm at the IU Art Museum.  This culture fusion event will feature art, music, food, and more.  Enjoy live music in the atrium as you sample coffee samples from around the world, chocolates by BLU Boy Chocolate Café and of course inspiring works of art!  All three of the museum’s permanent galleries will be open.  This event is free, and all are invited!

• RecFest,

  Friday, August 29, 1:00–3:00pm at the HPER Wildermuth Center (across from the Union).  Learn about IU Recreational Sports programs and activities at this annual extravaganza hosted by Campus Recreational Sports.  Enjoy free food, giveaways, entertainment, and games while discovering the options available if you choose to purchase a membership to Recreational Sports.  Find out about IU’s amazing facilities and programs, including aquatics, informal sports, group exercise sessions, personal training, and strength training and conditioning.  See why Sports Illustrated on Campus acknowledged IU for having “perhaps the nation’s top recreational sports program!”

• Traditions and Spirit,

  Friday, August 29, 4:30–6:00pm at Assembly Hall.  How much IU spirit do you have?  Hosted by the Office of Orientation Programs, IU Athletics, and Residential Programs and Services, this Welcome Week tradition is one you won’t want to miss.  The prize giveaways start when the doors open at 4pm and it just gets better from there.  Learn the IU fight song and witness American school spirit.

• Taste of the IMU,

  Friday, August 29, 2008, 5:30–9:30pm at the Indiana Memorial Union.  Join the excitement at the Union and enjoy free samples of food, the climbing wall, go bowling, enjoy a film screening, get a caricature drawn, or show off your skills with Guitar Hero or karaoke.  All food and events are free.  Mix and mingle with students from across campus while you get a true taste of all the Union has to offer.

Things To Do

• The IU Summer Music Festival continues through August 9, 2008, and the Bloomington Parks & Recreation Summer Performing Arts Series continues through September.

• Drum Corps International’s World Championship

  will take place August 7–9 at IU’s Memorial Stadium.  DCI holds competitions across the country for the best amateur drum corps.  These performing groups are comprised of brass and percussion instruments and color guard (dance and flag) sections.  Visit www.dci.org for more information about attending or volunteering.

• The IU Art Museum will host Art in Bloom August 9–10.  This is a two-day flower show presented by the Bloomington Garden Club, in conjunction with the IU Art Museum’s summer exhibitions and its season of flowers.  The Festival of Flowers will be held Sunday, August 10, and will include a flower arranging Demonstration, gallery talk, book signing, and reception. Blooming Town: Floral Images from the Indiana University Art Museum’s Collection, continues through Sunday, August 17, 2008 in the Special Exhibitions Gallery.  Admission and events are free, and more information can be found at the IU Art Museum Web site.

• 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games:

  Television coverage will begin with soccer (football) August 6, continuing through the Opening Ceremony August 8, and the Closing Ceremony on August 24.  For TV and online program listings, visit NBC’s Olympic website.

• IU Athletics:

  If you like watching the Olympics, you’ll love watching the IU athletic teams in person.  The month of August marks the beginning of the competitive season for (American) football, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s field hockey, and women’s volleyball.  For more information, visit www.iuhoosiers.com.

Did You Know?

A total of 167 Indiana University athletes, and 12 coaches, representing 14 nations, have participated in Olympic Games.  This summer, those numbers will increase as several current and former IU athletes are competing in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.  For more information on the 2008 Olympians, click here.  To learn more about the history of IU’s participation in the Olympics through the years, click here.

J Regulation Reminder

Apply for an Extension Prior to the DS-2019 Expiration:

If you wish to extend your IU program beyond the dates of your current DS-2019, you must request a program extension at least 30 days before your DS-2019 expires.  All extension requests must be submitted to OIS by your host department.  Research Scholars or Professors may request extension up to a maximum of five years program participation.  Short-term scholars may stay up to six months, and Specialists may stay up to one year.

Feedback

Are there items you would like to see included in future editions of the Scholar Newsletter?  Click here to send us your suggestions.