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

Scholar Newsletter: November 2008

What’s New?

Changes at the IND Airport:

The Indianapolis International Airport (IND) will begin operations at a new location this month.  The new terminal will officially open for business on Tuesday, November 11, 2008.  Flights will begin arriving at the new location that evening, and departing flights will begin leaving from the new terminal the following morning.  The new airport will be located on Interstate 70 at Exit 68, just west of Interstate 465.  The new location also means there will be new parking, ticketing, baggage claim, shopping, and dining options.  For more information, visit NewIndianapolisAirport.com.

Source

Important Dates

November 2—Daylight Savings Time Ends:

On the first Sunday in November, clocks are set back one hour at 2:00am local daylight time, which becomes 1:00am local standard time.  Remember to “fall back” by setting your clocks back one hour.

November 4—Election Day:

US citizens aged 18 and older eligible to register to vote.  The 2008 general election will include voting for local, state, and national government officials, including President of the United States.  More information is included in the “Did You Know?” section below.

November 27—Thanksgiving Holiday:

University offices will be closed Thursday, November 27 through Sunday, November 30.  Classes resume and offices reopen on Monday, December 1.

Scholar Profile

Each month, we recognize the activities and accomplishments of one of our visiting scholars.  We hope this information will be interesting and help you get to know others on campus.  This month, our featured scholar is Tserenchunt Legden.

Ms. Legden was born and raised in Dundgobi province of Mongolia.  She completed her bachelor’s degree in Russian Language and Literature from the Pedagogical Institute of Irkitsk (Russia), and later returned to Mongolia to complete her Master’s Degree in Comparative Study of Mongolian and English Voices, at the University of Humanities.  She is currently in the Doctorate Program for Teaching Mongolian to Non-Native Speakers at the State University of Education in Mongolia.

Throughout her studies, Tserenchunt has worked as a teacher, lecturer, and principal at various schools.  She has also published several textbooks and other resources for language learners.  In 1994, she helped establish the Bridge Mongolian Language Center, which became a college in 2000.  Tserenchunt served as principal there until she came to IU in 2004.

As a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Central Eurasian Studies at IU, Tserenchunt teaches Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced Mongolian during the academic year.  She also teaches intensive language courses in the Summer Workshop in Slavic, East European and Central Asian Languages.  Meanwhile, she is also developing online language materials and modules with the Center for Languages of the Central Asian Region.

Tserenchunt’s husband, Uvsh Purev, is a professor at the Academy of Management, an agency of the Mongolian government.  Their daughter, Delgerjargal, is currently doing an internship at the Institute for Democracy in South Africa towards her master’s degree in International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame.  Their son, Battsooj, is a freshman at IU, and the youngest son, Delgerbat, is a senior at Bloomington High School North.

We asked Tserenchunt to share more about her experience at IU:

Q: Why did you choose to come to IU?

A: I felt that this is a place where I can make further use of my language expertise.  IU also seemed to be a place where I can develop, as well as challenge myself, since it has such vast resources.  The fact that there are other people who are interested in less commonly taught languages appealed to me.

Q: Are you involved in any activities at IU?

A: I have been organizing the Mongolian language conversation club at the International Center.  I also have been organizing the annual Mongolian National Naadam Festival and the Lunar New Year events, in conjunction with Mongolia Society.  I am a member of Students Recreational Sports Center and try to exercise as often as I can.

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

A: There is so much to learn and discover.  I would say you are in the presence of endless opportunities to live an active and fulfilling life.  So enjoy the diversity and the opportunities and learn more.

J Regulation Reminder

Travel:

If you wish to travel outside the US during your J program, you should:

1. Make sure that your passport is valid at least six months into the future.  In most cases you will also need a valid J-1 visa stamp in your passport before returning to the US.
2. If you are traveling to a country other than your home country, consult with the appropriate embassy/consulate to determine what documents are required for entry.
3. If your DS-2019 has not been signed for travel authorization within the past 12 months, submit a travel signature request via iStart at least two weeks prior to travel.  You will be contacted when the request is approved, with instructions to have your DS-2019 signed for travel.

Remember, travel outside the US includes Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and includes any form of transportation (air, land, or sea).  Also, J-2 dependent status is tied to your J-1 status, so consult with OIS if you will be traveling without your dependent spouse and/or children.  If your DS-2019 is issued by an organization other than IU (such as Fulbright), please consult with them regarding your travel.

Upcoming Events

Get to Know Bloomington:

Saturday, November 1, 2008.  Join us to explore the Lilly Library (1200 East Seventh Street).  Meet in the lobby of the Lilly Library at 11:50am; the tour will begin at 12:00 pm.  The Lilly Library serves as a resource for scholars throughout the world as well as a center of cultural enrichment through its collection of rare books, manuscripts, and special collections.  RSVP by emailing intlcent@indiana.edu to reserve your space.  For more information, visit the Lilly Library website.

IU World’s Fare:

Thursday, November 6, 2008, 5–9pm at Alumni Hall (Indiana Memorial Union).  This is a lively social and educational event for the university and Bloomington communities, co-hosted by the Office of International Services and Union Board.  Many of IU’s international student and scholar organizations will offer displays, food, and performances representing their native cultures.  Admission is free to browse and enjoy the entertainment.  Food tickets may be purchased for $4 to try 8 food samples.  For more information, visit the IU World’s Fare website.

Scholar Symposium:

Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 12:00pm at the International Center (111 S. Jordan Ave.)  All J-1 scholars are invited to attend our 2nd Annual Scholar Symposium.  Six international scholars have been chosen to present an overview of their research.  A separate email invitation will be sent to all J-1 Scholars.  RSVP by emailing intlcent@indiana.edu by Thursday, November 13th.

Scholar Tour:

We are starting a new program for international scholars to have private tours of the interesting places on campus.  The first tour will be at the IU Auditorium on Thursday, November 13 at 4:00pm.  The tour will include information about the Benton Murals, renovations, history of the pipe organ, and the opportunity to go on stage!  If you would like to attend, please email jeashcra@indiana.edu by 5pm November 11th.  Meet at the front of the Auditorium (1211 East Seventh Street) by 4pm on November 13th.  Let us know if you have ideas for future tours.

Things To Do

Images of Native Americans—The Wanamaker Collection:

This exhibit is currently on display at the Mathers Museum (416 N. Indiana Ave).  Admission is free.  Website

Potpourri of the Arts in the African American Tradition:

Saturday, November 8, 2008, 8–10pm, Buskirk-Chumley Theater (114 E. Kirkwood Ave).  Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students and children.  Website

Family Craft Day—Holiday Gifts from Asia:

Saturday, November 15, 2008, 2–3pm, at the Mathers Museum (416 N. Indiana Ave).  This event is free.  Website

Christmas with the Pops:

Friday, November 28, 2008, 5pm & 8pm, Buskirk-Chumley Theater, downtown Bloomington  Event and ticket information can be found on the orchestra website.

The Nutcracker:

December 5–7, 2008.  The IU Ballet Department presents this popular ballet around Christmas-time each year.  Tickets will go on sale in early November.  For more information about this and other ballet performances, visit the Ballet Department website.

Did You Know?

Election Day:

Election Day is November 4th.  While visiting scholars are not eligible to vote in US elections, we know many are interested in the process and outcome of this year’s presidential election.  Television and other media will be covering the election results late into the night on November 4th.  Here are a few other resources that may be of interest:

• CNN (Cable News Network) offers “Elections 101: Path to the Presidency.”
• The US has more than just the two major political parties (Democrat and Republican).  To learn more about Third Party politics, visit Wikipedia.
• NPR (National Public Radio) offers an interactive map of how they expect each state to vote.
• The Economist poses the question, “What if the whole world could vote?”

Feedback

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