Office of International Services

A Division of the Office of the Vice President for International Affairs

Franklin Hall 306, 601 East Kirkwood Avenue. Bloomington, Indiana 47405
Phone: (812) 855-9086 | Fax: (812) 855-4418 | Email: intlserv@indiana.edu

International Center Programs & Events

Public Speaking Club

Monday, November 30
7:00pm–8:00pm

⇒ full calendar

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⇒ Student & Scholar Advising ⇒ Faculty, Staff, & Visitors ⇒ J-1 Scholars ⇒ Scholar Newsletter: September 2009

Scholar Newsletter: September 2009

What’s New?

Photo Contest:

The Office of International Services (OIS) has announced our first ever photo contest! Current international students and scholars at IU Bloomington are invited to submit photos from your home country and/or from your experiences in the US for a chance to win prizes and be featured in OIS publications and on our website. To read more about the photo contest rules and entry requirements visit our website. We look forward to viewing your photos and announcing the winners in November!

Important Dates

August 31:

Fall Semester classes began August 31 and will continue through Final Exams, ending December 18. For a complete academic schedule for the fall semester, visit the Office of the Registrar’s website.

September 7:

Labor Day Holiday—Classes meet, but many offices (including OIS) will be closed for the holiday.

Scholar Profile

Francesco canoeing at Griffy Lake, Bloomington

Each month, we recognize the activities and accomplishments of one of our visiting scholars, offering insight into some of the research activities and nationalities represented on the campus of IU Bloomington. This month, our featured scholar is Francesco Catania.

Francesco is a native of Trapani, Italy, and he has been a research scholar in the Department of Biology since 2006. Prior to arriving in Bloomington, he received his doctoral degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Vienna (Austria) after working on the population genetics of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster (2002–2006). During his doctoral studies, he completed a Marie Curie Training Fellowship at the University of Manchester (UK), where he developed skills in bioinformatics and computer and database programming (2006). Prior to studying in Vienna, he worked as a trainee in the Department of Fisheries at Oostende (Belgium) and in the Artemia Reference Center (Laboratory of Aquaculture) at the University of Ghent (Belgium) through the European Leonardo da Vinci traineeship Programme (2000–2001). Francesco received his Masters of Science in Biology in 2000, at the University of Palermo (Italy). During his undergraduate studies, he spent a year at the University of Swansea (Wales) through the ERASMUS Programme (European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students, 1998–1999).

Francesco’s research in the IU Department of Biology centers around evolutionary biology and paramecium. He explains, I am interested in understanding the processes that govern the dynamic evolution of genomes and genes architecture, and how this leads to events such as speciation or diseases.

We asked Francesco to share more about his experience in Bloomington:

Q: Why did you choose to come to IU?: A: I wanted to do research in evolutionary biology with one of the most prominent scientists in the field, the IU Distinguished Professor Michael Lynch. Mike’s ideas on the role that non-selective evolutionary forces can play on the origin and evolution of genome architecture gained my interest since I first started to read his research articles, back in 2003. When I had the opportunity of applying for a post-doc position in his lab, I just took advantage of it.
Q: What is one thing you enjoy about IU or the city of Bloomington?: A: Music would be my first answer, but I cannot help mentioning the dynamic mixture of and the profound respect for people’s different ideas, ideals, and lifestyles.
Q: Are you involved in any activities or events at IU or in Bloomington?: A: I like to learn languages and during the past three years I have been participating in a number of language tables. I am a member of the Ritmos Latinos salsa dance community, a very friendly environment where one can learn, practice and perform a type of salsa called rueda de casino. To be part of Ritmos Latinos has been and still is a great way to build or improve my skills in salsa dancing, and to get to know new people and, simply, have fun.
Q: What are your plans after your program ends?: A: I want to keep working in academia, doing research in evolutionary biology and sharing what I learn with students, colleagues and, as much as I will be able, the general public.
Q: What advice do you have for other scholars, especially those new to IU and Bloomington?: A: Don’t miss the opportunity (you will certainly have) to interact with so many different cultures and to share your subject knowledge with people studying different disciplines.

If you would like to share your story with us, please click here.

J Regulation Reminder

Report Address Change:

If you move or change your address, US federal regulations require you to report the new address to OIS within 10 days of the change. You may report the change by logging into iStart, using your IU network ID and password, and completing the “Change Local Address” e-form. OIS will use this information to report the change of address to immigration in the SEVIS system.

International Events

Welcome Reception:

The Office of International Services invites all new and returning international students and scholars to join us for a reception at the International Center (111 S. Jordan Ave.) on Friday, September 11, 4–5:30pm. Watch for an email to be sent closer to the event with more information.

Scholar Luncheon:

Eric De Haan, Director of International Alumni Relations with the Indiana University Alumni Association will be our host for the next scholar luncheon Thursday, September 17 at 12:00pm at the Virgil T. DeVault Alumni Center (1000 E. 17th Street). If you would like to attend, RSVP by email to intlcent@indiana.edu by Monday, September 14.

IC Programs:

Come to the International Center (IC) to meet new people and experience cultures from around the world. The IC is located at 111 S. Jordan Avenue and offers programs such as Conversation Clubs, Coffee Hours, Noon Concerts, Spouse’s Circle, and much more. For event information, visit the IC website.

Trip to Chicago:

Join us for a visit to the “windy city!” After stopping at the Millennium Park on famous Michigan Avenue, you will be free to explore the many city’s attractions. We will leave the International Center at 8:00am and return at 10:00pm on Saturday, October 3rd. Cost: $42/person (covers transportation only; payable by check or money order). Register at the IC (111 S. Jordan Ave.) by Monday, September 21st. Please note the trips are very popular and get full quickly. Reserve your seat early!

Photo Source

The 16th annual Lotus World Music & Arts Festival

will be held at many venues in downtown Bloomington September 24–27. ; Enjoy musical performances from around the world, including evening showcases, parades, Lotus in the Park, the World Spirit Concert, and much more. For event and volunteer information, visit the Lotus Festival website.

The Mathers Museum of World Cultures

(416 N. Indiana Ave) offers exhibits, events, and educational programs from around the world. Exhibits open during the fall semester include Botánica: A Pharmacy for the Soul, Clothes, Collections, and Culture…; What is a Curator?; Find a Fable, Tell a Tale: A Story of Story Telling; and Images of Native Americans: The Wanamaker Collection. Admission is free, and the museum is open Tuesday–Saturday 9am–4:30pm and Saturday–Sunday 1–4:30pm.

National Hispanic Heritage Month

will include lots of events on campus and in the Bloomington community. For more information, visit the website for La Casa (Latino Cultural Center).

Things To Do

The School of Fine Arts (SoFA) Gallery at Indiana University presents a new exhibition entitled The Canary Project: Works on Climate Change 2006–2009. This exhibition will open Friday, September 4 and continue through Friday, October 9, 2009.

The Fourth Street Festival of Arts & Crafts will be held Saturday, September 5th, 10am–6pm, and Sunday, September 6th, 10am–5pm at Fourth and Grant Streets, downtown Bloomington. For information about other festivals around Indiana, visit the Indiana State Festivals Association.

Join the IUB Swing Club for Swing Dance Lesson Series, beginning Monday, September 7, 2009. Lessons are Mondays 7:30–8:30pm, with open dancing to follow. Cost is $50 for non-students. For more information, visit the Swing Dance Club website.

The Indiana University Athletic Department is home to 22 varsity sports, where student-athletes compete against other university teams in the Big Ten conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Fall sports include cross-country, field hockey, football, soccer, and volleyball. For more information about sporting events and ticket prices, visit the IU Athletics website.

For a full list of activities, visit the IU Events Calendar and the Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Did You Know?

The most recent data submitted to IIE Open Doors shows that Indiana University hosted a total of 722 international scholars between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009. Of those, 457 were J-1 Visiting Scholars. While many scholars finished their programs and returned home over the summer, we also welcomed many new visitors. We expect at least 80 more J-1 scholars to arrive in September. Please help us in welcoming these new visitors to IU.

Feedback

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