| Summary: | news Revisualizing international education BY MARIE KURTH The sur-prise resigna-tion of Victor Udin, former director of international education, leftCon-cordiawith a position impossible to leave vacant Among several well qualified professors able to lead the department, Per Anderson, professor of religion, accepted the position of interim director of international education for the 2005-2006 academic year. Udin's departure came at a stressful, yet perhaps opportune time, since the college is in the process of restructuring its cur-riculum and moving towards a greater focus on study abroad opportunities and programs in the near future. Even though the "Open Doors 2004" report, published by the Institute of International Education, said Concordia ranks fifth in the nation among baccalaureate institutions for total number of students studying abroad, the college wants to raise its place-ment by extending its programs to areas often overlooked or ignored. That's an area in which An-derson excels. Even though he accepted the position little over a week ago, Anderson already plans to see long-term program development in the global south and in countries battling poverty, along with human and civil development, such as many countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. 'The identity of the college is becoming increasingly global," Anderson said. 'We're good at promoting that, but we could be a lot better." The statement echoed the vision of Vice President and Dean of the college Mark Krejci, who said in the next five years he hoped student participation in international programs would increase by 50 percent, mean-ing roughly 600 students would travel abroad each year, as op-posed to the current 400. David Sandgren, professor of history, agreed that Concordia is at a turning point in interna-tional education. "We're asking ourselves, where are we going and what do we do next?" Sandgren said. 'These are ongoing questions and Per will be able to help with the answers." Sandgren also said Anderson is well-acquainted with the in-ternational education program and that the "dean has made a very good choice." "He has the respect of the faculty," Sandgren said. "The college is looking for new places worth pursuing and he would investigate that thoroughly. It's a part of his thoughtfulness and the context in which he works." Courses and international programs will also be intro-ducted to encourage world flu-ency, which is the capability to understand and participate in a world society, and world service by encouraging experiences of service to humanity and looking at one's roles and obligations in the context of being aglobal citizen. What the college must do now, Anderson said, is look for ways to make these changes vis-ible as well as feasible. Although the design and leadership of the programs are exceedingly good, many are undersubscribed and hard to access if students aren't usually active in the program's home department. Financing these trips is also difficult for many students; some view them as inccessable due to the lack of extra money to pay their way, thus their learning experiences and opportunities are at a disad-vantage. "We need to make [study-ing abroad] look normal, like a regular part of Concordia Col-lege education," Anderson said- Faculty must be justly compensated for their efforts so improvement can happen, he said. Student interest and input is another aspect of international education Anderson hopes to explore and said he wants to "urge students to help shape the next stage of international development" "I welcome any student input," Anderson said. 'Anderson said he wasn't sure how much stress the new position will mean for him, but he felt the college has to remain diligent in this field "We don't want to mark time. We have to keep going forward," he said. Scan Clan rethinking 'Scandinavian' BY KARA COOK H & M. The Hives. Kings of Conve-nience. The Nobel Peace Prize. IKEA. What do these things have in com-mon? They all originated in Scandinavia. Aspects of Norway, Sweden, Den-mark, Finland and Iceland are becoming increasingly influential and mainstream in today's global community. As Scandinavia is changing the world in countless ways, Concordia's own Scandinavian studies department is also moving forward This year, a new professor has joined the Scandinavian Studies and Norwegian department on campus. Dr. Sharon Berg is currently teaching all three Norwegian language classes and is the faculty advisor for the Scandinavian dub. Berg is not only excited to work with students at a school rich with Norwegian heritage but also to make suggestions that relate the curriculum to modern Scandi-navia. Department Chair Rune Engebretsen expressed Berg's coming as a "new energy and fresh perspective" which will help pave the way for this modernistic ap-proach. Engebretsen, a first-generation Nor-wegian immigrant, came to Concordia in 1985 to establish a Scandinavian Studies program. That same year, the Scandina-vian club was founded. The Scan Clan, as it is casually termed, partakes in many activities that relate both to Scandinavia today and to long-standing traditions. One of their annual activities will take place tomorrow: the Homecoming game lefse sale. Co-presidents Sarah Wassbeig, linnea Duffus and Maggie Schmaltz, said that selling the authentic pastiy at the game was their biggest fund-raiser. These sales fund activities and events held throughout the year. 'This year well hopefully sell a lot because we're playing against the Gusties," Wassberg said. "Swedes like lefee, too!" The Scandinavian club will be selling this lefee by the roll for $1 near the conces-sion stand tomorrow. If you're even more ambitious, they may cut you a deal at the end of the game for a pack of lefee—if there is extra. Although lefee may be a stereotypical, old-country Scandinavian tradition there are many modern aspects being incorpo-rated in the Scandinavian club's agenda. TOHN SCHROEDER Sharon Berg, the newest face in the Scandinavian department, has high hopes for the years to come. She wants to incorporate aspects of modern Scandinavia into the curriculum. For instance, they routinely host movie and pizza nights, attend concerts of con-temporary Scandinavian artists, and even take shopping trips to the aforementioned boutiques. "We are trying to revitalize Scan Clan," Duffus said. "I think that a lot of people don't know what we do, or think that Scan Clan is like a miniature Sons of Norway. Scan Clan isn't your grandma's club." Engebretsen and Beig also commented on the importance of Scandinavia in today's international society. The region contributes to world peace, justice, and human rights issues, they explained They are facilitators of peace, Engebretsen said. Both Engebretsen and Berg em-phasized that we at Concordia need to capitalize on the feet that Scandinavia is on the cutting edge. While expanding our global studies programs, we have to keep Scandinavia's growing influence in mind
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