Vol 2.  Issue No. 1  Fall/Winter 2002

International Ties

Riverland develops International ties Riverland Community College is in the process of developing a new sister-institution relationship with Ukrainian Kherson State Technical University (KSTU) in the Ukraine.

During the delegation's visit in September the goals were to:

1. establish future exchanges between the colleges including faculty and staff exchanges, long-distance learning opportunities and credit-based student exchanges,
2. become better informed about each others culture and traditions, and
3. build interpersonal relationships and enhanced communications.

Numerous activities for their visit included receptions with local community leaders and officials, interaction with local business and industry and extensive contact with our faculty and staff.

The hope was to provide an entertaining experience for our guests by constructing an "American' experience for their visit. Aside from the meetings, tours and other official business, there was a focus on exposing them to recreational activities like sports, shopping, nature excursions and fun.

The Global Education Committee, which is comprised of faculty and staff members, worked to prepare our employees for the visit. Pre-visit activities included a geographical, historical and cultural orientation for Riverland staff to help familiarize them with who our guests are, where they come from and what their needs may be. The main language the delegation speaks is Russian. Interpreters were used while they were here.

Initiating this visit and fostering a relationship with peers from across the globe benefits all Riverland employees, students and the communities we serve by bridging the gap of miles and the gap of misunderstanding and ignorance that can separate us. As a college, we hope to plant the seeds of understanding and appreciation to help us celebrate the unique diversity of humankind.