Eastern Oklahoma State College To Expand International Educational Programs
(Press Release 4-16-04)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

While a number of foreign students have traditionally attended Eastern Oklahoma State College each semester, it was not until recently the emphasis on education for the foreign student has increased not only for the Wilburton college but nationally.

Last fall, Eastern was admitted into NAFSA’s Academy for International Education. NAFSA (National Association of Foreign Student Advisors) in Washington, D.C. NAFSA is offering the training academy to administrators of higher education institutions across the nation. The academy is funded by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Eastern and other community colleges have joined the organization to expand and improve their international education programs. Ursula Oaks, spokeswoman for NAFSA, said community colleges are encouraged to apply.

“This is designed for people in institutions who want to boost their international programs,” Oaks said. “Community colleges are a target audience because, over time, they have been at the forefront of developing international education.”

Currently Eastern has near 15 international students on campus from countries ranging from Brazil to Canada.

That number will rise near the end of May when approximately 30 language students will arrive on the Wilburton campus from Japan and Korea.

Eastern will host another site for The Language Company that provides English as a second language training to foreign students from around the world.

The Language Company, headed by Ali and Brenda Robati, has six other sites across the country including: Ft Hayes, KS; Widner University, PA; Orlando, FL, and Oklahoma sites at University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond; St. Gregory’s, Shawnee and Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

Eastern has been modifying nine dormitory rooms in Miller Hall to become class rooms for the students when the first classes begin May 24. The students will range in age from 17 to 20 years old and will also be residents of Miller Hall.

The students are pre-college students and are enrolled to elevate their skills in the English language. Oklahoma based institutes of The Language Company are authorized by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Eastern Coordinator for International Studies and Dean of Students Butch Booth has made two trips overseas and has been working with agents across the world. He says that students he has talked with are enthused about the prospects of attending Eastern.

“Many of these students I talked with on the Asian trip say they have been saving money to attend college since the first grade. They are enthused.”

“The entire concept involves diversity of culture, financial and international cultural exposure for our traditional student and the international student,” he said.