Link of Nations Dedication at SU May 9

SALISBURY, MD -- When Salisbury University President Janet Dudley-Eshbach and the president of SU's International (Student) Group, Andre Kovalev of Russia, cut the ribbon on the campus's new Link of Nations on Thursday, May 9, at 3:30 p.m., they will be celebrating both an increasing international presence on campus and off.

The Link dedication in the heavily-traveled concourse between the Guerrieri University Center and Commons will display the flags of some 40 nations representing SU's international students, faculty and staff. Students from an alphabet of countries, Albania to Zambia, will be on hand to explain the symbolism of their national flags and munch on cake decorated with good luck slogans in their native languages. Both the campus and community are invited to the dedication and reception.

As expected, the international students--about 70 total--are excited about the event. "I think it is a good idea because it shows that the University cares about international students," said Christal Christian, a junior finance major from the Cayman Islands. "It makes me feel welcome…." The Cayman Island flag is a colorful collection of symbols including three green stars representing its three islands, blue wavy lines for the ocean, a lion symbolizing strength and stability, a turtle because Christopher Columbus first named it "The Land of Turtles," a pineapple, coat of arms and even a Union Jack.

"It is nice to have recognition of where I come from," added Quynh Hoang, a sophomore elementary education major from Vietnam.

Students around the globe pick SU for a variety of reasons, according to Agata Liszkowska, international student services coordinator. "A lot are looking for a good school that's reasonably priced," she said, usually "a public school because of prices." They receive no American federal or state aid, and money is often an issue. In Third World countries, said Liszkowska, families, including aunts and uncles, may band together to send one child to college in the U.S. Students are also attracted to Salisbury because of the proximity to Washington, D.C., particularly if they have embassy connections. One diplomatic family from Tanzania, in Africa, now working at the U.N. has been sending children and extended family members to SU for nearly 20 years.

The international students study in all four of SU's schools and most are undergraduates. Some are able to work part time on campus with jobs in horticulture, dining services, information technology, the Guerrieri Center or University police. A few work in the residence halls helping supervise American peers. They also volunteer, for example, when a hospital calls with foreign language-speaking patients who need a translator, or in the courts, schools or social services.

The local community seems appreciative. A Salisbury chapter of Rotary International sponsors a scholarship for an international student each semester. Liszkowska, herself a one-time international student, knows how important the scholarship is for the students and would like to see other programs established.

If the Link is a symbol, "I like it," said Christian, "It makes the SU community more aware of the diverse international population studying, teaching and working here."

"We're more diverse than peopled may realize," added Liszkowska. For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.