Campus Life

Global Connections offers interactive, intercultural, educational events

Topics include legal rights of immigrants, culture shock, and cultural beliefs around death and dying

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Members of the international community, as well as globally-minded Americans and immigration advocates, will have many opportunities to expand their knowledge through free summer Global Connections events.

Workshops and discussion panels will focus on topics such as immigrants’ rights while interacting with law enforcement; culture shock and reverse culture shock; and traditions and beliefs related to death and dying across three unique cultures.

The events are:

— “Know Your Rights” Presentation – 1-3 p.m. Friday, June 15, in Rm 201, State College Municipal Building, 243 S Allen Street, State College.

Thrive International Programs, based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, will be offering this free presentation on the legal rights of immigrants and non-resident aliens in the United States when interacting with law enforcement. They will also have materials related to their low-cost, government-accredited immigration legal services.

— “Understanding Culture Shock” Workshop Series – 11 a.m.-noon Wednesday, June 20, and Thursday, July 12, in Rm 241, State College Municipal Building, 243 S Allen Street, State College.

For the first session, Penn State doctoral candidate Zakiya Alsadah, of Saudi Arabia, will be presenting on the stages of culture shock in both children and adults, including ways to overcome it. Alsadah will be joined by Elizabeth Richards of Park Forest Middle School, who will speak about the steps the school district takes to help mitigate the effects of culture shock in its international students. These presentations are intended for internationals with children or individuals who work with those children.

The second session will focus on the idea of “reverse culture shock” and the Third Culture Kid. These issues have to do with the challenges internationals may face when returning to their home country after time away and, additionally, the unique challenges faced by children returning to a “home” country they have never seen.

— “Honoring Life in Various Cultures” – Noon-1 p.m. Friday, June 29, 107 Carpenter Building, Penn State University Park Campus. Parking is available at the Nittany Parking Deck.

Presenters from China, Sri Lanka, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will offer short presentations about the beliefs, traditions and rituals related to death and dying in their cultures, followed by a Q&A/discussion session with the audience.

About Global Connections

Global Connections is a nonprofit, community-based organization affiliated with the United Way of Centre County and Penn State. For more than 55 years Global Connections has been promoting intercultural sharing and understanding, and fostering a welcoming and inclusive community through service, education, advocacy and partnerships. To get more information about our events and to RSVP, please visit http://www.gc-cc.org/.

For more information, please contact Global Connections at gc-cc@psu.edu or 814-863-3927.

Last Updated July 18, 2018