The world has shrunk considerably in the last decade. The economies of the world’s countries have become inextricably linked. Social networking and the internet have made global communication almost instantaneous and the prevalence of English as the lingua franca is increasing with each year. Western Oregon University, like its sister institutions in the state and around the country, began recruiting students from other countries some years ago. Scores of foreign students want to gain an education in the United States. A degree from a U.S. institution is still highly desirable as a marketable asset when graduates seek employment opportunities or post-graduate education. Having international students present on Western’s campus enhances the educational experience of our domestic students. All students become more knowledgeable about other cultures and that awareness will be indispensable in the future for favorable relations between countries.
Western Oregon University’s faculty, staff and students are so dedicated to having the campus population include students from around that world and from under-represented groups that it identified Supports Diversity as one of its three Core Themes for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities two years ago (see http://www.wou.edu/provost/CoreThemes.php). As a Core Theme, the University is committed to being accessible to students and faculty regardless of national origin. Attracting and serving international students is a critical component to achieving that goal.
On this page, you will see photographs of Dr. Kent Neely, Provost, and Mr. Neng Yang, Director of the Office of International Students and Scholars. These photos show different recruitment trips that they have made to Chinese universities since 2010. Although the largest number of international students at Western come from China, WOU has students from Saudi Arabia, Korea, Viet Nam, Japan, Germany, Norway, England, India, Sri Lanka, Mexico and others. Their presence at Western brings cultural diversity to our classrooms, residence halls and community that would be otherwise impossible.
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| Neng Yang speaking to students at Xianda University in Shanghai |
Neng Yang speaking to students at Xianda University in Shanghai |
Neng Yang and Dr. Neely meet students at Zhejiang Business Technical Institute, Ningbo |
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| Dr. Neely in Chengdu with Ms. Duan (R) and her assistant, Ms. Gai |
Chengdu University of Information Technology Library |
Dr. Neely with Ms. Duan and Vice President of CUIT |
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| Dr. Neely and President Zhou of CUIT |
CUIT hosts took Dr. Neely to the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu |
A female giant panda who had given birth to twins 6 months earlier |
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| A red panda |
Jin Li, a traditional shopping area in Chengdu |
A young family in Sanya |
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| One of three flight simulators at Sanya Aviation College in Sanya |
Dr. Neely with President Ma of Sanya Aviation College in Sanya |
The signing of a cooperative agreement between Sanya Aviation College and WOU |
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| The signing of a cooperative agreement between Sanya Aviation College and WOU |
Dr. Neely and Neng Yang speak to students at Sanya Aviation College |
A dance class performs for Dr. Neely at Guangxi Arts Institute |
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| Dancers and instructors from traditional dance class at Guangxi Arts Institute |
Dancers and instructors from a modern dance class at Guangxi Arts Institute |
Dr. Neely and Ms. Yanya Yang, President of Sino America Education Group |
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| Dr. Neely with Mr. Jiang, Director of International Education at Guangxi Art Institute |
Young women in traditional dress welcome Dr. Neely at Shiyuan College |
Dr. Neely and the Chairman of the Board of Shiyuan College |
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| Leaders of Shiyuan College with Dr. Neely and Neng Yang |
Leaders of Shiyuan College with Dr. Neely and Neng Yang |
Dr. Neely presented with flowers at Shiyuan College |
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| Posters regarding WOU and the 3 + 1 Program displayed at Shiyuan College |
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| Neng Yang and Dr. Neely speaking to administrators at Harbin University of Science and Technology, Weihai Campus |
Mr. Yang stands before a model of the Yantai University campus |
Mr. Yang signs his name in a guest book at Yantai University |
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| Dr. Neely’s signature in the guest book |
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| Future WOU students meeting a Xianda College |
Dr. Neely, Neng Yang, and Ms. Yanya Yang, president of the Sino America Education Group, at Xianda College’s new campus |
Dr. Neely and Neng Yang presenting to students at Xianda College |
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| Dr. Neely and Ms. Yang with administrators at Hubei Professional Arts Institute |
Banquet for Dr. Neely hosted by the Guilin University of Technology |
At Guilin University of Technology with Secretary Zhao Yanlin |
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| Dr. Neely, Mr. Yang, and Ms. Yang meeting with officials of Guilin University of Technology |
Dr. Neely, Mr. Yang, and Ms. Yang at Guilin University of Technology, Nanning campus |
Zhengzhou Shengda College with President and members of administration |
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| Zhengzhou Shengda College |
Zhengzhou Shengda College |
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| Dr. Neely and Mr. Yang with President of Guilin University of Technology |
Dr. Neely with administrators of Guilin Normal College |
Dr. Neely and Mr. Yang at the entry gate of Guilin Normal College |
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| Dr. Neely meets parents of Chinese students studying at WOU |
Mr. Gao, Minister of Education, Guangxi Province |
Dr. Neely and President of Guangxi Institute of Public Administration |
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