Lock Haven University’s International Department hosted a tea tasting event on Feb. 23 offering a wide range of teas from various countries in the lower lobby of Ulmer Hall.
The overall turnout for the event was very low, not getting more than five attendees after the first couple hours. However, the International Club advisor and Director for the International Department, John Gradel has a similar event every semester, said hostess Mashfika Jahan.
The International Department recently “took over the space and made it their own,” said Shawn O’Dell, secretary for the Center for Global Engagement. For decoration, there were maps of varying countries and clocks set to different times all over the world. Also, there was a designated shelf containing packets of information on the many schools that LHU students can study abroad at.
Enjoying tea is not the only event hosted by the International Club. Throughout the semester, the club sets up taste tables compiled of international varieties of food and drinks. Occasionally some international students will prepare the beverages and cuisine at the tables. They even have gatherings for students to watch the FIFA World Cup. This year saw a little more than a dozen students watching the various matches.
LHU was once the star of PASSHE’s International Program, having 125 international students, 30-40 exchange students as well as other students interested in studying abroad. Whereas, this semester there are only about ten international students due to less recruitment being made by the school over the past few years, said O’Dell.
Students at LHU who study abroad, have gone to countries such as Australia, Japan, Scotland, South Korea, and Spain. Most of the overall cost is about the same as LHU’s tuition, so the only thing that students would need to save up extra money for is transportation.
The schools in these countries have courses that are equivalent to the ones at LHU so students will not fall behind in their degree if they do decide to go abroad. However, it is easier for Liberal Arts majors, like Business, English, or History, to find similar classes than students who are in the other majors.
Contrary to popular belief, students do not have to know the native language in order to study abroad because in all but three schools, the classes are taught in English.
Kayla LeBeau
Kayla LeBeauis a first-year Secondary Education major with a concentration in English. She was the Arts and Entertainment editor at Montoursville Area High School for two years and has continued as the Arts and Entertainment editor on the Eagle Eye staff. Kayla has written a variety of articles for the Eagle Eye beyond Arts and Entertainment. She loves to read fantasy, adventure, and Sci-Fi novels, especially books by Brandon Sanderson and Sarah J. Maas.
