As U retirees we have much to offer...are you holding it in reserve for just the right opportunity? Can this be it?

The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will be greeting 1,800 new international students, undergrad and graduate, to the University in September. You have likely received Vice President Meredith McQuaid’s statement about the services the University provides to these students, and scholars who will visit the University during the year.

In what ways can we support the ISSS programs and satisfy our own desires to offer our capacities to international students? Here are two ISSS programs for your consideration:

Culture Corps is a program for international students to develop projects and initiatives to bring global perspectives to the U of M campus. Would you volunteer to serve as a mentor/advisor for such projects?

Cross-Cultural Discussion Groups is a program that gathers small groups of international students and scholars in an intimate environment to explore their cross-cultural experiences and perspectives. Would you participate in a group, or offer to hold it in your home?

I strongly welcome any further suggestions you may have. Mentoring students in your discipline, perhaps? I will be meeting with ISSS Assistant Dean Kappler in September to discuss options that can use retirees’ assistance.

The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) already has projects for improving English conversation in one-on-one meetings with international TAs, and group meetings as well. We need more facilitators for these projects. Contact URVC at [email protected] to explore your interests.

— Alan L. Kagan, Prof. Emeritus, Ethnomusicology
     Project Director, University Retirees Volunteer Center