Saturday, September 20, 2008

Asia: Here I come

I've got a big trip comping up. I'll be leaving for Asia in a little over a week to represent Augsburg at IIE fairs in HCMC, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. I'll also be doing some individual visits with families and visiting several high schools. In total, I'll be traveling for 19 days. There's an excitement about planning for a trip like this...I wonder who I will meet? What connections I will create? If I will sleep? What new foods I will try? And then there's the sadness in leaving my 2 1/2 year daughter for such a long time. Finding a balance in all of this is something that I am still learning.

Before I leave, though, I will have the great pleasure of seeing Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul, and Mary sing in the quad at Augsburg College. I am SO excited for this opporunity that has been gifted to us all because of a deep friendship and a lot of gratitude. Here's the story. An incoming transfer student from Vietnam has been singing with Peter for some years. The two of them developed a freindship and because Peter is so pleased with all Augsburg has done for this international student from Vietnam, he will be singing on our campus as a way to say, "Thank you." If you read my blog and live in the area, the concert will take place on Thursday, September 25th from 11:45am-1:15pm. Let's bring a big crowd.

And, if you read this blog and you live in any of the countries that I will be visiting in October email me at beintl@augsburg.edu and we can schedule a time to meet. In between now and then, check out what the students at Augsburg are doing on their very own Homemade site: http://www.augsburg.edu/admissions/homemade/index.html.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

First Day of Classes at Augsburg

So, today is the first day of classes at Augsburg. The energy around campus is buzzing. You would barely recognize that just a week ago it was still "summer". Yep, we are moving quickly into the fall season. Here are the tell-tale signs:

*Athletic sports are in full swing. There are football, soccer, and volleyball games happening on most nights. The track and field team is in full gear as well. If you want to follow Auggies Athletics, check it out here: http://www.augsburg.edu/athletics/landing/

*The air is crisp and even chilly. Especially in the morning and evening. Last night I went to the men's soccer game and put on jeans for the first time in months. Personally, I like the change of seasons and the feeling of putting jeans and a sweater on. It's cozy. It's comfortable. Fall is nearly here.

*High school students are applying to Augsburg. I read 5 international student applications just yesterday and met with a sister of an applicant from Congo this morning. I LOVE this part of my job. Working with international students and forming relationships with each individual and their families. This year Augsburg welcomed 18 new international students to our campus from countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Vietnam, Pakistan, Argentina, Ecuador, Sweden, Slovenia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Norway, and Canada.

If you are considering applying to Augsburg, check out our application and newly launched web design here: http://www.augsburg.edu/admissions/international/

Fall is here.
The recruitment cycle begins again.
Life is good.