Sister City and School Reports/Announcements: Bantry, Epinal, Dubna,
Forde, Junglinster, Kumbo, Friedberg, Luoyang, La Crosse School
District, UW-L, Viterbo, Western
La Crosse School District: Glenz reported that the Hmong Language program at both
high schools is expanding, so the teacher will be teaching an overload (extra course)
next year.
In third grade at Emerson, they have been reading stories about east Asian cultures
and Hmong Culture, and will be continuing learning during AAPI month learning about
a person of the day. Students read about the diverse culture between countries in
Asia and worked to complete Venn Diagrams about holidays! Third graders also took
a virtual field trip around countries in Asia and the Pacific Islands. They learned about
the area, its terrain, and cultural traditions.
Eric Martin (Social Studies teacher at Logan HS) is taking a trip to London next fall
with students from Logan and leading a local (adult) tour to Ireland this summer
which will involve our sister city.
Fourth graders attended the Hmong Education Project held at Lincoln this year.
Students participate in activities simulating life in a Hmong village, then fleeing
through the jungle, crossing the Mekong River, living in a Thai refugee camp, and
receiving permission to move to the US. They also learn about Hmong clothing and
language as part of the experience.
Glenz send a poster advertising the La Crosse-Dubna Chess Club to the elementary
school librarians and Logan Middle School German teacher who all run chess clubs
at their schools in hopes of gaining a few new participants.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse: Bald reported that nearly 200 study abroad
students graduated, along with 10 international students; ~10 exchange students are
departing.
Remaining cautiously optimistic about Fall enrollment, pending federal Duration of
Status updates.
11 faculty-led programs (~150 students) departing this week/next to locations across
Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.
Welcomed Dr. Swen Schneider (Frankfurt UAS) for a week of AI-focused
engagement (he arrived this weekend). Public talk: "AI for Everyone: Skills, Learning
and the Future of Work" - May 19, with reception at 4:00 p.m. and remarks 4:30-5:30
p.m. Free and open to the public. Live Stream will also be available. Additional
presentations, including UWL AI Summit, scheduled this week for faculty and staff at
UWL.
Hessen Ministry delegation visit to Wisconsin in late August; UWL participation
potential - details forthcoming.
Viterbo: Giefer reported that they hosted two study abroad socials, one specifically
for nursing students (March) and another open to all majors (April).
From March 15 to 31, 11 students completed their 18-day clinical capstone projects
in Belize. They rotated through several universities and worked in different hospital
departments every few days.
Currently, 15 Viterbo students are in South Africa. Their program runs from May 12 to
29.
On May 19, a group of 10 Nutrition and Dietetics students will depart for Seville,
Spain. They will spend two weeks there, from May 19 to June 3, 2026.
We also organized two "Navigating Fulbright" sessions in April and May. The goal
was to encourage students and faculty to apply for both Fulbright U.S. Student and
Fulbright Scholar programs.
Celebrated the graduation of 19 students from our international and global
community.
Estimate that we will bring in 3-6 new international students for fall 2026.
Hosting Art Fair on the Green on Saturday, July 25 from 10:00-5:00 p.m. in Assisi
Courtyard at Viterbo University. Hosted by AAUW.
