PULLMAN, Wash. Education at Washington State University begins to globalize as world perspectives become available to students and faculty. Qualified international students are working with instructors to develop classroom presentations on aspects of foreign cultures.
Through Engage the World, “WSU 
International Programs provides a central storehouse where people can come and access an international student’s viewpoint,” said Elisha Grange, interim International Center coordinator. “We can bring a human face to that culture.”
International Programs provides a central storehouse where people can come and access an international student’s viewpoint,” said Elisha Grange, interim International Center coordinator. “We can bring a human face to that culture.”Engage the World is modeled after a similar program at the University of Oregon; however, at UO the university provides select students a scholarship in return for their presentations.
“Professors who want a real-world perspective on a certain foreign culture will ask us to find an international student,” said Grange. “We team them with the professor so they can design their presentation the way the professor wants it.”
Engage the World also will branch out into the community, with international student volunteers giving presentations to local K-12 classes.
“I am excited about presenting to the K-12 students, but most excited to just let students know more about my country,” said Zhihui Zhong, Chinese international student and Engage the World presenter.
Grange said the most eye opening moments in her life have been when she could hear someone talk about their experience, not just read about it.
“It will make the education experience more relevant,” she said. “When you can connect it at a person-to-person level, it means a lot more.”
Engage the World addresses the “hunger” found in the U.S., and at WSU, for information about other cultures, Grange said.
“There is a hunger on both sides,” she said. “Students want to share about their cultures just as much as other students want to learn about them.” This is made evident by the mammoth stack of international student volunteer applications sitting on her desk.
“We want to open the door to a bunch of different cultures some students might not otherwise experience,” said Chengxuan Wu, Chinese international student and Engage the World presenter.
As the program grows, Grange said, she hopes it can provide transportation for the presenters, as well as offer their services to neighboring school districts.