Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Christy Czerwien with Eastern New Mexico University's Office of International Student Advising says the presence of international students enriches the university by providing an opportunity for domestic students to interact with other cultures and customs.
Czerwien says this semester her office is has a goal to develop and implement a sound recruitment plan to bring more international students to ENMU. There were 151 international students last semester.
"This has the benefit of raising global awareness among our student population here at Eastern New Mexico University," Czerwien said.
Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune
Eastern New Mexico University Chinese students Ye Wang, left, and Chuyao Wang prepare invitations for their Chinese New Year Banquet celebration in February.
Czerwien says ENMU works with World American Cultural Exchange (WACE), which can be attributed to the presence of Chinese students on campus, the largest group of international student on campus.
"WACE serves as an intermediary between ENMU and the institutions in China," Czerwien said. "The expectation is that if it is 2-Plus-2, the student completes two years in China and two years at ENMU. If it is 1-Plus-2-Plus-1, then it's one year in China, two at ENMU, and then a final year in China. Once completed, the students will earn a degree from their home institution in China and a degree from ENMU."
Czerwien says over half of the international students are from China. It's the goal of her office to diversify the international student population and outreach to students from other countries.
First time in America
Chuyao Wang and Ye Wang (not related) are two Chinese students from Beijing getting accustomed to an American lifestyle by way of Portales and ENMU. Both of them work as assistants in the International Affairs Office of ENMU.
"I wanted to study in America when I graduated," said Chuyao Wang, who is majoring in business administration. "This program gave me the opportunity to come here. So when I apply for grad school, I'll have more experience."
Chuyao Wang says she enjoys life in America, especially in Portales because she thinks the manners people have here set the standard.
"In Portales, people always say hello and the men are very gentleman-like," she said with a smile. "The pace is not as quick here and you can enjoy life. I don't miss the traffic jam."
Ye Wang is studying finance and plans to apply for grad schools in America.
"I appreciate the air here and the city is smaller," Ye Wang said. "People are much more friendly."
Ye says it took a lot of guts to come out here alone not knowing anyone, but is glad she has made friends with other international students. She feels America provides a place to reach for her goals.
"I want to get all A's and we hope to get into our dream grad school," Ye Wang said. "Being here would be two years too short. I hope this provides more opportunities for careers in America."
A look at the numbers:
Total international students at ENMU over the years:
Top five countries represented at ENMU in 2012:
Most popular majors for graduate students:
Most popular majors for undergraduate students:
The most popular program for online only international students (students who stay in their home countries and complete the degrees online) is the Aviation Science program, according to Czerwien.
