By ARLENE M. SPENCER

One of the key elements of the Vision and Mission at Fulton-Montgomery Community College is to be a vital center for cultural enrichment. At the heart of this vision is the International Student and ESL Program at the College. FM, like many colleges around the world, embrace international students interested in a local education. Every year, we enroll 100 or more international students. This year's students have come from 22 different nations and 5 continents around the globe.

The primary benefits to our College, community and local students are the opportunities for cross-cultural exchange that happen both formally and informally on campus. In a global world, it is so important for our students to be sensitive to cultural differences. Exposure to these differences in a real-life context best prepares all our students (international and local) to be more successful in their intercultural relationships for their entire life. This cultural competence gives students a real edge in the job market while at the same time expanding their own experiences and interests. Let me illustrate a few of the recent opportunities made available to FM's students.

In Business Communications class, a popular elective course for students in Business Administration and Office Technology Programs, the classroom faculty member and I worked together to facilitate a lecture where students worked in small group teams analyzing a particular culture and their business practices. Comparisons and contrasts were highlighted on the similarities and differences in doing business globally. Teams reported back orally to the larger group, allowing the entire class to learn at least one key fact that may help in facilitating a business discussion cross-culturally to the ten nations presented. These cultures were chosen to represent countries that local companies currently have relationships with, bringing a relevance to the activity for our students. The facts from the presentations included cultural business practices, protocols of appointments, business entertaining, as well as expectations for a business relationship. Students who had personal experiences living or traveling outside the U.S. also shared their specific knowledge greatly enhancing the discussion.

Similarly, Journalism students in the Media Communications Program were assigned the task of interviewing international students who are graduating this May for upcoming inclusion in the student newspaper. The articles allow international students a forum for presenting their take on the differences and similarities between the educational systems in their country and in the U.S. They also highlight the personal stories of each international graduate and their future goals. This allows local students an opportunity to see how they too can utilize their FM education in a global marketplace.

International students and local students informally network across campus through college clubs, sports and on-campus activities such as our annual Multi-Cultural Dinner just recently held. Often international students are selected to become tutors, further increasing an opportunity for US students to meet and work with a student from abroad. International Students also often opt to participate in internships in the community which allows them to share their cultural knowledge in a real and practical setting often giving our local companies a rare opportunity for expertise as they do business globally. Finally, international students are often chosen as student ambassadors, a volunteer contingent of students who assist the College with special events and activities. Truly part of every aspect of campus, international students from around the globe help bring the world to FM!