About Culture Corps

The Culture Corps program provides an opportunity for international students to share a piece of their culture and knowledge with the campus community through individually designed projects. Through classroom presentations, special events, lecture series, and other methods, Culture Corps participants provide unique perspectives and new insights to enrich cross-cultural understanding at the University. Participants gain skills in leadership, public speaking, and event organization, and develop self-awareness to see themselves, their culture, and their strengths in a new light.

Culture Corps, which is sponsored by International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), was created in 1998 by Dr. Mohammed Bari with the goal of exposing the University community to the different experiences and knowledge that international students bring with them.

Students who participate in Culture Corps receive a stipend, which is funded through student fees paid by all international students on F-1 and J-1 visas.

Types of Projects

• Topic-specific events: Some students have created political and policy issue-based forums on topics such as the Asian technology boom, sustainable development, and Latin American issues.
• Culture sharing: Students have created presentations in English about aspects of their culture and presented it to the campus. Topics have included Japanese pop culture, gay culture, Otaku geek culture, tea ceremonies, ink painting, origami, flower arranging, calligraphy, and much more.
• Dancing: Some internationals students have taught their favorite style of dance, such as salsa, belly dancing, flamenco, Indian traditional dancing, and Korean mask dances.
• Music: One student created a series of radio shows on Latin American musicians, artists, and philosophers.
• Language Teaching: International students have helped teach their native language in conjunction with a language department on campus. Some have created presentations in their native language about their cultures and presented those in classrooms. Other students have created presentations on their religion.

Transformation

"Culture Corps was instrumental in my advancement and transformation from a small town boy from India to a global citizen. I learned how to visualize a problem, discuss possible solutions, and build consensus. I developed my confidence while working on culture corps projects and now I manage a multi national project using my valuable skills"
Brij, India

Skills

"I learned a lot how to work with people, how to organize events at this university, how to promote my message, how to attract people to different events, and I also learned that it´s very important to involve and motivate other people."
Past Culture Corps participant

New Knowlege

"International students expose the University community to a different type of knowledge that we otherwise overlook."

Dr. Mohammed Bari, Culture Corps Founder