KNOXVILLE -– The University of Tennessee is one of two organizations nationwide chosen by the U.S. Department of State to host six-week summer institutes to acquaint Pakistani undergraduates with contemporary American life and institutions.
Twenty Pakistani students will attend the institute being hosted by UT’s English Language Institute (ELI) beginning July 15. The institute’s theme, “American History, Institutions and Identities” will emphasize how values, events and conflicts of the past have shaped current American culture, politics and society.
“The Pakistani Summer Institute is a great opportunity for UT and ELI to have some influence in a very interesting and frequently misunderstood part of the world,” said Jim Hamrick, ELI director. “It will also be a great opportunity for the Pakistani students to share their own experiences and perspectives with the UT community.”
The institute’s daily on-campus schedule will include three hours of academic instruction coordinated by Hamrick, ELI instructor Dr. Tony Moses and Dr. George Hoemann, assistant dean of UT’s Division of University Outreach and Continuing Education and director of the Department of Distance Education and Independent Study.
Afternoon, evening and weekend activities will include local field trips and recreational and social activities in addition to study tours to Chattanooga, Atlanta, Nashville, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Charlottesville, Va., and Washington, D.C.
Hamrick said the institute also will include leadership and community service components.
Amy Gallimore, a Tennessee 4-H Extension specialist, will assist participants in developing leadership and communication skills.
The students will learn about community service in the U.S. by assisting at several organizations, including the Knoxville Habitat for Humanity’s store and Knoxville Goodwill Industries.
“We’re excited about welcoming this group to campus and about the opportunities the group will have to get involved in our community,” Hamrick said.
The Pakistani students will have an opportunity for reflection, journal writing and discussion at the end of each week’s activities.
More than 1,200 Pakistani undergraduate students applied for the state department’s Pakistan summer programs, and only 40 were chosen to participate. Along with UT, the Institute for Training and Development in Amherst, Mass., is also hosting an institute.
The Pakistani Summer Institute is funded through a grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
Since 1978, UT’s ELI has provided English learning experiences to students and professionals from all over the world. ELI offers intensive courses for the improvement of all language skills. ELI instructors emphasize the development of communication skills in listening, speaking, writing and reading.
Call (865) 974-3404 or visit online at www.outreach.utk.edu/eli for more information about ELI.
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Contacts:
Amy Blakely, (865) 974-5034, amy.blakely@tennessee.edu
Jim Hamrick (865)974-3404, hamrickj@outreach.utk.edu
Darrin Devault (865) 974-0270, devaultd@outreach.utk.edu