Spring Break
Legislature passes international education bill
Whitney Haynes
Issue date: 3/12/07 Section: News
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White gravy and fried green tomatoes can be more than just Southern delicacies.
A steaming slab of chicken fried steak and the crunch of ranch-dipped fried vegetables transform into important cultural tests when getting an international education in Arkansas.
"They're good, but I think I'll have a glass of water for dinner," said Luiz Koldo Oleaga, while eating lunch at a popular restaurant next to the state capitol. Oleaga is an exchange student from Madrid, Spain, studying business for a year at the UA.
Oleaga was one of two international students who traveled to Little Rock for the first time Wednesday, joining the staff of the UA Office of Study Abroad and representatives from other universities across the state to support a resolution encouraging the growth of international education in Arkansas.
The resolution, which passed overwhelmingly in both the state House and Senate, won't give more money to facilitate study abroad and international exchange.
However, "it sends a message to the state and to Congress," said DeDe Long, the director for the UA study abroad office, who first recognized the need for the resolution in Arkansas. "It shows that international education should be a priority for Arkansas universities."
The resolution is important for the UA because, with the legacy of Sen. J. William Fulbright, the school has a history of supporting international education, said Richard Hudson, UA vice-chancellor for governmental relations.
"We are one of the leading institutions in terms of international study," Hudson said.
International education, including both Arkansas students who go abroad and international students who come to Arkansas, will "ensure that future students and future leaders are prepared to meet the challenges of a global society," according to House Concurrent Resolution 1004, sponsored by Northwest Arkansas legislators Rep. Lindsley Smith and Sen. Sue Madison.
International students and scholars generated $48 million in revenue for Arkansas from 2004-2005 alone, including the cost of school and personal spending for visiting scholars and their families in the state, according to the resolution.
A steaming slab of chicken fried steak and the crunch of ranch-dipped fried vegetables transform into important cultural tests when getting an international education in Arkansas.
"They're good, but I think I'll have a glass of water for dinner," said Luiz Koldo Oleaga, while eating lunch at a popular restaurant next to the state capitol. Oleaga is an exchange student from Madrid, Spain, studying business for a year at the UA.
Oleaga was one of two international students who traveled to Little Rock for the first time Wednesday, joining the staff of the UA Office of Study Abroad and representatives from other universities across the state to support a resolution encouraging the growth of international education in Arkansas.
The resolution, which passed overwhelmingly in both the state House and Senate, won't give more money to facilitate study abroad and international exchange.
However, "it sends a message to the state and to Congress," said DeDe Long, the director for the UA study abroad office, who first recognized the need for the resolution in Arkansas. "It shows that international education should be a priority for Arkansas universities."
The resolution is important for the UA because, with the legacy of Sen. J. William Fulbright, the school has a history of supporting international education, said Richard Hudson, UA vice-chancellor for governmental relations.
"We are one of the leading institutions in terms of international study," Hudson said.
International education, including both Arkansas students who go abroad and international students who come to Arkansas, will "ensure that future students and future leaders are prepared to meet the challenges of a global society," according to House Concurrent Resolution 1004, sponsored by Northwest Arkansas legislators Rep. Lindsley Smith and Sen. Sue Madison.
International students and scholars generated $48 million in revenue for Arkansas from 2004-2005 alone, including the cost of school and personal spending for visiting scholars and their families in the state, according to the resolution.
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