International Studies Grad Works to Launch a First for NEO

Laughlin-Caroff '05

Northeast Ohio's only foreign language immersion school--the state's first Mandarin immersion school--is gearing up to open in Cleveland in August 2016 and a BW alumna Kristen Laughlin-Caroff '05 is playing an instrumental role in the development of the new Global Ambassadors Language Academy (GALA). Laughlin-Caroff, who triple majored in international studies, French and economics at BW, serves on GALA'sboard and is chief marketing officer for Cleveland International Fund.

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District-sponsored charter school has initial plans are to enroll Kindergarten and First Graders Mandarin and Spanish immersion programs, with the goal of adding Arabic and Portuguese and developing an international school for grades 9-12 in the future. The school will be tuition free and provide instruction of all core subjects in both English and a target language, "leading to dual proficiency in reading, writing,

listening, and speaking by the 3rd grade."

Laughlin-Caroff is optimistic for the future of GALA, telling us that "it will serve as a change agent for Cleveland," offering area families "innovative school options" as it works to "strengthen culture and diversity, and produce a globally competitive local workforce for multinational companies in the Cleveland area."

BW Grad Goes Global

BW alumnus, Dylan Davis '03 has recently earned an appointment as The Asia Foundation's new Country Representative in Seoul, South Korea, the latest step in a fascinating international career that was sparked by an undergraduate study abroad experience.

The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international organization that seeks to improve lives, expand opportunities and help Asian nations unite and flourish. The longstanding partnership of The Asia Foundation spans across 18 Asian countries.

Prior to his appointment, Davis was involved in 
extensive in-country work with Korean and American institutions. Davis also served in the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul and most recently, as Program Director for the Center for Korean Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.

While attending BW, Davis majored in both psychology and music. As an undergrad, he studied abroad in Seoul and told political science and international studies professor Dr. Judy Krutky that "I have you and Baldwin Wallace to thank for the study abroad experience at Ewha that led to a Fulbright grant, and now this new opportunity."

Davis has received many awards from high-level institutions around the globe. His tenure as Country Representative in Seoul will begin on March 2.

BW Senior Takes Summer Studies to Peru

Amanda Van Gilder ’15 broke international boundaries this summer as she assisted as a researcher with Aporvidha, a human rights firm located in Cusco, Peru.

An international studies and spanish double major from Akron, Amanda conducted interviews and reviewed academic resources to explore issues relating to human and indigenous rights in the Peruvian city.

“Knowing I would have access to large amounts of research, I figured I could take and elaborate on what I learned from [Dr. Judy Krutky’s Capstone seminar] and look at national security from a social and human rights perspective,” she explains. Hands-on experience was crucial in making her time this summer special, she says, as she was able to interact face to face with members of marginalized and indigenous communities.

Back at BW, she intends to carry her passion for Peru’s social issues into her studies by turning her findings into an Honors Program thesis. Amanda is also involved as a BW CIG fellow and has assisted refugees through an internship with the International Institute of Akron. After graduation, Amanda plans to continue her education pursuing a Master’s degree in International Development.

Rising Senior Making a Difference in Costa Rica

Maddy Simboli '15 is spending part of her summer interning with a nonprofit in Costa Rica. The BW International Business and Spanish double major is volunteering for the San José-based Rahab Foundation, which helps rehabilitate men, women, and children that have been affected by or involved in the sex trade.
 
Maddy is also "Crowdrise" fundraising for a Rahab Foundation youth camp that focuses on preventing the commercial sexual exploitation of minors. "My work here has been very fulfilling, and my Spanish has improved a lot," she tells us via email. "I am very excited to return this fall and share my experiences with everyone at BW."

As part of her International Study Abroad (ISA) experience, Maddy, who hails from Grafton, Ohio, has also enjoyed some time exploring Costa Rica and interacting with the wildlife. "I am enchanted by the wildlife here," she writes.

Maddy even went for a hair-raising bungee-jump while sporting her best Baldwin Wallace gear. You'll need to read the BW inscription on her sweatshirt upside down in the YouTube video linked below!

Current BW students intrigued by Costa Rica as a study abroad destination should note that BW Explorations/Study Abroad is currently accepting application for the Spring 2015 Discover Costa Rica program that will be led by BW Biology professor Dr. Chris Stanton in conjunction with ISA.

BW Alumna Commissioned as US Naval Officer

U.S Navy file photo

BW alumni continue to represent their alma mater and serve their country through their successes after graduation. Alyssa Cook '12 is no different. After graduating with a degree in Spanish Education in 2012, she attended the United States Navy’s Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, graduating in May 2013.

Now an Officer with the United States Navy, Cook reports, “I have been on deployment with my ship the past few months, leading a division of Sailors as a Division Officer, with the collateral duty of being the ship’s Public Affairs Officer.” According to the US Navy's website, Commissioned Officers are "the leadership and management team of the Navy and Navy Reserve." Cook noted that she continues to use her BW education in her career today.

Congratulations to Alyssa, and thanks to all BW alumni who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces.

BW Grad Teaching English Abroad

Katie (far right) with some BW visitors at the
Prague Castle. Left to right; Laura Lagania '14,
Fransiska Ong '12 and Lauren Franko '12

Katie Battaglia '12, an International Studies and Spanish double major, has been on the go since graduating from Baldwin Wallace University.

Katie left for Prague to earn a certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language. She managed to visit six countries before taking on a full time teaching schedule at two language schools.

Katie says, "My favorite part about teaching is the cultural exchange I get to have with my students. Not only am I teaching them English, but they are always telling me about Czech culture, places to visit, festivals to go to, and foods to try. So far, my life here has been wonderful."

Leading the Study of Language through Non-Language Courses

BW faculty members, Dr. Tony Chen (Economics), Dr. Javier Morales-Ortiz (Political Science) and Dr. Judy Krutky (International Studies) recently attended the seventh annual conference on Culture and Language Across the Curriculum at the University of Richmond in Virginia, where Dr. Krutky was tapped to co-lead one of the conference’s workshops.

The conference provided participants the opportunity to share and develop ideas and best practices for integrating the study of a second language beyond traditional language classes.

BW, a founding member of the national consortium, held the annual conference on its campus in fall 2009. The Language Across the Curriculum curricular option at BW gives students the chance to practice their foreign language skills in their non-language courses.