2022

UWSP International Club Hosts Pointer International Country and Culture Presentation 2022

The University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point International Club hosted a Pointer International Country & Club Presentation on Nov. 7, 2022 at DUC 223. During this event, students from China, Togo and Perú shared presentations about their countries.

Yulong Tang, a junior in Data Analytics and Mathematics and Vice-President of the UWSP International Club, shared information about China. Among other things, she said that China is home to 56 ethnic groups and that there are 302 languages in China.

Attendants learned that guns are not allowed in China. And “China is one of the safest countries in the world because of tough law enforcement and a 99% conviction rate,” said Tang.

Viviane Adjadji, a senior in Political Science did a presentation about Togo which is in West Africa. Their motto is “Work, Liberty, Homeland” and their National Anthem is Land of Our Ancestors.

Lastly, Diana Heineck, a graduate student in Education shared a presentation about Perú in South America.

After the presentations attendants had snacks from China and Perú.

Anika Sardar, a sophomore in Computer Information Systems, and the President of UWSP International Club said that the intention of this event is to understand and build a “strong inclusive community” by learning about other countries and diversity. “Our goal of this event is to have a multicultural collaboration to reduce prejudice and empower people to support and be an ally of diversity,” Sardar said.

The mission and vision of the I-club is to “promote and encourage an exchange of culture throughout the nations by providing opportunities for friendship, understanding and the social interest of its members,” Sardar said.

When asked what she enjoyed best about being an international student, Tang said, “...see and explore a very different cultural and social environment compared to where I come from. I also love to share about my cultural background so that people can understand me and my culture better.”

Tang also advised students studying abroad to not be afraid to try new things and ask questions. “There would be so many things that will be out of your comfort zone when you study abroad. However, once you try it, it may become a remarkable experience in your life. Don’t be shy to ask questions. You will learn so much more than you ever imagine when you ask…,” Tang said.

Before travelling to another country, Tang recommends packing some traditional snacks. “When you make friends in a foreign country, you can share your unique food with them. Sharing snacks is also a great way to make friends and build relationships,” Tang said.

Diana Heineck

dheineck1@gmail.com

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HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AT UWSP 2022

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In the USA, Hispanic Heritage month is celebrated between September 15 and October 15.

Here at UWSP, students have had the honor to learn Spanish language and Hispanic culture with Professor Anna Runnion from El Salvador and Professor Eduardo Gregori from Spain. “I am very proud of all Latino students on campus. I would like to see all of them graduating in a few years. Some students work hard to earn money to keep going. I know some who quit school to earn enough money to be able to continue. The best thing of all is they got their degrees.” Runnion said.

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UWSP Multicultural Resource Center coordinator Maria Harris and UWSP Queer Resource Center coordinator, Sylf Bustamante, are Hispanics also. Minority students go to these centers to get support, resources and make friends.

All students are welcome to these centers.

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UWSP started the Hispanic Month celebration with a Bachata night. This was a dance party for students and the community with Hispanic music and was organized by the Multicultural Resource Center, Latino Student Alliance and Any Swing Goes. Wausau Bachata teachers were invited to UWSP to teach bachata dance.

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On October 1, Latino Student Alliance had their annual family friendly event "Celebración" to celebrate Hispanic culture at UWSP, with Hispanic music, food, performers, artists, vendors, presentations, dancing and activities from different Hispanic

countries.

UWSP welcomes students from all over the world. Currently, there are students and staff from different Hispanic countries including Mexico, Chile, Perú, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Guatemala.

Lizeth Reyes, international studies major and english as a second language minor said, "I identify as a Mexican

and/or Chicana as well as Hispanic. Spanish is my comfort language where I can express my feelings best as it is my first language."

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"I seek communities where I can speak Spanish as it provides a sense of home while being away from home.

Milwaukee has an annual Mexican Independence Day Parade that happens in the month of September which I was fortunate to be part of when I was in high school while wearing traditional Mexican clothing. Now, I am fortunate enough to be involved as the Vice President of the Spanish Club and as member of the Latino Student Alliance here at UWSP,"Reyes said.

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UWSP Alumni Christel Urpi Kaiser, who was a Natural Resources Management graduate student, said, "I am so proud to have graduated from UWSP. I had the most beautiful experience at the university, a place that embraces students from all over the world."

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"As a Peruvian student I had the opportunity to express my culture, traditions and language through different opportunities in the community and on campus. I congratulate all of the hispanic students and UWSP for their support of National Hispanic Heritage Month," Urpi Kaiser said.

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Diana Heineck

dheineck1@gmail.com

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​Childhood Memories in Perú

Updated: Jun 23, 2022

Peru is a beautiful country in South America. I was born at the Hospital Del Empleado in Jesus Maria (Lima)in the seventies, during a military government. I went to Mater Purissima school for my elementary education. My school is close to the Pacific Ocean and a lighthouse that we visited when we could.  I have wonderful memories of my childhood. I lived in a small apartment on the third floor in a dangerous area. My siblings and I were not allowed to play outside of our home. But there were a few children living in my same building, and we met to play at our homes. We learned to roller skate and ride a trycicle in our living room. Every morning, my siblings and I rushed to get ready for school. We had to wear our grey and white uniforms everyday, except when we had physical education, we wore track suits.

For breakfast we had: papaya juice, warm milk with Milo (chocolate powder), bread with butter and/or jelly. After I swallowed some milk, another mom picked me up in a car full of children and took us to our beloved Mater Purissima school. Otherwise, my mom took me to school in her old Volkswagen car, sometimes we got stuck in the traffic jam or our car broke, but I always arrived to school. My last year at this school was different, because we had moved to a far away house. A small van picked me up at 6:15 am from home every day. Sr.. Espinoza (the driver) picked up a bunch of kids, and took us to school. Sr. Espinoza's radio was always on and could never find out what was going on behind him. Or maybe he didn't want to know. We listened to Dancing Queen, The Jacksons, etc. and were mischievous.

Mater Purissima School

Located close to the beach in Miraflores, Lima. Mater Purissima School provided me with great childhood memories. There were maybe 30 students at the most in each classroom. Kindergarten was great. My K teacher was from Brazil, she was always busy.  We listened to tapes with a book opened, and I remember that I could only read a few words and was always trying to catch up with the tape, without success. My elementary education was a great experience, I enjoyed going to school and made great friends that are currently my friends. One of the first poems I learned was "Timothy Boon Bought a Balloon" or something like that.

Some games that we played were: Jaxes, Liga, La Chapada (similar than Tag). Boys played spinning tops in the floor. I enjoyed playing La Chapada with boys, and got in trouble while playing that one time. Therefore I had to do time out in a different room. I was surprised to see other kids there.

Spanish Translation below

Recuerdos de infancia en Perú

Perú es un país hermoso en América del Sur.  Nací en el Hospital Del Empleado en Jesús María (Lima) en los setenta durante un gobierno militar. Fuí al colegio Mater Purissima hasta quinto grado de primaria. Mi querido Mater se encuentra cerca al Océano Pacífico y a un faro que a veces visitábamos. Tengo recuerdos maravillosos de mi infancia. Vivía en un pequeño apartmento ubicado en un tercer piso, en una zona peligrosa de la ciudad. Mis hermanos y  yo no podíamos jugar afuera. Pero felizmente habían niños en nuestro mismo edificio, y nos visitabamos para jugar en nuestros apartamentos., Aprendimos patinaje y a montar triciclo en nuestra sala. Cada mañana, mis hermanos y yo nos apurabamos para ir a la escuela. Teníamos que usar nuestro uniforme plomo y blanco todos los días. Excepto cuando teníamos clase de educación física, ibamos con buzo del colegio.

Para la hora del desayuno teníamos: jugo de papaya, leche tibia con Milo, y pan con mantequlla y/o mermelada.. Después de tomar algo del leche, iba a mi escuela. La mamá de un amigo me recogía en su carro lleno de niños. De lo contrario, mi mamá me llevaba en su carro Volkswagen antiguo, a veces nos atracábamos en el tráfico o el carro se malograba. Pero siempre llegaba a la escuela...................................................................

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