Cultural Exchange: New Community Ambassadors program returns for fall 2017

The Haggerty English Language Pathway Program is inviting SUNY New Paltz faculty, staff and community members to become Community Ambassadors to international students this fall.

This new program debuted in the spring with a mission of facilitating cultural exchange and friendship between people with differing cultural and national backgrounds, and helping the College sustain the welcoming and supportive role it plays for the hundreds of international students who enroll here each year.

Ambassadors are paired with a partner student for the full semester, and are asked to meet with their students on a regular basis –once per month or so.

Meetings can take just about any form – from on-campus meetings and consultations on academics, to hikes in the Shawangunks, trips to nearby cultural centers, a home cooked meal or even just a walk through downtown New Paltz. (Community Ambassadors are not expected to cover their students’ costs of participating in these events).

“This volunteer-based program aspires to help SUNY New Paltz promote intercultural dialogue, at a historical moment when cross-cultural exchange could not be more important,” said Dean of International Programs Bruce Sillner. “We hope the campus community will join us in showing our international students that they are welcome here, and help us make their time in the United States as enriching as it can be.”

Faculty and staff who are interested in becoming Community Ambassadors for the fall 2017 semester can use this form to apply, and can contact esl@newpaltz.edu for more information.

Visit the Center for International Programs at SUNY New Paltz to learn more.

About the Haggerty English Language Pathway Program
The Haggerty Pathway Program at SUNY New Paltz provides instruction for nonnative speakers of English who wish to improve their language skills for academic, personal or professional reasons. Courses are offered at four levels and in several skill areas (listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar). Classroom instruction is supplemented by cultural orientation and activities, language laboratory, computer assisted language learning, TOEFL preparation and tutoring.