Since 2005, the Multicultural Learning Solutions (MLS) office has collected opinions from previous students, workshop and seminar participants to provide some information on the quality, content, structure and pedagogical approach utilized in the various training components offered. Please see the testimonials below:
“The international/multicultural interview was the most beneficial aspect of the entire course. A lot of people go their entire life without having a conversation with a foreign individual. It aids in breaking down stereotypes."
Joel Hertzog, UM Graduate Student, Spring Semester 2005
“I really enjoyed this class. It was my favorite of the semester. The information was interesting, the text wasn’t too wordy. There was a good mix of video, lecture and group work. I think the lectures were most helpful. It was great to have a professor from a different culture teaching this, we knew he wasn't just teaching something he learned – he actually experienced it. It would have not been the same without Professor Fluck – he really added to the class knowledge and fun. He is interesting and entertaining.”
Heather Border, Davidson Honors College Student, Spring Semester 2005
“Yes! This was one of the best classes I have taken here at The University of Montana for the last two years. I thought that all of the assignments were relevant to course learning. They weren’t the usual ‘read a book, write a report’, they were very interactive. The Online Discussion Forum was a great idea. Some people are shy about speaking up in class and this structure allowed them to an opinion or statement in a more comfortable setting. The Interview was a great experience getting to speak with an international student about what it was like for them coming to America. They point out things in your culture that you have never thought about, that are strange to them. It was an eye-opening experience.. I am so glad I was able to take this class. I do enjoy business but I enjoy the human element more and that’s what this class delivered. I also enjoyed the professor, who made this class painless while we were learning.”
Erin Otte, School of Business Administration Student, Spring Semester 2005
“To be honest with you, I didn’t think those workshops would be that useful for me because I’m going to a university in Japan; my country, and because I have taken several cultural adaptation workshops before I left Japan and during English training camps in Colorado. However, I found that your workshops were the most useful, most interesting, and funniest. Of course it reminded me what I learned in those workshops I had before, but it also gave me even more points of view to look at things. What you talked about totally fit with what I am currently experiencing as an international student in an American university, and when I go back to Japan. Group discussion really stimulated my thoughts. It was very interesting to learn customs in other countries and even in my own country, too. I think having workshops before going abroad helps students a lot like it is helping me now. It is important to have general ideas of what may happen while we are in other cultures. Especially if we can get those information in fun workshops like yours, that’s perfect!!”
Minako Saito, UM Visiting Student from Japan, Spring Semester 2005
“The topics and material covered in Cultural Adaptation for International TA's and RA's was interesting and directly related to existing daily-life situations and problems. The instructor had deep knowledge about the topics and he presented the information in a relaxed manner. Students were stimulated to participate in discussions. The PowerPoint presentations were well structured. Group discussions prepared the workshop participants for their class discussions. Scientific facts and information were combined with good examples and daily life situations. It was interesting to learn how difficult students from different countries experience class situations and how they deal with them.”
Dr. Ulrich Kamp, Assistant Professor in Geography, Fall Semester 2005
