By Susannah Waite, Staff Writer
Student Government Association officials are accepting applications during September for Star Connect, a program that creates cross-cultural partnerships.
Star Connect is an SGA initiative to engage international students in American culture by pairing them with a domestic student.
Students are matched with partners based on majors, hobbies, and countries of interest, according to Star Connect’s Facebook page. SGA, the Muslim Student Association and ELS Language Center created Star Connect in 2011.
Applications are available in the SGA office in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center and are open until Sept. 27.
Pairs will attend monthly events as part of the program, SGA President Robin Ladd said.
“Okie Fest was our kickoff,” she said. “We accepted student applications during the event, but we did not partner students there.
“We just wanted to let students know that we are still doing this program.”
Twenty eight international students have signed up for Star Connect.
“We are really in need of domestic students,” she said.
An orientation meeting at the end of the month will allow students to meet their partner and learn how the program will work.
“Star Connect is basically a monthly commitment,” she said. “At the partner orientation, we will suggest meeting weekly with your partner, but this is not a mandate. We just want them to facilitate an actual relationship with one another.”
Partners may schedule meetings on their own time, which could be as simple as a coffee break in Alvin’s Cafe, Ladd said.
Ladd, who will have an international partner this year, emphasized the value of the cross-cultural experience for both students in the partnership.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know someone outside my culture,” Ladd said. “I think it’s the philosophy student coming out in me, but I really like getting to know different mindsets.”
Breanna Hughey, design/production senior, does not plan to participate in Star Connect, but supports the concept.
“I think it’s really good because it gives both the international and domestic student a chance to see what other cultures are like,” she said. “It gives you an opportunity to get something you wouldn’t get any other way.”
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