The World Meets Here

UNO’s Intensive English International Program eliminates barriers, fuels social mobility and workforce development.

by Melodae Horst, MA, APR, SHRM-SCP

The University of Nebraska at Omaha offers seven programs adaptive to the needs of nearly 1,600 international students and participants. The ILUNO program works to break down language barriers while fostering and contributing to progress and community.

Deirdre McMurtry, director of Intensive English International Programs at UNO said the program is one of the oldest in the U.S. having its roots in English as a second language program introduced in the 1960s and 70s. Students learn to communicate successfully in personal, professional and academic environments. Three areas of study with multiple levels in each include listening and speaking; writing and grammar; and reading and vocabulary.

Most students in the program have “curiosity-driven courage” to push through the sometimes-long processes and hurdles associated with coming to another country.

Emily Hassenstab, interim director of International Programs said, “I think that’s a really important piece and a lot of lives have been changed because their world has been opened up by being able to speak another language.”

Students in the program are tested and placed in the appropriate level for each eight-week session. McMurtry said students stay for two or three sessions for about four to six months.

“It changes their lives while they are growing their identity,” McMurtry said.

“It’s really helped me to be connected to this society,” said Gloire Mwabila, who arrived at UNO in 2021 from the Republic of Congo.

He completed the ILUNO Intensive English program and now studies computer science as he contemplates his future.

“I could go back to my country or get a job here,” he said.

Mwabila said technology is one of the things he would like to improve in his country.

In his spare time, he helps new incoming ILUNO students by picking them up at the airport when they first arrive, he said, to give his “brothers and sisters” a welcoming start.

Students also take a community engagement class and most get involved with the Omaha group Global Friends. Through the ILUNO program and their own community involvement “they can connect with people who genuinely care about them,” said, Lindsay Sanders, Intensive English Program and Communications Coordinator.

It isn’t unusual to see students playing in a Japanese card game tournament called “Daifugo,” Sanders said, which means Millionaire. Other recent activities include scavenger hunts, conversation and culture hours and outings to the Old Market and Mahoney State Park, Sanders said. Immersion activities enhance fun, build friendships and a sense of community with their peers.

Mwabila credits the ILUNO game nights for securing him a good friend from Japan. He said his instructors were like his parents. Those are values that many students can relate to when they are so far from home.

“Over the years we’ve had thousands and thousands of students come through and learn English for a variety of purposes,” Hassenstab said.

McMurtry said after ILUNO many decide to go into Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) career-oriented programs that allow them to stay at UNO and in the country for up to two years. About 30% then apply for visas to continue their degree. UNO works with the government to garner approval for a “pathway” program that allows students to take classes while in the ILUNO program and then transition to admissions.

For international students applying for enrollment in U.S. education, it can take up to two years. Hassenstab said the UNO ILUNO program survived the pandemic when many other intensive language programs shut their doors. One key was advising and a small, dedicated staff with an outstanding reputation nationally and internationally. Much has happened through word of mouth about UNO’s reputation.

“We have come back and are strong and breaking even, still serving our partners and it’s still a really important pathway into the university community,” Hassenstab said.

Hassenstab emphasizes the effect on workforce development and social mobility is that many enroll, progress with their education and go on to be business owners and leaders in Nebraska, the U.S. or in their home countries.

“They use the ILUNO experience to move up and to move on in their careers,” Hassenstab said.

McMurtry stresses the importance of pathways contributing to workforce development. Studies show that if students don’t finish an education program in two to four years it is very unlikely that they will finish. Students must be dedicated. However, overcoming language requirements, easing financial concerns and reducing processing time from application to acceptance is essential.

If UNO can shorten the cycle this is another way to eliminate a barrier McMurtry said.

Hassenstab said the UNO program is one of the most affordable in the U.S.

Eliminating barriers for refugees is an example of the continued UNO initiative to support international students. Hassenstab said the Center for Afghan Studies just celebrated 50 years.

“Many people don’t realize that is why we have an Afghan community in Omaha,” Hassenstab said.

McMurtry said UNO offers refugees a 75% reduction in the cost of the ILUNO program, as space is available, furthering the anticipation of these students entering the workforce and improving their social mobility.

Hassenstab shared another aspect of the importance of the ILUNO program in teaching English – conversations that have cultural nuance – so students understand what it means to work in an intercultural team and to share global perspectives. This takes on even greater importance because many companies hiring UNO graduates in Omaha are international and multinational.

UNO aims to make a global impact.

“So how do we train our workforce to do that if they’re not all going abroad? Well, you bring the world here, right?” Hassenstab said. “That’s how you change the world.”

 

BUILDING A GLOBAL COMMUNITY

“All of us here share a strong belief in our mission to be the gateway to the world for incoming and outgoing students,” said Jody Neathery-Castro, Ph.D., interim vice chancellor for global engagement. ‘We want the message to be that UNO is open to the world and welcoming to all.”

She points to Chancellor Joanne Li’s naming 2023 the year of social mobility. With a UNO enrollment of international students representing 68 countries, the importance of these programs eliminating barriers, strengthening the community and promoting workforce development is evident. UNO aims to increase its international student enrollment to 10%.

“We are trying to do that in short order, and the way that we do that is by showing them [prospective international students] what a great place this is and what kinds of communities they will be a part of when they come here,” Neathery-Castro said.

Longevity of International Programs faculty sustains the community and is integral to current and burgeoning partnerships, Neathery-Castro said. She also emphasizes Chancellor Joanne Li’s prioritization of global engagement.

An example of successful global engagement at UNO is the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Institute on Civic Engagement. The  program draws students seeking an immersive experience in public and private cultural diplomacy. Participants compete for grants to implement programs that foster society, community and communication across borders.

The latest project that Neathery-Castro is working on is a Chancellor-led initiative for more flexible housing options for students. With campus housing being full, and a waiting list last fall, she is working with different community areas in Omaha to eliminate barriers for students seeking housing.

“The goal is for more cohort communities of their peers from each country, enabling them to create their own meaningful groups and organizations,” she said.

Neathery-Castro said having leaders like chancellor Li and Ni (Phil) He, Ph.D., senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, who were international students themselves is a plus for UNO recruitment and retention. They can talk about their own experiences at orientation.”

Neathery-Castro loves sharing UNO’s global engagement success stories noting that it engages people to want to become a part of the UNO community.

“It’s pretty powerful.”