IOS - International Visiting Scholars – 2011-2012
During the fall semester St. Olaf hosts two visiting scholars from East China Normal University (ECNU) in Shanghai, China. Four Fulbright scholars from Russia, China, Japan, and Algeria are on campus for the academic year. Spring semester brings two new scholars from China’s ECNU and one Christian Board of Higher Education in SE Asia scholar who is from Thailand. Listed below is a brief introduction of the fall and Fulbright scholars. Please feel free to contact them and to help them get to know St. Olaf College and the Northfield community.
Fall Scholars:
Hua, Rong (hometown: Shaanxi, China) Ms Hua is a deputy professor at ECNU teaching English Writing and Translation, including reading oral communication for non-English majors postgraduates. She is interested in studying new research methods for teaching English and the role of inter-cultural awareness. Her academic liaison is Nancy Aarsvold, who is the Assistant Director of Instructional Technology and has taught in the Norwegian Department. Ms Hua will be living at the Ansgar Sovik House for International Scholars from September-December 2011, phone 786-8509. E-mail: rong@stolaf.edu or ronghua24@yahoo.com.cn
Wang, Di (hometown: Shanghai, China) Dr. Wang completed his doctorate in Chinese literature and art history at ECNU. Currently he is an Associate Professor of Art History at ECNU. His research at St. Olaf College will focus on different native traditions in twentieth century art and compare Chinese art history education with American art history education. Professor Karil Kucera of the Art Department will serve as his faculty liaisons. Dr. Wang will be living at the Ansgar Sovik House for International Scholars from September-December 2011, phone 786-8509. E-mail: wang@stolaf.edu or dwang@art.ecnu.edu.cn
Fulbrights (FLTAs):
Akamatsu, Mai (hometown: Izumi City, Osaka, Japan) Ms Akamatsu recently received her BA in Policy Studies from Kwansei Gakuin University. She also studied Chinese and English at Kansaigaidai University. She is assisting with the Japanese Language program this year. Her extracurricular interests include kendo and volleyball. She will be on campus September 2011 - May 2012. She is living in the Larson Hall guest apartment and can be reached at 786-2101. Email: gerapa-ko@hotmail.co.jp or akamatsu@stolaf.edu
Dong, Zhenzhen (hometown: Qufu, Shandong, China) Ms Dong is an English Instructor at Hunan Normal University in Changsha, Hunan. She received her masters in English Language and Literature from Xiamen University in Fujian Province and her BA in English Education from Qufu Normal University in Shandong Province. She is assisting with the Chinese language program. Her extracurricular interests include Chinese paper cutting and knot making. She will be on campus September 2011 - May 2012. She is living in the Ansgar Sovik House for International Scholars and can be reached at 786-8509. Email: dongzhenzhen@gmail.com or dongz@stolaf.edu
Olga Blinova (hometown: Moscow, Russian Federation) Ms Blinova received her degree from the Moscow State Linguistics University and has certificates in teaching both English and French. Olga enjoys yoga and traveling. She is working as a teaching assistant with Professor Marc Robinson and is living in the St. Olaf Russian House. She will be on campus from September 2011 – May 2012. Email: blinova.o@gmail.com or blinova@stolaf.edu
Leyla Drouiche (hometown: Bejaia, Algeria) Ms Drouiche will be teaching Arabic under the Alternative Language Study Option, a new pilot program at St.Olaf. Ms. Drouiche recived her bachelor’s degree from Abdrrahmane Mira University in Bejaia, Algeria and is licensed to teach English. She speaks a total of four languages: Berber, Arabic, French and English. Her extracurricular interests include movies, karaoke, shopping, bowling, and running. Her contact person will be Renata Debska-McWilliams, World Languages Center Director. She is living at 815 W. 2nd St. and you can contact her at leangel@hotmail.fr or drouiche@stolaf.edu
