Report - Georgia International Leadership Conference

Georgia International Leadership Conference 1/11-1/13; Rock Eagle 4H Center, Eatonton, GA

The GILC, which is designed for International Students and U.S. Students who have studied abroad who are currently enrolled at Georgia colleges, universities & technical schools, was a wonderful success this year! Each year, Emory University, through the respective ISSP and CIPA offices, funds up to 8 students to attend this conference.

From Emory we were fortunate to have as participants this year: So Min Lee from Korea (ISSP), Felice Physioc from USA (CIPA), Hokyung (Karen) Chung from Korea (ISSP), Madeleine Gray from USA (CIPA), and last, but certainly not least, Youn-Sun Jung from Korea (ISSP)!

With a kick-off keynote speaker, Dr. Stella Xu, a lecturer in the Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University addressing the issue of “Daring to Dream”, we were off to an inspiring and emotional weekend! The team building sessions the first evening were amazing and very bonding – the bonfire and MAFIA “event” afterwards was fantastic!!! (Ask the GILC-ers about MAFIA – they went nuts over it!!!)

The next day was spent attending various workshops ranging from “Up Close and Personal: But How Close?” to Cultural Simulation workshops (BAFA BAFA, BARNGA, ECOTONOS, ALIEN AMONG US). Just find one of our participants and ask them to tell you about THOSE!!!

The workshops continued throughout the day (“”World Communication Around the Clock: Do you know what time it is?”, “Recruitment Tips for Getting Your Club Known on Campus”, “Helping International Students Transition”, “Attracting a New Generation: Career Exploration in International Education”, etc) and led up to a wonderful hike to the actual ROCK EAGLE effigy mound . (FYI - “There is strong evidence that the area near Rock Eagle Effigy Mound was occupied by Archaic Indians some 5,000 years ago, however, it is unlikely that the effigy existed at that time. The most likely builders of the mound are Woodland Indians, who inhabited this area from 1,000BC to 1,000AD. While it is possible that the people who built Rock Eagle were part of the Hopewell or the Adena Culture, it is more likely that these Woodland Indians were a distinct cultural development. How about that?)

There had been excitement all weekend about the Fashion/Talent portion of the evening as well as the performance by the African Performing Arts Association/SAMATO Performance.

First and foremost before anything began, after dinner we ALL participated in African Dance lessons! This was absolutely amazing, exhilarating and EXHAUSTING!!! Boy, we sure did get a workout there – and what a FUN one at that!!!

Featured at the Fashion/Talent show was our very own beautiful Youn-Sun who displayed her gorgeous Korean traditional clothing, which amazed us all!

Our last morning was used to reflect upon the GILC experience and explore how students can contribute positively to our increasingly global community. I do believe we were all very moved, inspired and challenged to go out and do great things for the good of our respective countries and for the good of the world!

Thank you so much, to dear So Min, Felice, Karen (Hokyung), Madeleine, and last, but certainly not least, Youn-Sun for making this a most special and priceless experience. As your friend and advisor, I was inspired and moved by your warmth, generosity of spirit, and energy. You are the best! A special thanks also to Oksana Gomas, from the Center for International Programs Abroad, for her fun-loving, enthusiastic, humorous and caring way! Thanks to you all!!!!