Cultural Connections program creates international ties Bee eapae es he Cultural peapee Connections program, Perez i a program that brings together international and domestic Douglas College —_——— students for friendship and guidance for the visiting students, is calling on all interested applicants to submit their applications no later than May 15". While this will be the first summer semester and third total semester for this program, it has been around for nearly 20 years under various banners such as the Language Partner program, and as the International Peer Mentorship program. Japan, India, Germany, South Africa, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the United States are only a few of the countries which the international students travel from, speaking many languages and offering a diverse cultural spectrum to be shared with their partners here. “The ideal applicant is someone who is interested in different cultures or their own cultural background, languages, has traveled overseas, is planning on traveling overseas, has a genuine wish to help someone adjust to life in Canada and in College, and wants to make new friends and hopefully breakdown cultural stereotypes,” described Hiroshi Yasuoka, program coordinator. Applicants need not speak a second language, nor will they be expected to help with homework, and will receive a Certificate of Appreciation at the end of the semester. Mentors may also request a letter of reference from Yasuoka. The program makes available many free and optional activities throughout the semester including trips to Stanley Park, the Grouse Grind, English Bay, the Greek Day festival, billiards and bowling, and a trip to Victoria that will be offered at a subsidized cost. Mentors and new students may plan to attend with or without their partner. They are also free to organize their own events or outings with their partner or as part of a larger group. Peer Mentors and new or returning EASL students can apply to be a part of the Cultural Connections program at http://www.douglas.bc.ca/services/international- education/peer-mentorship/application-forms.html. Applications are also available for pick-up in the Centre for International Education Office (room 2800) or by emailing Hiroshi Yasuoka at yasuokah@ douglas. be.ca. Dental assistants leave for their much-anticipated trip By Shaylee Pérez, Staff Reporter n April 25", three students in the Dental (istics program along with one faculty member left for a month long practicum in Wasaka, Uganda. Sonya Van Hove, Katrina Gardner, and Nicole Davie, along with their accompanying faculty member ‘will be working in the Wasaka Regional Hospital’s dental clinic full-time for the entire month with two goals in mind: to provide care and promote education, by engendering sustainable practices that can be carried on long after they are gone. In Wasaka, the majority of dental care is emergency, as they lack the workforce and funding for preventative or restorative care, leaving extraction as the most common method of treatment. As all dental disease is preventative, the assistants will be promoting viable methods of good oral hygiene with their colleagues in the clinic, their patients and by leaving educative materials with teachers during their planned visits to local schools. To make this trip happen, the students have worked diligently for the last few months on various fundraising efforts in addition to their full-time class schedule. At Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter they sold Purdy’s chocolates in the concourse, and throughout the Winter semester collected bottles and 4 cans for refund, as well as selling organic fair trade coffee, organic tea, whole beans and cocoa with Program Coordinator Debbie McCloy. Other efforts include a highly successful pub night at the Cat and Fiddle which boasted a 50/50 draw, door prizes, and dancing; lobbying for RBC Avion point donations to subsidize the cost of their flights; applying for scholarships; and calling on the local dental community to “clean cupboards” and donate any materials going unused. ; The clean cupboards effort was especially successful. “We were actually quite successful in collecting and rallying donations, we collected more than we were expecting with the generous help of the dental community. We are thrilled with the amount of supplies we are taking over,” said Davie, 26. The supplies will be donated to the Wasaka Regional Hospital’s dental clinic, in the hopes of saving many teeth that would have otherwise been extracted. In preparations for everyday life in Wasaka, Uganda, the students practiced their teaching methods with Douglas College ESL students, and did an African meal presentation for their class. Other considerations were the adjustment to squat bathrooms, learning how to work around the lack of running water, and the “get there when you get there” scheduling system in Wasaka. Douglas College Wrap Up By Shaylee Pérez Deep Singh chooses not to contest disqualification Deep Singh, former DSU external relations coordinator, has chosen not to contest a decision to disqualify her from re-election following a rule infraction incident. Entering the DSU building after hours was prohibited to all candidates, as the building is where all materials are printed for an election, and those who enter the building after hours are given an unfair advantage to work on their campaign materials while other are not. Singh, who entered the DSU building after hours during election time to pick up a health item, was later informed that the offence would cost her the candidacy. Singh’s decision not to appeal leaves Priscilla Bartleman of the reFresh slate in the position. Scholarship Season is upon us The South Vancouver Community Crime Prevention Society is offering seven awards worth $1,000 to students willing to volunteer in the South Vancouver Community Policing Centre. More info can be found at http:// www.douglascollege.ca/__shared/ assets/Volunteer_Policing_Scholarship_ Program57545.pdf Students currently in or who have been in care under a custody order or youth agreement, and wish to train in the social, health or education service sector may apply for an FCFS bursary for up to $1,000 per every two semesters. Applicants must be Canadian citizens and under 25 years of age. Interested students should contact Glenn Hope, BC Council for Families at 604-660-0675 or glennh@becf.be.ca. The last round of Excellence awards is fast approaching, with awards worth anywhere from $4,000—$10,000. Applicants must be in the first year of a diploma program or the second year of a bachelor degree program. Application deadline is May 20", and more info can be found at excellenceaward. ca. 250 awards worth $1,000 each are being offered by the BC Aboriginal Student Award program. Students must apply before completion of their second year of study, prove their Aboriginal ancestry, and show evidence of community involvement. Applications must be received by May 15". Find more info at bescholarship.ca/ web/aboriginal.