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Transforming Lives, One Intercultural Experience at a Time

At the Center for Global Engagement, we do not just expose students to global perspectives—we change their worldviews. Our center is the bridge between cultures, opportunities, and dreams. Through our administrative offices—International Admissions, International Students and Scholars, and Education Abroad—and our collective international educational outreach efforts for campus internationalization, we open doors for students who might otherwise never cross borders, physically or intellectually. However, CGE needs your support to fully support our students.

Your donation directly funds scholarships for students facing economic hardship—whether it is an international student striving to stay in school through an unexpected crisis or a study-abroad hopeful student whose financial situation puts global learning out of reach. These are not just scholarships; they are lifelines, ensuring that financial barriers do not determine who gets to experience the world.

We rely on those who believe in the power of global education to make an impact. When you give to the Center for Global Engagement, you are not funding a program—you are investing in our students. Help us fulfill our mission to educate global leaders and make global learning accessible to all. Join us in making a difference. 

Your contribution to the Global Engagement Fund is truly appreciated. Please make a gift on Wednesday, April 9, as part of the Cal Lutheran CARES Day fundraising drive: Global Engagement Fund.

International students and immigrants are vital to the United States in many ways. Their presence not only enriches the U.S.'s cultural landscape, entrepreneurial nature, and academic prestige, but also significantly bolsters the U.S. economy. From fueling innovation in STEM fields to supporting local businesses and job creation, the international community's contributions are indispensable.

According to NAFSA: Association of International Educators' Economic Value Tool, international students added $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy and supported 378,175 jobs based on the 2023-2024 academic year. California accounted for $6.4 billion in contributions and 55,114 supported jobs. District 26 reported $25.4 million in financial contribution and 113 jobs, with California Lutheran current and F-1 classified alumnae contributing $16 million and supporting 72 jobs. 

For the first time since the pandemic, NAFSA: The Association of International Education is returning to an in-person format for Advocacy Day! International educators are invited to join their peers in Washington, D.C., to deliver key policy requests to advance the field in congressional meetings on Capitol Hill. 

Representing California Lutheran's Center for Global Engagement, Mr. Dane Rowley, Director of International Admission, will travel to Washington, D.C. to share about the importance of international students and scholars in the United States, the need for continued support of study abroad opportunities, and the critical impact of Federal grants at the annual NAFSA Advocacy Day program on April 2. The program provides a preparation workshop and organized site-visit for higher education professionals to meet with congressional representatives and staff to advocate for policies that support and benefit internationalization efforts, with emphasis on mobility areas.  

NAFSA:  “is the world’s largest and most diverse non-profit association dedicated to international education and exchange, working to advance policies and practices that ensure a more interconnected, peaceful world today and for generations to come.” For more information visit: https://www.nafsa.org/events/nafsa-advocacy-day

Andrea Mendez-Lopez, a Mexican-American student at California Lutheran University, made history as the first CLU participant in the new semester study abroad program in Puerto Rico. A music production major, Andrea embraced the opportunity to immerse herself in Latin American music and culture, believing that she had to leave home to gain the knowledge she needed to make Latin music.

Puerto Rico’s lively culture and warm people quickly made an impression on her. However, Andrea’s arrival was marked by some unexpected challenges, a hurricane, health problems and homesickness. Having never been away from home before, she was scared and experiencing some culture shock. However, she persevered: "At first, everything felt new and overwhelming, but over time, I embraced the energy and deep sense of community. By the end, it truly felt like home."

Andrea interned at a renowned recording studio in San Juan, assisting with live sessions and working with local artists. She loved her internship so much that she worked long hours, fully immersing herself in the industry. Her hard work paid off with an offer for her to return to a full-time job in Puerto Rico after graduation!

Andrea shared the following:

ADVICE: "Do it! [Study Abroad!] Be open-minded and embrace the unknown,"

INSIGHT: "This experience showed me that one must not lose sight of one's goal and take risks in life."

IMPACT: "Life-changing. This experience changed me in ways I never expected, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything."

For Bolivian student-athlete Mateo Sonaglia, the road to California Lutheran University was anything but ordinary. His journey—from Bolivia to Germany, then North Carolina, and finally to Thousand Oaks—has been shaped by ambition, resilience, and a deep appreciation for international connections.

Mateo first heard about Cal Lutheran through a website that matches students with suitable colleges and after learning about CLU, it did not take long for him to fall in love with the campus and the close-knit community. As a passionate, accomplished tennis player, Mateo joined the Kingsmen Tennis team, where an incredible 10 out of 12 players are international students. This diverse environment became a second home for him, reinforcing his belief in the power of global experiences.

Before coming to CLU, Mateo had already embraced internationalism, spending a year in Germany as a high school exchange student. Fluent in German, he carries with him a unique cultural perspective that perfectly complements his academic pursuits. As a Business major with an emphasis on Global Business and Marketing and a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Mateo is determined to carve out a future in the business world. His dream is to find an H1-B visa sponsor that will allow him to stay in the USA and launch his own consulting firm.

Beyond the tennis court, Mateo is dedicated to personal growth. He finds joy in working out at the gym, unwinding at Starbucks (often making it his study spot), and, most importantly, staying engaged with the Center for Global Engagement. He deeply values the role CGE plays in fostering a welcoming space for international students like himself. "It's very important for the university to have a center like this that truly supports students," he shares.

Mateo's story is a testament to the power of global education, perseverance, and the courage to embrace new opportunities. As he continues his journey at CLU, he stands as an inspiration to fellow students—both international and domestic—proving that with determination and the right community, anything is possible.

MARCH FEATURED GLOBAL HAPPENINGS

US Job Search for International Students

Tuesday, March 4, 2025  |  3:00 pm - 4:00 pm  | Virtual Event

Career services is supporting our international students who need help with a resume, interview or job search by offering this virtual workshop. Topics will review the job search process, resumes, interviews, and how to successfully navigate Optional &/ Curricular Practical Training. 

Use the provided registration link to sign up to attend.

International Women's Day Dinner

Thursday, March 6, 2025  |  5:30 pm - 7:00 pm  |  Thousand Oaks Campus

International Women's Day (officially recognized on March 8) is a global holiday celebrating the women’s rights movement and gender equality. The 2025 theme is to Accelerate Action. This year's theme calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind.

All are welcome to join the Center for Global Engagement in celebrating women leaders at Cal Lutheran and in our community, with acknowledgement of our 93 international female students.

Additional details are on the CGE website. Contact global@CalLutheran.edu.

French Caribbean: History and Identity in Martinique and Guadeloupe, A Faculty-Led Program

As part of the joint Languages and Cultures and Communication Department grant program, a new fall course with winter international travel is coming! If viewing our newsletter, feel free to share with any students who might be interested. The first 10 students who apply and commit receive a $1,000  (ALLICE Grant) award toward the program cost.

Fall 2025 Course with January 2026 Study Tour
Course: HNRS 309 / FREN 3ST (four credits)
Faculty: Prof. Sophia Khadraoui-Fortune
Locations: Fort-au-France, Martinique, and Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe, France

Application deadline: March 15, 2025

For more details visit the website list for Faculty-led Programs! 

Scandinavian Festival

Saturday & Sunday | April 5 & 6  |  Kingsmen Park

This festival of Nordic culture features music, dancing, cooking and craft demonstrations, vendors, and activities for people of all ages. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 5, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 6. The event is sponsored by the Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation. 

Admission starts at $15 for adults and children 13 and older, and is free for children 12 and younger and current Cal Lutheran students, faculty and staff with a valid ID. Only service dogs will be permitted. 

For more information and volunteer opportunities, visit scandinavianfest.org.

Earth Day Sustainability Fair

Tuesday, April 22, 2025  |  11:15am - 1:30pm  |  Kingsmen Park

The annual Earth Day Sustainability Fair brings the community together to raise awareness of and inspire action for environmental sustainability. Students from various clubs and organizations will host interactive tables, offering insights on eco-friendly practices, sustainable initiatives and ways to contribute to a greener planet. Fair trade items from partner non-profit organizations will be available to purchase.

The event is free, and all are welcome to participate and make a difference. For more information, visit CalLutheran.edu/global-engagement/events or email global@CalLutheran.edu.

Immigrants have made significant contributions to scientific and cultural advancements in the U.S. Approximately what percentage of U.S.-based Nobel Prize winners in Physics, Chemistry, and Medicine since 2000 have been immigrants?

A) 20%

B) 35%

C) 50%

D) 65%

Contact Us:
global@callutheran.edu
+1 (805) 493-3750

Mail To:
60 West Olsen Road #6400
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

TRIVIA ANSWER: C) 50%

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