[396] “CULTURE TO CULTURE” TURNS MTSU STUDENTS INTO AMBASSADORS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31, 2009
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

“CULTURE TO CULTURE” TURNS MTSU STUDENTS INTO AMBASSADORS
International Outreach Program at MTSU Takes Entire World to Regional Schools

(MURFREESBORO) – Culture to Culture, a program of MTSU’s Office of International Programs and Services (IPS), sends international college students into area K-12 schools to offer youngsters a sampling of the world beyond their books and their borders.
“They’re learning about other parts of the world, which, perhaps, will start a desire to study abroad when they go to college,” says Dr. Tech Wubneh, IPS director.
Of course, the potential for planting a seed that may one day sprout more admissions to MTSU is beneficial, as well.
Wubneh says some schools involved in this experiential learning partnership just want to introduce their classes to a broader range of information through a vibrant, personal exchange. Others want the visiting MTSU students’ presentations to coincide with the existing curriculum.
Todd Williamson, International Baccalaureate Coordinator at Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, says the Culture to Culture idea is an especially good fit with his institution. Oakland is one of only six high schools in Tennessee authorized to offer an IB degree, a top-notch entrée into higher education.
According to Oakland’s Web site, the IB program “encourages students to ask challenging questions, think critically, develop a strong sense of one’s identity and culture, and develop an ability to communicate with and understand others from different cultures and backgrounds.”
“This program is meant to educate the whole person,” says Williamson says of Oakland’s IB program. “We are interested in getting the viewpoints of other cultures around the world.”
Umut Ermec is an MTSU student interested in sharing those viewpoints. A 29-year-old pursuing his master’s degree in recording industry, this native of Turkey is eager to dispel mistaken impressions of his homeland.
“I take it as a mission because I love my country, and I want to explain it to young students,” says Ermec.
Turkey, a uniquely positioned country that unites Europe and the Middle East both literally and culturally, is a parliamentary democracy that is strategically important to the United States. It is a predominantly Moslem country, but Islam is not the official state religion. Ermec says some Westerners don’t understand it very well.

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“They think it’s a conservative culture,” he says. “It has very conservative parts, but some parts are not. It’s not one culture. It’s like a collage.”
One traditional aspect of Turkish culture has stayed with Ermec. He plays the darbuka, a goblet drum which is struck while positioned under the musician’s arm or between the knees and a potential prop for school demonstrations.
Gabriel Zurita, a 24-year-old economics major from Chile, says he hopes “to help American students broaden their world views, specifically their views of developing nations.” Chile, that long, lean nation in southwest South America, is also important to American interests because of its location relative to sea lanes between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The world’s number one producer of copper, Chile’s market economy depends heavily on foreign trade. Recently, Chile began airing commercials on U.S. cable networks touting its fruit exports to the United States.
Zurita delivered his first Culture to Culture presentation last semester at Riverdale High School.
“I’ve had to present information to students before, but this is the first time I presented information about my own country,” Zurita says. “You don’t know whether to be unbiased or just be a tourist guide, to advertise your country. I decided to take an objective approach and to simply educate.”
Wubneh says the international students gain a wealth of experience, as well.
“They learn about a different educational system,” Wubneh says. “Because they are sharing their culture, because they have been given this opportunity, it gives them a sense of belonging and self-confidence.”
Culture to Culture presenters hail not only from Turkey and Chile, but from Spain, India and several other nations. Discussions may include music, dancing, short films and items sent to the presenters from their embassies, as well as plenty of time for questions and answers. This service is offered at no charge to the schools. For more information or to book a student, contact Wubneh at 615-898-2238 or twubneh@mtsu.edu.

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ATTENTION, MEDIA: For interviews with Culture to Culture presenters Umut Ermec and Gabriel Zurita, contact Gina Logue in the MTSU Office of News and Public Affairs at 615-898-5081 or gklogue@mtsu.edu.