Meet Our Current Students: Ayano Togawa, Japan

November 10th, 2017 in Highlight.

Growing up in Japan’s Yamanashi prefecture southwest of Tokyo, current CELOP student Ayano Togawa could see Mt. Fuji from her window. “I have a big glass window in my room that you can see the mountain from. It’s beautiful.” While Ayano decided not to go far from home for college—she is now a sophomore at Waseda University in Tokyo—her decision to study abroad this year brought her halfway across the globe to CELOP at Boston University.

Ayano is part of the longstanding Waseda All Year program at CELOP, which welcomes students each year from one of the most academically selective and prestigious universities in Japan. The program gives Waseda students the opportunity to build a strong foundation in the English language through courses at CELOP.

When asked why she chose CELOP, Ayano’s reasoning was twofold. “Actually, I wanted to come to America because I play jazz piano. America is a really good place to learn more about jazz. New Orleans and New York are very well known cities for jazz, but also Boston for the music schools. I wanted to come to this city to learn English especially, but also to learn more about jazz.”

Ayano’s interests are vast. She is currently majoring in International Liberal Arts at Waseda, and aspires to be an English teacher in the future. Her goal is to become licensed to teach middle school and high school aged students.

So far this semester, Ayano’s favorite thing about CELOP is the diversity she has in her class. “In my core class, there’s a lot of different kinds of people. Students, former workers, professionals. I can listen to their stories and experiences about their careers. There are also many nationalities in my class—Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese, African, Saudi Arabian. It’s really amazing for me to learn English here.”

Outside of class, Ayano has a unique opportunity to practice speaking English in her on-campus dorm. “My roommate here is American. She speaks English fast and quickly—but it’s good practice for me. She’s an engineering student here at BU.”

When asked what she would tell a student thinking about studying at CELOP, Ayano replied, “Advice? If they want to come to Boston, they should come to BU CELOP. It’s really good to improve your English skills. If they want to improve speaking, they should choose CELOP. They can learn amongst many cultures and nationalities.”

Staff Spotlight: A moment with…Colin Large

November 10th, 2017 in Highlight.

CELOP’s Associate Director, Academic Programs takes a moment for a brief interview.

1. What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most?

Learning from the students what needs we meet and how we could improve to meet more of their needs. I also enjoy working with other groups on campus to help integrate our faculty and students into the fabric of BU.

2. What did you do before working at CELOP?

I was the interim Director for the Center for English Language Programs at New Mexico State University. I also taught English to international students.

3. Where are you from?

I am from Albuquerque, New Mexico. It’s a beautiful city in the shadow of tall mountains.

4. Favorite thing to do in Boston?

I love history, so I really enjoy being able to see the historical sites from the foundation of the US.

5. If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Green chile chicken enchiladas on blue corn tortillas topped with an over-easy fried egg. Put some refritos and rice on the side and add a sopaipilla with honey for dessert, and you are guaranteed to see me with a smile on my face.

6. What’s your favorite TV Show?

My wife and I are currently watching Star Trek: Voyager, one episode a night.

7. What is the best destination you’ve travelled to?

The Crimean Mountains along the southern coast of Crimea. I got to meet Crimean Tatars, swim in the Black Sea, and see a Genoese fortress from the 15^th century.

8. Favorite restaurant in Boston?

Chicken & Rice Guys—they have a food truck in Boston, but a restaurant in Medford.

9. What are your hobbies?

Gardening. I love to be able to watch new life grow out of the ground. I especially love it when I can eat what I grow.

10. What is your hidden talent?

Singing – my high school choir won a competition at Disney World.

11. What would people never guess you do in your role?

My daughter thinks that all I do is attend meetings. I think most people assume that I am too busy to talk. A big part of my job is to be available to listen.

CELOP Alumni: Where Are They Now?
Mohammed (Allen) Alfadhel, Saudi Arabia

November 2nd, 2017 in Highlight.

CELOP sits down with alumnus to talk science, English language training, and how he got to where he is today

Allen at his work station in the Nanoscience Research Center at Suffolk University.

Back in the Spring of 2013, Mohammed (Allen) Alfadhel's typical day began by taking the Blue Line from his apartment in East Boston to Government Center. He would then take the Green Line to BU West, arriving by 9AM just in time for his morning classes at CELOP. After class, Allen would have lunch at Panera on Comm. Ave., and spend the rest of his break studying—often in the CELOP main lobby. “My spot was by the window—the tables and chairs in the corner to the right. I would not go home until I finished my work.”

Allen's dedication during his four semesters at CELOP paid off—he is now a senior at Suffolk University majoring in Physics. Outside of classes, Allen devotes his time to working in the Nanoscience Research Center at Suffolk. His current projects are impressive—ranging from superconductivity to analyzing the structure of DNA with a scanning tunneling microscope. He's also involved with a radiation shielding project with MGH and is helping to spearhead mixed reality research at the university. Next week, he'll be working with drones. “Some people call me 'fabricator' because I create so many different things.” In the small amount of spare time Allen has, he's a talented illustrator, photographer, and artist.

Allen with an original illustration he created of Albert Einstein. The portrait hangs in the hallway of the Nanoscience Research Center.

It's hard to imagine, when speaking with Allen, that his English level was low when he first arrived in the U.S. from Saudi Arabia nearly five years ago. “When I first came here, I didn't speak much English. I used to call my brother to translate for me, and would hand the phone to the CELOP front desk if I needed to ask for something.”

Looking back, Allen views CELOP's coursework paired with activities outside of class as key to his growth. “The CELOP trips were fantastic. My favorite was to an organization where we packaged food to deliver to the elderly. It gave me the opportunity to interact with other Americans.”

Soon, after participating in several CELOP Student Life activities, Allen was able to create his own opportunities to practice English. From participating in international student meet ups in downtown Boston to starting his own Photography Club at CELOP, Allen began to thrive in his new environment. He hasn't stopped since.

When asked what he would tell someone thinking about attending CELOP, Allen said assuredly, “Go for it. Especially if you know what you want to do after it. That's why I studied English for Science. It's what I like most about CELOP—that academic focus. It didn't make me 'bored' so to speak. I was studying English for something I was interested in.”

CELOP hosts its 11th Annual College and University Fair

October 20th, 2017 in Uncategorized.

Our Students Eager to Pursue Academic Dreams at American Universities

By Sean Malvey

Contributors: Hui Laki Luo & Megan Fu

Focusing on the “O.P.” in CELOP, the Center for English Language & Orientation Programs hosted our annual College and University Fair for students. Admissions representatives from 16 New England colleges and universities (see list below) were present to answer questions about their undergraduate and graduate programs. For the 11^th year now, CELOP offered our students the opportunity to explore specific academic and professional degrees, and learn more about the various admissions requirements at each institution.
More

KGSP – University Acceptances for Class of 2021

July 21st, 2017 in Uncategorized.

The entire KAUST community extends its congratulations and best wishes to the Class of 2021 on this exciting next step in their academic journey.

Boston University Responds to the Recent Executive Order

February 2nd, 2017 in Academic, Admissions, Alumni, Programs, Student Life.

The Center for English Language and Orientation Programs (CELOP) has been a part of Boston University for over 40 years. In that time, CELOP has welcomed thousands of students from around the world who wanted to improve their English and strive towards a degree program or advance in their professional career.

The president of Boston University, Robert Brown, recently published a letter addressing the recent Executive Order that impacts entry into the United States by individuals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

To quote President Brown:

"The new administration’s executive order to temporarily ban people from seven Muslim nations from entering the United States is fundamentally inconsistent with the values that are the bedrock of higher education, and indeed, of our pluralistic, welcoming society."

We advise students to read this announcement by BU's International Student and Scholar's Office (ISSO) about the Executive Order. If you are a student or scholar from one of the above countries and currently in the United States in any non-immigrant status, (e.g., B, F, J, H, O, TN, etc.) the ISSO would advise against travel outside the United States.

CELOP fully supports President Brown and upholds the University’s long-standing commitment to international education and to the promotion of global understanding and goodwill.

CELOP will continue to welcome, educate, and support students from around the world.

If you have any questions or concerns about applying to CELOP, please email us at celop@bu.edu

Boston University students express their concerns about the Executive Order.

CELOP College and University Fair

November 1st, 2016 in Academic, Admissions.

On Wednesday, October 19th, CELOP hosted its tenth College and University Fair. The fair takes place every year and gives students the opportunity to speak with admissions representatives from universities around Boston and the Northeast.

Representatives from 13 Massachusetts and Rhode Island schools answered students’ questions about their graduate and undergraduate programs. Many CELOP students were interested in schools right in Boston and they also had a chance to find out about programs at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island, Springfield College, and Western New England University. Over 100 students attended the fair. A student from Chile said, "The fair was very helpful and I learned more about the degree programs I'm interested in."

All CELOP students have access to our Academic Advisor who helps students with the university application process. The College and University Fair is one way we provide students with the opportunity to learn more about applying to universities in the U.S.

Summer Students at CELOP

May 29th, 2016 in Academic, Admissions, Student Life.

This May, CELOP admitted hundreds of students to our summer 1 programs.

We asked students during summer check-in how they heard about CELOP and their future plans. Watch the video below to meet students from Venezuela, Thailand, China, Japan, and Saudi Arabia and how they learned about CELOP.

"The people here (at CELOP) are really friendly and very kind. It's very nice to be here!"

CELOP Students Accepted to Degree Programs

April 26th, 2016 in Academic, Admissions, Programs.

Every semester, CELOP celebrates students who have been admitted to universities across the country. This spring semester, 65 CELOP students were accepted to degree programs beginning in the fall, including 51 for undergraduate programs and 14 for graduate programs.

Students were accepted into programs such as business, biomedical engineering, cyber security, law, education, and finance at universities including Boston University, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, University of Southern California, University of California Irvine, and many more.

Congratulations to all accepted students!

CELOP Associate Director Colin Large congratulated all the students who were accepted to degree programs.

Congratulations to all the students and
we wish you all the best in pursuing your degree!

CELOP Student Runner Up in Global Programs Photo Contest

April 19th, 2016 in Student Life.

Boston University Global Programs recently announced the winners of its 4th annual photo contest. CELOP was delighted to see that one of its own students, Shuo Wang, was named a runner up.

It’s no accident that Shuo can take a sophisticated photo. He studied art at a special high school that is affiliated with the Central Academy of Fine Art in Beijing. Not only is Shuo interested in photography, but he also draws, paints, does typography, art installations and graphic design. He is currently studying in CELOP's 12 week program in order to improve his English and be accepted to universities in the U.S. Shuo is sending his portfolio to some of the top art schools in the country: Rhode Island School of Design, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and California College of the Arts.

"I am interested in attending art school in the U.S. because I feels I would have more freedom (of expression) here." says Shuo Wang.

Shuo's photo, with its clean lines and simple design, seemed that it might have been taken in his home country of China. As a matter of fact, it was taken here in Boston near Symphony Hall. Shuo likes to explore the relationship between people and the spaces they inhabit, and most often shoots in black and white. With his camera always close at hand, he created a very compelling personal photo.

We congratulate Shuo on being a runner up in the photo contest and wish him all the best in pursuing his art degree!