Seattle International Film Festival 2017

May 24, 2017

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Shoreline Community College is proud to be one of the venues for the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF). Shoreline Community College’s opening night reception is Friday, May 26. It will feature The Odyssey (France), which is a stunning biopic of Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau, a pioneer of sea exploration.

Some highlights of the films at Shoreline Community College include:

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Becoming Who I Was (South Korea). From the SIFF website: “After a Buddhist boy in the highlands of northern India discovers that he is the reincarnation of a centuries-old Tibetan monk, his aging godfather takes him on a journey to discover his past in a beautiful story of faith and unconditional love.”

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Woodpeckers (Dominican Republic). From the SIFF website: “This hard-hitting but compassionate prison story from Santo Domingo, shot on location with real inmates, tells the love story between two prisoners in neighboring institutions who communicate through an elaborate sign language known as woodpecking.”

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Winnie (France). From the SIFF website: “The absorbing life story of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who fought on the front lines for South African human rights during her husband’s 27-year imprisonment, comes into focus through abundant archival footage and interviews with both her closest friends and those who hoped to silence her.”

Films will be playing all the way through Saturday, June 3rd. You can see the full list of movies playing at Shoreline Community College on the SIFF website, where you can also see the full schedule for all SIFF theaters. Movies are shown in the Shoreline Community College Theatre and tickets are $14 per person, per movie.

– Meg Humphrey

Mother’s Day

May 19, 2017

The United States celebrated Mother’s Day on May 15th. Shoreline Community College’s International Peer Mentors share how they celebrate their mothers and parents in their home countries!

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Clever Cupcakes, Montreal Canada, Mother’s Day Cupcakes (CC BY 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Clara Zhang

In China, we celebrate Mother’s day at the second Sunday of May every year. It is the time for mothers to take a break and relax. As children, we usually give our mother carnation as a gift, cook a fancy dinner for our mom, and help with housework. We also sometimes give our mom a massage during that day. The purpose of the Mother’s Day is not only to reduce our mother’s pressure for one day, it is more about raising attention among children to take more care about their mothers.

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Tianmu peter (CC BY 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons

Megan Lo

I would say people in Hong Kong celebrate Mother’s Day like in the US. Grown-up children (usually daughters) would buy flowers and make fancy dinners, as well as spend more time (than usual) with their mums. You know, to appreciate what they have done for us over the years. 🙂 P.S. I love you, mum ❤

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Nori Norisa, 娘がかみさんに内緒で母の日プレゼント用意してる (CC BY 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Jisa Kang

In Japan, we have custom that we give mother flowers, especially carnations. Kids give them picture or painting stuffs which made by themselves. Adult give them some stuffs sometimes. But I’m feeling that this custom and Mother’s Day are more forgettable than other events like Christmas as well as Father’s Day in next month. In case of me, I have never given something to my mom since I was in elementary school. 😄

Blanche Cizubu

We do not have a proper mother’s day in D.R. Congo. Instead, every May 1st, we celebrate Parent’s Day which is the same day as National Work Day. So, parents don’t go to work which is perfect because we get to spend the entire day with them. What we usually do on that day is go on excursion, cook dinner for the parents, and thank them for everything.

Jinhee Jeong

In South Korea, May 8th was originally Mother’s Day in 1956, but in 1973 it officially became Parent’s Day. Since then in South Korea people have been celebrating Parent’s day. On that day we give thanks to our parents, give them flower (carnation) and gifts (card, etc).

TK Siripornrungrueng

Mother’s day in Thailand is on the 12th of August which is on the Queen’s birthday. All or most of Thai people will wear a blue color shirts, and we will gather to sing a song in honor of the Queen. Also, we will spend most of our time on that day with the family, especially mother.

Moe Khamis

Mother’s day in Jordan is March 21st, we usually celebrate it by buying our mom a gift and a card and going out to have dinner together at night.

Yuron Anggara

Yes, we have Mother’s day in Indonesia. It is not really a big occasion but usually me and my siblings would get a flower or a present and then have dinner afterwards.

– Meg Humphrey

 

See Musical Comedy The Producers at Shoreline Community College

May 9, 2017

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The Producers is a beloved musical comedy by Mel Brooks (Young Frankenstein, Space Balls, Blazing Saddles). It tells the story of Max Bialstock, a Broadway producer whose last project utterly failed on opening night. He meets accountant Leo Bloom, who realizes they can make money from Bialstock’s misfortune. They team up to create the world’s worst musical ever!

Performances are in the Campus Theater (1600 Building):
Fridays and Saturdays, May 12, 13, 19, 20 at 7:30pm
Sunday matinees, May 14, 21 at 3:00pm

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Tickets:
Shoreline Community College Students: $12
Seniors, Shoreline Community College Staff, and Non-SCC Students: $16
General Admission: $20

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Parking is free during these show times, and there will be refreshments available for purchase. Don’t miss out on this fun and classic American musical!

– Meg Humphrey

This Weekend: Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival

April 20, 2017

The Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival is an outstanding event that has been in Seattle’s history for over 40 years! The event is completely free and takes place in Seattle Center in the outdoor Fisher Pavilion and inside the Armory. It spans three days: Friday, April 21st through Sunday, April 23rd.

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The festival has many events planned throughout the weekend including many music and martial arts demonstrations, storytelling, and tea ceremony (chado). Every day has a good mix of performances, so if you can’t make it one day, you won’t miss anything!

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You can wander through exhibits featuring flower arranging (ikebana), kimono, kite making, calligraphy, sword polishing, Yoroi armor, and more! There is something for everyone to enjoy at the festival. For more details, you can check out their official website here.

– Meg Humphrey
Photos by Joe Mabel (GDFL or CC-BY-SA-3.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Engage in Change with Earth Week

April 18, 2017

Learn more about what you can do to protect nature during Shoreline Community College’s Earth Week! Earth Week is four full days of discussions, demonstrations, activities, and performances to help educate everyone about the importance of taking care of the world around us.

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For full times and details, please visit the Earth Week Events Calendar. Below are some highlights!

Wednesday: April 19

  • Sustainable actions through solidarity
    • Arbor Day Recognition/Tree Campus USA Certification
    • Keynote Address: Worldview of a Standing Rock Sioux: Tribal member Kyle Schierbeck, Coyote Follows the Road
    • Exhibit on Standing Rock and the Flint Water Crisis
    • LIVE Music Performance: Jared Bridge

Thursday, April 20

  • Community Sustainable Actions
    • Supporting a vibrant Seattle through urban forestry policy: Urban Forestry Policy Advisor – Sandra Pinto de Bader
    • Green City Partnership: Restoration for Enhancing Ecology & Community – Matt Mega
    • Discussion: The 3E’s of Sustainability: Finding the “SWEET Spot”
    • Deep Roots Garden Veggie Start Giveaway
    • Washington Native Plants Society
    • Mushroom Growing Kits
    • LIVE Music Performance: Funk & Groove

Friday, April 21

  • Engage in Change: Taking Action
    • Participatory Volunteer Action: Campus-wide fruiting ivy removal. Ridding our campus of invasive plants one species at a time. Participants MUST SIGN UP in the Student Leadership Center by Friday, April 14!
    • LIVE Music Performance: Ukulele Club

Saturday, April 22

  • Spring Ecological Restoration
    • All participants are welcome to join us for our annual Earth Day restoration event in the North Woods at Shoreline Community College. We will be removing invasive plants including ivy, laurel, holly, and blackberries. We will be planting a variety of native ground covers, shrubs, and trees. Gloves and tools will be provided, but if you have your own please bring them. Wear close-toed shoes or boots, layers of clothes, a rain coat if needed, and a hat. Bring water! Participants will meet at the parking lot east of the soccer field.

Student Resource: Writing & Learning Studio

April 7, 2017

The Writing & Learning Studio is a treasure chest of knowledge tucked away on the third floor of the library. The staff’s mission is to assist all students in building writing and learning skills so they are successful in their academic pursuits. The studio is open for any student, you don’t have to be in a writing or English class to come in for assistance.

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The Writing & Learning Studio is open six days a week. On Mondays and Tuesdays, it’s open from 9:00am to 4:00pm; on Wednesdays and Thursdays it’s open from 9:00am to 5:00pm; on Fridays it’s open from 9:00am to 3:00pm; and on Sundays it’s open from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.

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There are no appointments, so make sure you plan ahead! The studio is busy when college applications and big papers are due and the wait can be very long. If you don’t have time to stay and meet with someone or are just looking for some quick tips, there are many writing handouts you can take with you. Don’t wait until you feel like you’re struggling to come in and see someone at the Writing & Learning Studio. They are there to help you at any step of the way during the writing process.

– Meg Humphrey

Apply To Be an IPM Today!

March 31, 2017

International Peer Mentors (IPMs) are hiring! If you’re looking for a fun and unique leadership opportunity to engage with your fellow students, becoming an IPM may be right for you. To learn more about the position, visit the International Peer Mentor Facebook page. The deadline is Sunday, April 2nd, so don’t delay!

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Here’s what our current IPMs love about their experience working in the International Education Department, and why you should apply!

Blanche

My favorite part about being an IPM would be helping students and also improving several aspects of myself (my weaknesses). One of the main reason I became an IPM was to improve my communication skills and I am happy that I have been able to do that and even more. Being an IPM has helped me engage and participate efficiently on campus activities and to develop my leadership skills. I would definitely recommend students to apply because it will be an amazing experience, new people to meet and different cultures to discover. Also, an opportunity to discover and truly appreciate shoreline and all the amazing staff members in the international department.

IPM App 1

Moe

I like being an IPM because I enjoy working, I love the friends I got to meet. Being an IPM helped me develop my personality and become a courageous person. I think students should apply because it’s a new experience with new people and students can learn a lot from that!

Clara

I really enjoy being an IPM because I got to do a lot of things that I really love to do such as helping others, problem solving, and meeting lots of new friends. I have improved and grew not only in myself, but also with my teammates. I observed and tried to learn the strengths of my teammates, and I really appreciate the diverse group that we had. I felt more engaged with SCC, and I felt more connected to my school, my advisors, and the staff. For the people who really have passion about helping others, and who are really want to learn something from this job, it will be a good chance for you!

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Megan

Being an IPM is the coolest thing I have done so far for my life. You get to meet new students and be friends with them, you get to have a group of friends from your work and hang out with them after work! Being an IPM makes me realize what my strengths and weaknesses are, learn how to appreciate other people even though they make mistakes, and so many things you could hardly believe.
Let me tell you, being an IPM can give you a lot of things you would not expect in the past, the present, and of course in the future. 🙂

Jinhee

I love being an IPM because I am able to engage with SCC a lot more, I get to plan and organize events for students, and it also allowed me to work with a lot of people on and off campus. It is amazing to see how me and other IPMs are growing together as well as other students. Being an IPM requires me to not only be a professional staff, but also a friendly approachable student mentor. This is what I really like about this position. I really recommend IPM positions to every student who is willing to learn and contribute to the campus.

TK

I like being an IPM because it helps me to grow up as a person and as a member of the society. I learned how to work in an International Ed office, helped and assisted students who have questions or are troubled. I also get to know more about Shoreline community College since I became an IPM. I think students should apply because IPM is a job where you can polish your leadership style and gain a unique experiences in SCC.

Jisa

Becoming IPM is practice for speaking English, challenging work for the international team, and experience to work as a paid staff in the U.S. I think, IPM is not brilliant job, you take care of people, put posters on wall, and clean up, and so on. However, if you want to feel how hard working the international team is, and how awesome it is when we achieved something together, you should apply for this.

Shoreline Short Short Film Festival

March 23, 2017

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The first ever Shoreline Short Short Film Festival will take place on Saturday, March 25th! The festival starts at 7:00pm in the Shoreline Community College Theater. Tickets are $20 and they can be bought at the door, or you can reserve them over at the Shoreline Arts Council.

All of the films are three to ten minutes long, and they come from filmmakers all over Washington State. The best films will be honored with prizes and the audience will be able to vote for their favorite. Come and show your support for our local artists, actors, and filmmakers!

– Meg Humphrey

Global Showcase 2017

March 16, 2017

Global Showcase 2017, hosted by the International Peer Mentors, took place on Tuesday, February 28. Global Showcase is an annual presentation and celebration of cultures by Shoreline students and from around the world! Students from 18 different regions of the world participated: Kazakhstan, Thailand, China, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, France, Pakistan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Jordan, Japan, and Central and West Africa. People walking through the Main Dining Room were able to see stage performances, try traditional snacks and beverages, play traditional games and instruments, and even try on clothing at the various booths. They were also able to chat with the student representatives at each booth and learn about many subjects, from language and history to tourism and pop culture. Check out some of the photos below! Photo credit goes to 204 Photographers.

Group Photo

The Kazakhstan booth featured incredible photos of the country and traditional foods, as well as various traditional clothing items for people to try on.

Kazakhstan Booth

The Saudi Arabia booth set up a tent with a beautiful tea set and other decorations, and people were invited to try on clothing and take photos in the tent.

Saudi Arabia Booth

Pakistan and India created a booth together, showcasing photos of architecture, beautiful traditional fabrics, and jewelry.

India Pakistan Booth

The South Korea booth set up plenty of snacks and candies, and had a game for people to try!

South Korea Booth

In addition to the booths, Global Showcase also featured stage performances. There were musical performances, traditional dance, and more! The photo below shows the game that the Indonesian students ran on stage, with contestants racing to finish eating their dangling treat first.

Indonesia Game

There was also a Fashion Show up on stage, with students sharing traditional clothing that is worn for both special occasions and for everyday wear.

Fashion Show

More photos can be found online at 204 Photographer’s Facebook page, and on Shoreline Community College Public Information Office’s official flickr album.

We were happy to see many international and domestic students come through Global Showcase this year to learn about all of the cultures – and we loved seeing faculty and staff from many areas around campus. We noticed plenty of students and staff alike participating in the games, trying on clothing, and tasting all the beverages and snacks! There were even a couple International Education staff members who got involved by creating their own booth or wearing traditional clothing from their own culture. Global Showcase 2017 was a blast this year and it was a wonderful opportunity for the campus to come together and celebrate the great diversity we have in our community. A big thank you to all of the participants and attendees – we’ll see you next year!

– Yushin Wung