International Professionals in Residence (IPR’s)
International Professionals in Residence (IPR's) is a term we use to name the participants in our professional training programs (CORE and Global Partners). The term was adopted to differentiate the IPR's from regular business trainees or interns. IPR's are foreign experienced experts who have proven competence in a specific field, such as Education, Social Work, Legal Studies, Project Management, etc. Each IPR has a customized training plan for the duration of their stay in the U.S., which can be up to 18 months. During that time, these specialists exchange know-how with their American colleagues and acquire more knowledge in their concrete field of expertise. Both IPR's and their respective training sites benefit from participation in the programs by gaining a global perspective of their work and internationalizing their professional knowledge.
Below are some stories from our recent IPR's. If you want to take part in our international exchange programs, click here for more information.
Below are some stories from our recent IPR's. If you want to take part in our international exchange programs, click here for more information.
IPR Update - Sandesh Basnet
October 2018
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Sandesh arrived in Columbus on September 29th, 2018, to train at Columbus North International School (CNIS) as a community outreach specialist for the Nepali student population. His training began on October 1st.
Sandesh is originally from Kathmandu, Nepal and has long experience in working as a community liaison. He looks forward to bringing his previous experience and skills as well as acquiring new perspectives and ideas. His passion lies in addressing intercultural issues and utilizing opportunities and support system for the students to take a full advantage of the education system in the United States. Sandesh has spent his time in Columbus appreciating the clean roads and green spaces, he says. He also mentions that he is thankful for the welcoming and considerate American host family. Sandesh is excited to bring what he has learned from this experience back to his colleagues and students in Nepal. Learning is what he is looking forward to the most, as he believes this will be an enriching experience which he can use to better himself and the others around him. We will catch up with Sandesh later, to see what his training in Columbus has taught him! |
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2017 IPR Update - Vivi Sdrenia
CIP’s International Professional in Residence (IPR), Vivi Sdrenia arrived from Greece on May 4, 2017, to begin training at the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA).
In regards to her training site, Vivi has been busy from the start. She has spent two full weeks with OSBA. Initially, she spent a lot of time shadowing various positions around the office, in order to meet everyone and understand the role they play in the organization. “There are so many people, they gave me a book with everyone in it to remember,” Vivi recounted, thankful for the efforts her training site has made in order to acclimate her to their staff and system.
We discussed projects she has been working on at her training sight and she explained that she has been involved in two different initiatives so far. The first has to do with experiential learning opportunities for law students at universities around Columbus. “I have been researching what these programs have to offer for students already, so that I can help the OSBA develop programs to offer more experiential learning to students in Columbus,” Vivi explained. We discussed at length the differences between the Greek and American systems and how students choose their career paths. Vivi detailed how, in her home country, students graduate high school and then immediately enter their chosen field of study. As a lawyer, Vivi graduated high school and immediately entered a law program. This is the same for every occupation in Greece, with typical school lasting four years, with six year programs for some careers, like medicine. Vivi expressed her appreciation for the American system and the extended period of time students get to make career decisions, stating that these decisions are made too early in life in Greece. She is excited about working on programs that help students make these decisions in the United States. Additionally, Vivi is working on a project involving the OSBA retirement plan and making it more clear for employees.
When asked what her professional development goals were for this program, Vivi responded, “I would like to improve on legal terminology in English. I want to improve and acquire more knowledge about the US legal system in comparison to the European systems I know already.” She is confident that she will be able to achieve these goals during her time with the OSBA through the projects she works on, as well as by participating in workshops offered to her through the OSBA itself. She is able to partake in seminars with a purpose of furthering legal education, and she has also recently joined a committee for professional women, through which she attended a lecture on branding yourself and selling your skills in the work force.
Though she has been quite busy at her training site, Vivi has also had plenty of opportunity to explore Columbus and other parts of the United States. In regards to Columbus, she stated, “It is a vibrant city. I like the way people express themselves here. They are helpful and willing to speak always, everyone says ‘Hi, how are you doing?’”. Vivi says her main bucket list item while in the US is traveling as much as she can. She has already visited Chicago and recently went to Cincinnati for the Taste of Cincinnati festival. She would like to make it to New York City and Washington DC as well, and mentioned that she had the opportunity to learn a lot about American history over Memorial Day weekend, which she very much enjoyed.
In Columbus itself, Vivi enjoys the Short North and Ohio State’s campus. She commented on how each area in Columbus has its own style. She said she is amazed at how many festivals there always are, and attended the Asian Festival last weekend. Not usually a sports fan, Vivi mentioned that sports in Columbus are one of her favorite pastimes. She has loved learning about hockey, football and baseball, and chose to spend her recent birthday at a baseball game.
To close our conversation, we discussed how CIP could help make her time here as great as can be. Her response was that she would love to be informed of more events like the Asian Festival where she can meet people and learn about other cultures. “In school we learn about how through globalization cultures are mixing together, but there are still a lot of differences.” Look for opportunities to meet Vivi in the coming months!
In regards to her training site, Vivi has been busy from the start. She has spent two full weeks with OSBA. Initially, she spent a lot of time shadowing various positions around the office, in order to meet everyone and understand the role they play in the organization. “There are so many people, they gave me a book with everyone in it to remember,” Vivi recounted, thankful for the efforts her training site has made in order to acclimate her to their staff and system.
We discussed projects she has been working on at her training sight and she explained that she has been involved in two different initiatives so far. The first has to do with experiential learning opportunities for law students at universities around Columbus. “I have been researching what these programs have to offer for students already, so that I can help the OSBA develop programs to offer more experiential learning to students in Columbus,” Vivi explained. We discussed at length the differences between the Greek and American systems and how students choose their career paths. Vivi detailed how, in her home country, students graduate high school and then immediately enter their chosen field of study. As a lawyer, Vivi graduated high school and immediately entered a law program. This is the same for every occupation in Greece, with typical school lasting four years, with six year programs for some careers, like medicine. Vivi expressed her appreciation for the American system and the extended period of time students get to make career decisions, stating that these decisions are made too early in life in Greece. She is excited about working on programs that help students make these decisions in the United States. Additionally, Vivi is working on a project involving the OSBA retirement plan and making it more clear for employees.
When asked what her professional development goals were for this program, Vivi responded, “I would like to improve on legal terminology in English. I want to improve and acquire more knowledge about the US legal system in comparison to the European systems I know already.” She is confident that she will be able to achieve these goals during her time with the OSBA through the projects she works on, as well as by participating in workshops offered to her through the OSBA itself. She is able to partake in seminars with a purpose of furthering legal education, and she has also recently joined a committee for professional women, through which she attended a lecture on branding yourself and selling your skills in the work force.
Though she has been quite busy at her training site, Vivi has also had plenty of opportunity to explore Columbus and other parts of the United States. In regards to Columbus, she stated, “It is a vibrant city. I like the way people express themselves here. They are helpful and willing to speak always, everyone says ‘Hi, how are you doing?’”. Vivi says her main bucket list item while in the US is traveling as much as she can. She has already visited Chicago and recently went to Cincinnati for the Taste of Cincinnati festival. She would like to make it to New York City and Washington DC as well, and mentioned that she had the opportunity to learn a lot about American history over Memorial Day weekend, which she very much enjoyed.
In Columbus itself, Vivi enjoys the Short North and Ohio State’s campus. She commented on how each area in Columbus has its own style. She said she is amazed at how many festivals there always are, and attended the Asian Festival last weekend. Not usually a sports fan, Vivi mentioned that sports in Columbus are one of her favorite pastimes. She has loved learning about hockey, football and baseball, and chose to spend her recent birthday at a baseball game.
To close our conversation, we discussed how CIP could help make her time here as great as can be. Her response was that she would love to be informed of more events like the Asian Festival where she can meet people and learn about other cultures. “In school we learn about how through globalization cultures are mixing together, but there are still a lot of differences.” Look for opportunities to meet Vivi in the coming months!
2017 IPR Update - Rajaram Joshi
Joshi has been in Columbus since the end of November 2016 working at the Columbus North International High School as a Community Liaison. We caught up with him recently to check up on how things were going with his program so far. His responses are listed below.
What has your role been so far at your placement site?
I am Currently on placement at Columbus North International High school. I am here as a Community Liaison, assisting refugee students in providing academic, social and career support. I work with students' community to better engage parents and partners. My role is to facilitate communication between school authorities and students, which has greatly improved their understanding about systems of the United States. Additionally, they have learned how to acclimate to their new home and how to hone themselves for successful career in the new world. I have seen, in them, an increasing level of awareness and appreciation for what such a large group of people have to offer the nation.
Have you enjoyed your experience so far? What has been your favorite part?
My favorite things about my placement are the ability to work independently, and the students, principal, teachers, staff at other schools and communities that I work with. It’s great to work with students that care about their career. It’s hard to find that environment today because so many people just don’t care about honesty, hard work and integrity. I'm also learning about American school system, student counseling techniques, and the American grading system. Additionally, I am learning about the modern education pattern so that I can independently work when back in my country, to make education policy, regulations and curriculum there.
How have you been acclimating to life in Columbus so far? Do you feel like you have a place in the community here?
This is the very first time I am in USA. In this case, I feel lucky, because CIP is helping me on acclimating here in Columbus. It is hard to get used to everything in a new place, but I am enjoying it so far. My students are good, the school principal and other teachers are very good and that helps me to better acclimate to the US rules and regulations. I am participating in CIP events and meeting professionals as well. That's really a great experience here. Definitely, Columbus is the capital city for Bhutanese Refugees, and we have many similarities such as, culture, behavior and so on. Another thing, is that here there is a good culture to help others. So I feel I have a place here. The best thing is, CIP is helping me all the time.
What is something you have learned from your experience in Columbus so far, either at your placement or outside?
I worked for 9 years as a Project Manager at US based Rotary International’s Health, Hunger & Humanity Grants Project in Nepal. During my working tenure, I had served people in 65 (of 75) districts providing health and education, hygiene and sanitation, poverty reduction and community development. Here now, the work is more similar. I am learning American culture, about the American education system. Learning how to work with refugee community, how to address refugee issues and how to address public health issues (main issues are; mental health, drug addiction, tobacco smoking). Another thing - while participating CIP events, I have learned more about small business and entrepreneurship development, volunteering management, community development. And still, I am learning. So, I think life is the learning arena.
For this great opportunity, I would like to appreciate the CIP team, especially Executive Director Mark Poeppleman, Jiyu Jiya, Eleni Connors, Steffi Ruseva and Kathy Moser.
Rajaram (Joshi) Joshi
December 1, 2016 - November 30, 2017
Interpreter and Community Advocate, Columbus North High School
Nansalmaa (Nancy) Buyantur, Mongolia
November 14, 2016 - April 30, 2017
Social Work and Community Outreach, Beechwold Community Center and Nationwide Children's Hospital
Kexin (Kathy) Liu, China
September 5, 2016 - March 5, 2018
Travel Consultant, training at Fun Travel LLC
Jiyu Jia
July 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
Chinese Program Development Coordinator, Columbus International Program
December 1, 2016 - November 30, 2017
Interpreter and Community Advocate, Columbus North High School
Nansalmaa (Nancy) Buyantur, Mongolia
November 14, 2016 - April 30, 2017
Social Work and Community Outreach, Beechwold Community Center and Nationwide Children's Hospital
Kexin (Kathy) Liu, China
September 5, 2016 - March 5, 2018
Travel Consultant, training at Fun Travel LLC
Jiyu Jia
July 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
Chinese Program Development Coordinator, Columbus International Program
Past International Professionals in Residence
You can find the home countries, years, and training information of our International Professional in Residence by clicking on each marker.
You can also zoom in for a closer view.
If you know someone we have missed, please let us know!
You can also zoom in for a closer view.
If you know someone we have missed, please let us know!
