International Studies and Languages Division of Seaver College Celebrates 20th Anniversary with International Education Week
The Seaver College International Studies and Languages (ISL) Division celebrated its 20th anniversary as one of Pepperdine University’s eight academic divisions by hosting International Education Week on the Malibu campus.
“We study the people, the places, and cultures of the world,” says George Carlsen, professor of Hispanic studies and dean of the division. “That's the slogan of ISL; we believe that we are not called to be insular. Rather, we are here to focus on the world around us, to engage with and learn other languages, and to connect with different cultures and peoples. We view it as part of our Christian mission.”
This global focus swept over the campus community for one week, as Carlsen and his division produced 10 unique events highlighting international perspectives for students, faculty, staff, and local residents to enjoy. Soccer games, an introduction to international cuisines, a job fair aimed at assisting international students, salsa dancing lessons, a global chapel, and a cohort of diverse, engaging speakers were some of the events that Seaver College hosted during this celebration. The festivities incorporated all aspects of culture—from food and language to the arts and athletics.
Similar to the celebration, the ISL Division at Pepperdine University is known for its interdisciplinary nature. With four majors (international studies, French studies, Hispanic studies, and Italian studies) and five minors (Asian studies, French studies, German studies, Hispanic studies, and Italian studies), the program provides students with an opportunity to develop cultural competencies that aid in their professional development.
“Our programs are defying national trends across the humanities and across liberal arts,” explains Carlsen. “Undergraduates elsewhere may lean toward degrees that will immediately get them a paycheck as opposed to degrees that build up their global knowledge. However, our students exemplify that it's important to become someone that is globally competent in what they do—multilingual, cognizant of how different states function, and how people relate to each other.”
International Studies and Languages classes develop these critical competencies in part by making use of Pepperdine’s six global campuses located in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Florence, Italy; Heidelberg, Germany; Blonay - Saint-Légier, Switzerland; London, United Kingdom; and Washington DC. All ISL majors are required to study abroad at least once during their time as a student. These experiences allow undergraduates to either complete coursework or engage with professional internships in new and exciting environments.
Over the last 20 years, Seaver College’s ISL Division has furthered the institution's reputation of academic excellence, in part, by developing well-rounded students capable of contributing to a large number of critical fields. Carlsen credits the success of the division to the expert professors who mentor students throughout their four years.
“The level of excellence across our division has only increased,” he claims. “Our faculty members that are crushing it with their research and winning Howard A. White Awards for their teaching. The general spirit of the division is at an all-time high.”
Riding this wave of momentum, the International Studies and Languages Division continues to look for new ways to advance its mission of studying the people, places, and cultures of the world. Whether it's through hosting International Education Week and flooding the campus with diverse perspectives or finding new opportunities for its students to encounter, Seaver College’s eighth academic division is determined to create global leaders.
“Our students are ambitious and they care,” Carlsen says. “They want to be global Christians, and they want to go out and change the world for the better.”