Y-thai

Since 1918, the University YMCA has offered programming for international students to foster understanding and cultural awareness and provide service to international students, faculty, and staff. For decades, the University Y staff would meet international students at the train station in Champaign and welcome them to campus. In 1951, the University Y greatly expanded its international student programming with an International Welcome Weekend for international students coming to campus as well as organizing annual trips for international students to different regions of the United States to study agriculture, engineering, education, social problems in that region. Through the 1960s, the University Y student leaders would travel abroad to other countries through programs organized by Y-USA in conjunction with other campus Ys. In fact, the University YMCA remained the center for international programs on campus until 1968 when the University of Illinois hired John Price, the Ys Director for International Programs, to help the University set up its own international program. The University Y continues this legacy of international programming that embraces diversity, encourages progress through democracy, and promotes peace through sympathy and understanding, and service to humanity. Current programs that continue this work include: Welcome Receptions for International Students Weekly Coffee Hours featuring different cultures Collaboration with International Student & Scholar Services Annual International Dinner and Reception Global Lens International Film series Support of various student programs at the University Y including the Philippine Student Association, Amnesty International, Invisible Conflicts, La Colectiva, and Engineers Without Borders. Why We Need Your Support: A recent gift from the Cosmopolitan Club has created an exciting opportunity for the University Y to have a significant impact in one of our four key pillars of programming. Based on initia