Global Connections

Global Connections is happy to offer shopping trips to Internationals thoughout the fall semester.  Each month, we offer one shopping trip to International markets in Toledo (including Asian with some African & Caribbean foods, Middle Eastern, and Indian) from 9:30AM-1:30PM.  Our first trip for the fall semester will be on 9/17.  For every Saturday that we do not go up to Toledo or that does not fall on a scheduled University Break, we will offer local shopping trips to BG stores from 10:30AM-12:00PM.  You must inform Julie before 12:00PM the Friday before the shopping day to reserve your spot.

Global Connections hosted its annual Barn Dance on one of the hottest days of the summer.  The dance, normally located on a local farm was moved to an indoor facility due to the forecast of rain.    A little over 100 participants enjoyed pizza, salad, dessert and lots of water and lemonade.  The indoor hall was not air-conditioned, so dancing meant sweating.  However, if you endured the heat, there were games and prizes as well as line and square dancing led by Doug.  Everyone seemed to have fun in spite of the heat.  But next year, we’ll make sure to have the air-conditioned option!

Due to the strong prediction of rain in the forecast for this Saturday, September 3rd, Global Connections has changed its location for the Barn Dance to St. Thomas More Catholic Parish.  This parish is located at 425 Thurstin Ave., Bowling Green.  It is across the street from the university close to Offenhauer Towers (where GC had their Info Table) and close to the new Oaks restaurant/cafe.  Many students may already know where this is.  Time will be the same.  Hope you all can come!!!  Please email Julie if you have any questions!

It’s time to kick up your heels for GC’s Annual Barn Dance this Saturday, September 3rd from 5:00-9:00PM at the Davis’ family country home.  All Internationals and their families are invited for a fun evening of line and square dancing with a professional dance caller, lots of games (like volleyball, corn hole, soccer, etc.), boating, great food, s’mores and a bonfire.  Transportation will be provided from the University’s Center for International Programs (University Hall) from 4:45-5:45PM and back.  Or you may contact Julie for directions.  Hope to see you there!

Global Connections would like to welcome you to Bowling Green!  Global Connections is a not-for-profit organization comprised of Volunteers whose desire it is to serve our local International community.  We are happy that you are here and we hope that you will find Bowling Green a warm and friendly town throughout your stay in our community.

We have a variety of ways for you to connect with us over the next couple of weeks:

Global Connections Information Table– The Info Table will be set up in the temporary housing dorm (the lobby of Offenhauer Towers) from August 4- August 16, from 4:00-8:00PM.  The GC Info Table will be staffed with GC Volunteers (current International students & community members) who want to welcome you to BG.  You don’t have to be staying in the temporary housing dorm to come over to the Table and hang out with us.  We’ll give you a GC Welcome Folder (with info about Bowling Green & GC) and a GC Welcome Bag (donated by GC Volunteers).  As well, we can take you to area banks and stores (sign up at the Info Table).  We also have apartment rental info at the Table, and you can sign up to look at some apartments with an apartment manager who can show you around.

New International Student Activities–We have a lot of activities just for new Internationals like yourself.  Check out our calendar to see what’s going on.  Or you can contact Julie to receive a flyer with all the dates/times of the activities.  Sign-up with Julie if you would like to participate.

GC Welcome Night for International Grad Students on Friday, 8/12 or our GC Welcome Night for International Undergraduate Students on Tuesday, 8/16– Both of these Welcome Nights are identical.  You’ll have the opportunity to eat free pizza, win raffle prizes, hear from current International students about what helped them adjust quickly to life in BG, and you’ll also be able to attend some helpful workshops on buying a car, pedestrian/driving/biking/drinking laws, cultural adjustment, navigating relationships, academic adjustment, and getting used to the sometimes strange year-round weather in northwest Ohio.  We hope to see you there!

Contact us with questions or for more information.  We hope to meet you soon!

This past Saturday, a small group of us traveled up to Toledo to the ethnic grocery stores there.  In the morning when we left it was rainy, but by the time we got there it was clearing off!  It was these Internationals’ first trip to the Toledo stores.  As a note, Global Connections takes a group every month to the International stores in Toledo.  We go to an Asian (some African and Caribbean), a Middle Eastern (which also has a deli), and an Indian store.  If you are interested in joining us, please email Julie for more information at jgeorge@globalconnectionsbg.org.

Thirty plus Internationals and Volunteers took an historic trip down the Miami and Erie Canal in Grand Rapids, Ohio last Saturday.  The canal boat ride drawn by two mules was both informative and funny at times as the hosts wore period costumes and treated attendees as if they also were living in the time period represented (circa 1850′s). Included was a talk about the history of Ludwig Mill, which the canal runs in front of.  A souvenir store invited participants to visit as well.  It was a hot day but most everyone cooled off with a visit to one of the ice cream shops in the town of Grand Rapids.

If you have family, friends, or colleagues arriving this summer please feel free to give them Global Connections’ website and contact information.  We would be happy to have a chance to welcome them and to provide information regarding upcoming activities and services for arriving internationals.  Please contact Julie at jgeorge@globalconnectionsbg.org.

Saturday, July 9 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM GC will be holding its annual picnic to welcome Latino seasonal workers who are here  for the summer.  Welcome Bags for adults and backpacks for children, donated by GC Volunteers, will be distributed, and new or gently used and clean household items such as twin sheets, towels, pillows, blankets, pots/pans, dishes, glasses, kitchen utensils, etc. will be given away.  To donate Welcome Bags, backpacks, or household items, or to participate in the Welcome Picnic, contact Julie George, director of Global Connections, at (419) 494-3077 or jgeorge@globalconnectionsbg.org.