Global Connections offers several services including airport pick-up/temporary housing, driving schools, Free English class. friendship Friday, summer movie dates and field trips, volunteers to assist with shopping, international Bible study and most importantly friendship.

Airport pick-up/temporary housing
In 1999, BGSU’s Center for International Programs sought the assistance of a handful of churches who were separately desiring to serve international students. In 2000, when Global Connections was organized, the Center for International Programs desired that Global Connections be involved in picking up students from Toledo Express Airport and temporarily housing them until they could find their own housing in Bowling Green.

Today, under the direction of the Center for International Programs, Global Connections provides airport pick-up and temporary housing during the spring and summer semesters to students who have registered with CIP for these services. During the fall semester, Global Connections has been asked by CIP to provide airport pick-up and some temporary housing as well as other services for students temporarily staying on campus as they get their bearings in Bowling Green.

 

Driving Schools
With the assistance of Bowling Green’s City Prosecutor, Mr. Matt Reger, Global Connections has been offering monthly Driving Schools to students and others in the international community since 2004. The Driving School is offered one Saturday each month during the academic year. Students are given some basic driving laws and procedures before being taken out to the maneuverability courses. Several Global Connections volunteers show students how to drive the maneuverability courses; students rotate through all four courses several times during their session. Only students who have successfully passed all four maneuverability courses and who have a temporary permit are taken on the road by GC volunteers.

Because there is a waiting list for the Driving Schools, interested students must contact Julie George at jgeorge@globalconnections-bg.org to participate.

Free English Class
In 2000, Julie George began the Community English Class as a service sponsored by her church. Later, when Global Connections was organized, the Community English Class became part of Global Connections’ outreach. Julie, a former BGSU ESL instructor and acting director and assistant director of the ESL Program at BGSU, teaches the class and is assisted by several other GC volunteers.

The class currently meets every Wednesday, from 9:30 – 11:30 am at BG Alliance Church, located at 1161 E. Napoleon Road.  All non-native English speakers are welcome to attend. Free childcare is provided.

The fall semester class begins on Wednesday, September 13.

Friendship Friday

In 2001, several of the Community English classes focused on making crafts. Recognizing how much the students enjoyed participating in these classes and also realizing that a community of friendship was developing, Julie decided to start Friendship Friday, a monthly craft and potluck gathering. Participants have learned how to quilt, crochet, make ornaments and decorations, color eggs, and make aromatic soap, bath salts candles, and greeting cards. As well, Friendship Friday has expanded into movie afternoons, visits to a Victorian tea house in Findlay, and Mary K makeovers.

Contact Julie if you would like to participate.

Summer Movie Dates & Field Trips

During the summer, Global Connections hosts several movie afternoons and field trips for the international community in Bowling Green, and particularly for the students participating in the Community English Class. Their field trips have included the Toledo Museum of Art, a visit to The Wolcott House in Maumee, the Canal Experience in Grand Rapids, the Toledo Botanical Gardens, and a swim and cookout event at the country home of one of the GC volunteers. If you’re interested in participating in movie dates or field trips, contact Julie to sign up.


Volunteers to Assist with Shopping

Desiring to help students who may not have transportation or who may be uncertain where to purchase various items, Global Connections has offered to help students with their shopping trips. Contact Julie if you would like some assistance.

International Bible Study

The International Bible Study was originally designed for students in the Community English class who were curious about Christianity and the Bible. However, in the past two years, the Bible Study has been opened to any interested international student, scholar, or visitor. Past studies have included an introductory look into Christianity (beginning in the book of Genesis), women of the Bible, and an examination of Jesus’ earthly life and teachings, using “The Gospel According to Matthew” video series.

Friendship

Global Connections desires that you feel connected during your stay in Bowling Green. We desire to make friends with you and be a friend to you. If you would like to get to know some GC volunteers and/or would like to meet Julie for lunch, please contact her at jgeorge@globalconnections-bg.org.