SANDY aka FRANKENSTORM

The storm of the century, a monster of a storm - is happening right now! Fellows will be part of history and while some have posted on fb that they are scared...others are quietly enjoying some time to catch up on projects, Classes at Penn State were canceled after 1:10 pm which rarely occurs....Manhattan is flooding....5 million people are without power....mass transit is closed up and down the northeast coast....14000 flights are canceled....today! And the storm will not end until tomorrow with snow expected.

Global Leadership Forum - October 21 - 25

Behind every good scholar is a very good leader - the fellows meet their friends from pre-academic as well as the rest of the 195 Humphrey Fellows for the 2012-2013 year from 93 countries. The fellows hear from alumni and learn about enhancement workshops offered by IIE in the spring. A reception is held for the scholars at the State Dept which is always a highlight of this event

Fellows also enjoyed the school visit and the guest alumni from Malaysia. Some attended the museums on their free Tuesday afternoon. Some fellows extended their stay to attend professional development meetings in the D.C. area.

Philadelphia - October 12-14

On the road again in a 15 passenger van - to visit the Isaac Sheppard Elementary School in Philadelphia. During this years visit, Leila suggested that the Humphrey Fellows should offer to do a service project at the school. Dr. Otto suggested that we work on their outdoor garden plot - little do we know that again the fellows will be asked to paint. After a Q & A with Dr Otto, the fellows were able to browse through the school to visit the classrooms and talk to the staff. The fellows were so happy to "give back" to Sheppard.

After some photo shots, we headed to downtown Philly to check in our hotel. However a very tired driver misses the exit and takes the fellows to New Jersey for a quick trip through Rutgers before finding the correct road to the hotel. Your are welcome Tran! Dinner was enjoyed by the group followed by sleep for some while others sat with Talat and enjoyed some conversations. Saturday the group meet early; first breakfast at Ms. K's; Independence Hall and Liberty Bell for all.

A walk up to the Reading Terminal and window shopping on Walnut street took hours with many stops for photos of the beautiful cityscape. The evening ended with another first for most of the fellows,oh Maggiano's....so good! Then some went to bed and the others headed by taxi to famous South Street to take in some city night life! Sunday is another day - headed to Lancaster to introduce "outlet shopping" to the scholars....after 5 hours, lots of shopping bags, tired scholars - the van heads back to Happy Valley with some very Happy Scholars.

Day of Caring - October 4

This year the fellows participated in Centre County Day of Caring. Half of the group went with Talat and Leila to paint the Woman's Resource Center apartments in State College. The rest of the group helped Jane paint the playground equipment and replace the liner and mulch under the swings at Port Matilda Community Park. Painting is not mentioned on the fellows original application to the Humphrey Program BUT they should have put this on as a very useful skill!

Since the Port Matilda Group was near Jane's home, she took them on a tour of the farmland and nearby horse farm.

Volunteer - The fellows do not stop with Day of Caring - Sitti Khadijah and Tran Tran joined the College of Education's Cycle thon - as volunteers.

Dean Monk Dinner held October 3

Each year, Dean Monk has a dinner in honor of the Humphrey Scholars in his home nearby the campus. Fellows have another opportunity to network with senior administrators and faculty mentors. Thank you Dean Monk and Pamela for hosting this very popular event during the Humphrey year!

Week of September 24 included IIE site visit from Amy Nemith

IIE has their site visit from the 24-26th. Activities include individual meetings, group lunch with fellows and program staff. Amy Nemith, Associate Director at Institute of International Education does a presentation about the Humphrey Program and IIE's support of the program. Amy also attended the weekly seminar that included a teleconference with Dr. Lindsay's class who invited the scholars to hear Dr. Antoine M. Garibaldi.

The first Movie Night of the semester - this year Leila extended invitations to former Humphrey Scholars who are studying at Penn State. After a potluck dinner, the fellows enjoyed the movie.

The work week ends with a site visit to the South Hills Business School located in State College, PA. Fellows received a warm welcome from the founders, Paul and Maralyn Mazza. The Mazzas have hosted the fellows for many years. Some fellows expressed interest to return to the school to meet with staff.

Tailgate and Penn State Football Game September 22

Each year, the fellows receive a very special invitation from the university president to attend a special tailgate and each fellow receives a ticket to the president suite. The day begins at 9 AM with a ride by school bus to the Penn Stater with our new Penn State fans. Ralph and Joyce Difranco join the group as guests of the college. Ralph has donated HP computers to the Humphrey program and he loves to meet the fellows. Dean and Pamela Monk also attended the tailgate with the Humphrey scholars. The highlight this year was the Cake Boss who made cakes for the event.

The fellows had the best view from atop of the stadium ------and also lots of food and a surprise, more Penn State ice cream!

This years fellows surprised the program staff with a wonderful souvenir of the day! A group photo taken at the most famous place on campus - The Nittany Lion Shrine the 2012-2013 Penn State Humphrey Scholars -

THEY ARE PENN STATE!!!!

Amish Lunch in Amish Home - September 21

Talat Azhar arranged a traditional Amish meal prepared and served in the home of a local Amish family. Fellows had the opportunity to ask Jonas Yoder questions during their lunch. This event is most likely going to be repeated as some alumni wish they had the chance to do this....and did I mention the fellows rode in the 15 passenger van again!

Fellows had the chance to roam around the Yoder's farm. It was a beautiful fall day in lower George's Valley located about 35 minutes from Penn State.

COE welcome & IPP meetings week of Sept 17th

Dean Monk hosts the College of Education Fall Meeting each year. He gives his famous presentation which in the past has showcased standpipes, rubber bands and numerous other topics. The fellows were introduced to the College and once again they had the chance to extend their network.

~~ IPP is something fellows are getting used to hearing......because this week fellows had to submit their first draft. Leila and Talat meet with each fellow - So many ideas, so little time!

CIED Brown Bag - September 14

The Humphrey Fellows had the chance to meet the faculty and students in CIED during this brown bag. The room was packed and it was not only to eat pizza but to hear the Fellows introduce themselves. Fellows used this opportunity to broaden their network around campus. Thank you CIED for your warm welcome!

UNA USA Reception held at Centre Furnace Mansion

Another reception hosted by UNA USA at the Centre Furnace Mansion. Another opportunity to meet members of the community. Thanks Leila and Talat for providing transportation.

Leadership Centre County Welcome - August 12

Georgia Abbey, Executive Director of LLC invited this years fellows to meet the new class of LCC at the Penn Stater. Talat Azhar, Humphrey Fellowship Program Associate Director is an LCC alumni. Each fellow will have the chance to attend one day of meetings with LCC as part of their professional development. Topics include government, economy, and education which take place around Centre County.

Host Family Picnic - Sunday, September 9

Welcome Picnic at Tudek Park in State College hosted by Global Connections. Fellows and host share a potluck dinner. Fellows also meet other internationals students who are hosted by members of the community. Mayor Elizabeth Goreham(host of Owen Baya) also welcomes the students to the State College community. Some of the events included a soccer game where our fellows showed their competitive side.

Surprise - Leila takes fellows to Whipples Dam

A beautiful fall friday - and what to you do to surprise the Humphrey Fellows?? You put together a quick fun outing to a local state park - and another ride in the 15 passenger van! A nice view of Happy Valley from the top of Pine Grove mountain provides many photo opportunities for fellows with new cameras. Thanks Leila for the surprise!

Humphrey Seminar held every Tuesday

Tuesday is a very busy day - Fellows and program staff meet together at 1:00 for a weekly meeting before the weekly seminar. This year's group of fellows decide to go to the Berkey Creamery after the seminar.......and share the sweet treats and debrief.

Class Begins August 27

First day of class and another full week of activities. Fellow meet their faculty mentors during a breakfast or lunch meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Nittany Lion Inn. During this meeting, fellows have the opportunity to discuss their interests with mentors. Fellows attend classes before deciding which course provides the best professional development. They also search for courses to sit-in. Fellow also enjoy spending time in their new Humphrey Fellowship Program office.

2nd Week of Orientation for new scholars

During the second week or orientation, fellows discover the Berkey Creamery and The Waffle Shop. They meet Dean David Monk who welcomes them to the College of Education. Leila and Talat met with all the fellows to talk about their individual plans. Leila took the fellows to Niagara Falls for an overnight stay.

Fellows return to Penn State on Saturday for the International Give Away at the University Baptist Church.....Thanks to many hosts who provided transportation.

The 2012-2013 Humphrey Fellows Arrive August 14

Humphrey Fellows spent their first night at Penn State in the Nittany Lion Inn on campus. The first week fellows were escorted around State College in a 15 passenger van to the local shopping venues. Leila, Talat and Jane as well as host families all helped fellows prepare their apartments for their stay. The Fellows completed MBTi with the Center for Workplace Learning & Performance followed by teambuilding activities at nearby Tussey Mountain. To end the 1st week, a host family potluck was hosted by Tami Fatemi(host of Diana Stah).