February-March 2005

Volunteer Corner: Miyuki "Micky" Fukasawa

Micky Fukasawa is a volunteer who brings more than her time and talents: she brings strong ideals, or a sense of personal mission, which add vitality to those of International House.

Micky first came into contact with International House in order to “get out of the house” and become more involved in a new language and culture. “New” may not be the best word, as she already had studied English for 10 years, beginning at the age of 12: six years in junior and senior high, learning to read and write, and then four more years in college studying English literature. The problem was that all this involved little practice in spoken English. Though she had lived in Singapore where she had to speak English to communicate with the teachers and other parents at the international school where her children attended, this was British English, totally different from American English. Even taking an ESL course at CPCC after coming to Charlotte in September 2003, she still had some brushing up on her spoken English. On the other hand, her Spanish pronunciation is impeccable. Micky has learned enough Spanish phrases in the office that she is now able to explain to callers that someone will be able to help them soon. Incidentally, her Japanese comes in handy for her Spanish pronunciation.

When she first came to International House her volunteer potential was obvious. Not only was she an international—she comes from Yokahama, Japan—with a good knowledge of English, she also had worked in an international exchange office in Tokyo. All combined, her background would give her a very good idea about what International House does in helping individuals to adjust to a new culture.

But, volunteering is not what drove Micky “out of the house”. She wanted to give more than simply of her time and talents. She wanted to contribute to and participate in the community so as to create opportunities for people to share in a truly international culture. She states that she wants to help “create a bridge between the local and the Japanese community”. She speaks of “how sad” it is that in Japan, the schools only teach how to read and write, but not speak, English. She speaks of her hope that the “next generation” will perhaps have this advantage.

But she is not waiting for this to happen. She’s giving of her time and talents, yes. She’s giving her energy, her vision, even her songs—she’s a dramatic soprano, with an interest in the arts, especially opera. She would like to be involved with events that would celebrate culture through the arts, events that would help realize her aspirations to experience, along with others, the learning and enrichment that can come from real cultural exchange.

Interested in volunteering? There are diverse opportunities to volunteer with International House such as: Home Host, Administrative / Office volunteer, Development assistant, Language Information Services. Training is provided as needed. If you want to help, call us at 704-333-8099 or download the application from our website www.ihclt.org.

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International House: Why are we here?

When the door opens at International House, we never know who or what to expect. It could be a family looking to find some international friends, internationals looking to practice English, or anything in between.

No matter what the culture or language, though, some experiences transcend all barriers. Recently, our Immigrant Advocacy Program (IAP) has been reminded of the power of our human experience.

The week before Christmas an elderly Iranian couple came to us seeking help finishing the wife’s U.S. Citizenship process. Her husband, a gentle, distinguished man, recounted his youthful days as a respected attorney in Iran, taking care to do as much pro-bono work as he could, often to the disdain of his colleagues. Recently he thanked our attorney, David Stewart, for helping him despite the man’s financial hardship. David smiled and responded that what goes around comes around. Upon hearing that, the sprite client, with tears in his eyes, jumped up from his seat and enthusiastically shook David’s hand.

Another recent case was similarly touching. A Sudanese man had come to the U.S. as a “Lost Boy” over five years ago. With David’s help he has been trying to obtain a travel document to see his wife, who was newly pregnant when he left their refugee camp in Kenya. His document arrived this week, and when we told him, he declared, “Oh! Oh! Oh! I want to dance!” Picking up his papers, he hugged David and thanked him for helping him see his son, who is now four, for the first time.

Despite the sometimes harsh reality of circumstances that arise in immigration law, it is reassuring when a case boils down to the universal scenario of good people helping good people. It is the model that International House was built on and is the reason we are still going strong.

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Staff Corner: Alyssa Misner

International House Staff

José Hernández-París
Executive Director

Josane Calvert
Finance Manager

Ludmila Van Dreel
Citizen Diplomacy Programs
Director

Lara Printz
Citizen Diplomacy Programs
Manager

Trish Golembe
Citizen Diplomacy Programs
Assistant

Raquel Lynch
Community Outreach Director

Adele Daniels
Development Associate

Sheila Bennett
Development Manager

David Stewart
Immigration Services Director

Alyssa Misner
Client Services Coordinator

Alyssa Misner came to International House in September 2004, following graduation from American University (AU), in Washington, DC. At AU, she studied both international relations and Spanish, receiving a certificate in Spanish translation. Alyssa is fluent in Spanish, having begun studying Spanish 10 years ago in the 8th grade. In addition, while at AU she studied abroad for a semester in Chile and has traveled extensively to other countries including Spain, Portugal and the British Isles. Her language proficiency helps outs as she handles calls and visits from Charlotte’s Spanish-speaking community.

Her position as Client Services Coordinator at International House is her first since graduating from AU. AU has a strong International Studies program and Alyssa is happy to be able to use much of what she learned in her position at International House. Part of her job involves working with the Immigrant Advocacy Project. She says her studies at AU allow her to deal with many of the cross-cultural issues that arise in dealing with immigration law. She is also the liaison for the Language Interpretation Services program, which provides interpreters for Presbyterian Hospital and other local organizations.

Alyssa lived in the Washington metro area and is glad to be able to work in a multicultural environment. The metro area, which includes the surrounding Maryland and Virginia, is a region that draws people from all over the world. Coming to Charlotte was therefore a bit of a culture shock for her, and working at IH with people from all over the world helps deal with this.
Alyssa’s future may have more school. She is considering graduate work at New York University in a joint program in journalism and Latin American studies. In the meantime, she is taking a French class at CPCC to keep her study habits from getting too rusty. Whatever Alyssa does it will involve the world community. C’est la vie!

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Annual Conversation Hours Gathering: A world's journey through your palate

Good food, lively conversation, and holiday cheer filled International House on December 14th for the annual Conversation Hour Holiday Party. The yearly fête gives participants in the German, Spanish, French, and English Conversation Hours a chance to meet one another and celebrate the season. Over 75 people representing Germany, Chile, Japan, Ecuador, USA, Brazil, Austria, and all points in between attended the evening festivities.

International House staff members were also on hand to meet Conversation Hour participants. "I was really surprised and pleased that so many people came," said Raquel Lynch, International House's Community Outreach Director. "This is our biggest turnout to date." Many guests expressed their gratitude to IH staff for the weekly language exchanges. One man who recently moved to Charlotte said the Conversation Hour made him feel at home as he was able to share his native language and culture with others. Several people were surprised at the large number of participants in the Conversation Hours.

Partygoers also brought favorite holiday dishes from their native lands. The buffet table overflowed with savory & sweet recipes from all over the globe. Included in the smorgasbord of goodies were two German holiday favorites, stollen and fruit & yogurt tart; alfajores (shortbread cookies) from Chile; halwa from Pakistan; Brazilian cheesebread; Japanese curry; obazda from Bavaria; ceviche from Ecuador; and deviled eggs from the USA. The party would not be complete without IH Development Manager Sheila Bennett's delicious cider. Guests and staff look forward to enjoying Sheila's special recipe every year.

Language Conversation Hours are held weekly. They provide an informal, comfortable setting for native speakers and for those wanting to improve their foreign language skills. There are currently conversation groups for English, French, German, and Spanish. All skill levels are welcome. For more information, contact International House at 704-333-8099.

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The Immigration Corner

“The following article was printed in the January edition of the Asian Herald. I like it because it deals with family law, which is our specialty, and because I draw from practice experiences.”

--David Stewart - Immigration Attorney

CROSSING BORDERS: A Column on Immigration Law

January 2005 – “Can I Stay in the U.S. on an Approved I-130?”

The USCIS’ form I-130, or the “Petition for Alien Relative”, is one of the most important forms in immigration law. Millions of U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents have filed I-130’s in the hopes of sponsoring a family member living abroad. However, one of the most common misconceptions that my clients have is that an approved I-130 grants them permission to stay and live in the U.S. This month, I examine just what an approved I-130 accomplishes— or does not accomplish — for a client.

Tip #1: An approved I-130 gives a right to apply, NOT a right to stay. When clients receive an approved I-130 in the mail, they often get excited. Indeed, they have been known to burst into my office, triumphantly holding up the Approval Notice. Unfortunately, if a client applied for the I-130 without my help, I must sit down and explain to them that the I-130 is only a first step. In fact, an approved I-130 only confers permission to apply to stay in the U.S. (now, or in the future); it does not confer permission to actually stay here.

The reason for this anticlimactic result is that in theory, family immigration is a 2-step process. Step 1: U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident files an I-130 to prove that he or she is a qualifying relative of the foreign national or “alien”. Step 2: if the I-130 is approved, the alien beneficiary may be allowed to apply for Permanent Resident status now or in the future in one of two ways: (a) if outside the U.S., he or she may be able to apply for an Immigrant Visa at a U.S. Embassy abroad; or (b) if inside the U.S., he or she may be able to stay here and apply to become a Permanent Resident, or leave the U.S. and apply for an Immigrant Visa at a U.S. Embassy abroad and then re-enter the U.S. as a Permanent Resident.

Tip #2: Just because you have a right to apply doesn’t mean you should. Once an I-130 is approved, the next question is not “May I stay in the U.S. now?” but rather, “Now that I have a right to file for Permanent Resident status, should I?” Many clients are surprised to learn this, because when they prepared and filed the I-130 they did not realize that the question of whether to seek Permanent Resident status is separate from the question of whether to file the Petition in the first place. Occasionally, clients are even more surprised (and disappointed) when I tell them that even though they are beneficiaries of an approved I-130, they should not apply for Permanent Resident status because of certain financial, legal, medical, or criminal problems.

A final tip is to seek independent legal advice early in your family immigration process. If you are thinking of sponsoring a family member to the U.S., I encourage you to consult with an immigration attorney before you file anything. A competent attorney will listen to your goals, analyze your situation, and recommend the best strategy on whether, when, and how to file the I-130. You will then be free to prepare and file the case on your own if you like, but you will have peace of mind knowing that your legal strategy is sound. This kind of early investment will avoid costly mistakes later and is one of the most valuable services that immigration lawyers have to offer.

David Stewart is Immigration Services Director at International House, a Charlotte-based non-profit. He is a Massachusetts-certified attorney, and a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). This column is intended to offer general information about immigration law only. Readers who need advice about their specific situations should consult an immigration lawyer.

Friendship Force Will Travel to Germany

Join Friendship Force and travel to Varel, Germany on April 25, 2005, live one week with a German family sharing friendship and participating in the daily life of your host family. A workshop will be held to prepare ambassadors for the home stay exchange.

The estimated cost of the first week home stay and airfare is $1400. Afterwards, an additional week's tour of former East Germany is available
for approximately $1,000.

Friendship Force is a private nonprofit cultural exchange program whose goal is to promote peace and international understanding throughout the world. In-home exchanges are arranged among the 350 clubs throughout the world.

For more information call (704) 847-6605.

Saturday Language Schools for Children

As the international community grows in Charlotte, so is the need for opportunities for language instruction. This is evidenced by the launch of another Saturday school. L’Ecole du Samedi de Charlotte (The French Saturday School of Charlotte) opened its doors on Saturday, January 8th. It is working under the license of L’Ecole du Samedi d’Atlanta.

For more information call 704-362-4587.

SATURDAY LANGUAGE SCHOOLS IN
CHARLOTTE

Russian Christian School
704-752-0245

Stephanie Lee Chinese School
704-542-7540

Deutsche Schule (German)
704-366-9957

Islamic Center of Charlotte
704-537-9399

Japanese School
704-333-2775

Korean School
704-548-0770

Charlotte Chinese Academy
704-756-5202

L’Ecole du Samedi de Charlotte
704-362-4587

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International House Announces Partnership with inlingua

International House of Charlotte and the Charlotte office of inlingua International Language & Intercultural Services last month announced a formal partnership for language and cultural education. Under a recently signed agreement, group language classes will be offered seasonally by inlingua at a special rate for International House members. Members will also receive discounts on private language lessons, as well as a very special price for inlingua's much-applauded Language By E-mail (LBE) year-long programs for people on the move. Said Colleen Blanchard, Director of inlingua Charlotte, "We are delighted to be working actively with such an important organization: International House is truly the hub of Charlotte's multicultural community." Jose Hernandez-Paris, IH's Executive Director, agrees: " Our partnership will provide students a unique multicultural environment that will compliment inlingua's language classes by helping students not only with language skill, but also to understand the culture."

Future cooperative efforts will include special member pages on each organization's website, enhanced Conversation Hours at International House, and possible co-sponsoring of cultural events.

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International House Calendar of Events

February
Date: Feb. 9-11	Program: International Visitors Leadership Programs	Description: 1 visitor - the Principal Policy financial advisor from Great Britain Finance, will learn about “International Debt and Economic Issues"
Date: Jan. 30 - Feb. 2	Program: International Visitors Leadership Programs	Description: Four financial directors and consultants from Ukraine will learn about "The Role of Credit Bureaus in Economic and Business Development"
Date: Feb. 2nd 10:00 AM	Program: Doorways	Description: David Wynn from Elizabeth House Flowers will demonstrate the art of creating flower arrangements.
Date: Feb. 21 7:00 PM	Program: I.H. Book Club	Description: During this meeting we will be reading and discussing The Book of Salt by Truong Set.
Date: The class meets on five consecutive Sundays from 1-4 pm. (Feb. 8, 15, 22, 29 and March 7).	Program: Citizenship Classes	Description: Cost for the entire class is $35. You will learn about American government, history, geography and vocabulary used on the test and in the interview for citizenship. For additional information and to sign up, call Alyssa Misner at 704.333.8099 ext 10.
March
Date: March 2 10:00 AM	Program: Doorways	Description: Ruth Woodend, one of the two founders of Samaritan House, will share her experiences on opening up a haven for those who are homeless and ill.
Date: March 22-25	Program: International Visitors Leadership Program	Description: 11 legal, finance, crime investigators, government and media professionals from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Theme: "Combating Terrorist Financing Networks and Money Laundering"
Date: March 21 7:00 PM	Program: I.H. Book Club	Description: The book Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi will be discussed.
Date: March 2-22	Program: Community Connections	Description: A group of educators from Kazakhstan will be here to study the “US Education system”
Date: March 14	Program: An International House Evening of Russian Culture	Dinner transportation and tickets to see the St. Petersburg Ballet Theater at Blumenthal PAC. For details, call 704-333-8099
Date: March 16 6:30 PM	Program: L’Alliance Francaise —Lecture	Description: Alliance Francaise of Charlotte in partnership with International House presents "Francophonie, beyond a shared language" by Belgian writer and literary critic Jacques De Decke
April
Date: April 6 10 AM	Program: Doorways	Description: Go with us on a field trip to the Carolina Raptor Center in Huntersville. Walk the nature trail and observe raptors in their aviaries. A small admission fee will be charged. We will meet at International House and carpool to the Carolina Raptor Center.
Date: April 18, 7:00 PM	Program: I.H. Book Club	Description: The Kite Runner - by Khaled Hosseini. An educational and eye-opening account of a country's political turmoil--in this case, Afghanistan will be discussed.

I.H. Board of Directors 2005
Debbie Abels Nicole Simmons Atzor (Vice -president) Keith Baarson Jean-Jacques Beaussart Bill Belk Lee S. Bierer Stephen D. Conner	Rhonda T. Crawford (Treasurer) Betty Dickey (vice– president) Malek Jandali Daniel Jaouiche (President) Richard Kasnick	Carolyn McGroarty Richard C. Norman Babette Reynolds Oltmanns Ray Partain Hib K. Shelton Felix von Uklanski José Hernández-París (Ex-officio)

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE WISHES TO THANK THE GENEROUS DONATION MADE THROUGH THE EMPTY STOCKING FUND. YOUR DONATION WILL GO TO SUPPORT OUR PROGRAMS! AND SERVICES.