NDU seeks sponsors for international students

By Julia LeDoux, Pentagram StaffAugust 12, 2016

NDU seeks sponsors for international students
JOINT BASE MEYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. -- Community sponsors and international fellows gather for a director's reception at National Defense University on the Fort McNair portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall July 26. Each year, NDU welcomes more t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE MEYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. -- Each year, National Defense University welcomes over 100 senior military officers from over 50 different nations as international fellows to its campus on the Fort McNair portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

While attending NDU, the international fellows pursue not only a master's degree from the National War College, the Eisenhower School or The Center for International Security Affairs, but friendships and a first-hand look at life in the United States through the university's International Fellows' Community Sponsorship Program.

"This program is designed to expose our international military students to different aspects of American life," explained Elizabeth Horton, director of administration at NDU.

For over 30 years, the sponsorship program has been helping the foreign military officers adjust to and enjoy their time in America, Horton stressed. The voluntary program helps the international fellows get to know Americans.

"They can see how culturally, religiously, educationally and socially economically diverse the country is," said Horton.

According to Horton, 87 of the 102 current international fellows participate in the program, along with 81 sponsors. Sponsors are not required to serve in the American armed forces and anyone with an interest in providing cultural support and friendship to an international fellow can apply to the program.

"Sponsors come from throughout our community," added Horton. "We have people in the senior levels of government to members of the Rotary Club who are sponsors."

Some sponsors are foreign born themselves and request to befriend an international fellow from their homeland. International fellows often bring their spouses and children with them, and the program attempts to match them with American families who have similar interests.

At a recent director's reception at NDU, sponsors and international students struck up new friendships and they learned more about each other and their cultures. Among them were Vanessa deia Pena and her new international friend, Lily Arenas, who is the wife of an international fellow from Mexico.

"It was my husband's (Sergio deia Pena) idea to take part in the program," deia Pena said. "When we were at Fort Leavenworth (Kansas) we sponsored some international students and had a great experience. "

"We are so lucky to have them as friends," said Arenas. "We feel very, very comfortable with them and very welcomed into their family."

Mexican Naval Cdr. Abraham Perez also attended the event with sponsor Chris Eagan.

"We are building friendships here and learning more about each other," Perez said with a smile.

Eagan echoed Perez's sentiments.

"I've been a sponsor for a number of years and get more out of it than they do," said Eagan, who works at the Pentagon.

To learn more at the program, contact Katherine Martin at katherine.martin.civ@ndu.edu

Pentagram Staff Writer Julia LeDoux can be reached at jledoux@dcmilitary.com.

Related Links:

Pentagram Newspaper

National Defense University

Joint Base Meyer-Henderson Hall