International Population of Bowling Green.

Bowling Green is well-known for having a large international com-munity. One of Western Kentucky Universitys selling points is the large international reach, both home in Bowling Green and the ability to go abroad. Not only is this a destination for internation-al students or teacher, but refu-gees. Bowling Green International Center is a refugee resettlement agency that works to give refu-gees a chance at a new and bet-ter life.

When they first come to Amer-ica, the refugee population often struggles to find work. Many work at the multitude of resturants around Bowling Green, while other work at different factories. The International Center offers many services to refu-gees looking to find a job.

Started in 1981, the In-ternational Center has helped to resettle over 10,000 refugees, vic-tims of human traffick-ing, asylees, parolees, and others with similar status, as well as other immigrants from thirty (30) countries around the globe.Bowling Green Interna-tional Center

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Bowling Green is home to Western Kentucky University, which is know for its many international programs. For native American students, they offer many different study abroad options, like semester at sea or summer programs. They also offer the prestigious Chinese Flagship program, promoting the de-sire to learn the Chinese lan-guage and culture in Universi-ty students while giving them opportunities to expand their resumes. Housed in Western Kentcuky is the Confucius Institute, which provides lo-cal elementary, middle, and

high schools with valuable Chinese programs. West-ern also offers programs for undergraduate or graduate foreign students who wish to study in America. Depend-ing on their English language ability, international students can either go through the In-ternational Student Office or the English as a Second Lan-guage International program. Many students go through one of the english lanuage programs before entering univeristy.

International Students

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Many school in Bowling Green have a sig-nifcant international population. One, Cum-berland Trace Elementary School, is very involved in helping the international students they have. They have tutoring twice a week, where American volunteer to help with homework and work on English skills. They also host different International events to celebrate the diversity of their community. These events include an international week, hosting the Warren County Services Fair, and an international festival.

Refugee Children

We are part of the first accumulating part into this culture.Curtis Willis, a program coordinator and teach-er.

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Hello In Other Lanu-gages:Albanian kemiSpanishHola!LatvianSveikePortugueseTudo bemSomaliIs ka warranSwahili HujamboUzbekAssalomu Alay-kum

than that. As it grows, cultural awareness, a de-sire to learn about other cultures, and increasign diveristy will grow steadily alongside. American continues to grow into the melting pot nick-name it recieved so long ago.

There are many in-ternational people in Bowling Green. Western Kentucky alone usually have about 1,000 stu-dents per year, and that number con-tinues to grow. The International Center has helped settle over 10,000 refu-gees. As the international population of bowl-ing green grows, the programs to assist them will also grow. But it will do much more

As It Continues...

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