Spring International Celebrates 20 Years on Campus

Photo Submitted

Students and staff from Spring International Language Center

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In fall 1992, Spring International Language Center at the University of Arkansas opened its doors with 12 international students from nine countries, two instructors, and one staff member. The enrollment at the University of Arkansas at that time was about 14,700, beanie babies were just coming on the scene, and Bill Clinton would soon be elected to his first term as president. Over the past 20 years Spring International has built a strong curriculum, added high-quality instructors, and developed effective student services. In 2011, Spring International joined the other campus international offices as part of the Graduate School and International Education.  

Spring International and the University of Arkansas will celebrate 20 years of continued service with an open house from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at Spring International’s new home, the University of Arkansas Uptown Campus West, 1001 E. Sain St. in Fayetteville.

Today the center is home to about 200 students, 25 instructors and 8 staff members. In addition to the intensive English curriculum, the school also hosts short-term trainings for many varied groups: for example, this summer the center hosted incoming Fulbright scholars for pre-academic degree training, as well as a variety of groups, including university members from two prestigious universities in Thailand, and teachers from Mexico, Peru, Brazil and Vietnam who came to the University of Arkansas for teacher training.

“These 20 years have been an amazing and satisfying time of growth and diversity, new friendships and family, community and global engagement,” said Leyah Bergman Lanier, director of the center since its opening at the university. Over the years Spring International has helped students learn English and adjust to life in the United States. Spring International's high standards have contributed to the success of many students from every corner of the world who, having achieved the necessary level of English, went on to obtain bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at the University of Arkansas and other institutions throughout the United States. Among the center’s graduates are journalists for Al-Jazeera and the Japan Times, a minister of education in Ecuador, entrepreneurs, professors and research scholars, teachers, actors, directors of non-government organizations, and bankers, to name just a few. In the past 20 years, Spring International has taught thousands of students from seven continents and representing 118 countries; among them are more than 375 Fulbright Scholars and 450 international Ford Foundation Fellows.

“Numbers alone, however, cannot measure the success,” said Lanier. “It is seen in the countless dreams achieved, partnerships forged, and projects realized over the years. Through a strong host family program, we have connected many students with generous local families who opened their homes to them and made them feel one of their own. Our popular conversation partner program has matched Spring International students with university students and local residents who shared language skills as well as teaching the Spring International students about our community and culture. Many of these relationships have continued over the years, strengthening the bond between Spring International and the community.”

Spring International has been very successful in seeking and receiving training grants from the U.S. State Department and other international education agencies, thereby creating new international university partnerships. The center has developed and participated in collaborative programming and activities with the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, the Sam M. Walton College of Business, the College of Education and Health Professions, the College of Engineering, and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.