The CWU WorldCats Institute is a short-term academic and cultural experience program at CWU. CWU Worldcats welcomes international students to come to CWU for one to six weeks and participate in English language training, activities and weekend excursions.

The program is scheduled for July and August and costs less the more students there are signed up for it. Pricing per student ranges from $880 if there are more than 36 students to $1400 if there are less than nine. Director of Asia University America Program (AUAP) and International Student and Scholar Services Nicki Kukar sees many benefits in having a program like CWU WorldCats.

“It’s a good chance for international students to know new people,” Kukar said. “But it’s a great chance for them to get to experience small-town America in summer, be outside, take part in cultural events and learn English.”

Summertime can cause campus to be somewhat empty. Outside of sports camps and the small amount of students on campus for classes, CWU can feel like a ghost town. Kukar believes this program helps fix that.

“It’s huge. It’s a great thing when the rest of the town, especially campus gets a little quiet,” Kukar said. “This adds that much-needed diversity and energy for campus so I think the impact is mutually beneficial and we are very proud of it.”

Some of the weekend trips offered to the students are to the Museum of Flight, Leavenworth, Washington, a Seattle Mariners game, the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. Weekday trips include visits to local museums, businesses, parks and rivers. Activities include rafting, bowling, barbecues and shopping just to name a few. Program Coordinator Anna Miller thinks the program is just another example of CWU’s diversity and inclusivity.

“One of the most impressive things that I think for Central is how much diversity we bring in from around the world,” Miller said. “This program continues to do that and it gives students a taste of what it’s like to study in America and what it’s like to attend Central. Sometimes they come back and that’s valuable in itself because it helps diversify the community.”

The curriculum for the program includes reading, writing, grammar and oral communication. Between Monday and Friday there are 20 hours of instruction per week and upon completion of the program, students receive certificates of completion at an award banquet. According to International Partnerships Manager Rachel Gordon, Ellensburg is a good place for the CWU WorldCats program to be held due to the safety and size of the city.

“Ellensburg is a great town for a program like this to happen in because it’s small, safe and friendly,” Gordon said. “Partner institutions don’t have to worry about sending their students off to Las Vegas or New York… they get to have a real hometown feel.”

With the program still two months away, the International Center is still looking for volunteers as well as filling paid positions. Local community members can host international students for an afternoon or evening, and domestic or international students can apply for paid positions for the program. To contact the International Center email [email protected] or call (509)963-3612.