October 1, 2019

Bay City third graders to visit 'the world' — and many of its cultures — at SVSU

A group of third grade students from Bay City will drive a few miles from their school to take a tour of the world.

Saginaw Valley State University's English Language Program will host its Passport to the World event Friday, Oct. 4. Nearly 100 third grade students from Kolb Elementary School in Bay City will visit campus, where they will learn about different countries and cultures through a series of performances and activities organized by SVSU staff and students.

The day-long event begins with cultural performances hosted by SVSU international students.

SVSU staff and students later will read the book, “Same, Same But Different" by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw, to the children. The children's book follows the relationship between two pen pals on opposite sides of the globe.

The day of international exploration also includes yoga sessions led by SVSU students, a tour of the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum on campus, and clay-sculpting activities.

The third grade attendees will then have the opportunity to "visit" 13 different countries at educational tables staffed by international students with information about other cultures. During the event, the visitors will learn about Japan, Vietnam, Panama, Taiwan, China, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, India, Armenia, Italy, Peru, Rwanda, and Guatemala.

For more information on Passport to the World, contact Amy Cook, assistant director of SVSU’s English Language Program, at alcook@svsu.edu or (989) 964-2733.