Newsletter – Intensive English Institute /iei 91±¬ÁÏ Thu, 06 Nov 2025 17:30:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.5 IEI Students Visit ASCC /iei/2025/07/31/iei-students-visit-ascc/ Thu, 31 Jul 2025 14:40:04 +0000 /iei/?p=4611 The IEI visited the Advanced Structures & Composite Center (ASCC), where they got to see some of the facility’s current ongoing research projects. Joseph, a Ph.D. student in the mechanical engineering program, was an excellent tour guide.  We ended our tour at the fully furnished 3D BioHome on site. This modern-style dwelling was printed using […]]]>
Students standing outside the 3D BioHome

The IEI visited the Advanced Structures & Composite Center (ASCC), where they got to see some of the facility’s current ongoing research projects. Joseph, a Ph.D. student in the mechanical engineering program, was an excellent tour guide. 

Five people seated inside the living room of the 3D BioHome

We ended our tour at the fully furnished 3D BioHome on site. This modern-style dwelling was printed using a gigantic 3D printer. A relative of one the ASCC employees provided the furnishing, showcasing the house’s live-in potential. Doesn’t this living room look cozy?

More information about their ongoing projects can be found on the ASCC’s website: .

]]> International Students Join IEI at CCAR /iei/2025/07/11/international-students-join-iei-at-ccar-2/ Fri, 11 Jul 2025 18:44:06 +0000 /iei/?p=4586 This summer, international students from 91±¬ÁÏ joined IEI on a trip to Sullivan, Maine, to visit CCAR —91±¬ÁÏ’s Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research. We learned about CCAR’s educational outreach, aquaculture research projects, and business incubator. CCAR serves as a hub for aquaculture business development. Plus, it is located in a beautiful setting on Taunton Bay. […]]]>

This summer, international students from 91±¬ÁÏ joined IEI on a trip to Sullivan, Maine, to visit CCAR —91±¬ÁÏ’s Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research.

We learned about CCAR’s educational outreach, aquaculture research projects, and business incubator. CCAR serves as a hub for aquaculture business development. Plus, it is located in a beautiful setting on Taunton Bay.

Our excellent tour guide was researcher Melissa Malmstedt. 

One of our students wrote, “I felt lucky to see how science helps protect sea life and grow healthy food. Now I understand why aquaculture is important for the future. This trip made me think about studying science more seriously.â€

lump fish posed for picture
Lump Fish—yes, it’s real!
International and IEI students gather around marine life tank
]]> Literacy Tea /iei/2025/06/06/literacy-tea/ Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:22:31 +0000 /iei/?p=4469 This April students from the Intensive English Institute hosted a table at the annual “Marvin and Sheri Glazier Literacy Tea,” a fundraising event for the Literacy Volunteers of Bangor. Our book choice was Luli and the Language of Tea by Andrea Wang. We used this to promote I’m Your Neighbor Books, a non-profit organization based […]]]>

This April students from the Intensive English Institute hosted a table at the annual “Marvin and Sheri Glazier Literacy Tea,” a fundraising event for the Literacy Volunteers of Bangor.

Our book choice was Luli and the Language of Tea by Andrea Wang. We used this to promote , a non-profit organization based in Portland, ME. I’m Your Neighbor Books cultivates welcoming behaviors and builds a sense of belonging in all our communities by increasing access to and engagement with Immigrant and New Generation children’s literature.

Everyone enjoyed the event and it was an interesting cultural experience!

Two IEI students sitting at a table and posing for picture
]]> VEMI Lab Tour /iei/2025/05/01/vemi-lab-tour/ Thu, 01 May 2025 19:28:45 +0000 /iei/?p=4447 The VEMI Lab, or Virtual Environment and Multimodal Interaction Lab, studies the ways in which humans interact with technology and explores ways that technology can be used to overcome barriers. Tommy, who works for the VEMI Lab, was our tour guide. At the first workstation in the tour, they showed us a computer and speaker […]]]>

The VEMI Lab, or Virtual Environment and Multimodal Interaction Lab, studies the ways in which humans interact with technology and explores ways that technology can be used to overcome barriers. Tommy, who works for the VEMI Lab, was our tour guide.

At the first workstation in the tour, they showed us a computer and speaker that uses sound waves at a high frequency to create a textural sensation on the user’s hand when grasping the objects modeled on the computer screen.

Next, we went into the Virtual Reality station and each took a turn using the VR headset to solve puzzles or explore a simulated space. In the photo above is one of the students immersed in a virtual reality simulation.

From there, we visited a workstation specializing in self-driving vehicle simulation. We rode in a car that moved in sync with a 180-degree visual simulation of city traffic.

You can check out more about the VEMI Lab here /vemi/

Students and tour guide sit in room with screens simulating roads

IEI students listening to Tommy, the tour guide, as he explains the vehicle simulator at the VEMI Lab.

]]> Earn-a-Bike Program for IEI Students /iei/2025/05/01/earn-a-bike-program-for-iei-students/ Thu, 01 May 2025 19:11:24 +0000 /iei/?p=4441 Once again students from the Intensive English Institute were able to participate in the Earn-a-Bike program generously sponsored by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Erik DaSilva hosted the event for us on campus and students learned how to ride safely and maintain their bikes. IEI and BCM hope to host another event on campus this […]]]>

Once again students from the Intensive English Institute were able to participate in the Earn-a-Bike program generously sponsored by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Erik DaSilva hosted the event for us on campus and students learned how to ride safely and maintain their bikes.

IEI and BCM hope to host another event on campus this summer.

Thank you, Erik! We will be getting around more quickly and easily now.

]]> Maine Day of Service 2025 /iei/2025/05/01/maine-day-of-service-2025/ Thu, 01 May 2025 14:50:30 +0000 /iei/?p=4426 Students from the Intensive English Institute participated in a 91±¬ÁÏ tradition by taking part in the Maine Day of Service on Wednesday, April 30th. First, we joined the Honors College for the Maine Day Meal Packout. More than 53,000 meals were packed and are being distributed to food banks and shelters across the state. Next, […]]]>

Students from the Intensive English Institute participated in a 91±¬ÁÏ tradition by taking part in the Maine Day of Service on Wednesday, April 30th.

First, we joined the Honors College for the Maine Day Meal Packout. More than 53,000 meals were packed and are being distributed to food banks and shelters across the state.

Next, we helped the Fogler Library’s staff tidy up the gardens around the library. We wrapped up joining students and staff for the campus BBQ on the mall. Our newest staff member joined the team and it was his first time as well. Go Blue!

Student holding shovel to drop dead leaves into bag. Man standing over bag, smiling at camera while his hands are inside the bag, packing down leaves inside.
]]> Life in the Pines: Kaidar Donenbayev /iei/2025/03/24/life-in-the-pines-kaidar-donenbayev/ Mon, 24 Mar 2025 16:17:07 +0000 /iei/?p=4415 After traveling from Kazakhstan to study at 91±¬ÁÏ, Kaidar has found his place in the Climate Change Institute, Honors College, and as president of the International Student Association. He also makes sure to create space for a favorite pastime, футбол (soccer)!]]>

After traveling from Kazakhstan to study at 91±¬ÁÏ, Kaidar has found his place in the Climate Change Institute, Honors College, and as president of the International Student Association. He also makes sure to create space for a favorite pastime, футбол (soccer)!

]]> New Addition to Staff /iei/2025/02/14/new-addition-to-staff-2/ Fri, 14 Feb 2025 15:30:10 +0000 /iei/?p=4408 Born in Brantford, Ontario, Christopher grew up in the small town of Englehart, Ontario. Ten years before becoming a dual citizen of Canada and the United States in February 2021, he graduated from Heritage College in Cambridge, Ontario, with a double-major in music and theology. Joining the Office of International Programs at the University of […]]]>

Born in Brantford, Ontario, Christopher grew up in the small town of Englehart, Ontario. Ten years before becoming a dual citizen of Canada and the United States in February 2021, he graduated from Heritage College in Cambridge, Ontario, with a double-major in music and theology. Joining the Office of International Programs at the 91±¬ÁÏ in November 2024 as SEVIS Coordinator, Christopher loves using his experience from going through U.S. immigration to help others have what they need to make it through the visa process too. Outside of work, he spends most of his time with his son and cat, working on music, building and painting Warhammer models, and starting projects much faster than he can finish them.

]]> Save the Date: 2025 International Dance Festival! /iei/2025/02/14/save-the-date-2025-international-dance-festival/ Fri, 14 Feb 2025 15:23:40 +0000 /iei/?p=4403 Rehearsals for the 2025 International Dance Festival are underway!  The performers are excited to showcase their cultural traditions on stage at the Collins Center for the Arts on February 22 with the usual matinee and evening performances.  This year we  have 14 groups performing, representing 12 countries.   It is amazing to see the progress each […]]]>

Rehearsals for the 2025 International Dance Festival are underway!  The performers are excited to showcase their cultural traditions on stage at the Collins Center for the Arts on February 22 with the usual matinee and evening performances.  This year we  have 14 groups performing, representing 12 countries.   It is amazing to see the progress each group has made in just a few short weeks and to observe the lasting friendships that are forming.  Dedication and collaboration are the hallmarks of this event and the key to its 21 years of success.  If you would like to support this year’s event please visit the .

]]> The Harris Award /iei/2025/02/03/the-harris-award/ Mon, 03 Feb 2025 15:32:40 +0000 /iei/?p=4396 The 91±¬ÁÏ Foundation honored one alum from each of the six colleges with the President Abram W. Harris Award at their 90th Annual Luncheon on Friday, October 18. Awarded every five years, Harris Award honors alumni who demonstrate exemplary leadership and contribute to their community and/or service to 91±¬ÁÏ â€“ traits synonymous with the former President’s efforts to build a stronger […]]]>
From left to right: Dr. Alice Reynolds Briones ’94, Gustavo F. Burkett ’02, ’05G, Prashanth Chandrasekar ’02, Charles A. “Chuck†Loring, Jr. ’12, Dr. Paula Quatromoni ’85, ’86G, and Lindsay Lawrence Videnieks ’99.

The 91±¬ÁÏ Foundation honored one alum from each of the six colleges with the President Abram W. Harris Award at their 90th Annual Luncheon on Friday, October 18. Awarded every five years, Harris Award honors alumni who demonstrate exemplary leadership and contribute to their community and/or service to 91±¬ÁÏ â€“ traits synonymous with the former President’s efforts to build a stronger institution during his tenure from 1893-1901. Awardees for 2024 included two international alumni – Gustavo F. Burkett, ’02, ’05G, and Prashanth Chandrasekar, ’02. Read the full press release here

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