One of the unique aspects about living in a city like Madison is the wonderful opportunity to easily make friends with future global leaders in business, education, government and other fields who come to study at the University of Wisconsin.
We enjoyed reminiscing over dinner at a local restaurant
One Saturday recently we hosted Christoph from Germany, who we first met on a cold January night in 1993 when he got off the bus from O’Hare airport. Christoph is now a business executive in Atlanta, on his way to meetings in Chicago. He was amazed at all of the changes on campus since his last visit.
Bascom Hall & Van Hise Hall
The next day we went to the UW campus for the annual tour of Madison for new international students.
Humanities lecture hall fills with volunteers
This tour has taken place with the help of volunteers from the local community since 1951, the year I was born. I’ve been involved almost every year or every other year (with a few exceptions) since the late 1970s.
Behold, an international student
Kristi coordinated the tour this year and showed us how easy it is get to know an international student with just a few questions. The students who sign up for this tour are overwhelmingly friendly, curious, and interested in learning about their new community.
New friends who have just arrived in Madison
Soon we were matched with a group of new friends who had just arrived from Shandong, China: Abby Lian; Jingjing Lyu; Jiqi Sun; Yuchen Xiao; and Yaojia Zhu. I was also joined by Erwin Chen, who has also been on the tour before, to help navigate the tour itinerary that was prepared for us.
North wing of the Wisconsin capitol
We visited spots of interest such as the Edgewood College campus, the UW arboretum, Olbrich Gardens, and the Wisconsin capitol.
European explorers welcomed to Wisconsin
The capitol building has beautiful murals that depict Wisconsin history and related topics, including (shown here) the arrival of European settlers.
The early 20th century
This mural depicts a time around 100 years ago, which looks old to us today, but actually depicts life as it was known during the time of the capitol construction just prior to World War I.
The Wisconsin term for all drinking fountains is “bubbler.” This is a bubbler that actually bubbles.
Outside the capitol we examined a unique Wisconsin artifact, a “bubbler.”
Good food helps make good friends
The tour ended up at Eric and Jen’s house, for a reception, where we met other students, including several from Malaysia. We had some more get-acquainted conversations, and the students learned about other programs that were available to international students.
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