Region IV & V Bi-Regional Conference
Nov. 10 - 12, 2002
Chicago, IL

On behalf of my co-conference program chair, Ravi Kallur of Region IV, the Region V and Region IV teams, the 2002 Local Arrangements, I extend a warm invitation to all of you to participate in the 2002 Bi-Regional Conference to be held in Chicago, Illinois on November 10-12.

Yes, Chicago will be the crossroad for Region IV and Region V. NAFSANS from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin will gather in the windy city to learn more about, share with and provide collaborative opportunities to enrich the international education profession. For most of you who have visited Chicago, I am sure you will agree with me that we have chosen one of the best venues for a bi-regional. So what can Chicago offer? From A-Z, here it is: Architecture, Art, Attractions, Conservatories, Culture, Dance, Festivals, Libraries, Museums, Music, Parades, Recreation, Restaurants, Shopping, Sports, Talk Shows, Theaters, Tours and Zoo. Do I say more?

Beyond the lure of Chicago, the 2002 NAFSA Bi-Regional Conference offers an array of professionally enriching workshops and sessions. This year, we are offering eight pre-conference workshops. The pre-conference workshops are: Study Abroad 101, PPW F-1 Regulations for Beginners, PPW-F-1 Second Step, New Paradigms for International Recruitment, International Education Issues for Community College and Two Year Schools, Maximizing Study Abroad Strategies for Language Culture Learning and Use, J-1 Intermediate and Hiring Foreign Faculty.

Participants will have a difficulty choosing among a wide array of more than 50 excellent sessions focusing on a myriad of topics ranging from "Arab-Jewish Coexistence Efforts in Light of the Al-Aqsa" to "SEVIS 1: For Larger Institutions and SEVIS 2: For Smaller Institutions."

Aside from great workshops and sessions, we have specialized programs for newcomers and returnees. We have the "Newcomers Session" on Sunday, November 10, at 5:00 p.m. followed by "Mentees meet Mentors" at 6:00 p.m. If you want to sign up as a mentee or a mentor, please make sure to complete the form at the back of the registration materials. We are always in need of mentors! At 6:30 p.m., there will be a plenary followed by a welcome reception.

At the conference, we are honored to have special guests. For this year, one of them will be Kathy Bellows, the NAFSA Vice President of Public Affairs and NAFSA National SEVIS Coordinator. With SEVIS lurking around the corner, what an appropriate timing to have Kathy in our midst.

We are also excited to host four OSEAS advisors this year - two for each region! Region IV is hosting Michele Lee from Venezuela and Hasmik Sargsyan from Armenia and from Region V, we are fortunate to have as guests, Sophie Cousoula from Greece and Mihaela Arsene from Romania.

We are exceptionally fortunate and are looking forward to have a wide range of exhibitors bringing with them current information and products. Local arrangements have an enjoyable line up of programs for conference attendees, including the popular Restaurant Hops. Visit our Hospitality Suite to touch base and network with our NAFSA colleagues and friends from the two regions. Special Interest Groups Meetings will also convene on the night of November 11.

As you can see, the Bi-Regional Conference offers a great and exciting opportunity that makes it difficult to miss. Be a part of the experience...be an architect of the future for international education!

Rudie R. Altamirano
Region V Chair-elect and 2002 Bi-Regional Conference Co-Chair