The ELI Weekly
Scholarship Winners
Congratulations to the recipients of the ELI scholarships for the Spring 2024 Semester!
- Dr. Jayne C. Harder Memorial Scholarship: Jiyeon “Journie” Park
- Dr. J.C. Casagrande Peace Scholarship: Danney Pamplona Cardenas
- First Runner-Up: Yureidy Chinchilla Romero
- Second Runner-Up: Jaime Baeza Hernandez
- Third Runner-up: Diana Barragan Caicedo
Out and About: Down the Runway
Chaeyeong (Jenny) Lim, RW41
I want to talk about the most interesting thing I’ve experienced since coming to U.S. A few weeks ago, I had a Halloween show. The show was a Halloween costume party hosted by Rowdy magazine, where people design clothes and runway, and Talia, one of the most gorgeous and nicest LAs, was designing clothes for the magazine’s Halloween show. She asked me to be her model, but I’d never been a model, walked the runway, and I’m not outgoing, so I was worried. However, I felt like I would regret it if I missed such a good opportunity in U.S, so I accepted it. Because it was my best friend Talia’s request! On the day of the show, I wore the perfect clothes made by Talia and her friend and walked the runway. I was so nervous and tense, but I successfully completed the show! It became the most exciting experience since I came here, and it was so much fun. I’m so thankful and love Talia for giving me this opportunity<3 I hope you guys also have as many experiences as possible and enjoy your time in U.S.
CIP Weekday Activities
Weekend Event
Saturday December 2nd – End of Semester BBQ at Lake Wauburg – 11:45am to 4:00pm
All are welcome to celebrate the end of the semester at our BBQ! Come get free food and kayak or canoe on beautiful Lake Wauburg North Shore for free with your Gator1 ID! Play sports, socialize, and enjoy Florida nature with friends for our very last event of the semester!! Meet at Norman Parking Garage at 11:45. No smoking or vaping is allowed anywhere at this location, even if you are outside.
You must sign up to attend this activity, even if you plan on driving yourself. We need to make sure we know how much food to provide. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4BA9A823A02-46233146-endofsemester
Address of Norman Parking Garage (meeting point at 11:45): Parking Garage 8 (Norman), Gainesville, FL 32601
Address of Lake Wauburg North Shore: 133 Regatta Dr, Micanopy, FL 32667
Other CIP Reminders
Don’t forget to get your CIP Passport hole punched from the activity leaders AT the event (not after). We don’t hole punch passports after the event. Redeem your completed passport for a small gift and photo for the ELI Instagram! Remember the CIP Pineapple is hidden in a new place every Monday in the CIP office. Stop by and find it for hole punches!
Last day of ELI Classes
Thursday, December 7, is the final day of ELI classes this Fall. Teachers will be submitting final grades and attendance reports on Wednesday, December 6. If you are absent on Thursday, your absence will not be counted for immigration, class grades, or any petition you have submitted. All absences on December 4th, 5th, and 6th still count!!! You should not miss class these days!
We hope all ELI students will attend class on Thursday, December 7th. Your teachers and LAs have fun and interesting lessons and activities planned. However, we know many ELI students are making preparations to leave Gainesville, so are very busy this last week. If you will not be attending class on Thursday, December 7th, please inform your teacher by Tuesday, December 5th. Your teachers and LAs need to know how many students to plan for.
All of your teachers and LAs will be at the ELI Commencement Ceremony on Friday, December 8th. We hope you will be there, too!
Saying “maʾ as-salāmah” (Goodbye) from Iman J. Walford Vann
Dear ELI Family, December 8th, 2023 will be my last day at the ELI. I am grateful for having been part of the ELI for the past 6 years and for the life-changing interactions I have had with our students, some of whom inspired me to follow a new life path and find a new home in Saudi Arabia, where I plan to teach English, God willing. My time here has been the most transformational of all my professional experiences, and it has truly been an honor to serve and grow with such a diverse group of colleagues and international students. My heartfelt thanks to everyone—from 2017 to 2023; I wish all of you all the best in your endeavors!
Reminder: If you have any questions for Iman about a study plan letter, financial guarantee, scholarship, or tuition payment, please ask her this week!
Leaving the ELI
If you are leaving the ELI, we hope you will share your experiences with your friends and family. Also, please keep your email updated with us. When the ELI travels internationally for conferences and events, we invite alumni to join us.
If you are interested in acting as an ELI Ambassador to assist future Gators in your country apply to the ELI, please let Lia Brenneman know (lia@ufl.edu, MAT 220A). If you are interested in becoming an Educational Consultant for the ELI, ask Lia for details. You are the best source of information about the ELI and Gainesville for new students. We appreciate our alumni! Also, the ELI’s 70th anniversary will be in 2024. We hope you will join us for a special homecoming celebration.
If you want to stay active with English study in your country, please contact our friends at EducationUSA (https://educationusa.state.gov/find-advising-center). They have centers all over the world where they advise students about studying in the USA. It is a great place for you to network, practice English, and help other students learn about your experience studying in Florida.
Notes from the Office
ELI Reading Day: The ELI Reading Day is on December 1st. Classes will not meet, but the ELI Main Office will be open.
Class Photo: We will take a photo of everyone at the ELI on Monday, December 4th. Listening Speaking classes will meet at 1:45 at the Gator Globe.
Commencement Ceremony: The ELI Commencement Ceremony will be December 8th from 10am to noon in the University Auditorium. Plan to park off-campus since there is no good parking close by. There isn’t always time to take photos after, so if you want photos of yourself onstage, you should come early at 9:30am. Everyone, including family and friends are welcome. All of your teachers and language assistants and ELI administration will be there!
Out of the Office: Both Daryl and Christine will be out of the office on Tuesday, December 12th and Christine will also be out December 14th. They both will have limited office hours during the break and then will be on vacation. Be sure to talk to Daryl and Christine before the end of the semester if you need help!
Gatorlink: If you are not returning to the ELI in the Spring semester, you will not be able to access your ufl.edu email address, one.uf.edu, Canvas, or other Gatorlink service after January 24th. You will need to download any emails, assignments, or information that you want to keep.
Charges Due: Every ELI student should log in to ONE.uf.edu and look at the “Campus Finances (Bursar)” tile to see if they owe any fees to the university. For example, you may need to pay for services you received at the Student Health Care Center or printing in a library. If you have a scholarship, it will not pay these charges.
Apartment Leases: As the semester draws to a close, keep in mind that your lease might be ending soon. It is important to know the exact date that your apartment lease ends so you can make plans. If you’re not sure when it ends, ask your apartment office.
If you need help finding a hotel to stay in short-term (you should ask your friends first!), someone to take over your lease, or a new apartment, talk to Christine in Matherly 223.
Check your I20s: If your I-20 is expiring soon, make an appointment with Daryl in MAT 223 to renew your I-20 before it expires.
Financial Guarantees for Spring: If you have a government scholarship, be aware when your financial guarantee expires. For some students, the guarantee expires in December, and you will need to request a new one if you plan on studying in the Spring semester. If you have any questions about when your financial guarantee expires, please email Iman Walford Vann at jvann@eli.ufl.edu before December 7th.
ELI Milestones
Here at the ELI, we have some very dedicated faculty and staff!
Do you know how long staff, teachers, and LAs have been at the ELI? Can you guess? You might be surprised!
This is the last week we are celebrating ELI faculty and staff who have reached a milestone in their time at the ELI this year. This week, we’d like to give a shout out to two groups:
Everyone who has been at the ELI for more than 20 years, but fewer than 25 years:
- Daryl Bish
Everyone who has been at the ELI more than 25 years:
- Todd Allen
- Megan Forbes
- Patricia Moon Tapper
Be sure to thank them for their dedication!
Photo of the Week
Birthdays!
Manners & Culture
Q: Why do some Americans say “sorry” when they are close to someone in the market?
A: It all depends how close you are standing. Sometimes when people say “sorry” it’s just a way of being polite. When you are near someone in a store, the other person might think that they are blocking your way to an item. It could also be a way of saying that they feel like they are too close to you. Generally, Americans prefer more physical personal space than many other cultures. If you are within 12-18 inches of a person, they might feel like you are in their personal space and say “sorry” as a way to tell you to move back a little. It is also common to say “sorry” if you accidentally bump into someone.
Grammar
Q: How do I know when to use the verb ‘make’ and when to use ‘do’?
A: The verbs ‘make’ and ‘do’ both imply activity, but there are some general rules to help distinguish the use of each.
In general, ‘do’ is used to show repetitive actions, obligations, generalities, and processes.
- I usually do the shopping on Saturday.
- She did all of the homework assignments.
- They aren’t doing anything right now.
- I did a painting of my mother.
‘Make’ is used when there is a specific outcome from the process of creating or building. Use ‘make’ to talk about food/drink, communications, reactions, and plans. Here are some examples:
- We made a cake for the Thanksgiving Potluck.
- I will make a speech at the ELI commencement.
- He always makes me smile.
- Can we make lunch plans for next Friday?