Honor societies have been around for years, but a new societythis year hopes to attract honor students from around theworld.
With the number of international studies majors at TheUniversity of Memphis, there has been a demand for an organizationthat puts American and international students together, saidRebecca Laumann, Study Abroad director.
Phi Beta Delta will provide international education, programsand activities in hopes that American and international studentswill learn about each other.
"Having a university in a city as big as Memphis draws a lot ofinternational students," said senior biology major Anita Nair,vice-president of Phi Beta Delta.
But what is lacking on campus is a forum where internationalissues are brought up so students can learn about hot issues suchas social situations in Congo and Kashmir, for example, Laumannsaid.
The honor society is mainly geared toward international studentswho will be at The U of M throughout their major. Working with thestudents for their entire college career will give both theAmerican and international students a chance to influence eachother's point of view, Nair said.
"We sort of tend to flock to our own culture," Nair said. "Weplan to provide awareness about international issues."
There is a social International Student Association on campus,however the organization is not set up to deal with internationalcultural and political issues.
"Don't just rely on CNN and Fox news," Nair said, adding that byinviting a diverse mix of students to the forums, Phi Beta Deltahopes to open students to different possibilities.
The first meeting drew Indians, Belizeans and others as well asAmericans who "would benefit and learn about other cultures," saidMichelle Grazier, junior geology major. "I think it's an efficientway to learn about other cultures."
Phi Beta Delta is also taking part in International EducationWeek, Nov. 17 to Nov. 22, because the week is in sync with Phi BetaDelta's goal of educating members of the campus community aboutinternational affairs by including an international photo exhibit,job expo fair and a salsa ball.
Students are in honor societies because of the education, butothers, like Srinivas Kurakul, a mechanical engineering graduatestudent, say they "just wanted to make friends and to meet otherstudents."
