WWU's Laura Carney receives 2010 International Education Award

Western Washington University instructor Laura Carney has received the 2010 International Education Award from WWU’s Center for International Studies.

Carney, a core lecturer in Western Washington University's Asia University America Program (AUAP), has worked to raise awareness of language learning and intercultural understanding both at the university and in the broader Bellingham community.

“I am very honored to receive this award as a representative of our ‘team’ of quality people at AUAP,” said Carney. “This program is not only a wonderful experience for the Japanese students, but has also provided a cross-cultural, international experience for many Western students who have gotten involved and for the community as a whole.”

Carney organized AUAP’s Classroom Volunteer Program and WWU’s Japanese Conversation Club, as well as numerous visits to Bellingham-area elementary schools as part of her sustained commitment to international education at the grassroots level. She also helps coordinate over 100 Western students who volunteer in AUAP classes, giving Japanese students an opportunity to interact with native speakers of English while providing experience for the Western students in working with international students. Carney writes numerous letters of reference for scholarship applicants, study abroad programs and jobs overseas.

The Japanese Conversation Club, which began in 2008, currently has approximately 50 members with equal numbers of Japanese exchange students and WWU students. Club members also include community members who want to practice their Japanese language skills.

Carney currently oversees the AUAP Classroom Volunteer Program, curriculum development, American Studies lectures and field trips, elementary school visits and course activities.

“It is my hope to continue to work as a team to make the AUAP program the best that it can be for the Japanese students, our campus and the community as we promote cross-cultural communication and understanding,” said Carney.

Carney received her bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies and Japanese and her master’s degree in Language Education from the University of British Columbia. She joined WWU’s Asia University America Program in 2000.

For more information about the AUAP Classroom Volunteer program or Japanese Conversation Club, contact Laura Carney at (360) 650-7591 or laura.carney@wwu.edu.