Dear International Students,

As the current president of the American International Association, one of many student organizations on the Wittenberg campus, I have the honors of writing you this letter and inform you about AIA, and what it is like to be an international student at Wittenberg University.  Here at Wittenberg, you will get an excellent education, but also have the opportunity to become active outside of the classroom in student organizations such as this. There are over 100 active student organizations here on our campus where students with similar interests of religion, politics, science, athletics etc. gather. The American International Association, also known as AIA, was founded in 1987 and is one of the biggest and most diverse organizations on campus. Members include both American and international students from countries such as China, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Sweden, Venezuela, Vietnam. AIA strives to bring international awareness to the Wittenberg and Springfield communities through activities such as:

• Crossroads: An outdoor international food festival organized in the early Fall during the Homecoming Weekend. This is a really popular, and interesting event that let’s the Wittenberg and Springfield community taste food from around the world prepared by AIA members.                                          

• AIA Spring Formal: An event that in the past has been held on a cruise on the Ohio River in Cincinnati or at the Springfield Country Club. Having a nice dinner, and then dance to music from different parts of the world, this is a very popular event at the end of the school year.

• Invisible Children Fashion Show:  In collaboration with the student organization Concerned Black Students, AIA hosts this fashion show where international and American students, faculty, and staff dress up and represent different parts of the world. The goal is to raise money for the organization Invisible Children that helps children affected by war. 

In addition to these activities, AIA also collaborates with other campus groups, and sponsors programs managed by the university. Having told you all this, I would now like to cordially invite you to apply to Wittenberg University and join our community. Being a sophomore at Wittenberg, and member of AIA during all that time I have gotten to know a lot of new friends, and gained a lot of knowledge about international cultures, views, and matters.   

For questions about AIA, or any other matter please do not hesitate to contact me at s10.mcederqvist@wittenberg.edu.  

Sincerely,

Melissa Cederqvist

AIA President