What can Texas teach the European nation of Slovenia about multiculturalism?

Date released: 01/30/03

Fourteen Slovenian college students intend to find out Feb. 2-16, when they will spend two weeks exploring San Marcos and surrounding Texas regions.

The students, from the University of Maribor, organized the trip with the assistance of the Southwest Texas State University International Office and the Department of English. Nearly all are former students of SWT professor Steve Wilson, who spent five months in the spring of 2002 lecturing in American Literature at the University of Maribor as a Fulbright Scholar.

During their stay, the Slovenian students will go on guided excursions to the LBJ National Historical Park and Sauer-Beckman Living History Farm in Johnson City; the historic German community of Gruene; and the richly multicultural city of San Antonio. Other scheduled events during their stay include conducting a presentation on their culture at the San Marcos Public Library; discussing English Studies in Slovenia with the SWT chapter of the International English Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta; teaching Slovene to Brenda Butler's Language Club for Gifted and Talented students at Hernandez Intermediate School (San Marcos); and attending selected classes at SWT.

Media coverage of this visit is invited. For further information, contact Jayme Blaschke at SWT Media Relations and Publications at (512) 245-2180 or Steve Wilson at the Department of English at (512) 245-2163.