Member's Paragraphs

One day after the other, World Echoes proves to be the number one diverse organization on the UNT campus. Members coming from different spots of the globe unite under this wonderful organization. World Echoes, as opposed to most of other organizations, opens the doors widely to us to meet friends from different countries across the five continents! It, moreover, gives us the opportunity to learn about other cultures, traditions and languages. Additionally, the variety of on-campus as well as off-campus activities is another important factor that make the organization brightly shine up very high in the middle of all other student organizations!
Go World Echoes and keep growing... Proud to be part of this large family!
Best Regards,
Mohamad Mustapha Safa, Lebanon

Being a member of such a diverse and active organization as World Echoes is both a privilege and an honor. I had the chance to meet people from all over the world carrying different cultures and backgrounds. World Echoes taught me that as different as we can be, we are similar in so many ways no matter where we come from. World Echoes is a great organization that helps you learn about the world, socialize and have fun all the time. Everyone is and should be proud to belong to such a wonderful organization."
Marwan Aaouag, Morocco

As an international student at UNT, I can really say that World Echoes has become my family here in the United States. With World Echoes I have had the opportunity of enriching my experience here as a foreign student. I have learned many different and interesting things from all the members and from the cultures and countries from where they come. World Echoes has shown me that there are no boundaries for friendship. Thanks World Echoes for being part of my life. Everywhere I go, I can say that I saw the world because I met you!!!
Diana Cetares, Colombia

I've enjoyed getting to know people from around the world. The activities have always been interesting. The guest speakers are informative. The organization encourages opening up to new cultures through exploring them, which is also a great way to understand hem.
Clayton King, USA

It's not easy being a World Echoes member...Tango parties in summer, international festivals to arrange and participate in, learn foreign languages (for free), go for boat parties...AT NIGHT, attend lectures on getting scholarships and finding jobs, visit deer ranches, have thanksgiving dinner with fellow members who are far from home, learn about each other's home countries, watch movies, go clubbing...it's not easy being a World Echoes member
Yawver Iftikhar,Pakistan/Nigeria

Universities all around the world have student organizations that support one culture or one belief.........World Echoes is a unique student organization that cuts across all cultural and religious boundaries and embraces the world! Through World Echoes, I have been able to interact with people from different cultures and learn to appreciate various beliefs and cultural systems! Our volunteering also gives us an added edge because we get to see life as it really is...in the real world! I'm proud to be a member of World Echoes!
Saba Rizvi, Pakistan/Nigeria

As a former WE member and present honorary participant, I would like to ask you to seriously consider WE for the Distinguished Service Award for several reasons.
WE successfully raised the bar in the area of multicultural awareness, campus activities, and student interaction by introducing new and innovative student activities such as: a language program, a European fashion show, etc.
Moreover, WE expanded its vision beyond the campus boundaries by contributing to the organization of several metropolitan events such as: Dallas International Festival, etc.
I would also like to mention the fact that some of the World Echoes members have volunteered to do some translation work in Korean for my company, PepsiCo. Everyone is really energetic and motivated, ready to assist others whenever in need.
By taking its mission seriously and mixing it with fun, friendship, and happiness WE succeeded in elevating its role even higher by becoming an organization in which the hearts and minds of the next generation of people are brought together in a morepowerful and impactful echo of the world.
Ioana Ghimbasan, Romania

For over six years, I was very involved in the North Texas community. During this time, I have watched World Echoes soar beyond their call of duty as an organization whos members truly outreach within the community and promote diversity. In addition, the have been committed and successful to educating people about the beauty of cultures outside of America.
The members of this organization have succeeded in representing North Texas in a very positive manner. They have partnered with companies, foundations and associations throughout the Dallas area and beyond to participate in projects that outreach to the citizens of our community.
World Echoes has undoubtedly increased retention and recruitment, diversity and excellence at North Texas by being involved and connected with the NT community and well respected leaders in service organizations.
The ambassadors of this outstanding organization have become close friends, support one another and with open arms, welcome new members to their organization. They should be commended for their dedication, service to the community and school spirit.
Cristina Reyna, Manager of Programs, U.S.A.

I would like to register my strong support for the candidacy of World Echoes for your Committee's award. I have been associated, as an occasional lecturer and an honorary member, with the activities and the vision of World Echoes. I can confidently assert that in my two decades of teaching, mentoring, and sponsoring of student organizations, I have never come across a more active, harmonious, enthusiastic, and cultivated group of students. The services World Echoes renders to its members, the university community, and the community at large, are both qualitatively and quantitatively remarkable. I believe this organization has an added responsibility in these troubled times. In the face of the enhanced challenge of inter cultural and inter civilizational understanding and empathy World Echoes is nothing short of a beacon of hope and an ideal model of the embrace of diversity and good citizenship in the global community. UNT must be proud of such a level of voluntarism and embrace of diversity and service in the midst of its students. I hope the Committee will acknowledge the great and multifarious services of World Echoes in a manner commensurate with the excellence of the services this organization renders to the university and the community. Should further information or inquiry concerning my support of this organization be required, I would be delighted to respond.
I remain sincerely yours,
Mahmoud Sadri, Iran
Associate Professor of Sociology

I am writing in support of World Echoes' application for the Distinguished Event award. I have been acquainted with the organization and its energetic and visionary organizers for the past two years. I have participated in different functions sponsored by World Echoes and members of that organization have participated in several major international activities organized by Dallas International during past years.
In particular, their presence and participation in our reception in Dallas City Hall last spring was a key element in the event's success. This event brought together for first time in history leaders of the metroplex international and ethnic communities. The evening, attended by some 200 VIP guests was a great success and led to further networking and improved relations across the region. The members of World Echoes, all international students from UNT, played a central role in the success of this event. Dressed in ethnic outfits, they welcomed and guided the guests throughout the evening, raising much curiosity about who they were, and presenting a very positive and diverse image of UNT.
This is only one example of the innovative programming and appeal presented by World Echoes and their visionary founder Raluca Banea. They also have worked various areas of the Dallas International Festival, have organized an extraordinary global tour of weekly outings that connect their student members with a multitude of local ethnic communities, while continuing to reflect the beautiful "global face" of UNT.
Unquestionably, this is the strongest and best organized of all international student organizations around the North Texas area, and serves as a model for all others.
I would like to express my heart-felt appreciation and best wishes for this multicultural organization dedicated to the cause of inter cultural understanding and harmony.
Sincerely,
Anne Marie Weiss-Armush, U.S.A.
President of Dallas International

It is indeed my pleasure and great honor to nominate World Echoes for this outstanding award. Started with ten people two years ago, World Echoes has grown to encompass close to 250 UNT students and distinguished honorary members. World Echoes embraces all cultures and all religions, creating an atmosphere in which all of us share our heritages, educating people and learning to value the diversity of the world we live in. Particularly in today's day and age, World Echoes' vision provides that hope that we can live together in peace and harmony, respecting our differences and discovering and appreciating our similarities. From allowing friendships to flourish, to helping students succeed, to attracting an increased number of international students to the university, to promoting UNT's name in the Dallas Forth Worth area, World Echoes does it all. All of our programs have a diversity element in them, which is reflected in our volunteer work at Dallas International festivals and conventions, in our language program, in our international movie nights, and more.
We are glad to also notice the increased interest manifested by American students in becoming members of our group, and we welcome them all. World Echoes can be compared to a miniature globe, for it reflects the great variety of the human species. We are all proud of our heritages and attempt in every way possible to promote our cultures and keep our traditions alive. We organize fashion shows, international performances, discussions on controversial issues, country presentations, all with the purpose of creating better world citizens, educated, receptive, and responsive. We also develop leaders through inspiring and motivating our members to take initiative and bring a positive change to their communities.
UNT can only gain from such a strong organization like ours, because our name is on the lips of people who have attended the Dallas International Reception (leaders of international communities all over the metroplex,) on the lips of people who have seen us perform at the Dallas International Global Holiday Market, on the lips of people who have seen us volunteer at the Dallas International Festival, and on the lips of students at UNT and elsewhere. Please help us be recognized for all of our efforts in promoting UNT and making a stronger, more diverse community for students and faculty members.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully,
Raluca Banea, Romania
World Echoes Ambassador and Founder
Marketing Director, CNA Medical

I was so pleased to be greeted here at UNT by such a warm friendly group. I was alone, no friends and without my country. I was so pleased to be included and meet new friends the first day here in the country and on campus. To continue to develop ties with great people from all over the world has been wonderful. You are the most proactive member oriented organization on Campus. Tolerance and good fun.
Thank you World Echoes
Gordon Redmond, Canada

World Echoes has opened gates for me to explore many traditions around the world and find new friends. It has helped me understand the rituals and values of other cultures through the amazing events they organize or help to organize. It is one of the biggest and most diverse clubs on campus. It has always been very effective in volunteering on and off campus community works. We have a lot of fun together and get so many opportunities to learn about each other. I am very glad to be a part of it!
Harris Sayed, Pakistan
Director of Sports

World Echoes is an amazing organization. Led by dedicated and creative officers World Echoes has become one of the largest and most diverse organizations on campus. There is such a variety of activities that is hard to choose which ones to attend. I have made many friends and met people from so many parts of the world at World Echoes. I love the enthusiasm of all members to learn about different cultures and countries. It is so wonderful to have so many members from so many countries come together, here on the UNT campus, and realize that we are all so different and so much alike a the same time. World Echoes means fun, excitement, and open-mindedness.
Matinka Dobreva, Bulgaria

World Echoes has been very successful when it comes to its mission statement. Promoting diversity has always been our main goal, and it's truly amazing how many different and wonderful people I have gotten the pleasure to know while in it. The social events are fun, but there is a more serious side to World Echoes. For example, going to the Lecture on Racial Profiling after September 11th has given me an opportunity to see a different side of this issue. But most importantly, World Echoes is just a group of friends trying to promote understanding between different cultures, not by speaking of it, but rather by practicing it. And judging from today's make up of the organization - we have been very successful.
Anastasiya Smyrnova, Ukraine
World Echoes Vice President

World Echoes has taught me how great it is to be a part of a diverse community. It has opened my eyes to new cultures and lifestyles. It has made me a truly cosmopolitan person. Being a member of World Echoes, I now know how to respect, value and cherish cultures around the world. I have either participated or attended every cultural program World Echoes has organized so far and experienced how each and every member is so well taken care of by all the others, how every individual is of so much importance and how everybody is willing to learn about other persons' points of views. I am SO PROUD to be a part of World Echoes. I will ALWAYS be.
Nuzhat Mahzabeen, Bangladesh

World Echoes has to be one of the most diverse, well organized, creatively managed, vigorously active and excitingly fun organizations out there! I am very happy that such a student organization exists not only for students but also for the surrounding community of the North Texas area. The organization has served to build bridges not only accross cultures and social groups but also at a more personal level between members. It boasts a strong membership of dynamic individuals who personify the vision of the organization. My very best to the awesome members and officers! Keep those events coming; events like group outings/picnics, community service events, parties (birthdays included), impromptu get togethers, informational seminars....and the list goes on!
Khurram, Pakistan