My experience with Phi Beta Delta-International Honor Society for International scholars (PBD) started in 2017 when our Provost Emeritus, Dr. Jenny Zorn, founded Theta Theta Chapter at California State University-Bakersfield. PBD is a great community for people who share an interest in international education in all its manifestations. I am very grateful to all the resources and opportunities provided by this community, which further advances my career and interests in international education. In 2019, I was very fortunate to attend the PBD annual conference in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. This was such an eye-opening event in which people from all over the world enjoyed great presentations and exchanged research and teaching ideas in international topics. I cannot thank PBD enough for its support to my career development and urge more and more interested scholars to join this great community.
The 2019 PBD Conference was a first for me, and I'm so glad I was able to attend on the historic, scenic, and serene campus of Shepherd University in West Virginia. I met faculty, staff and students of all backgrounds with a common commitment to international education. As a result, I gleaned many new ideas from presentations, table talk, and coffee shops, seeing old friends and making new contacts from across the US and the world. Go if you can next time!
I am Shital Joshi an international student from India and I am forever grateful to PBD for the many things they have offered to students like me. Phi Beta Delta has great opportunities and programs which are not only limited for the international students but also welcomes local students and community members who have international experiences. This honor society has a unique component in the annual conferences where people of different ages from all around the world get together to share their research work and knowledge. The scholarships to international students in need is like a boon from the society. PBD provides a platform to connect members of one state/school to members of another state/school and to share the expertise resources, and values. I really encourage international students to be part of it and make connections. Believe me, the way this society takes care of you will surely make you feel like it is your home away from home!
I absolutely loved my 2019 experience at the PBD Conference in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. As a professional staff member, it was a privilege to have the opportunity to present alongside my international colleagues. It was such a special and significant part of my academic year – where I felt true connection, comradery, and pride for all aspects of international education. I so look forward to re-connecting with the many friends I made at the next in-person conference!
My journey with the Phi Beta Delta international Honor Society began when I as an undergraduate student at Cal State University San Bernardino in 2016. I was invited by my Professor to attend a luncheon, with special guest speaker Dr. Bibiana Díaz. We truly received a warm welcoming from all of the PBD members. Subsequently, I was inducted in 2017 and since then have gained so much insight and knowledge from all of the events so intentionally organized. I am so grateful for the possibility to interact in a community with common interests in diverse, inclusive and international topics. PBD serves as a platform that allows a growth mind-set and advocates for international education and experiences. For example, as a recipient of the PBD Scholarship I had the privilege to travel to Colombia with the CSUSB Acto Latino theater group to present our plays at the international theater festival. I kindly encourage students to take advantage of this prestigious possibilities and become a member of the Phi Beta Delta International Honor Society.