Renvoyer l’ascenseur (Send back the elevator)

The French have a saying: Renvoyer l’ascenseur. Literally, it refers to sending the elevator back to the person who gave you his/her place on a full elevator. Before you step off the elevator, you would push the button to return the elevator to that person’s floor. Figuratively, renvoyer l'ascenseur means returning favors and/or services in a sense of neighborly reciprocity.

The various offices within International Programs have served and continue to serve American and foreign students at LSU. If you are or have been one of these students, you might be looking for ways to renvoyer l’ascenceur.

Thousands of international students hold degrees from LSU, and we believe that they have been able to use the knowledge and skills obtained here to contribute more productively in their home countries. They have also returned with a more favorable impression of the United States and a greater understanding of cross-cultural communications derived from experiencing the diversity of our student population. Others have decided to pursue their careers in this country.

Likewise, American students from LSU have studied in universities around the world, returning to Louisiana with international sensibilities, perspectives and ambitions. They have learned more about other countries and the United States, examined and determined their own values and discovered their personal strengths. Many of these students actively seek careers that will allow them to live in other countries or at least work in an international setting.

All of these students are poised to be more competitive in a global market, having a better understanding of their own country, of themselves and of their roles in the complex world of today where competition and cooperation must coexist to the mutual benefit of all.

As we work to mainstream “international” at LSU, we provide an opportunity to those who have benefited from international experiences and programs at LSU to show their support by helping us offer a wider inventory of international experiences to more students and enhance greater cross-cultural initiatives on our campus.

Even if you have not been a part of the international programming at LSU but are committed to the concept of international education, we welcome all suggestions and contributions of any nature and amount.


What role can you play? Here are a few ideas:

• Encourage students to study abroad through pro-active advising.
• Suggest financial sources to increase scholarships for international education.
• Encourage international components in the curriculum for all students.
• Assist new international students when they arrive in Baton Rouge.
• Seek meaningful relations with international students on our campus.
• Host international students in your home.
• Establish internships in American companies for international students at LSU or in foreign companies for American LSU students who could intern abroad.
• Recruit international students from your country to attend LSU.
• Report faculty international activity and expertise to Development and Outreach to be incorporated into a database. The database will be used for determining and reporting the current level of international activity at LSU, networking, strengthening and broadening existing ties, developing multidisciplinary international development programs, creating visibility for and recognition of “international initiatives,” contributing to the protocol of welcoming international faculty and dignitaries to our university, and sharing cultural etiquette and nuances with other faculty to help each other prepare for more successful visits to other countries for research and other initiatives.
• Recommend possible funding opportunities that support international endeavors on our campus.
• Suggest presentations and/or speakers on international topics that would have broad appeal.
• Make financial contributions if you are able.