Postcards Bring the World to Governors State

If you plan to travel this winter break, don't forget to send a postcard to the Office of International Services (OIS) at Governors State University (GSU).

OIS walls dotted with more than 150 postcards feature mementos from across the globe, from North Carolina to China, and Milica Maras wants to see even more.

Maras, an OIS  Graduate Assistant, said the cards were initially only sent by Governors State’s international students after they graduated and returned to their native countries.

“This was a way for the students to share a piece of their home with us,''  Maras says.

Today, the world is on display in the OIS office after faculty and staff began sending in postcards to share their travels and study abroad students followed suit from their excursions. Now colorful cards from all around the world cross the borders of the OIS space and venture onto the surrounding walls of the office creating a mosaic of experiences and journeys.

Syed Hussain, a student worker in OIS from India, says working near the wall is like having the world right in front of him but he always enjoys looking at the postcards sent from his native country. 

To Maras, who has sent postcards back to Governors State herself from her home in Serbia, as well as Montenegro, Croatia, Netherlands, Egypt, and across the United States, the postcards showcase the university's connections across the globe.

“I like to think of GSU as big enough to matter and small enough to care, and this is one way that shows how big and kind we are,” she said.

Don't forget to send your postcard:

Governors State University

Office of International Services

1 University Parkway

University Park, IL 60484