Titled "On the Frontline: Working in Foreign Languages," the alumni program will be held April 3 at 4 p.m. in the Whiteman-McMillan Highlander Room of the Stockdale Center. Besides the alumni who will be back on campus, a recent graduate who studies French will speak to the students via Skype.

Two MFL Week events will be held on April 2, including a film and an International Luncheon program presented by Haryanto, assistant professor of political economy and commerce. Entitled "World-Class Healthcare in the Land of Smile," the program, which focuses on Haryanto’s travels in Thailand last summer with his wife, will be presented at noon in the Highlander Room.

"You can enjoy all of Thailand’s cultural attractions while taking care of your own health in one of the world’s most modern medical facilities, and pay just a fraction of what you would normally pay here," said Haryanto, who promised to delve deeper into the topic of "medical tourism" during his talk.

A buffet lunch, featuring international foods, is available. A meal ticket may be purchased for $7 in the food service office in Stockdale Center. Lunch reservations must be made in advance by calling 309-457-2149, but anyone may attend the presentation without obligation to purchase the meal.

That evening at 7, the film "L’Auberge espagnole (The Spanish Apartment)" will be shown in the Barnes Electronic Classroom in Hewes Library. It is free and open to the public.

The film has the makings of a "Real World" episode, as it tells the story of Xavier, a young Frenchman who goes to Barcelona to study and rents a room with students from England, Germany and Spain and meets other intriguing figures as well.

Monmouth’s MFL Week concludes on April 4, which is also the deadline for the college’s first travel essay contest. Sponsored by Security Savings Bank, the contest is open to Monmouth College students, who will compete for cash prizes. Participants must write a personal essay based on their experience of traveling, living and studying in another country.