Office of International Programs

Office of International Programs

International Campus Update

April 12, 2002

Headlines

ICELAND EXCHANGE ANNIVERSARY: A delegation from Iceland will visit the University April 18-19 to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the academic exchange between the University of Minnesota and the University of Iceland. The delegation includes Páll Skúlason, Rektor of the University of Iceland, and Vigdis Finnbogadóttir, President of Iceland from 1980 to 1996, who was present at the original signing of the exchange agreement. Members of the delegation will also attend the Icelandic National League convention being held April 19-21 at the McNamara Alumni Center. Several events are planned to celebrate the anniversary, including a lecture by Páll Skúlason, "Why does the University exist?" on Thursday, April 18, at 3 p.m. in the Wilkins Room, Room 215 Humphrey.

CARLA GRANTED TITLE VI FUNDING: The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) received word that the center was selected to receive its fourth round of funding as a Language Resource Center from the U.S. Department of Education. The USDE's Title VI Language Resource Centers Program provides grants for the purpose of establishing, strengthening, and operating a small number of national language resource and training centers, which serve as resources to improve the capacity to teach and learn foreign languages effectively. For more information about the grant, see CARLA.

TRAVEL WARNINGS FOR STUDENTS STUDYING ABROAD: Many offices and departments at the University have had inquiries about U students studying in countries in conflict such as Israel and most recently Venezuela. In the event of a political, social, or natural emergency, the Global Campus will be in close contact with the on-site staff for any study abroad program offered through the Global Campus. The Global Campus policy is not to sponsor travel to countries on the State Department's travel warning list. Israel has been on the list since December 2001. Currently there are no students in Israel on Global Campus-sponsored programs. The travel warning list and further explanation are available on the State Department Web site.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GRADUATION RECEPTION: International student graduation reception to honor graduating international undergraduate, professional, and graduate students, their families, academic advisers, and friends will be held Friday, May 3, 2002, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel Metrodome. A short program will begin at 4 p.m. No reservations are required. Sponsored by International Student and Scholar Services and the Office of International Programs. For more information, visit the ISSS Web site.

SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES: All sessions will start at 3 p.m. and will include a variety of presenters. All sessions (unless otherwise noted) will take place in ISTC at 94 Blegen Hall. Sponsored by the International Service and Travel Center. The schedule is:

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Don’t forget to obtain travel medical insurance before you take your next trip abroad.

STUDY ABROAD NEWSLETTER: The latest edition of the Global Adviser can be found at the Global Campus Web site. The Global Adviser is a newsletter to assist advisers and faculty as they talk to their undergraduate students about study abroad and its value in their curriculum.

CHINA CENTER VISITORS: For additional information, call the China Center at 612-624-1002.

CHINA DAY: On April 19, the China Center will sponsor China Day 2002, together with the Asian Languages & Literatures Department, Institute of Global Studies, and surrounding high schools. It will be an exciting day for high school students to meet other students who are also studying the Chinese language, while having the opportunity to learn about the Chinese program offered at the University. Events will include presentations, a panel discussion with a professor, adviser, and students, a treasure hunt, and more.

INTERNATIONAL GRANTWRITING SERVICES: David Steele, director of grantwriting services with the Office of International Programs, has accepted a position as director of faculty grants and services with the University of St. Thomas, effective April 1, 2002. For questions about grantwriting, contact the Office of International Programs at 612-624-5580 or international@umn.edu. OIP anticipates that a grantwriter position will be advertised in June or July.

TWIN CITIES INTERNATIONAL CITIZEN AWARDS: Mark your calendars for the awards ceremony, which is scheduled for October 24, 2002, at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel in St. Paul. More information about the nomination process and deadline will be published in this newsletter when available. The future of the awards was in jeopardy after the recent closing of the city of Minneapolis international relationships office, which co-sponsored the awards. The Immigration Lawyers Foundation and the International Leadership Institute have formed a coalition to continue the awards.

DEALING WITH JET LAG: Did you know it normally takes a week to recover from a seven-hour jet lag? Although no medicine or therapy can eliminate jet lag, appropriate use of light, melatonin, and mealtime can help speed up the process. "Jet Lag and Melatonin: Timing is Everything," was written by Dr. Jian M. Ding, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Neuroscience. Other travel resources are available on the OIP Web site.

International Education After September 11

OIP continues to monitor news, legislation, and issues related to international education and the events of September 11. Updated information and resources are posted on the OIP September 11 Web site.

STUDENT VISA CHANGES: Foreign citizens who are visiting the United States and want to study at an American college now will have to wait to begin their course work until they obtain a student visa, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service announced on April 8. The new policy takes effect immediately. Previously, international students who were in the U.S. on tourist or business visas, and who had applied to change their visa status to a student visa, could start college courses while immigration officials processed such requests.

Campus and College News

DULUTH: The Cultural and Global Perspectives on Terrorism conference was held April 5. The event featured speakers from across the U.S.

EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: CEHD awarded its Distinguished International Alumni Award to Lin Huann-Shyang of Taiwan on April 11. Dr. Lin attended the University from 1988 to 1992 and earned a Ph.D. in science education. He is currently a professor and dean of the College of Science at National Kaoshiung Normal University in Taiwan and a member of Taiwan’s prestigious National Science Council. He was named Taiwan’s Outstanding Researcher in 2001. Dr. Lin was unable to attend the ceremony, but his two sons, who are studying at the University, accepted the award on his behalf.

HUMPHREY INSTITUTE: Policy Forum’s spring conference "Winds of War, Winds of Change: Politics and Policy in a Post-September 11 World" Maybe September 11 really did "change everything," as we have heard Americans often say over the past seven months. But exactly what has changed — and how will these changes affect the future? What have we learned and what else do we need to think about? A panel of distinguished commentators will discuss these issues from four perspectives. April 25, 8 a.m.-noon, Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey Center. For more information and to register, go to the conference Web site.

MINNESOTA INTERNATIONAL CENTER: To register for the following programs, please call 612-626-4987 or e-mail egarbe@globe.mic.umn.edu. Visit the MIC Web site for more information.

PHARMACY: International Symposium on Microdialysis in Drug Research and Development will be June 18-22. Scientific leaders from around the world will be key speakers. Deadline for early registration is April 15.

SLAVIC LANGUAGES: Leonard Polakiewicz, Horace Morse Distinguished Associate Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from Herzen University in St. Petersburg, Russia. Polakiewicz is honored for "outstanding contributions to education and for establishing and nurturing the academic linkage between the University of Minnesota and Herzen University."

SPAN: Minnesota's oldest study abroad program is looking for four faculty advisers to oversee and lead student participants in SPAN — Student Project for Amity among Nations — to four separate international destinations during summer 2003. Applicants must have lived or conducted research in the country proposed and relate well to undergraduate students. The three-phase, independent student research program involves planning, preparing, and providing pre-departure country-specific education, supervising student researchers during the summer two-month in-country stay, and upon return, advise students on the writing and grade the students' theses. Students earn eight academic credits. SPAN is open to and welcomes faculty and students from all Minnesota colleges and universities. To apply, contact SPAN at 612-626-1083 or span@tc.umn.edu for an application. Applications will be reviewed beginning April 25, 2002.

Funding Opportunities and Announcements

JUDD FELLOWS ANNOUNCED: Twenty-three master’s and professional students have been awarded fellowships through the Walter H. Judd International Graduate & Professional Fellowships. A list of the 2002 Judd Fellows and their destinations is available online. The Judd Fellowships are designed to increase opportunities for master’s and professional students to study, undertake internships, and conduct research projects abroad. A primary goal is to increase exposure to and understanding of other cultures. Funding is provided by a generous gift from the Walter H. Judd Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation and additional funds from OIP and the Graduate School. Walter H. Judd was a Congressman from Minnesota, as well as a physician who did missionary work in China. More information on Walter H. Judd is available online.

TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP: Junior David Simon is one of 80 college students nationwide to win the 2002 Harry S. Truman Scholarship. He will receive up to $3,000 to complete his undergraduate education and up to $27,000 for graduate study. Simon, who is majoring in political science, Russian, and global studies, plans to pursue a master’s degree in international affairs and then a law degree. His eventual goal is to become U.S. national security adviser.

University of Minnesota
International Campus Update
Vol. 3, No. 3

Office of International Programs
Assoc. Vice President: C. Eugene Allen
Editor: Jennifer Schulz

Interested persons may request to receive this newsletter as an e-mail update by contacting the editor at schul160@umn.edu or calling 612-624-0557.

The next issue will be sent in May. International Campus Update welcomes submissions. Please send items to be included to schul160@umn.edu or call 612-624-0557.