Office of International Programs

Office of International Programs

International Campus Update

May 14, 2002

NOTE: This newsletter will not be published in the summer. The next issue is scheduled for September.

Headlines

CARLA RECEIVES NEW GRANT: The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) received a grant through the International Research and Studies Program of the U.S. Department of Education. The funding for the project, "Maximizing Study Abroad through Language and Culture Strategies," will total $428,865 over the three-year grant period. Co-Principal Investigators are Andrew Cohen (College of Liberal Arts) and Michael Paige (College of Education and Human Development). Related to this project, CARLA will publish three manuals to provide students, study abroad program coordinators, and language teachers with language- and culture-learning strategies. For more, go to http://www.international.umn.edu/news/2002/guides.html.

ICELAND EXCHANGE ANNIVERSARY: A delegation from Iceland visited 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. Events included a lecture by University of Iceland Rector Páll Skúlason and a signing ceremony. Current Iceland-related activities include a recent Management of Technology field experience and an upcoming Icelandic language course, both taught partially in Iceland. For more, go to http://www.international.umn.edu/news/2002/iceland.html.

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE: At its April meeting, the Council of Undergraduate Deans requested that President Yudof initiate a policy requiring students studying abroad to sign a release and waiver and obtain international health insurance. Currently, it is strongly recommended that all students (grad or undergrad) on credit-bearing or required international study programs or courses sign a release and waiver and obtain international health insurance. For a sample waiver and information about insurance, contact the Global Campus • Study Abroad office at 612-626-9000. For non-credit or personal travel, international health insurance is available for purchase in the International Service and Travel Center. Policy information and applications are available in ISTC (94 Blegen) or by calling 612-626-4782.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION: Seven orientation sessions for new international students have been scheduled in August. Before students may attend orientation, they must go to ISSS for a document check, which is available starting on June 10. The document check and orientation are mandated by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. For more information about the document check or for orientation dates, go to http://www.isss.umn.edu/new/isop/newly/doccheck.html.

GOVERNOR’S TRADE MISSION: China Center Director Dr. Hong Yang will join Governor Jesse Ventura’s trade mission to China, June 7 – 15, 2002. The mission will travel to two cities, Beijing and Shanghai. Dr. Yang will work to promote the University and the State of Minnesota’s academic and educational exchange with China to both the Minnesota delegation and Chinese officials. He hopes to emphasize that a strong partnership between education and business will provide the tools necessary to build stronger ties between China and Minnesota that are reflective of our mutual values and goals.

MSID ANNIVERSARY: Minnesota Studies in International Development (MSID) alumni, past program mentors, and faculty are invited to a 20th anniversary celebration and reception on July 11 from 3 to 6 p.m. in the A.I. Johnson Room at the McNamara Alumni Center. Also in attendance will be the in-country program directors from all sites. MSID is a study abroad program that explores international development and intercultural issues. Field experience is an integral part of all courses. MSID has sites in India, Kenya, Senegal, and Ecuador, with a Ghana program beginning in 2003.

STUDY ABROAD FEATURED: The spring 2002 issue of "Campaign Minnesota," a publication of the University of Minnesota Foundation, featured a cover story about study abroad. The article, "U Education Goes Global," highlighted Gina Schilmoeller, who is studying in Kenya this semester; John Hoekman, who spent last year in Hong Kong; and Lyndsie Hakala, who researched women’s outerwear in Great Britain. For a copy of the article, call OIP at 612-624-5580.

STUDY ABROAD CURRICULUM INTEGRATION: Activities for year one of the Bush Foundation grant project to internationalize the University have been extremely successful. During the summer, leadership from all four campuses will gather to prepare for year two and address issues raised by faculty and advisers. Momentum gained during year one will continue next fall as working groups reconvene to integrate study abroad into all undergraduate majors and minors. Details about all events are available at http://www.UMabroad.umn.edu/bush/events/.

INTERNATIONALIZING THE CURRICULUM: The Global Campus is collaborating with the Center for Teaching and Learning Services on the "Internationalizing the Curriculum" component of the Bush Foundation grant. Faculty have been identified to participate in the first series of year-long workshops to learn methods of infusing international content and perspectives into an on-campus course. The list of faculty for 2002-03 can be found at http://www.UMabroad.umn.edu/bush/faculty/umtc_2002.html.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GRADUATION RECEPTION: International Student Graduation Reception to honor graduating international undergraduate, professional, and graduate students was held Friday, May 3, at the Radisson Hotel Metrodome. More than 250 students, family members, advisors, and friends were in attendance — some families from as far away as Oman, Kenya, and Bulgaria.

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.

BORDER SECURITY BILL PASSES: On April 18, the Senate unanimously passed the "Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act," which deals in part with the proposed international student tracking system. The House is expected to quickly approve the bill and pass it on for the president’s signature. Once the president signs the bill, schools will need to implement the student tracking measures within 120 days. Staff in ISSS have been working closely with central administration to develop a system to report the required data about international students.

PRESIDENT MAY RESTRICT INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: President Bush is considering barring some international students from studying in certain academic fields, including areas that have a "direct application to the development and use of weapons of mass destruction," according to administration documents. To read more, go to http://chronicle.com/free/2002/04/2002041501n.htm. In addition, the Agriculture Department has decided not to seek visas for foreign students and scientists to work in the agency's laboratories because of "national security concerns."

HOUSE VOTES TO ABOLISH INS: The House voted April 25 to dismantle the INS and create two new agencies — one to keep unqualified people from entering the U.S. and another to deal with citizenship for legal immigrants. The Senate is considering a similar measure.

Campus and College News

DULUTH: Ron Caple, professor of chemistry, received the Chancellor’s Distinguished Research Award on May 1. Dr. Caple is active in spearheading the University’s exchange with the University of Pinar del Rio in Cuba.

MINNESOTA INTERNATIONAL CENTER: 2002 Symposium on the United Kingdom —
This year's program focuses on trade and business relations with the U.K. Thursday, June 6, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Radisson Plaza Hotel. To register, call 612-626-4987 or e-mail egarbe@globe.mic.umn.edu.
For more information, visit http://www.micglobe.org.

ROCHESTER: Thai ambassador, His Excellency Sakthip Krairiksh, presented "Speaking on Thailand: Its Resources and Role in Our Global World" as part of the Visiting Scholar Series on April 18.

Funding Opportunities and Announcements

NSEP/BOREN SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS: Matthew Connell (political science) was named a recipient of an NSEP David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarship. He will study in China for a year through the Chinese Universities Exchange Program. Named as alternates were Jennifer Dahlin (International Relations, French Language and Literature) and Kathryn Smith (International Relations). The highly competitive national scholarship provides up to $10,000 per semester for research/study abroad.

STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED: Nearly 150 University of Minnesota students were recently awarded study abroad scholarships for programs taking place during May Session and Summer 2002. Congratulations to all of the recipients! A listing of recipients is available online:
May Session or Summer Session

DUNN PEACE: The 2002 Dunn Peace Research Scholarship was awarded to:

GC DEAN’S SCHOLARSHIP: Phuoc (Felix) Nguyen received a General College Dean’s Scholarship to participate in a Global Seminar in Vietnam, May 22 to June 15. The course, "Literature in Vietnam: Folklore & Magic, Prisons & Temples," is led by Jill Gidmark, Morse-Alumni Distinguised Professor of Literature and Writing. Nguyen, who was born in Vietnam, says "the opportunity to visit my homeland would give my life a certain meaning that I cannot find anywhere else; it would be the missing piece of my identity." For more about Nguyen and the Global Seminar, see the Spring 2002 issue of "Access."

FACULTY INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL GRANT: Faculty International Travel Grant deadline is August 1, 2002, for projects commencing September, October, November, and December. To receive an application, call OIP at 612-624-5580, stop by 645 Heller, or download the forms or apply online at http://www.international.umn.edu/travelgrant.

GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP DEADLINES: Plan ahead for the following fall deadlines. For more information, contact the Graduate School Fellowship Office, 321 Johnston Hall, 612-625-7579, or on the Web at http://www.grad.umn.edu/fellowships.

University of Minnesota
International Campus Update
Vol. 3, No. 4

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 September. International Campus Update welcomes submissions. Please send items to be included to schul160@umn.edu or call 612-624-0557.