Office of International Programs

Office of International Programs

International Campus Update

March 27, 2007

In This Issue:

Headlines

NEW OIP WEBSITE: The Office of International Programs has launched a new website, which features an updated design and organizational structure to make it easier to find information quickly. The site also features a new online application system for OIP’s international travel grants. Some links have changed, so please check any links you may have to the site and send your comments to: international@umn.edu

INT’L STUDENT GRADUATION CELEBRATION: International Student and Scholar Services will host its annual end-of-the-year and graduation celebration for international students and their colleagues, family, and friends on May 4 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Bistro West in the Humphrey Center. The event will include dancing, live music, refreshments, souvenir photos with Goldy, and a short program. All are welcome; no RSVP necessary. MORE: 612-626-7100

AMBASSADOR VISIT: Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S. Knut Vollebaek and U.S. Ambassador to Norway Benson Whitney (a U of M alumnus) visited the University on March 6 to discuss student exchange and learn more about the University’s relationships with Norway. The ambassadors met with representatives from the Office of International Programs and colleges that have Norway-related activities, and students from Norway and U.S. students who studied in Norway. PROFILE OF ACTIVITIES WITH NORWAY: http://www.international.umn.edu/about/facts/countryprofiles/

Program News

CENTER FOR AUSTRIAN STUDIES will celebrate its 30th anniversary in April. The center was created with a $1 million gift from the Austrian government to serve as a focal point in the U.S. for the study of Austria, spanning the humanities, social sciences, applied sciences, and fine arts. A celebration will be held April 27, featuring Austria’s Ambassador to the U.S. Eva Nowotny and a performance by Voices of Vienna. MORE: http://www.cas.umn.edu/

CHINA CENTER: The China Center’s annual outreach program China Day will be April 19. More than 500 high school students who are studying Chinese will come to campus to participate in a half-day program related to Chinese culture and language. The China Center is still looking for volunteers, especially U of M students who are taking Chinese, to help as group leaders. CONTACT: 612-624-1002 or chinactr@umn.edu

CULTURE CORPS: The fall application deadline for Culture Corps projects is April 16. The deadline has been made earlier to give students more time to develop their projects and apply for additional funding. Culture Corps brings together faculty, staff, and international students to develop projects that enlist the unique cultural experience, knowledge, and skills of international students. MORE: http://www.isss.umn.edu/programs/culturecorps/default.html

WORLD LANGUAGES DAY: The College of Liberal Arts will host its fourth annual World Languages Day on May 15. The event is an opportunity for Minnesota high school juniors to explore some of the languages and cultures of the world and to experience life at the University. MORE: http://worldlang.cla.umn.edu/

Professional Notes

R. MICHAEL PAIGE, Educational Policy and Administration in CEHD, has received the Peter A. Wollitzer Advocacy Award from the Forum on Education Abroad. The award was developed to honor a Forum member who has been remarkably effective in influencing educational institutions to understand and support education abroad through the dissemination of the Forum’s goals.

GAYLE WOODRUFF, Learning Abroad Center, is one of four University of Minnesota advisers to receive the 2007 John Tate Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising.

Study, Service Learning, Intern, Volunteer, Work, and Travel Abroad

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE SERIES: Students are invited to learn more about exciting opportunities abroad and enjoy free pizza. All events will be held in 289 Humphrey Center. Sponsored by the Learning Abroad Center.

STUDY ABROAD RETREAT: A systemwide Study Abroad Curriculum Integration Sustainability Retreat will be held at UMD on March 30. A one-hour pre-workshop has been developed for faculty, advisers, and student services staff who are new to the University or new to study abroad curriculum integration (CI). Participants will learn about how through CI, study abroad can fit into academic programs. This retreat will provide updates and discussion on the following topics: internationalizing the University, growth in short-term study abroad programs, CI success stories, and financial aid and scholarships. Registration is full. MORE: http://www.umabroad.umn.edu/ci/index.html

CURRICULUM INTEGRATION STAFFING: Gayle Woodruff is now director of curriculum integration and Martha Johnson has added oversight of curriculum integration to her responsibilities as associate director of the Learning Abroad Center. QUESTIONS ABOUT CI: gwoodruf@umn.edu

Funding Opportunities and Announcements

FULBRIGHT INFO SESSION for current undergraduates interested in Fulbright awards for 2008-09: April 4, 3:30-4:30 p.m. in 35 Nicholson Hall. MORE: http://www.honors.umn.edu/scholarships/information/index.html

NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS: Many national scholarships for study abroad have upcoming deadlines, including Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, Freeman, and Gilman. MORE: http://www.honors.umn.edu/scholarships/information/index.html

Events

AUSTRIAN STUDIES: "The Art of Vienna 1900 and Its Timeless Appeal," a roundtable discussion with Christoph Thun-Hohenstein (Austrian Cultural Forum, New York), Lyndel King (Weisman Art Museum), and David Ryan (Minneapolis Institute of Arts). April 12, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Weisman Art Museum.

GLOBAL DISCUSSION ON CAMPUS is a series of activities sponsored by Culture Corps, an initiative of International Student and Scholar Services. “Sustaining Democracy in Nigeria” by Ann Ishaka, April 23, noon, 110 Heller Hall. Ishaka will discuss how the new president and government will sustain and develop democracy in the country. MORE: zhang429@umn.edu

GREAT CONVERSATIONS: Discussions between prominent University of Minnesota faculty and their distinguished guests from around the world. Sponsored by the College of Continuing Education. All talks are at 7:30 p.m. in the Ted Mann Concert Hall. $23.50 for U of M faculty, students, staff, or UMAA members. TICKETS: 612-624-2345

HUMPHREY INSTITUTE:

INTERNATIONAL PIZZA & TALK: Monthly session sponsored by the Committee on International Education in the College of Education and Human Development, noon-1:30 p.m., 250 Wulling Hall. Complimentary pizza and beverages served at noon. No reservations necessary. MORE: 612-624-1006

MINNESOTA INTERNATIONAL CENTER:

SOUTH ASIA SEMINAR: Sponsored by the Institute for Global Studies, the Consortium for the Study of the Asias, and the Asian Languages and Literatures Department. Each event held at 3:30 p.m. in 710 Social Science, unless noted.

TRAINING FOR GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING: "Traditional Hmong Wedding," April 25, 9-11 a.m., 152 Klaeber Court. Part of a series of workshops designed to help faculty and staff better understand the University’s international and multicultural communities and learn specific strategies for developing supportive environments in meetings, classrooms, and service settings. Sponsored by International Student & Scholar Services and Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence. MORE: http://www.isss.umn.edu/programs/itc/GlobalUnd.html

University of Minnesota
International Campus Update
Vol. 8, No. 3

Office of International Programs
Interim Associate Vice President and Dean: Meredith McQuaid
Editor: Jennifer Schulz