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Office of International Programs

Office of International Programs

International Campus Update

February 3, 2009

International Campus Update is a monthly e-mail and online newsletter about international issues, events, and announcements at the University of Minnesota, compiled by the Office of International Programs.

In This Issue:

Headlines

GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT: The Office of International Programs announces Global Spotlight, its biennial focus on a region of the world and a pressing global issue. In 2009-2010, the focus will be on the continent of Africa and the issue of Water in the World. The goals of the program are to:

Over the course of two years, OIP will sponsor symposia, conferences, lectures, films, and cultural events to educate and inform the campus and local communities about the University’s work in the areas of Africa and Water in the World. While sponsored by OIP, the initiative is designed to engage the entire University community, including all five campuses. All University units are encouraged to incorporate Global Spotlight themes into their events. OIP is interested in promoting and possibly co-sponsoring these events.

In the second year of the initiative, OIP plans to offer a grant program and identify other internal and external sources of funding to support targeted research and scholarly initiatives related to the Global Spotlight themes. Guidelines and more information about the grants will be announced in fall 2009. (Note that OIP will not offer strategic initiatives grants in 2009.)

Visit the Global Spotlight website for more information.

NORWEGIAN VISITORS: A delegation from the University of Oslo, led by Rector Geir Ellingsrud, will visit the Twin Cities campus the week of February 16. The delegation will meet with a variety of people on campus and discuss opportunities for future cooperation, such as research and graduate student exchange, and learn more about the University's work in the areas of renewable energy and the life sciences. The delegation is also interested in the University's strategic positioning process.

Program News

AFRICA BY BIKE: Paul Porter, professor in agronomy and plant genetics, is teaching a class at the University while traveling by bicycle through ten African countries—starting in Cairo, Egypt, and ending in Cape Town, South Africa, from Jan. 10 through May 9. As he travels he is studying the food, agriculture, and agro-ecosystems of each African country. He relates these observations back to a class through a satellite radio, e-mails, and postings on a website. The course, “Food and Agriculture from Cairo to Cape Town at 10 mph,” will be managed on campus by a teaching assistant.

Education Abroad

PEACE CORPS: The Twin Cities campus held its 9th place ranking among large universities in the number of students who became Peace Corps volunteers in 2008, with 65 volunteers. The top institution was again the University of Washington with 104 volunteers. The Peace Corps regularly holds information sessions on campus and around the state. The University's Peace Corps representative is Ryan Kattner, 612-221-5541 or rkattner@peacecorps.gov (COMPLETE RANKINGS)

SPAN: Through Student Project for Amity among Nations, one of Minnesota's oldest study abroad programs, students travel abroad to conduct research on a self-chosen topic and build bridges of understanding across cultures and continents. SPAN is located at the University of Minnesota, but is open to undergraduate and graduate students from all of the state's colleges and universities. In summer 2009, students can visit Greece or the European Union. (MORE)

STUDENT STUDY ABROAD BLOG: University of Minnesota students studying in Ireland, Kenya, Senegal, Spain, France, and the UK are chronicling their adventures on the Global Crossroads blog.

Funding Opportunities and Announcements

FULBRIGHT: Competition for 2010-11 Fulbright Scholar grants for faculty and professionals will open March 1. Application deadline is Aug. 1, 2009. (MORE)

Note: Fulbright grants for graduate students are coordinated through the Graduate School’s fellowship office and for undergraduate students through the University Honors Program.

NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS: Many national scholarships for experiences abroad have upcoming deadlines, including Rhodes, Marshall, and Mitchell. (MORE)

Events

CULTURE CORPS is a program sponsored by International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) that brings international perspectives into classrooms and onto campus through a series of faculty or international student initiated projects.

PRINTS EXHIBIT: "Drawn to the Land: The Battle for Alsace-Lorraine," through March 6 at Wilson Library, T.R. Anderson Gallery, 4th Floor. Alsace-Lorraine's economic, political, cultural, and national identity fragmented as France and Germany battled intermittently for control of the region. This exhibit examines the print culture associated with these historical changes and shows how journal illustrations sought to negotiate and reinforce national claims to the land during both periods of cessation and reconciliation.

GOLDSTEIN GALLERY: "Expressions of Stability and Change: Ethnic Dress and Folk Costume," Feb. 7-June 14. Drawn from the Goldstein's collection of international apparel, this exhibition will showcase special occasion apparel that expresses aspects of both stability and change. (MORE)

ASIAS SEMINAR SERIES: The Consortium for the Study of the Asias sponsors a South Asia Seminar Series, Korea Seminar Series, and East Asia Seminar Series, which feature scholars from varied disciplines in an informal setting, open to the University community and the general public. (MORE)

VIETNAMESE ART: The Weisman Art Museum is hosting the exhibit, "Changing Identity: Recent Works by Women Artists from Vietnam," the first major touring exhibition to feature Vietnamese women artists in the U.S. The exhibition explores the roles of women in Vietnamese society and challenges the stereotypes they face. Exhibit runs through May 24. (MORE)

University of Minnesota
International Campus Update
Vol. 10, No. 1

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