International Campus Update
April 22, 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
LEARNING ABROAD CENTER DIRECTOR CANDIDATES will visit the University for on-campus interviews and a presentation at a public session. All public sessions will be 3-4:30 p.m at 101 University International Center (map) on the dates listed below, and will also be available as a streaming video. (MORE)
- April 23: Lynn Anderson, dean of international education and director of the International Center, University of California, San Diego
- April 28: Inge Steglitz, assistant director, Office of Study Abroad, Michigan State University
- April 30: Martha Johnson, interim director, Learning Abroad Center, University of Minnesota
INT'L POLICY UPDATES: OIP has clarified procedures related to the following international health and safety policies. If you have questions, contact Stacey Tsantir, OIP's international health, safety, and compliance coordinator, at ststantir@umn.edu or 612-625-5107.
- International health insurance:
- Updated University-wide policy for education abroad, which has been clarified and now includes an appendix on health insurance requirements
- New OIP website for international health insurance
- Travel to countries on the State Department warning list:
- Clarified application process with links for both individual student process and departmental/faculty-led process
- Clarified application process with links for both individual student process and departmental/faculty-led process
SIMON AWARD CEREMONY: Robert Jones, senior vice president for system academic administration, will accept the Simon Award for Campus Internationalization on behalf of the University at the NAFSA: Association of International Educators annual conference on May 29. OIP is reserving tables at the plenary lunch where the award ceremony will take place. OIP will also host a reception on the night of May 27 to celebrate the award with alumni, friends, and international partners. If you will be attending the NAFSA conference and would like to be included in either of the events, please email Jennifer Schulz for more information.
TURKEY PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Representatives from each of the five University of Minnesota campuses and Meredith McQuaid, associate vice president and dean for international programs, traveled to Istanbul, Turkey, to meet with representatives from 22 Turkish colleges and universities on April 17.The meeting was co-hosted by MUCIA and the Turkish Council for Higher Education, with the goal of establishing ties for partnerships to create joint degree programs, host Turkish faculty and scholars, and advance English language proficiency among Turkish faculty and students. The meeting was the first step in learning more about one another.
CUBA TRAVEL: Although President Obama has eased some restrictions on travel to Cuba by Cuban-Americans, the trade embargo remains and the limits for academic study and research in the country have not changed. The University of Minnesota has a license from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to sponsor academic travel to and from Cuba. The Office of International Programs coordinates use of the license, authorizes travel, and keeps the records required by the U.S. government. (MORE)
POST-DOC SURVEY: The University of Minnesota was ranked by "The Scientist" as one of the top ten places for postdoctoral scientists to work. The two areas noted as strengths for the University were "Networking Opportunities" and "Family and Personal Life." An international post-doc from the University was interviewed for the article and complimented the University's visa services. (MORE)
LIBERIAN PRESIDENT Ellen Johnson Sirleaf received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree on April 10, in front of a full house at Northrop Auditorium, as part of the Humphrey Institute's Distinguished Carlson Lecture. Internationally known as Africa's “Iron Lady,” Johnson Sirleaf was the first woman democratically elected to lead an African nation. She previously held several positions at the United Nations, including the first woman to lead the Development Project for Africa. (MN DAILY ARTICLE)
Program News
CHINA DAY: The Confucius Institute and China Center co-hosted China Day, an annual outreach program, on April 17. Nearly 500 high school students who are studying Chinese came to campus to participate in a half-day program related to Chinese culture and language. This year's event highlighted Chinese film and the popular film director Feng Xiaogang.
ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS student group was awarded a $50,000 grant from the University's Institute on the Environment to support its projects in Haiti and Uganda. (MORE)
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GRADUATION: International Student and Scholar Services will host its annual End-of-The-Year and Graduation Party on May 7, 4 to 6 p.m., at the Weisman Art Museum. Students, scholars, families, and friends are all invited. No reservation required.
WORLD LANGUAGES DAY, an annual event sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts, will be May 19. The event is an opportunity for Minnesota high school students to explore some of the languages and cultures of the world and to experience life at the University. (MORE)
Professional Notes
BARBARA KAPPLER MIKK (ISSS), BASMA IBRAHIM DeVRIES (UofM alumnus), and ALEXANDER CLEBERG (CIDE M.A. student) were invited to present at the Society of International Education Training and Research USA (SIETAR-USA) Ninth Annual National Conference April 1-4. SIETAR-USA is an educational membership organization for professionals who are concerned with the challenges and rewards of intercultural relations.
Study, Service Learning, Intern, Volunteer, Work, and Travel Abroad
STUDY ABROAD GUIDE: The University's Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) has published the latest guide in its Maximizing Study Abroad series. The new Instructional Guide is designed to help study abroad program professionals and language instructors facilitate activities from the Students' Guide. (MORE)
The authors—Barbara Kappler Mikk, Andrew Cohen, and Michael Paige—will present a workshop on using the guide May 1-2 at Nolte Center. This workshop is designed for study abroad program coordinators/advisers, language instructors, and others who facilitate study abroad, language learning, or intercultural experiences. University of Minnesota students and staff receive a discount on registration. (MORE)
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE SERIES: The Learning Abroad Center is offering its annual series of free workshops on exciting opportunities abroad. The following events will be at 4 p.m. at 101 University International Center. Pizza will be served. (MORE)
- April 22: Ride the Rails of Europe: Rail Europe Info Session
- April 29: Teach English Abroad
See also LEARNING ABROAD DIRECTOR SEARCH in HEADLINES above.
Funding Opportunities and Announcements
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL GRANTS: The Office of International Programs is offering a special benefit for its international travels grants for faculty. The grants are generally limited to one award per person in a 12-month period; however, if proposals address one of the two areas in the Global Spotlight initiative (the continent of Africa or the issue of Water in the World), applicants will be allowed to apply twice in a 12-month period. (GRANT GUIDELINES)
Events
INCOGNEGRO: A Memoir of Exile and Apartheid,
April 27, 2:30-4 p.m., 330 Blegen Hall.
Frank Wilderson III will discuss his award-winning
book, "INCOGNEGRO: A Memoir of Exile and Apartheid," winner of the 2008 American Book
Award. Wilderson has received
numerous writing awards and teaches
African American Studies and Drama at the
University of California, Irvine.
Light refreshments will be provided. Sponsored by the Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change and
the Department of African American & African Studies.
Co-sponsored by the Office of International Programs and the Department of English.
Frank Wilderson will also give a public reading, answering questions, and signing
books at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis on April 28 at 8 p.m.
2TUESDAY GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT SERIES: "Democracy Lite: Furrow Societies, Water User Associations, and the Transformation of Community Water Conservation in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania" by Frances Vavrus, assistant professor, Educational Policy and Administration, College of Education and Human Development. May 12, 12:15-1:30 p.m. (lunch served at noon), 101 University International Center (map). This presentation explores changing patterns of community participation in water conservation on Mount Kilimanjaro from the pre-colonial period to 2002, when a new National Water Policy was enacted. Lunch will be provided. The 2Tuesday Series is a monthly event to highlight University of Minnesota activities related to the Global Spotlight focus on Africa and/or Water in the World.
FOREIGN SERVICE: "Traditions and Travails of the Foreign Service: Yesterday and Today" with William Davnie and Thomas Hanson. April 22, 12:45 to 2 p.m., Freeman Commons, Humphrey Center. Davnie and Hanson, both former foreign service officers, will discuss the traditions of the Foreign Service from its founding to the current administration, as well as the historic travails of funding and staffing a professional diplomatic service in the United States. The discussion also will focus on proposed changes to the Foreign Service under the Obama administration, which could lead to historic expansion of the service. Pizza will be served. Sponsored by the Humphrey Institute Office of Career Services and Global Policy Area.
Events noted with the spotlight logo support the Global Spotlight initiative—a 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. For more events or to include your event on the calendar, go to the Global Spotlight website.
University of Minnesota
International Campus Update
Vol. 10, No. 3
Office of International Programs
Associate Vice President and Dean: Meredith McQuaid
Editor: Jennifer Schulz