An e-newsletter on learning abroad for UMTC faculty, advisers, and staff

March 2009

CONTENTS

News for Faculty & Staff
Program of the Month
Major of the Month
For Your Students

NEWS FOR FACULTY & STAFF

2009–2010 SITE VISITS

The 2009–2010 Study Abroad Curriculum Integration Site Visits will be: Beyond London (visits to study abroad sites within the UK) and Learning Abroad in New Zealand. The site visits will allow University of Minnesota faculty and staff to gain a greater understanding of opportunities available for their undergraduates who wish to study abroad. Application materials and complete details are online.

Both visits will, in part, incorporate the Office of International Programs’ new Global Spotlight—a focus on pressing global issues, specifically “Water.” Each site visit will highlight creative ways that students might approach this theme in their study abroad.

For more information about the 2009–2010 site visits and the application process, please contact Mandi Miller or Gayle Woodruff.

FACULTY-LED STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS WORKSHOP

The Learning Abroad Center is hosting an information session on faculty-led study abroad programs for first-time faculty or staff members who are planning to lead or administer a short-term international program in the future. The session is April 9 from 2:00–3:00 pm. Topics to be addressed: Types of faculty-led programs, administrative needs, marketing to students, budgeting for your program. Register online.

E-SAMAS FOCUS GROUPS

Focus groups are being conducted during early March with faculty and advisers from the colleges and departments involved in the online Study Abroad Major Advising Sheets (SAMAS) pilot project. Their feedback and suggestions will be used to guide the development of the online SAMAS project. We look forward to collaborating with these colleagues to develop a more robust, interactive advising tool that will eventually be shared with other UMTC units for feedback.

PROGRAM OF THE MONTH

MSID ECUADOR

Students can earn credits toward their degrees while making a difference in this Minnesota Studies in International Development (MSID) program. Geographically, Ecuador ranges from coastal deserts to temperate mountain valleys to Amazon rainforests. Culturally, its population includes every mix of indigenous, Spanish, and African elements. Learn about past students' experiences online. Find additional information about MSID programs here.

MAJOR OF THE MONTH

HISTORY

History students are encouraged by faculty and advisers to take advantage of diverse international opportunities offered for University of Minnesoa students. Learn about past history students' experiences abroad in China, France, and Chile. See the History Major Advising Sheet here.

"Study abroad offers unique insights into the world around us. It will enable you to foster your historical imagination, expose you to new cultures, enhance your language and critical thinking skills, and gain valuable international experience. Don't miss this exciting opportunity—every student should study abroad!"
—Erika Lee
Associate Professor of History

FOR YOUR STUDENTS

LEARNING ABROAD FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION FOR NON-CREDIT PROGRAMS

Awards up to $500 for non-credit work, internship, volunteer, and teaching English abroad programs for Summer 2009. Students must participate on a Learning Abroad Center cosponsored program, which can be found online. Preferences will be given to non-paid experiences. Deadline of April 15. Students must complete a 250–300 word essay detailing their program and the impact of the program as well as their intentions for funding the experience. Find more information online.

HELPING STUDENTS MARKET THEIR STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCES

Students can attend a workshop on "Marketing your experience abroad" in order to identify skills learned abroad, articulate their experience with relevant details and stories, and, finally, communicate the value of their time abroad in a job search or graduate/professional school application process.

Workshops are one hour and in groups of two or more and will be conducted Mondays and Wednesdays the first and third week of the month; time is negotiable. Students can call 612.626.5311 or email gradadv@umn.edu to reserve a place.

WORK ABROAD INFO SESSION

April 15, 5:00 p.m., Heller Hall Room 110
Students can learn about exciting opportunities to work abroad! If they are interested in travel, learning about other cultures, and gaining cross-cultural work experience while getting paid, then this is the info session for them. They could be working at a café in France, in the tourism industry in New Zealand, with kids in Spain, or at a university in Ireland. We’ll explore options for short term working abroad during the summer or after they graduate. They can enjoy free pizza as well!

RIDE THE RAILS OF EUROPE: RAIL EUROPE INFO SESSION

April 22, 5:00 p.m., University International Center Room 101
Are your students traveling to Europe soon? Do they want to learn the best way to get from city to city? This info session will give them an introduction to train travel in Europe, describe the different types of Rail Europe passes available, and help them to maximize their travel time. They can enjoy free pizza as well!

TEACH ENGLISH ABROAD INFO SESSION

April 29, 5:00 p.m., University International Center Room 101
Are your students wondering what to do during the summer or after they graduate? Looking for opportunities to live abroad and get paid? Thinking about making a career change? They can come and learn about exciting opportunities to teach English abroad. What better way to learn about a culture than to become immersed in it! There is demand for English teachers all over the world. Students can discover where and how, while hearing from people who have taught abroad themselves. They can enjoy free pizza as well!

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