d a o r b A y Stud rnational Programs and Ser vices A Newsletter from the Center for Inte
Fall 2014
France in the Springtime By Julianne Brooks
Paris
Living abroad for six months always seemed like a cool thing to do, but I never felt like it was within the realm of possibility for me. However, considering that I am a French major and International Studies minor, studying abroad was practically a necessity. So I took that small idea and fueled it into something with potential – familiarizing myself with the bilateral exchange at Universite Catholique de Lille. I scheduled meetings with study abroad advisors, and I discovered that with just a little bit of research and a Study Abroad scholarship, the dream wasn’t as distant as I thought. All of the hard work paid off – my six months abroad were the best six months of my life.
With studying abroad, all of my expected goals were reached. My French-speaking abilities exploded and multiplied, I was taught world history from an entirely different perspective, and I dabbled in the art of French cuisine. In addition to learning how to properly converse in French or how to make ratatouille, I acquired some unexpected life skills. First of all, studying abroad taught me how to quit freaking out all the time. The French have this very intense “laissez-faire” attitude about everything. Whether it was not understanding French market customs or missing my train to the airport, I learned to not be so anxious about everything. I adapted the “c’est la vie” mentality very quickly.
Important Dates September 4 Gilman Scholarship Workshop 1pm–3pm – University Center River Room (300) September 5 Gilman Scholarship Workshop 1pm–3pm – University Center Bluff Room (304) September 10 Study Abroad Fair 10am-2pm - Outdoor Student Plaza (near the fountain) Hear from past program participants. Ask faculty questions about particular destinations. Learn about financial aid and scholarship opportunities. September 12 Gilman Scholarship Essay Review Workshop 1pm–3pm – University Center Memphis Room B (340 B) October 1 Spring Semester Scholarship & Program Deadline October 3 Critical Language Scholarship Workshop 1pm–2pm – Brister Hall Room 220 October 10 Tigers Abroad Photo Contest Deadline
Another surprising skill I got from studying abroad was how to be open-minded. I definitely considered myself to be an open-minded individual before coming to France. However, while living amongst foreigners and ultimately leaving my comfort zone, I realized just how much I had closed myself off to experiences -- even on my home turf. It’s as if I had pre-decided how everything in life should be and never let myself experience things for what they are. For example, the French university system is very different than what I expected it to be. Trying to fit every single academic habit into my North American standards of university would have quickly become exhaustive and unrewarding. Instead, I learned to adjust to the world around me and not to
Lille
(Cont’d on next page 5)
October 24 Boren Scholarship Workshop 1pm–2pm – University Center Memphis Room A (304 A) November 15 Spring Break Scholarship Deadline November 17-21 International Education Week November 21 Amazing Race University Center - University Center Memphis Room A (304 A)
From Nantes to Memphis By Lea Baron, Exchange Student from Audencia School of Management of Nantes, France
Lea Baron and friends As a third year International Business student at Audencia School of Management in Nantes, France along with my love of travel, studying abroad was an obvious choice. I wanted to study in the United States and I had the option to choose from several U.S. universities at my institution. I chose Memphis because of the unique culture (music, food, people, etc.) and the warm weather! By participating in the Study Abroad Program I wanted to discover a new culture and people. I also wanted to challenge myself in living far from friends and family as it is my goal to work abroad upon graduation. I also wanted to improve my English since this is a necessary skill in international business. Only a few days into the fall 2013 semester at the University of Memphis (U of M) I met amazing people who became true friends. I am still regularly in touch with them many months after returning to my home institution. As an exchange student at the U of M not only did I meet American students I met other international students from all over the world. It was an incredibly rich experience. Living on campus is an aspect of my experience that differs from attending a university in France. This was great because I was close to my classes and the facilities on campus such as the library, recreation center, food court, etc. Even though I did not have a car, I was always able to find Memphis students to take me grocery shopping. University football and basketball games are also something that does not exist in Europe. The atmosphere at these events was incredible and some of my favorite memories about Memphis.
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The U of M Study Abroad office set up a number of social and cultural events for the exchange students throughout the semester. We went out for lunch including pizza at Garibaldi’s and Indian food at Indian Palace. We also went on a historical tour of the city of Memphis and visited Graceland. Studying at the U of M gave me the opportunity to take unique classes with knowledgeable professors who were truly interested in their students’ well-being. I took Fashion Merchandising, Oral Communication, International Relations, and Consumer Behavior. The structure of these courses were different from what I was used to in France in that we had more assignments, projects, quizzes, and tests throughout the semester but I definitely learned a lot. Throughout the semester the other exchange students and I had the opportunity to travel to other cities in the United States. I traveled to St Louis, New York, Chicago and Nashville. We traveled by car, bus and air. It was always such a fun experience. Leaving Memphis was a sad time and I miss the U of M, Memphis and the friends I made there. All I can say to other incoming exchange students is enjoy every moment as much as you can! You won’t regret studying at the University of Memphis!
D ’onna Rheannan
U of M Establishes African and African American Institute The University of Memphis (U of M) recently oversaw the creation of the African and African American Institute (AAAI) program. The AAAI seeks to provide an interdisciplinary learning experience in
A visit to the home of W.E.B. DuBois in Ghana
African and African American history and culture to area educators, college students and high school students. With support from an outside source, the Institute provides scholarships for U of M students and Shelby County high school teachers, led by University of Memphis faculty, to participate in an immersion
U of M Students Experience Ghana By D’Onna James & Rheannan Watson “No Hawking on Deck.” If you do not know what hawking is, you will soon find out after visiting Ghana for the first time. Hawking is the peddling of various goods on the streets in Ghana. “No Hawking on Deck” was a sign posted on the ferryboat that we traveled on to get to the Volta Region from the capital of Ghana, Accra. Needless to say, this study abroad program was one for the books. We were able to fully immerse ourselves into the Ghanaian cultural experience. We were also able to find various connections between Ghanaian cultures and our American culture. Landing in Ghana, we felt the false ideas we may have had about the African continent, and Ghana specifically, unravel. Almost instantly, a sense of warmth and excitement pervaded us as the group shuffled through the airport, exhausted after 16 hours of travel and weighed down with extremely heavy bags. After finally making it through Customs and retrieving our luggage from the baggage claim, we boarded the bus that would carry us from region to region throughout our entire stay in Ghana.
program in Ghana, West Africa. In addition to lectures and site visits, participants engaged in service learning activities at the Ho Airfield School in the Volta region of Ghana. Following the trip to Ghana, the AAAI hosted a two-week summer institute offered for area high school students on the U of M campus from June 30 - July 12, 2014. Participants from the Ghana study abroad program worked together to present a curriculum based on their experiences to the high school students.
Our first destination was Accra, the capital of Ghana. We literally hit the ground running. We had an itinerary full of impactful lectures and sightseeing during our initial stay in Accra. While in Accra, we picked up on the basics of one of the languages spoken in the Volta region, Ewe. We learned that in addition to English, which is the official language in Ghana, there are 11 government-sponsored languages spoken as well as 25 others that are non-government sponsored. As a result, many people speak multiple languages in addition to English and the language spoken by their particular ethnic group. Though our journey started in Accra, we spent most of our time in the Volta Region in a town called Ho. This is where we got to enjoy the peace and tranquility of a village. We had the opportunity to visit Airfield School, a public grade school in the town. Many connections were made with the students in the school through activities we all participated in. In Ho, we had a blast. We hiked up a mountain to the beautiful Wli Waterfalls and traveled to the Taffi Monkey Sanctuary, where we got to feed monkeys during a hike through the rainforest. During our nights in Ho, we had interactive drum and dance lessons where we learned classic folk dances and drum songs, each with a significant meaning and history as to its purpose. By the end of our time spent in Ho, we were putting on a performance of our own. (Cont’d on page 5)
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Randall and friends
My Year in Japan By Randall Weatherall As fantastic as the University of Memphis Foreign Languages program is, I hold a belief that to gain a true understanding of a language one should travel to a country which speaks that language. In my case, only one country in the entire world speaks the language I desired to study, and that is Japan. As a soon-to-be senior, I knew that a study abroad program could be tough to add to my schedule before graduation, but I was determined to make it work. Just as American expats continue to flock to world-renowned cities such as Paris, Beijing, and Cairo, my goal was to live in Tokyo and become a true Tokyoite. Considering this, Meiji University was the perfect choice for me since the campus was only minutes away by train from Shinjuku (the Gateway to Tokyo). After all, studying a language abroad has very little to do with a classroom and much more to do with ‘living the language.’ As I started to plan my study abroad experience, it at first appeared that I was biting off more than I could chew. However, I had previously journeyed to Japan, so the country was not completely alien to me. I was also determined to go so that I could learn the language. Knowing that language learning happens faster when one is immersed in the language, my primary goal was to study Japanese as much as humanly possible during my 11-month stay, while also interacting with people from every corner of the earth. With frequent interaction with Meiji students and locals, using the interesting Japanese pop-culture as a vehicle of learning the language made the process easier.
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During my time at Meiji University, I lived in a dormitory located in a sleepy town called Izumi. In the beginning I thought the people of Izumi would dislike a group of rowdy foreigners and their equally rowdy Japanese buddies moving into the area. Surprisingly, the locals knew who we were and what we were doing there. They knew we were there to study and learn from them and their culture, so they quickly accepted us. Before long, they even began to adore us. Overtime, I learned that the Japanese never forget an American they spend time with, and that Japanese businesses value the relationships with people more than anything else. Interestingly enough, my interactions with the locals resulted in a number of standing job offers if I should ever so desire to work in Japan. My friends and I were invited to attend the town’s local festival in September. Shortly after we arrived at the festival, they announced that I was now
Randall and friends
officially one of the leaders of the town for the day. Duties of this honor including donning a red armband and being put in charge of a mikoshi or a portable shrine which weighed between 800-1000 pounds. So, my friends and I put this responsibility on our shoulders, literally, and marched around town for five hours. The beams of the shrine wore down our bodies, leaving us exhausted, bruised, and drenched in our own sweat. With an hour left in the festivities, rain came pouring down, but we were such local stars at this point, everyone still stayed and cheered us on to the end. It was unbelievable and still feels like a dream to this day. After that experience, I became a local celebrity with people all over town giving me gifts and starting conversations until I left for home in February. Don’t get me wrong, eleven months abroad that included intensive language learning was undeniably tough at times. I wanted nothing more than to see my friends back home; however, I never got homesick. Life in Japan was expensive and pretty inconvenient at times, along with frequent strange glances by older Japanese who were not used to foreigners in their homeland. However, considering all of this I can honestly say without any uncertainty that I would not trade my time abroad for anything. From the many interesting people I met, many who I now consider some of my best friends, to my inner child-like curiosity always being piqued by what I was observing around me, my trip to Japan was an absolute blast. Located on the outskirts of Tokyo, in the heart of Japan, Meiji University was my home for a year, and if you get the chance, my advice is to just take the plunge.
(Cont’d from front page 1) I learned to adjust to the world around me and not to expect the opposite. Living in a foreign environment for an extended period of time granted me the gift of flexibility. While it’s great that I have all of these newly acquired virtues, more than anything I appreciate the experiences that study abroad gave me. I was very fortunate to have a lot of time off during the semester, and in turn, I was able to travel a lot. Not many people have had the opportunity to climb the bell tower of Notre Dame Cathedral, kiss the Blarney stone, stroll the canals of Bruges, or dip their toes in the Mediterranean before the age of 20. More importantly, I will never forget my experiences in France. I will never forget what it feels like to shop at the Sunday market, where seven different kiwi vendors are yelling at me to buy only their kiwis. I will never forget what it felt like when I realized I hadn’t spoken English out loud for over 36 hours. And I will definitely never forget what it felt like to see the Eiffel Tower for the first time.
I have more memories concentrated into one semester than the rest of my entire college experience thus far. In just six months I built my resume, polished my French, and travelled the world – all while receiving academic credit. I don’t think I could endorse anything more than I endorse living abroad. Seizing this opportunity opened my eyes to the other experiences I can get out of life if I just take the initiative. I encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zone and try a semester (or two!) abroad. It will be the best academic decision you’ll ever make.
(Cont’d from page 3) Of course, experiencing a different culture would not be complete without the food. Although there were some similarities in the food in Ghana and in America, there were also differences. We had the full Ghanaian dining experience with all of our meals. This included Jollof rice and fried plantains, both very popular Ghanaian dishes; Chips, or what we Americans would call “French fries”; and Groundnut soup, Banku, Tilapia fish, Chicken, and tomato sauce fit to satisfy even the most selective palate. As we traveled, we learned that most of the meals that we had while in the Volta Region could also be found all across the Southern Region. It was amazing to be able to draw connections between Ghanaian cultures and American culture, particularly African-American culture in the southern United States. These similarities were found in the food, certain styles of dress, the polyrhythmic musical structure, and forms of praise and worship in the Christian churches there. Seeing these deeply rooted connections, we not only realized how each of these cultures is very much interwoven, but we also discovered how vast and complex Ghanaian cultures and history are, let alone the complexities and diversity found on the massive African continent. It helped us to dismantle the ways in which many of us perceived the African continent prior to our visit, as it is often oversimplified and stereotyped. It made us recognize how little we knew about the continent and its extensive influence that stretches across the globe.
UM students in Ho, Ghana We brought so much wonderful information and so many unforgettable and inspiring experiences back with us to the United States. We are able to share all that we learned with our friends and families, as well as the high school students who participated in the African and African-American Studies Summer Institute. We hope to use this experience to challenge what many people think they know about the African continent and the dominant narrative that dictates the history so many of us in the West have come to believe. We also encourage people to travel abroad and experience the vast and complex cultures of the world in order to broaden their worldview and form their own narratives of global history. Of course this article could not possibly come close to capturing
every single aspect of our rich, inspirational, and sometimes emotional, journey through the country, but while on this study abroad program, we embarked upon a journey that we all are grateful for and will cherish for a lifetime.
You can also keep up with important dates and the latest news at www.memphis.edu/abroad
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Are You Ready to Discover Spain? Salamanca, Spain Spanish skills are not needed! By Carissa Hoitenga, Study Abroad Advisor
There is a reason Spain is one of the most popular choices for study abroad. Spain has old architecture, original city walls, real castles, excellent public transportation, rich history and culture, varied climates, and a prime location in Europe which make traveling to other European countries or Morocco very easy. Spain also offers multiple study abroad programs that provide the opportunity to take classes taught in English or Spanish in many different subjects. Spain is the perfect place for the English-only speaker who wants to be immersed in a distinct, foreign culture while still taking classes in English. In addition, there are many Spaniards willing to share their culture and time with you, which can help improve your Spanish. Studying abroad in Spain was the best decision I ever made in my college career, and many Memphis students have discovered for themselves why Spain is so popular among study abroad students. My personal favorite location is Seville, Spain. I may be a bit biased, but my own experience in Seville impacted me in so many ways that I have to give the city some credit. Seville offers a relaxed pace of life, warmer weather, palm trees, and a vibrant atmosphere. There are multiple affordable programs in Seville, which is located about 2 hours away from Morocco, Gibraltar (Englishowned territory in the South of Spain), and Portugal to the west. There are two universities to choose from: the Universidad Pablo de Olavide (affectionately referred to as UPO or Pablo) or the Universidad de Sevilla. Both universities are excellent schools and offer rigorous academics. Both schools also have a variety of courses taught in English and classes taught in Spanish but geared towards non-native Spanish speakers. Students might take courses in Spanish, art history, biology, ESL, cultural studies, dance, economics, history, political science, and Spanish literature. A unique feature of studying in Seville is being able to volunteer and gain experience outside the classroom. When I was there, I was a teacher assistant at Worldwide English School. Two nights each week I helped in a classroom of nine-year olds who were studying English. This unique experience actually caused me to completely change my academic/career focus and I’ve never looked back. Another benefit of the Seville programs can include cultural and overnight excursions to other cities and in some programs, a weekend trip to Portugal. Excursions, housing, tuition, orientation, and local support staff assistance are included in a set program price, which means you won’t have to pay tuition and housing separately. Some programs even include meals. This is an ideal option for students who don’t want to have to think about paying local bills when they are abroad. Spring in Seville is particularly favorable, as students can experience Semana Santa (Holy Week) and the Feria De Abril (April Fair) which is very famous and unique to the culture of Seville. Studying in Seville can be quite affordable as you can typically use your current financial aid to help pay for your study abroad program. Even today, I cannot imagine what my life would look like if I hadn’t studied in Seville. It will always be a second home. The U of M has no shortage of programs in Spain. In fact, we actually have direct partnerships with two universities in Spain: Universidad de Alicante and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. These bilateral exchange programs allow students to pay in-state Memphis tuition rates for their semester abroad and pay all other expenses, such as housing and food, at the rates given
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Alicante, Spain on location. This allows students who want to keep to a strict budget the opportunity to do so and have more freedom in how they spend their money when abroad. The University of Alicante offers courses taught in English in engineering, architecture, telecommunications, computer science, biology, law, economics, translation, culture, and English. Additionally, students who have an advanced level of Spanish, students may enroll in other courses offered in Spanish. The Universidad Carlos III de Madrid also offers various courses taught in English in subjects such as business, accounting, economics, journalism, sociology, political science, history, and law. Both Alicante and Madrid are full of history and offer endless cultural experiences, providing lots of opportunity to immerse yourself and live as a local. For the more advanced Spanish speaker, you can study through ISEP, which promotes full immersion into the host school and culture. With the opportunity to choose from 10 different universities throughout Spain, you’ll have many options. These programs also are very affordable and comparable to paying instate Memphis tuition, housing at Carpenter Complex, and an on-campus meal plan. Because students take the same classes as Spaniards, there are lots of course options. For students who have taken at least 2-3 years of Spanish and really want to become fluent, ISEP programs are an excellent choice. To learn more about study abroad ooprtunities contact the Study Abroad office at tigersabroad@memphis.edu.
Faculty Spotlight
Dr. Simpson with students at Osaka University in Japan
A conversation with Junko Tokuda Simpson, EdD, Instructor of Japanese for the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature Please tell us about yourself and your position at the University of Memphis (U of M). I am an instructor of Japanese at the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, and have been teaching at the University of Memphis since 2007. In 2008, the Japanese major was created, and I have been assisting with the expansion of the Japanese program on campus. I teach all levels of Japanese language courses, and I am also actively involved in Japanese language and cultural events hosted on campus as well as in the community. I have a Masters in TESOL and Bilingual Education and a Doctorate in Instruction and Curriculum Leadership. I love languages, through which my world has been expanding and ever-changing.
What is your role in study abroad here at the U of M? When I came to the University of Memphis in 2007, there were various longterm study abroad programs in Japan, yet a short-term summer program was not offered. The world is getting more interconnected, and as an educator I believe that being exposed to different culture by experiencing new societies and languages is extremely critical for students in the 21st century. In order to provide such opportunities for students in various fields, I started to coordinate the short summer program in Japan since 2008. This program is designed for all students to experience Japanese culture firsthand, and there is no Japanese language requirement to participate in the program. My role is to organize and plan the trip, including language and cultural exchange activities at the Osaka University of Economics, and guide them to visit different parts of Japan.
Please tell us about your first experience with study abroad. My first experience with study abroad was when I went to Australia during my sophomore year. I majored in English literature and English Education in college, and I had been interested in studying English abroad since junior high school, but I did not have an opportunity until then. I was playing Lacrosse in college, and I went there to play matches. Everything was new to me, and it was an eye-opening experience. Even though I had studied English from junior high school, it was very hard for me to understand Australian English when I talked with my host family, but this motivated me to reach out for other opportunities to practice English communication. My first study abroad experience in Australia became a trigger for me to travel to a variety of countries, pursue higher degrees in the US, master my 3rd language Spanish in Mexico, and teach Japanese as a foreign language in US now.
How has your career afforded you the opportunity to travel abroad? Everything is changing rapidly in today’s world, and it is very difficult to keep up with those changes. Culture is a core part of foreign language education, and leading a group of students to Japan every summer allows me to stay in touch with the changing Japanese culture. I also acknowledge that short-term study abroad program gives students opportunities to taste real Japanese culture firsthand and to motivate them to study Japanese language and culture deeper and more intensively. As a matter of fact, many students have applied for a longer-term program after their wonderful experiences through the summer program.
Do you feel a study abroad experience is important for students at the U of M? I definitely think that participating in a study abroad program is such a lifechanging experience, and adds a great value to students’ lives. It gives students the opportunity to see life outside of the United States, and to have valuable experiences that would not be facilitated in classroom situations. This helps to change their perspectives to realize how great other cultures in the world are. Language is the most powerful tool for communication, and study abroad programs offer students chances to realize the joy of communicating with others in another language. I have been fortunate to be able to support students to open new doors to enrich their academic and personal life through study abroad programs at the University of Memphis.
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Is there a Gilman Scholarship in Your Future? A record number of twelve University of Memphis students have been awarded a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for summer 2014. Our success means the University of Memphis is one of the top ten recipients of this highly prestigious award in the nation! The individual scholarships awarded to Memphis students ranged from $2,500 to $4,000 for a total award of $41,000. The U of M Gilman recipients are from a broad range of disciplines including Economics, Foreign Languages, International Studies, Philosophy, Psychology, and Political Science and they will be studying in China, Costa Rica, Japan and Spain.
Summer Gilman Scholarship Recipients (Left to Right) David Wieland, Michael John Harris II, Israel Polo, Mawaddah Mohamad, Patrick Faulkner
Top 10 U.S. Universities for Gilman recipients: 1. University of Texas, Austin – 48 2. University of California, Berkeley – 44 3. University of Arizona – 25 4. University of California, Los Angeles – 20 5. University of California, San Diego – 17 6. University of Oregon – 16 7. University of Florida – 15 Arizona State University – 15 8. Temple University – 14 9. Michigan State University – 13 Berea College – 13 10. University of Memphis – 12 University of Nebraska – 12 Grand Valley University – 12
Our success with the Gilman scholarship is based on the hard work and commitment of our students as well as a strategic effort by the Study Abroad Office and the Financial Aid Office to promote the award. We are very proud of our students’ accomplishment in securing this competitive national scholarship. The Gilman scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding to participate in a study or internship program abroad. It aims to diversify the kinds of students who study and intern abroad by supporting those with financial need, in underrepresented fields such as the sciences and engineering and with diverse ethnic or cultural backgrounds. The Study Abroad Office will hold two Gilman workshops during the fall semester at 1pm on September 4th at the University Center River Room and on September 5th at the University Center Bluff Room.
Summer 2014 U of M Gilman Scholars, their destination, hometown, and major(s): Constance Brantley, Madrid, Spain (Memphis, TN, International Studies) Patrick Faulkner, Wuhan, China (Memphis, TN, Foreign Languages) Zack Buchanan, Tokyo, Japan (Scotts Hill, TN, Economics and Japanese) Mike Harris, Wuhan, China (Hopkinsville, KY, Economics, Asian Studies and International Trade) Mawaddah Mohamad, Wuhan, China (Memphis, TN, Child Development and Foreign Languages) Aukina Brown, Shanghai, China (Little Rock, AR, Health Services Administration) Erika Morton, Shanghai, China (Marietta, GA, International Business) Israel Polo, Wuhan, China (Los Angeles, CA, Philosophy) Robert Wright, Tokyo, Japan (Memphis, TN, Japanese and Engineering Technology) Angelique Macklin, San Jose, Costa Rica (Memphis, TN, Psychology, Legal Thoughts of Liberal Arts)
In memory of Adam Hairston, 1991-2014
David Wieland, Wuhan, China (Political Science) Bethany LaGrone, Wuhan, China (Economics, International Studies, and Foreign Languages) The University of Memphis, a Tennessee Board of Regents institution, is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action University. It is committed to education of a non-racially identifiable student body. UOM116-FY1415/4C50 • Peerless Printing
STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM 102 Brister Hall Memphis, TN 38152 901.678.2814 tigersabroad@memphis.edu www.memphis.edu/abroad /studyabroadmemphis @memphisabroad