The Definitive Guide to Global Opportunities at the University of Warwick.
“Go Global” is a Warwick Students’ Union and University initiative to get students thinking globally, With the ultimate aim that each and every student can have a global experience whilst at Warwick. There are numerous benefits that an international experience brings and we hope students take advantage of the various opportunities available here. Remember, over 36% of Warwick University’s student population comes from outside of the UK, representing 126 different nationalities! It is without a doubt that overseas and EU students contribute incalculably to the pulse and vibe of campus! This helpful guide collates a huge variety of opportunities that are available on and off campus. We hope you find it useful and remember - Go Global! For more information, check out the Go Global Portal at www.warwicksu.com/GoGlobal
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Leo Boe– President of Warwick SU 2011/2012 Whether you want to pick up a new language, live in a different cultural context, want to travel, or if you’re concerned about your employability, make the most of your University experience by “Going Global”! Your time at the University of Warwick is a perfect opportunity to experience new cultures through societies like World@Warwick, events such as One World Week and opportunities abroad that are offered as part of your degree. Students who have participated in some of these activities have always found them lifechanging and loads of fun. Certainly coming to the UK as an international student from Switzerland, it’s been an incredible experience for me and I encourage all students to try to visit or experience a new culture themselves! Professor Nigel Thrift – Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick It is our belief that at Warwick every student is an international student. By this we mean that all students, from whatever country or discipline, emerge from Warwick as global citizens, international rather than insular in knowledge, skills and outlook. This Guide provides an introduction to the many opportunities available to our students to develop their ability to operate effectively across cultures and in so doing increase their employability and enrich their own personal experience. Whether through working as part of a multicultural team on campus or spending time on an exchange programme overseas, I would encourage you to make the most of your time as a Warwick student and take every opportunity to go global. Swati Mistry – Deloitte Global Talent Management As employers, we very often hear that graduates are seeking roles where they can get some international experience. With the world of business becoming more global, employers are always looking for graduates who are self-confident, worldly and knowledgeable of a multicultural world. There are many opportunities for students to gain some international experience whilst at University and to build on these skills to make them stand out when seeking employment or use later throughout their career development. At Deloitte we find that these experiences really do provide students with a unique experience that allows them to understand their own strengths and limitations and become more culturally aware. Deloitte actively encourage students at Warwick to gain international experience through our sponsorship of the Global Advantage Award and providing the opportunity for Warwick students to participate at the Deloitte International Students Business Forum. 3
1) It’s a life-changing experience. Put simply, it will change both your perspective on things and you as a person.
2) You can gain a variety of skills. Those who venture abroad generally have greater independence, are more likely to embrace risks and learn how to adapt to new environments quickly. Many who have an international experience also become more self-aware, are more attentive listeners and overcome cultural biases.
“Satellite composition of the whole Earth’s surface.” Nasa
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3) You’ll earn more and maybe get a better degree. According to research done by the National Union of Students, students who’ve studied abroad have a better chance of gaining a higher degree result, being employed abroad and earning more in the long run.
5) Because employers want it. Currently, employers aren’t completely satisfied with the international skills of recent graduates. 60% are not satisfied with the foreign language skills of young people and just under half (43%) perceive shortfalls in their international cultural awareness.* Having a global experience can make you stand out from the crowd
4) It’s a pathway to work abroad! In the international marketplace, companies are looking for people who are able to tap into different cultural groups, understand cultural differences and communicate effectively in an international environment! They also want people who can understand their own cultural group and extract innovative ideas from their own culture.
*Source: CBI Education and Skills Survey 2011 “Building for growth: business priorities for education and skills”
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World @ Warwick is a new society launched for the 2011/2012 academic year. Formed from the merging of three societies (Lipsoc, TeachEng and Erasmus), World @ Warwick is concerned with all things related to international culture and language. ) World@Warwick will be facilitating a number of new and exciting opportunities, events, and activities related to intercultural exchange and increasing awareness of the international community at Warwick. Whether you want to come along to our languages cafĂŠ to practice your language skills, or travel around the UK itself a bit, and everything in between, World @ Warwick is for you!
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World @ Warwick stands for 3 things: 1. Transforming the learning of languages (and/or cultures) from an academic task to a social one. 2. Welcoming, introducing and integrating international students in the UK. 3. Encouraging home students to discover the international community. Activities: 1. Teaching of languages in an informal context through buddy schemes and conversation classes, taught by native speakers. 2. Cultural events and trips - we go to Edinburgh and the Kenilworth Fireworks, and host a free fortnightly screening of an international film. We have many more events in the pipeline, including a weekend break to Dublin and a trip to a Birmingham City F.C. match. 3. Socials – We have regular socials throughout the year, and ensure that we provide fun activities in an informal environment. 4. Sports – Erasmus have two football teams and in the Summer Term we run a primary school-style Sports Day! We also hope to enter a Netball team for the first time. Finally, World @ Warwick endeavours to address awareness issues for the first time, delivering accessible information on opportunities that home students have to live, work and study abroad, in partnership with the International Office, Student Careers and Skills, the Language Centre and Departmental Exchange Programme co-ordinators.
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Want to have an international experience without leaving your doorstep? Warwick has loads to offer across dozens of societies with international themes. Check out some of the great societies available to join in these next few pages!
Warwick is one of the most culturally diverse campus Universities in the UK, and each year we celebrate this fact by mounting the biggest student-run festival anywhere in the world: One World Week.
The festival’s daytime programme traditionally sees the Union transformed into different regions of the world throughout the week, while the popular programme of nighttime events incorporates the massive World Party, SensAsian and Busta Move (Warwick’s very own inter-University dance tournament). Elsewhere there’s the One World Week Fashion Show and Carnival to look out for, together with a host of high-profile speakers debating important global issues in the Forum.
One World Week provides international students at Warwick with the opportunity to express their cultural identities in unique and interesting ways, as well as giving all students the chance to learn more about different nationalities, cultures and traditions.
If you’re interested in being a part of One World Week – whether it’s as a performer, organiser or simply as someone who’s interested in learning more about the beauty of the world’s diversity, you can join the One World Week Society, which is dedicated to exploring the various inspiring cultures here at Warwick. For more information about 2011’s OWW programme, please visit www.oneworldweek.net.
In addition, OWW encompasses a series of cultural, sporting, academic and night events held on campus with the aim of bringing together all spheres of student life and showcasing the talents of Warwick SU’s numerous Cultural, Performing and Sporting Societies. During the first few weeks of Term 2, campus truly comes alive through a series of debates and discussions, parades and performances, together with a host of sporting tournaments, cultural exhibitions and workshops!
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While we don’t provide a long list of activities throughout the academic year, we instead offer one of the largest student-run academic conferences of its kind in Europe, marked by stimulating talks, debates and workshops touching on a diverse array of global issues. Essentially, there is no part of Warwick Economics Summit that is not global from the organising team to the attendees, and from the sponsors to the speakers, each share the commonality of international diversity. The Summit tries to instil in all attendees the spirit of creating lasting inter-university, international links with others, be it through discussion or during our lavish Dinner & Dance evening. Over the past ten years, the event has evolved in form and stature into a truly international forum where talented students from universities across the globe listen to some of the world’s most revered and inspirational speakers. The Warwick Economics Summit remains a sell-out success each year because of its quality, its coherence and the tremendous efforts of its diverse team.
Also Look into: WIDS The Warwick International Development Summit is a unique and internationallyrecognised student event which aims to raise awareness of development issues by challenging narrow conceptions of the issues through an innovative, holistic approach to development.
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AIESEC UN-recognised international student exchange organisation. Provides the opportunity to work abroad, develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills and develop a broader understanding of cultural, socio-economic and business management issues.
Every year, over 1000 students from around the country participate in a charity hitchhike to Morocco or Prague, in aid of African education charity Link Community Development. Warwick University students make up about 10% of this total, and students participating in the Hitch raised a whopping £500,000 for the charity last year! The Hitch takes place over the Easter holidays, which last year was from the 19th March to the 27th April 2011. Each group must be made up of a mix of two or three people of different genders. We are able to pair people up with partners if you are unable to find a friend to hitchhike with! You may choose which Hitch you wish to participate in - either to Morocco, which takes you through France & Spain and takes 7 days on average, or to Prague, which takes you through France & Germany and takes an average of 4 days. Both options offer an absolutely amazing experience and we always advise that people allow some extra time for when they arrive in their destination to explore the wonders that both Morocco and Prague have to offer. Jailbreak– Coordinates the massive annual jailbreak where students dressed as prisoners must get as far off campus as possible (and back again!) without spending any money.
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We aim to gather together French-speaking people and expatriates from France, as well as people from French-speaking countries such as Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and African countries and islands like Mauritius and Martinique. We also have many English people who have lived in France for a few years and speak French, together with students taking French modules who wish to practice their language skills! This creates a social network of students where people can meet up and share their language culture, while those learning French can improve and find guidance. This is mainly facilitated through social events and conferences about national and cultural topics, but we plan on eventually running a trip. We also offer opportunities to get involved in events such as the OWW Fashion Show, European Days and more!
“Semur-en-Auxois, Bourgogne, Côte-d’Or, l’Armançon et le pont Pinard” Wiki user G CHP
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We run a trip to Munich in Term 2 which takes in cultural/tourist activities as well as experiencing German nightlife and offering the chance to practise your language skills. A highlight of the trip is a visit to one of Germany’s large beer halls to experience some true German culture! A similar trip is run every year - last year it was to Berlin. At Christmas time we also always head over to Birmingham to visit their German-style Christmas markets, which involve drinking mulled wine and eating traditional German food. The German society is a great way to get an international experience, as many of our members either have a German background or are learning the language. We run regular socials every fortnight so people with an interest in German culture and language can meet up to socialise.
“Castle Neuschwanstein at Schwangau, Bavaria, Germany” Wiki user Softeis
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WLAS is an open society aiming to facilitate a relationship between students, to promote Latin-American culture and languages and to provide different spaces and activities where students can meet, share ideas and have fun! WLAS welcomes all students. If you are an undergraduate or postgraduate who has an interest in Latin American countries and cultures, has travelled around Latin America, is Latin American or just likes mojitos and pisco sour, this is the place for you! WLAS provides great opportunities for intra- and inter-cultural exchanges, such as One World Week, Latin Movie Night, Latin Nights, Cocktail Workshops, Talks, Cooking Workshops and opportunities to practise and learn Spanish/Portuguese and mingle with other like-minded students. Joining the society will help you to feel a bit less homesick or to learn more about Latin America and its people.
Also Look into: Japan Society – Provides a forum for Japanese students and others to meet one another. Nordic Society – Fun-loving society which aims to give Warwick a taste of Nordic food and culture. Provides support, information and wild nights out, as well as hosting the Nordic Ball.
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Warwick offers over 70 sports in total, and many of these are ‘international’ sports which are popular in other countries. Warwick Sport endeavours to facilitate a multi-cultural sporting experience and to create a competitive, yet fun, sporting environment for all students. However, some of our sports are naturally more international than others – those sports with only a very small following in the UK which have been created and populated by enthusiastic groups of non-UK students. For instance, we are home to Floorball and Handball teams – sports popular throughout mainland Europe – and a hugely successful Volleyball club, which is, of course, played on beaches the world over! We’re also centres of excellence for a couple of American sports, with our highly achieving Lacrosse teams, which originated through the Iroquois culture in North America and, of course, a hugely passionate American Football Team. For a taste of Britain, why not give Cricket a chance, which is almost as quintessentially English as Big Ben and cream teas! These are just some of the societies and clubs you can join that have international elements to them. For a full list of societies at Warwick, more information and the ability to joinvisit www.warwicksu.com
Also Look into: Japan Society – Provides a forum for Japanese students and others to meet one another. Nordic Society – Fun-loving society which aims to give Warwick a taste of Nordic food and culture. Provides support, information and wild nights out, as well as hosting the Nordic Ball. 14
Academic: Engineers without Borders European Law Model UN TEDx Warwick Explorers
Music appreciation: Electroculture Rave Performance: Belly dance Big Band Bollywood dance Break dance EQHO dance Oriental performance Irish Dancing Salsa Dancing
Activities and Games: Capoeira Mah Jong Shisha UK Travel Warwick Debating Society Campaigning: Amnesty Israeli-Palestinian forum UNICEF on campus People and Planet
Welfare charity and action: READ international RAG Warwick Volunteers society
Cultural: African and Caribbean Chinese CSSA Cypriot Indian Japan Latin American Malaysian students association Nordic One World Week Russian Speaking Stammtisch This is Africa Third Culture Vietnamese
For a full list visit www.warwicksu.com/societies
Food and drink: Curry soc 15
As a leading international university, Warwick has partner institutions throughout Europe and the world.The information on these pages will give you a taste of the range of opportunities available to you to study or work abroad during your studies. In a globalised economy, language and intercultural skills have never been more important, and time spent abroad can help you develop these skills as well as provide you with new perspectives.
Erasmus is the European Commission’s flagship educational exchange programme for Higher Education students, teachers and institutions. It was introduced with the aim of increasing student mobility within Europe and gives many European university students their first chance to live and thrive abroad. Warwick is one of the UK’s largest users of the Erasmus programme, with (unusually for the UK) as many students going out as coming in (300+ per year). The Erasmus programme is open to ALL Warwick undergraduate and postgraduate students. Students have the opportunity to take up a study placement or a work placement of 3-12 months’ duration, which is taken as part of your Warwick degree. For more details on Erasmus visit: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/study/studyabroad/outgoing/erasmus
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The University of Warwick has a number of exchange agreements with partner universities in various parts of the world. Some of these exchange agreements are under the ERASMUS scheme, for exchanges between European universities. In addition, there are a number of exchange agreements which are not part of the ERASMUS scheme, with universities outside Europe (mainly in the USA) but in a number of other countries as well. Each year we send around 100 students for a year of study abroad - around 50% of them to universities in the USA. Which exchanges are available to you depends on which academic department you are based in. Exchange agreements are between academic departments at Warwick and the equivalent departments or faculties at partner universities. http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/study/studyabroad/outgoing/exchange/ Below is a list of Warwick’s academic departments and the universities with which they have non-ERASMUS exchange agreements.
Department
Exchange Partner University
Country
Applied Linguistics
UIBE, Beijing
China
Biological Sciences
McMaster
Canada
Comparative American Studies
Buenos Aires California Columbia, New York City Connecticut Guadalajara Iberoamericana Pontificia Universidad Catolica Puerto Rico Queen’s South Carolina Toronto West Indies Wisconsin, Madison
Argentina USA USA USA Mexico Mexico Chile Puerto Rico Canada USA Canada Barbados USA
Computer Science
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology
Hong Kong
Chemistry
Singapore, Nanyang Technological University * Tasmania *
Singapore Australia
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Department
Exchange Partner University
Country
Economics
California Georgetown, Washington DC
USA USA
English
California Connecticut Vanderbilt
USA USA USA
Engineering
British Columbia Waterloo Wisconsin, Madison
Canada Canada USA
History
California Columbia, New York City Connecticut Queen’s South Carolina Toronto Vanderbilt West Indies Wisconsin, Madison
USA USA USA Canada USA Canada USA Barbados USA
Law
Hong Kong University
Hong Kong
Philosophy
Columbia, New York City** Queen’s Wisconsin, Madison
USA Canada USA
Physics
Osaka
Japan
Politics & International Studies (PAIS)
California Georgetown, Washington DC Hong Kong City University *
USA USA Hong Kong
Theatre Studies
Michigan
USA
Warwick Medical School
Nagoya University University of Malawi
Japan Malawi
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Department
Exchange Partner University
Country
Warwick Business School
British Columbia Connecticut Cornell Fudan Guanghua School of Management, Peking University Hong Kong University of Science & Technology McGill Monash Montreal - HEC *** Pennsylvania - Wharton Business School Pontificia Universidad Catolica *** Richmond Sydney Tongji Wisconsin, Madison York University, Toronto (Schulich School of Business)
Canada USA USA China China Hong Kong Canada Australia Canada USA Chile USA Australia China USA Canada
* Term 3 only, ** Postgraduate Only, *** For International Business students only THE WARWICK VENICE PROGRAMME Third year students in the History and History of Art Departments at Warwick have the opportunity to study in Venice for the ten weeks of the autumn term. Warwick’s Venice term, the only programme of its kind in the UK, allows you to enjoy a sustained period of study ‘ on-site’ in Venice based in our own teaching premises: the Palazzo Pesaro-Pepafava, a fifteenthcentury palazzo near the Grand Canal. Warwick has close links with the University of Venice Ca’ Foscari and our students have access to facilities such as its libraries, language centre, and student canteens. There is also a ‘buddy scheme’ which teams Warwick and University of Venice students, encouraging an even greater immersion in local life.
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Renmin University Summer School Located in Beijing, Renmin University of China is one of the most famous universities in the country. The University of Warwick has the opportunity to allow up to 10 students to travel to join the International Summer School, normally held during the month of July. This programme is available to undergraduate students from across the University. The deadline for applications is 31st March each year and successful applicants are notified by mid-April.The programme is suitable for students who wish to gain knowledge of China and will focus on the Chinese language and other aspects of Chinese life and culture. The courses will be taught in English. The tuition fee is part of the exchange programme with Warwick and therefore the cost to each student will be the accommodation, which varies, plus your airfares and living costs. http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/study/studyabroad/outgoing/renmin/ Beijing Normal University (BNU) Summer School Based on the Renmin model (see above), this agreement enables the Language Centre to send 10 Warwick students to BNU for a 4-week summer school. In the last three years, students who learn Chinese in the Language Centre have had the opportunity to visit China for a 4-week summer programme. This programme is now established and has become a yearly sensation! Your tuition and cultural activities will be paid for and you will pay your own flights and accommodation in China. Applications are open between 28 April - 20 May 2011. Everyone who learns Chinese here is eligible to apply. http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/languagecentre/academic/chinese/studychina
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AIKOM is an acronym for Abroad In Komaba. Komaba is the district of Tokyo in which the University of Tokyo is located.The University offers a one-year exchange visit for one Warwick undergraduate. Warwick is the only British university to be invited to join this exchange scheme, which is a product of the Japanese government’s internationalisation policies. Warwick participates because we believe that it provides a unique opportunity to live in and learn about Japan. The University of Tokyo is Japan’s most prestigious institution, with a special place in most aspects of Japanese affairs. Applications are open to Warwick undergraduates in their second year to spend 10–12 months in Japan under this exchange scheme. No prior knowledge of Japanese language is needed: only a genuine interest in learning Japanese (on a structured course) and in taking Japanese language classes for beginners and courses in the English medium on contemporary Japan, Japanese culture and society. The application deadline is 31 January each year. http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/study/ studyabroad/outgoing/aikom/
a” Odaib from w n ie ov kaju “Toky iki user O W
“Many types of sushi ready to eat.” Wiki user Nesnad
American Study and Student Exchange Committee (ASSEC) Travel Fund Funding is available for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows through the ASSEC Travel Fund for the purposes of furthering relations between the University and the USA. The scheme is available to support presentations at conferences and longer research trips to the USA. Please note that funds are limited to £400 and that applications are viewed on a monthly basis. More information is available at go.warwick.ac.uk/assec 21
WARWICK LAKSH FOUNDATION PROJECT The Laksh Foundation is a small non-governmental organisation based in the hills 25 miles outside Delhi, India. It uses sustainable farming methods to produce organic produce, and in doing so, provides viable alternative employment for the local villagers. The project also teaches over 100 local children who have dropped out of school, and provides vocational training for the older girls and women. For the last two years, Warwick has sent up to four Warwick student volunteers to work with the school teachers on developing the English language teaching at the rural Laksh Foundation School in India for four weeks during July and August.Volunteers need to be prepared to cover the costs of their airfares to India, as well as personal expenses whilst in India. However, selection of volunteers is not based solely on their ability to pay. Recruitment takes place in February each year with interviews in March. http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/registrar/ deputyregistrar/laksh WARWICK IN AFRICA Warwick in Africa is a multi-layered programme which supports learners, highly talented learners and their teachers with Maths and English education in South Africa, Tanzania and Ghana. Warwick students who have completed the Warwick Institute of Education (WIE) Student Associates Scheme (SAS) and are studying a Maths, Science or English-related degree at the University of Warwick, are eligible to apply for a place on our Warwick in Africa Project. Application information is available in December each year, through the SAS Training Sessions or PGCE sessions. http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/alumni/giving/priority/ responsibility/warwickinafrica/ 22
Global Advantage Award: develop the skills global employers are seeking Employers are keen to hire graduates that can demonstrate that they can effectively communicate, interact and build effective working relationships with people from different cultures and countries. Even if you are based in the UK, you may need to contribute to global projects and manage international teams. The Global Advantage Award an elite award for current Warwick students who provide evidence that they have developed capabilities highly valued by global employers: openness and flexibility, coping with setbacks, a spirit of adventure, the ability to communicate across cultures and build strong inter-cultural working relationships, and the confidence to articulate what has been learnt from inter-cultural experience(s). It is a great opportunity to reflect on and capture your capabilities and skills in preparation for employer applications. 40 hours or more of significant intercultural interaction are required. Eligible activities include: work experience or volunteering outside your home country; collaborative international research projects; voluntary work in your home country involving significant interaction with multicultural groups; or significant intercultural involvement in campus activities with students of other nationalities/cultures. Students use the knowledge and understanding gained during the Global Advantage process to demonstrate their potential to work internationally. For more information visit: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/advantage/ awards/global/
Language Centre The Language Centre supports the University’s commitment to the increased provision of foreign language learning opportunities for members of the public, undergraduates, postgraduate students and staff across the faculties.The Language Centre is located on the central campus, on the ground floor of the Humanities Building.You can take languages as an academic module or simply for fun! Languages include Arabic, British Sign Language, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Turkish. Places fill out quite fast, so make sure to visit the language centre in the first week if you’re interested. 23
Questions? Contact: president@warwicksu.com or int.office@warwick.ac.uk
www.warwicksu.com/GoGlobal