
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
Jan. 24, 2007
The University of New Mexico Office of International Programs and Studies holds its spring study fair Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Dane Smith Hall Atrium. The fair highlights opportunities for short and long-term international study for UNM students in 2007.
This summer, UNM students may earn credit in UNM courses while studying ancient and modern art on Huang Shan Mountain in China, singing in Italy, working on a riverboat clinic in the Amazon region of Ecuador, or observing grassroots community organizations in Nicaragua. New programs are also opening up for semester and year-long student exchange programs with classes taught in English in China and Japan.
“UNM is in the midst of a major internationalization program for the campus,” said Ken Carpenter, associate director of International Programs and Studies.
“Our faculty members are offering a record number of spring and summer international courses – some 24 courses in more than14 countries from Japan to Switzerland. Our office has also been working on new semester and year-long exchange programs in Asia, including Hong Kong, Shanghai, Nanjing, Taiwan, and Japan.”
According to Carpenter, participation in international study programs at UNM has more than doubled in the past five years, and students are expressing interest in areas previously not requested. Past UNM study abroad programs have sent students primarily to Europe or Latin America, but recently they are requesting to go to Asia, especially Japan and China. In response, UNM has been developing several new Asian programs, including an international business student exchange with Hong Kong Polytechnic University , developed by the Anderson Schools of Management; a student exchange program in electrical engineering with Shanghai Jiao Tong Univers ity; a general purpose exchange program with National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan and a new undergraduate student exchange program beginning in 2007 with Akita International University, a small liberal arts university in Japan.
Furthermore, UNM is also establishing a cooperative program with the University of Arizona for study opportunities in Nanjing, China. Plans are also in the works to develop one or two new exchange programs in Japan and China during 2007.
Although UNM offers classes in Chinese and Japanese, most UNM students do not have the proficiency to do university-level work in those languages; however, many courses in partner universities in China and Japan are taught in English. Students also have the opportunity to study the languages intensively while in their host countries.
Carpenter also noted that there are some good financial aid incentives to help students to gain international experience. Last year the UNM Board of Regents established a new study abroad scholarship program, the Regents International Study Grant, which has supported some 127 students for study in 23 different countries. Three federal government programs also provide funding for students to participate in international foreign language or area studies programs in strategic areas of the world, including Asia. OIPS can provide information about those grants and assistance in applying.
In addition to new program initiatives, UNM students can participate in exchange programs in 25 other countries around the world. For more information, contact:
For Programs in Latin America, Spain and Portugal: Robyn Cote, 277-6843
For All Other Programs: Ken Carpenter, 277-4032
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