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From the Director - Re-Examining International EducationMany of us involved in international education have assumed that by focusing on international issues in the classroom, encouraging interaction between domestic and international students and fostering study abroad opportunities, we also might serve larger purposes such as promoting understanding, tolerance, and, possibly, the reduction of conflict between nations. The events of 9/11 and their aftermath have challenged those assumptions. President Bush’s blunt question soon after the attack—”Why do they hate us?”—has served, for better or for worse, to frame much of the recent political debate about the U.S. role in international affairs and the global economy. If taken at face value question implies a recasting of the role of international education as “know thine enemy.” The polarization implied in the “why-do-they-hate-us” question has led some pundits to warn of a new era shaped by Fortress America thinking. Although the term has been in use for many years, in a variety of contexts, currently it refers to issues of increased border security, tighter immigration policy, restrictions on international students and increasingly isolationist policies. If a Fortress America perspective is emerging, then it is arguable whether it inevitably will lead to a retreat from a broader understanding of international events and issues. On the contrary, considerable evidence suggests that Americans are more interested in international events and issues since 9/11. One indicator of student interest in international issues is the numbers who choose to study abroad. Nationally, a survey of international educators last month reported that most schools had experienced no decline in study abroad participation. Locally, prior to 9/11, study abroad participation by MU students in the 2000-2001 academic year had increased by 10 percent. After 9/11, in spite of heavy media coverage of the tragedies and threats, and frequent warnings from government officials about the dangers of travel abroad, the number of MU students who will study abroad in Winter 2002 is actually higher than it was in Winter 2001. Public interest in international affairs also appears to be increasing. In response to requests for more information about topics related to the terrorist attacks on 9/11, MU Direct (Office of Continuing and Distance Education) is presenting several courses from MU’s regular curriculum in its “MU in the Evening Program” this winter. In its new “Understanding Our World” series, it is offering: Scientific & Technological Aspects of Terrorism and Counter Terrorism, Geography of the Middle East, Introduction to Peace Studies, and Religious Studies—Islam. Our students and the public are eager to make sense of international events. Those of us in international education need to respond to their search for knowledge by developing new courses—substantive, area-specific and language based—and by re-examining our traditional assumptions about the values of international education. The special challenge for MU is how to create courses and programs that are responsive to this flourishing student and public interest in the context of seriously constrained resources. Promoting international understanding in the hope that it will reduce conflict still is a worthy goal. That it won’t always happen this way shouldn’t deter us. - Jim McCartney, Interim Director of the MU International Center Thinking Clearly about Foreign Students and TerrorismReports that at least one of the terrorists responsible for the tragic events of September 11 may have entered the United States on a student visa have focused attention on foreign students, and on a foreign-student tracking system mandated by a 1996 law and currently under development by the INS. Under the proposed system, institutions would be required to report certain information about foreign students and scholars electronically to the INS and to immediately report any changes in that information. Most of this information has long been maintained by the schools, but reporting it has not been required. The costs of the monitoring and reporting system would be covered through a fee. There has been much debate over the tracking proposal, and my organization has been its leading opponent. That debate ended on September 11, 2001. The time for debate is over, and the time to devise a considered response to terrorism has arrived. But as we proceed with that task, it is worth remembering the significant benefits that openness to foreign students and scholars brings to our nation. Obviously, much changed on September 11. But not everything changed. The United States still needs friends in the world - now more than ever. One of the most important but least appreciated successes of American foreign policy has been the reservoir of goodwill toward our country that we have created by educating successive generations of world leaders. As the debate on foreign students proceeds, we must recognize that our country gains much from being their destination of choice. It also remains true that 99.99 percent of the foreign students enrolled in our institutions wish us no ill, cause us no problems, and seek nothing more than the best education in the world. As the administration seeks to define an effective anti-terrorism strategy, we cannot afford to punish the many for the acts of the few. September 11 did not change the fact that U.S. pre-eminence in science is not an accident; it is due fundamentally to our openness to scientific exchange, which has enabled us over the generations to benefit from the best scientific expertise in the world. It is very much worth preserving the freedom of foreign scholars to participate in scientific exchanges at U.S. universities and research institutes. America's world leadership is being tested as rarely before. But how will we continue to renew our ability to lead? Another thing September 11 did not change is that we cannot effectively lead a world we do not understand. Foreign scholars who help us understand the world from whence they come do not threaten our national security; they enhance it. If cracking down on foreign students and scholars could really protect us against terrorism, it might be necessary to forego the benefits that they bring. But that's not the case. Foreign students and scholars constitute a tiny proportion of the 30 million we protect ourselves by applying it only to this small group. Monitoring systems will never reveal people's intentions. There is no substitute for the intelligence community being able to identify dangerous people before they get here. Absent that, we will always be blind. The threat we face is very serious. Our nation's response must be equally so. Daunting foreign policy, military, intelligence, and security challenges confront us. The job now is to focus the nation's attention and resources on these urgent challenges. Given that foreign students are already among the most closely monitored of all nonimmigrant visitors, it is difficult not to see increased monitoring as a diversion from the task at hand. Reprinted with permission by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. European Union Center Fosters Transatlantic ConnectionsThe European Union Center was established at the University of Missouri in 1998 as part of the European Union Center Network. One of 15 EU Centers in the United States supported by the European Commission, the thrust of the Center’s mission is to foster novel contacts and productive transatlantic partnerships through teaching, scholarly research, and outreach activities. In the tradition of the land grant university, the Center provides the education, knowledge technology, service and support critical to a better understanding and interchange among the peoples of the European Union and the Heartland of the United States.
Conferences hosted by the Center examine social, economic, and political variables that impact the citizenry of Europe and the United States. Past conferences have examined the use of digital technologies in western democracies, differences between Europe and the United States in the area of animal production, and the economic and political issues facing the European Union as it looks to expand its membership to Central and Eastern Europe. Participants in these conferences have included scholars, students, civil servants, elected officials, practitioners, and policy makers from Europe and the United States. While the Center coordinates and conducts a wide variety of research on the European Union, its particular competencies reside in the areas of integration and enlargement, biotechnologies and health protection, regional and rural studies, and conflict resolution. The Center works closely with the colleges and professional programs at the University of Missouri, offering a variety of courses for students wishing to add an EU element to their education. Students wishing to earn a specialization in EU studies are afforded the opportunity to do so by enrolling in the Graduate Certificate in European Union Studies that is currently under development with the Graduate School at the university. Educational programming provides the foundation for the Center’s research and outreach activities. Each winter semester the Center offers a course entitled Policies and Institutions of the European Union. This course provides students from a variety of disciplines with a fundamental knowledge of the European Union, how it operates, and how its policies will impact them once they begin their professional lives. Students from diverse disciplines, such as textile management, law, and agricultural economics, have participated in the course and have taken advantage of research grants awarded annually to students who are doing original research on the European Union. Research and educational opportunities, along with upcoming events sponsored by the Center, may be accessed at the Center’s website at http://eu.missouri.edu. For more information about the MU European Union Center, please contact Kelly Shaw, Associate Director, by phone at 882-1551 or via e-mail at ShawK@missouri.edu. Cropp Receives Award for International LeadershipAssistant Professor Fritz Cropp is the 2001 recipient of the Provost Award for Leadership in International Education. The purpose of this award is to recognize faculty who have provided outstanding leadership in strengthening MU's international dimension. Professor Cropp currently serves as the Director of International Programs for the School of Journalism. A Global Scholars participant in both 1999 and 2000, Cropp?s international collaborations include negotiating exchange programs on behalf of the Journalism School, coordinating the EU Center conference ?Global Information Wars,? and developing a new course in Global Communications. Nominations for the 2002 award should be submitted to the Provost by Division Deans no later than April 18, 2002. MU International Student Enrollment Climbs
Though the September 11th tragedy is expected to have an impact on international student enrollments nationwide, it is too early to tell exactly how much or for how long. 1 This figure does not take into account approximately 49 students who withdrew after the September 11th terrorist attacks. 2 Davis, T. M. (2000). Open Doors: Report on International Education Exchange. Institute of International Education. Winter Semester 2002 New International Student OrientationDate: January 14, 2002 Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Place: International Center, N52 Memorial Union Attendance at the orientation is very important. Please encourage all new international students to attend. The Top 10 Things International Students Should Know
World Beat - International Student Mauro MalzanniEvery semester MU hosts students and scholars from around the world serving in various capacities. Some are here seeking degrees, others are visiting faculty or staff, and still others are here as visiting researchers or observers. Each issue of MU International will introduce one such visitor to the greater MU community. Nothing about MU exchange student Mauro Malzanni screams “rapper.” Sitting at a café table in Memorial Union, he looks more like a young professional than a forerunner of Italy’s underground rap scene. When asked about the baggy jeans, huge silver medallions and backwards baseball caps stereotypically linked to American rap culture, he says simply, “I stopped wearing those sorts of clothes a while ago. At some point, you have to grow up and start going to job interviews.”
Determined to infiltrate the underground rap scene in Italy, Mauro started working with graffiti artists in Bergamo in 1995, participating in “jams,” or graffiti competitions, organized by the town council. His connections with graffiti artists soon led him to local rap concerts where he met DJs and emerging Italian rappers broadcasting their unique beats and rhymes to the Italian public. Later that same year, Mauro got his first break, rapping with famous Italian rapper “Doc” on stage at a concert. Soon, Mauro became a lead member of the group BCK, rapping alongside Doc on two songs from the 1995 album “Va Cosi.” Since then, Mauro and BCK have performed in Milan, Verona, Brescia, Torino, Genova and Vicenza and have received clothing endorsements from Thom Gotti and Savage. With the release of their second album “Va Cosi, pt. II” this past May, BCK hopes to increase their following. When he’s not rapping or writing rhymes, Mauro listens to the sounds of DMX, Jay-Z, Redmen and Method Man for inspiration, though he notes that most American rappers seem to “make a lot of money from swearing.” His own lyrics deal primarily with issues of relationships, life and love both in Italy and abroad. In between Spanish and English homework assignments here at MU, Mauro continues to write rhymes for a solo album he hopes to produce in Italy this summer. H-1B/PR Workshop a SuccessThe October 16 workshop was a great success. Over 70 attendees represented several campus groups, ranging from faculty and administrators to prospective H-1B employees. In the near future, ISSS will offer additional “hands on” workshops, which will focus solely on the H-1B or Permanent Residency (PR) processes. Per the request of MU faculty and staff, we will extend the time allotted for these workshops from two hours to three. Please stay in contact with the International Center for information regarding upcoming events and activities. New (English Language) Opportunities in KoreaThanks to new agreements concluded in the last year, MU students exposure to Asian culture, can study at two elite universities in Korea — in English. Seoul National University One such opportunity is at the School of International and Area Studies at Seoul National University, one of the most respected universities in all of Asia. While SIAS is particularly ideal for anyone with a strong interest in Asian and international business, politics, or economics, the school has a curriculum that extends broadly across a range of disciplines. Every course is taught in English. According to MU Asian Affairs Director Terry Weidner, who negotiated the agreement, although a graduate school, SAIS has indicated its willingness to accept qualified MU juniors and seniors. Weidner stressed the special nature of this opportunity. ?MU has a history and alumni base in Korea that give us a nearly unique profile in that country ? and opens doors like that to Seoul National University. This is a terrific opportunity for MU students to test themselves against the best, while experiencing a new culture in a beautiful, mountainous setting. I don?t think it gets better than this.? For more information about SIAS, see their website at: http://gias.snu.ac.kr/indexNS.html. Ewha Womans University Beginning Fall 2001, MU students may study at Ewha Womans University, a top tier Korean university that is noted for its academically challenging Co-Ed “Window to Asia” program taught in English. The Window to Asia program offers a wide-range of Asian Studies courses in the fields of Art, Business, History, International Relations, Literature, Media Studies, Music, Religion, Sociology, and Women’s Studies. Students may also take intensive Korean language courses, or participate in Ewha’s Internship program. Students may enroll in the Ewha Window on Asia Program for summer, fall, winter, or academic year. Barbara Lindeman, MU Director of Study Abroad, anticipates growing interest among MU faculty and students in Ewha’s Intensive Summer Program. “Currently, we are looking at the possibility of an MU professor teaching a course related to some aspect of Korean studies during the winter semester, and then having that professor lead a group of MU students to Ewha for the summer. There, he or she could continue to build upon the knowledge and learning gained during the winter semester course by teaching part-time in Ewha’s Intensive Summer Program and by conducting research.” Lindeman added, “Ewha is willing to explore a variety of faculty exchange options.” To learn more about the Window to Asia program, please see the Ewha University website at: http:/www.ewha.ac.kr For more information about either or these programs, please contact Rhonda Bemis or Barbara Lindeman in the International Center, or anyone at the MU Asian Affairs Center. Coca-Cola Ambassadors Scholarship Program RenewedThe Coca-Cola Company has generously agreed to continue to provide minority students at the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) who have demonstrated academic excellence scholarships to cover the cost of studies at MU and to fund participation in an MU study abroad program. Linda Garth, Director of Academic Retention Services, and Russ Jeffrey, Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid, serve as co-chairs of the Coca-Cola Scholarship Committee. Garth noted that the renewed Coca-Cola Scholarship program differs from the program of previous years in several significant ways. For example, in past years these scholarships have been awarded to incoming freshman minority students for four years of study at MU, along with minority students with junior standing for two years. Beginning in 2001-2002, Coca-Cola Scholarships will only be awarded to minority students who have demonstrated high academic achievement during their freshman and sophomore years at MU and have achieved junior standing. In addition to academic excellence, the Coca-Cola Scholarship Committee will be looking for students who have demonstrated leadership at MU, and who have contributed to the larger community. To accommodate the fact that the study abroad choices may be limited for Coca-Cola scholars in highly sequenced majors, scholarship recipients may now complete the study abroad portion of the scholarship by participating in an MU summer study abroad program. Previously, the scholarship had required study abroad for a semester or academic year. It is the consensus of the Coca-Cola Scholarship Committee that this modification will allow Coca-Cola scholars in any major to incorporate a study abroad experience into their MU educations without impeding their progress toward completion of their degree programs. Garth is enthusiastic about the renewal of the Coca-Cola Scholarship program. “I am excited that we are able to enhance the academic experience of our minority students through this global initiative.” Jarrett Dickerson, a Coca-Cola Scholar who utilized his scholarship to study at Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan, during fall semester 2001, affirmed the value of the overseas studies experiences afforded by the award, “Studying in Japan was a great experience. I think studying in another country adds great depth to an individual’s perspective on the world around them.” For additional information and applications for the Coca-Cola Ambassador scholarship, please contact either Linda Garth in Academic Retention Services at 882-2512 or via e-mail at garthl@missouri.edu or Russ Jeffrey, in Student Financial Aid at 882-2466 or via e-mail at jefferyr@missouri.edu. Study Abroad Participation Reaches New HeightsThe International Center is pleased to report that more MU students than ever are studying abroad. With 82 MU programs and over 300 MU Partner Programs in 53 countries, study abroad participation at the University of Missouri-Columbia has nearly quadrupled over the past 10 years. Not only do these students diversify their education and develop a truly global outlook, they bring that international perspective back to our campus, where it vividly enhances our classrooms, our residence halls, and the entire MU community.
This continuing growth is due in part from collaborative efforts between the MU Study Abroad Team and MU Colleges/Schools to develop programs that meet the academic needs of students from disciplines that are traditionally under-represented in overseas studies. The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CAFNR) has been successfully employing this approach for several years. An example of current collaboration between academic departments and the Study Abroad Team involves the School of Nursing and Pre-med Advisors in identifying viable study abroad options for their students. One possibility under consideration is a program at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Another area of growth in study abroad is in the number of students who participate in short-term, faculty-led overseas studies programs. The MU faculty Study Abroad Advisory Council (SAAC) will be holding a call of proposals for faculty-led study abroad programs in the near future. With two-thirds of incoming freshmen indicating that they are interested in studying abroad, MU is striving to make the opportunity not only academically, but also financially feasible for all of our students. By keeping programs affordable and facilitating the use of institutional, private, and federal financial aid, students are discovering that study abroad is a truly accessible option. As a result, MU students are finding, in ever-increasing numbers, that adding an international component to their education has never been more accessible, affordable, or vital to their quest for personal and professional growth. Study Abroad Information Sessions
Spain (Semester and Year-Long) - 3:30 - 4:30, S206 Memorial Union France - 3:30 - 4:30, S207 Memorial Union N. Europe (English-Speaking) - 3:30 - 4:30, N52 Memorial Union
Japan - 3:30 - 4:30, N49 Memorial Union Mexico (Semester and Year-Long) - 3:30 - 4:30, S110 Memorial Union Costa Rica - 3:30 - 4:30, S16 Memorial Union UK and Ireland - 3:30 - 4:30, N201/202 Memorial Union Africa - 3:30 - 4:30, N52 Memorial Union
China and Korea - 3:30 - 4:30, N49 Memorial Union Mexico Summer - 3:30 - 4:30, S207 Memorial Union Italy - 3:30 - 4:30, N52 Memorial Union Journalism Programs - 4:00 pm, Tucker Forum
Australia - 3:30 - 4:30, S206 Memorial Union German-Speaking Countries - 3:30 - 4:30, N52 Memorial Union |
The Center’s outreach efforts involve local and regional colleges and universities, local businesses and business groups, chambers of commerce, state and local governments, high school educators, and the media, as well as the larger University of Missouri System. To promote knowledge of the EU, its institutions and policies, and to enhance EU-US relations, the Center serves as an informational source on the EU and hosts a number of EU specific conferences each year.
MU’s Fall 2001 international student enrollment (1,301) rose by 68 from last year’s numbers for a net increase of 5%.1 Students from over 90 different nations contribute to the international atmosphere of our campus. The largest international student communities include: China-PRC (228), South Korea (198), India (165), Taiwan-ROC (82), Thailand (55), Turkey (51), Japan (40), Malaysia (36) United Arab Emirates (36), Saudi Arabia (28) and Canada (25). MU’s international student enrollment is consistent with national trends that show China, Japan, India, South Korea and Taiwan as the leading source of foreign students.2 Students from Asia represent nearly 65 percent of all MU international students, with those from East Asia (552) making up the lion’s share.
The majority of MU international students are studying at the graduate level (1003) and over 50 percent are concentrated in the College of Arts and Science (278) and the College of Engineering (230). Undergraduate internationals are also concentrated in these two colleges with nearly 40 percent enrolled as engineering majors (118) and 23 percent (67) in the College of Arts and Science. While international graduate student enrollment increased 9 percent over last year, undergraduate enrollment experienced a 4.5 percent decrease.
Maybe true, but stop by an Italian nightclub on a night when Mauro “Malza” Malzanni is performing, and you’ll see him take to the mike in true rapper style. Hailing from the outskirts of the historic town of Bergamo, Italy, Mauro first heard American rap at the age of fourteen when British friends played him a recording of Snoop Doggy Dogg. Instantly hooked, Mauro began turning his radio dial in search of the few Italian stations willing to play big-name and up-and-coming rap artists.
During the 2000-2001 academic year, there were 530 MU student participants in summer, semester, or year-long study abroad programs. This represents a 10% increase over the previous year and 3.1% of the total undergraduate population. Over the past two academic years MU has increased its participation in overseas studies by 25%.