Short-term study abroad grants available to faculty

Nov. 13, 2008

KALAMAZOO--The Haenicke Institute for Global Education is hosting two luncheons to inform Western Michigan University faculty members about a grant that is available for those interested in gaining first-hand experience of what it is like to develop and lead a summer study abroad program.

The luncheons are planned for noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, and Wednesday, Nov. 19, in the Bernhard Center. Tuesday's luncheon will be in Room 204 and Wednesday's in the President's Dining Room. A complimentary lunch will be provided to all faculty members who RSVP to Beth Van den Hombergh at beth.vandenhombergh@wmich.edu or (269) 387-4824.

View eligibility requirements and download application
Faculty development grant for short-term study abroad programs

Colleagues who have led summer study abroad programs will discuss their experiences, and institute staff will outline the development process and available resources, which include the University's faculty study abroad discovery grants.

"Introducing a group of students to another culture can be a challenging and rewarding experience--anything but boring, says Brett Berquist, executive director of international programs.

"Our faculty's dedication to globalizing the learning experience is rewarded with the satisfaction of seeing the immediate effect on their students' perspective of the world. Long-term research contacts and projects often arise from the time spent with university partners on these programs, as well."

Eight people received a faculty study abroad discovery grant to attend a 2008 short-term program this past summer in preparation for developing new programs aligned with their research interests.

The grant provides funding to participate in a predetermined set of discipline-appropriate short-term programs being conducted in such interesting destinations as Alexandria, Egypt; Bangkok, Thailand; Prague, Czech Republic; Rome; Tokyo; and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Up to 75 percent of expenses are covered for eligible faculty members who participate in one of the 19 summer study abroad programs.

For additional information, contact Brett Berquist at brett.berquist@wmich.edu or (269) 387-5890.

Media contact: Jeanne Baron, (269) 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu

Adapted from www.wmich.edu/wmu/news