Jayhawk Planet 2018-2019

Winter 2018-19 / Volume 19

THE

J AY H AW K PLANET

The Newsletter for the University of Kansas Study Abroad Alumni and Friends

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: STUDY ABROAD EXPANDS CAMPUS REACH KU HOSTS CAREER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP FOR GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIPS ENABLE STUDENT TO GAIN HANDS-ON MEDICAL EXPERIENCE IN SPAIN THE IMPACT OF STUDY ABROAD

GAP student Ashley Dunn studied abroad in Moscow, Russia, at the Higher School of Economics during Spring 2018. Thanks to our generous donors, she received a $1,000 scholarship to help fund her program, where she studied Russian language, political science, and communication.

S T U DY A B R OA D E X PA N D S C A M P U S R E AC H Above: The International Jayhawk Festival is an annual celebration of KU’s international engagement. A collaboration of the division of KU International Affairs, the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, and KU’s Area Studies centers, the event is in its fourth year and is representative of the deep connections across KU’s globally and internationally-focused units.

The KU International Programs division has recently undergone a significant realignment. The Office of Inter-national Programs has changed its name to KU International Affairs to reflect refocused efforts and new services to better advance global exchange and interaction at the university.

“The name KU International Affairs signifies that we are here to embolden, empower and enable KU students, faculty and staff across the institution as they engage in work that increasingly transcends geopolitical boundaries,” said Charles Bankart, associate vice provost for international affairs.

The KU International Affairs (KUIA) division now incorporates nine functional units, all working collaboratively to advance the internationalization efforts of the University of Kansas. They include: • Academic Accelerator Program • Applied English Center • Intercultural Learning and Assessment • International Admissions • International Affairs Administration • Faculty Programs

• International Short Programs • International Support Services • Study Abroad & Global Engagement Collectively, KUIA programs serve Jayhawks from all 50 states and over 105 nations by mobilizing discovery, research, study and service.

Through its engagement of the global community, KUIA cultivates inclusion and collaboration across campus and the region.

Study Abroad & Global Engagement (SAGE) – formerly the Office of Study Abroad - has updated its name and expanded its role to reflect its commitment to ensuring all KU students have a significant intercultural or international experience during their tenure at the University of Kansas. In pursuit of this mission, SAGE now houses KU’s undergraduate Global Awareness Program (GAP) certificate

program and the prestigious Global Scholars program. In addition, SAGE has also expanded advising and support for all graduate-level, university-affiliated international travel, research and academic experiences, including KU’s longstanding Graduate Direct Exchange and China Direct Exchange programs.

This expanded portfolio enables SAGE to provide comprehensive programming and support to all KU students, regardless of academic level, both on campus and abroad, as they seek to incorporate a global framework into their KU studies.

The Global Awareness Program (GAP) Launched in 2004, the Global Awareness Program was created to ensure all KU undergraduates, both domestic and international, have access to international experiences while pursuing an undergraduate degree at KU. To achieve GAP certification, students must complete two of the following three program components: language study and comparative coursework, internationally-oriented co-curricular activities for a minimum of 20 hours, and participation in an approved study abroad experience (or be an international student studying at KU). GAP is a university-recognized certificate program, providing evidence on a student’s transcript of his/her commitment to sustained growth in country or region-specific knowledge, comparative perspectives, and cross-cultural communication skills.

Approximately 200 students graduate with GAP certification annually.

KU A R E A STU D I E S C E N T E R S AWAR D E D FE D E R A L G R ANTS The Department of Education has designated the Kansas African Studies Center (KASC), the Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) and the Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies (CLACS) as National Resource Centers and it provided funds for the creation of a new Open Language Resource Center

Global Scholars

(OLRC) at KU. The four

Founded in 2010, the Global Scholars program recognizes and supports undergraduate students with a strong academic record and an interest in global studies. Fifteen sophomore scholars are selected on an annual basis. During their sophomore year, each cohort participates in an internationally-themed, interdisciplinary seminar that challenges students to better understand global issues, strengthen their critical thinking skills, and conceptualize their internationally focused undergraduate research proposal. Throughout their remaining tenure as Global Scholars, students pursue independent research in consultation with faculty mentors uniquely selected to provide guidance and support to their research initiatives. In addition, scholars are provided financial support for international travel and study to further their understanding of global issues and to advance their skills in intercultural communication and leadership. The program culminates in an annual Global Scholars Symposium at which each year’s graduating class presents their research to scholars and peers from KU and beyond.

centers will receive $3.3

Michelle Ward With the International Affairs division-wide realignment, Michelle Ward joined the staff of SAGE in January 2019. While new to SAGE, Michelle has served as the Program Coordinator for the Global Awareness & Global Scholars Programs within the former Office of International Programs since 2016. In addition to coordinating the above programs, Michelle connects students to campus-based programs and courses that encourage international and intercultural exploration, develops global career preparation workshops, supports internationally-oriented Hawk Week activities, and collaborates with colleagues to plan and implement the annual International Jayhawk Festival. Through her combined efforts, students learn how they can gain a global perspective through campus-based activities, coursework, and international experiences, better preparing Jayhawks for the globalized workforce.

million over the next four years (2018-2022) to fund interdisciplinary research and the teaching of international studies, including critical world languages.

In addition, KU will receive $3 million in Foreign Language and Area Studies fellowships to support undergraduate and graduate students pursuing advanced proficiency in less commonly taught languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, KiSwahili, Korean, Portuguese and others. In total, students of 17 foreign languages taught at KU will be eligible to apply for FLAS Fellowships for intensive language study both on campus and abroad during the academic year and summer terms.

Winter 2018-19 / Volume 19

THANK YOU! Through the generous support of our alumni

KU HOSTS C AR E E R DE V E LO P M E NT WORKS H O P F O R GI L MA N SC HO L A R S H I P P R O GR AM A LUMNI

and friends, in 2018, 271 students were award scholarships to fund their study abroad experiences.

Study Abroad & Global Engagement thanks the following people for their support:

Jeffrey P. Ahle Benjamin Ale-Ebrahim Gabrielle L. Ale-Ebrahim Jennifer Ale-Ebrahim Karen Schmidt Alexander Sara S.J. Anderson Bruce Osen & Jane Averill Timothy Averill & Lauren Roberts Heather C. Baker Dr. Charles & Kimberly Bankart Linda K. Bankes Emma L. Bean Sally Campbell Bender Rebecca & Jeffrey Blaesing Tyra L. Blew Jan Bolinger Bridget A. Bradley Christopher W. Brandon Melissa M. Bright Ruth M. Brito Sarah B. Brixey Carol Adams Brown & Clifton Brown Melissa Buckelew Summers Dr. Joan E. Budd G. Wayne Burge Marta Caminero-Santangelo Kathryn D. Carroll Jennifer M. Cassell Nathan & William Chamberlain Dr. Maggie H. Childs Susan & Bryce Clarke Tony & Kimber Claxton Schleich KU Zodiac Club Jean Colglazier Knapp

Winter 2018-19 / Volume 19

In September, KU welcomed approximately 55 alumni of the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program from across the United States for a full-day career-readiness workshop hosted by KU International Affairs and Study Abroad & Global Engagement.

The congressionally funded Gilman program aims to diversify the population of U.S. students participating in international study and internships by providing scholarships to outstanding undergraduate Pell Grant recipients who, due to financial constraints, might not otherwise have the opportunity to study abroad. Since the program’s establishment in 2001, over 1,300 U.S. institutions have sent more than 28,000 Gilman scholars to 145 countries around the globe.

Annually, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs selects four U.S. colleges and universities to host workshops that showcase career development skills and opportunities for Gilman alumni.

KU was selected in part for its success in producing Gilman Scholars, ranking 16th nationally for Gilman Scholars in STEM fields and 23rd overall in the total number of Gilman scholarship recipients in 2016-17. In addition, KU’s national rankings in study abroad present a compelling narrative. Nearly 28% of KU undergraduate students study abroad

prior to graduation, ranking KU 24th among public research institutions for undergraduate participation in international education.

Leveraging expertise from Study Abroad & Global Engagement, International Affairs, the University Career Center, the TRIO Program, and multiple academic units, the workshop offered tailored sessions on communicating the value of education abroad, resume and cover letter development, successful interview techniques, professional networking, maintaining foreign language competencies, and opportunities to further develop international expertise through the Fulbright program, Peace Corps, and employment abroad. Several prominent local figures, including Brian McClendon, a former executive at Google and Uber, and current adjunct professor in KU’s Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science; Brandon Skidmore, Program Officer at the Sunflower Foundation; and Kim Rainey, Recruiter at Cerner, led a panel addressing how Gilman alumni can market their diverse international experiences and associated skills to employers and differentiate themselves as job applicants.

Ms. Heidi Manley, Deputy Director, Global Educational Programs at the U.S. Department of State, traveled to KU to participate in the event. Manley stated, “The Gilman Program aims to make study abroad and its career advantages more accessible and inclusive for all American students. We want participants to walk away from the workshop with clear, concrete next steps for how to use their study abroad experience to gain employment and become an asset to their employer.”

Brooke Lapke (third from the left), during her hospital shadowing internship in Spain.

THANK YOU! Erin K. Collins Bridget R. Compton Dr. Deborah Davies Drew Davies Cynthia Adams Davis Wendy Davis Jeffrey L. Davison Laura E. Dean Dr. Mary Elizabeth Debicki

S CH O L A R SHIPS EN AB LE STUDE NT TO GAIN H A N DS - O N M EDIC A L EXPE RIE NCE IN SPAIN

Dipankar Dey Susan D’Orazi Kirsten Drickey & Dr. Kendall Whitney Myrl L. Duncan

Brooke Lapke is determined to make a difference in the lives of others. A pre-med student, Lapke is majoring in microbiology and minoring in Spanish.

Since arriving at the University of Kansas from the small town of LaMotte, Iowa, she has shown drive and dedication.

During new student orientation, Lapke learned about a study abroad program for pre-health students to shadow doctors internationally. Immediately interested, she researched and applied to the program before even starting classes at KU. “Being a culturally competent physician is important to me, especially in today’s world, because I want to be able to provide effective healthcare for patients with diverse cultural backgrounds. A lack of cultural competence can affect the patient’s safety and impact overall health,” said Lapke.

Lapke chose the Atlantis Project hospital shadowing program, and spent the following summer shadowing doctors at a small hospital in Alcázar de San Juan, Spain. The 11 Atlantis fellows at her shadowing site became close to the locals and were able to experience life in the small Spanish town through their immersion in the local community. Nuns in the community cooked for them, and doctors invited them into their homes for dinner and other social events.

The experience solidified Lapke’s plans to work in global medicine.

Her involvement in the governmentrun healthcare system provided a point of comparison to medicine and

healthcare in the U.S. and developed her understanding of the physician’s role.

Lapke is now more aware of the intersections of global healthcare policy and its implications for current conversations in the U.S. “I believe that everyone deserves the right to have healthcare and I want to serve those who are excluded from the healthcare system,” said Lapke.

Lapke’s transformative experience would not have been possible without her own hard work and the generous gifts KU alumni provide to support study abroad scholarships. As an out-ofstate student and one-of-four children in a single-parent home, she is solely responsible for the cost of her college education. To help pay for the program, Brooke worked as a CNA for Visiting Nurses, raised funds from her family and friends, and took out a KU Endowment Loan. She also applied and received a $3,000 federal Gilman Scholarship and the Kevin and Joann Nunnink Scholarship, administered by the Office of Study Abroad.

After returning to KU, Lapke’s experience inspired her to apply for the KU Global Scholars program. During the summer of 2019, Lapke will return to Spain to work as a public health research lead with the Atlantis Project. Whether it is serving as her sorority’s chapter president, working as an undergraduate research assistant at KU Medical Center, or pursuing a Global Awareness Certificate, Lapke remains dedicated to serving others and becoming more culturally competent.

John M. Dunlap Martha C. Dupecher Abby D. Ehling Andrea L. Eickholt Janet Schrunk Ericksen Lauren R. Erickson Margretta O. Farrar-deVries Dr. Billie Thompson Fischer Robert R. Fowler John R. Galloway Kelsey H. Gibbons Aaron Gillespie Mary Jo Glanville Mark L. Glassman Logan T. Gollogly Suzanna L. Green Shannon L. Green-Kingery Beth M. Gurney Wendy M. Haas Mark V. Hageman Sheri & Alex Hamilton Sandra J. Hannon Jodi & David Hanson Stephen & Marianne Hauck Dr. Kelley Hayden Aimee Green Hayes Dr. Archie A. Heddings, MD Conrad M. Henderson David & Joyce Hiebert Willard E. Hiebert Harley R. Hill Birgit Jander Hindman & Robert Hindman Zachary & Melissa Holland Tiffany D. Holthus Elizabeth K. Horst Nicole Horton Erin M. Hubert Stephen & Mary Anne Hughes Jenna Hunter-Skidmore

Winter 2018-19 / Volume 19

THANK YOU! Sara B. Jackson Rachel Porter Jasmine Joshua & Emily Johnson James K. Jones Julie A. Jones Janet M. Justus Robert S. Kafalenos Carol Kalin & George Bevan Glen Kemper Hon. Joan Fowler Kessler William M. Kidder Steven & Jill Kidwell Dr. Eric & Julie Peters Knudtson Karen Kocher Thrasher Timothy P. Kresowik Christina L. Kuebler Ellen Y. Kuwana Nathan L. Ladd Steve Larsen Tracie D. Lewis Paul & Susan Lindahl Dr. Catrina C. Litzenburg Dr. Betsy J. Longenecker Nicholas J. Manoogian Rebecca & Eric Mardis Patrick A. Mawhinney Andrew P. McDonald Jennifer & Vanja Mehmedovic Susan Vernon Meier Thomas E. Mertz Cynthia Ulery Meyer Gus & Cheryl Meyer Nancy A. Milgrim David & Susan Millstein Dr. Sarah M. Misemer Paul Monson Debra Brodsky Natenshon Marilee Neale Andrew J. Nelson Maggie Newcomer Isabel L. Nogues William & Cecile Nye Patrick J. O’Connor Patricia & Edward O’Day Yuki Onogi Carmen I. Ortiz Andrew J. Orton David C. Oswald Richard Paegelow & Chris Tang Rodney K. Parr Megan J. Peat Christine Pederson Mercedes J. Perales

Winter 2018-19 / Volume 19

THE LONG-TERM IMPACT O F STUDY ABROAD In her current position as an assistant planner at The Urban Collaborative, LLC, KU alumna Jessica Rea Kelly still feels that same joy and wonder that she experienced during her first trip abroad. From designing a fire station in Japan to developing plans for administrative facilities in Cuba, Kelly travels extensively for her work.

In addition to building an impressive portfolio, she relishes her time abroad and the organizational and navigational skills she continues to hone during her travels. “Although I never really envisioned myself creating master plans and building designs for the federal government and military bases, this job is actually a perfect mix for me, blending my professional skills and love of travel.”

Students often state that studying abroad is one of the most profound experiences they have during their time in college and one that provides clarity on the future they hope to achieve. To determine if the anecdotal evidence is supported by data, an international team of researchers made this the subject of their 2013 paper, “The Longterm Personal and Professional Impacts of Participating in a Study Abroad Program.” Their research shows that significant international experiences can have an immediate impact on students’ lives, shift their trajectories, and leave an enduring and lifelong impression, affecting attitudes, civic engagement, and career choices. Specifically, researchers found that study abroad participants, including those who had graduated 10+ years ago, were more likely to have friends and colleagues from a different culture, follow international news, and attend cultural events. They were more engaged in their local community, choosing to shop locally, purchase locally grown food, use public transportation, bike to work, and participate in civic petitions and demonstrations. Even years after

studying abroad, respondents reported that the experience had increased their self-confidence, maturity, and global awareness. Professionally, their international experience had a long-lasting effect, increasing both employment and educational opportunities.

In a small survey of KU alumni, Study Abroad & Global Engagement found similar results. Through their responses, past study abroad participants reflected on the impact of international education on their attitudes, values and beliefs.

Beth Seymour participated in the Grupo de Kansas program in San José, Costa Rica, in 2002. Today, she runs a human rights film festival. Beth communicates with people from diverse countries and cultures every single week.

“Studying abroad inspired passion, deepened my global perspective, fostered empathy and tolerance and taught me perseverance,” she stated.

Benjamin Ale-Ebrahim, currently a doctoral student in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Indiana-Bloomington, said that studying abroad helped him contextualize cultural differences and similarities. “I was able to see that all people around the world have similar hopes and desires to love and be loved, to be stable and secure, and to enjoy themselves, to name a few that I noticed. The details of how these hopes and desires get articulated may be different, but the essence is the same.”

Alumna Faye Cook also reflected on the intercultural competencies learned through education abroad.

“Study abroad opened my eyes to new places, people and perspectives. I was immersed in different cultures with different sets of values, and learned there is no one ‘right’ way to think. The experience broadens your mind, which in turn helps you relate to and best navigate through life situations.”

THANK YOU! Cecile & John Petermann Dr. Eric Knudtson & Julie Peters Knudtson Maria D. Pirotte Breanna D. Price Roger & Alicia Rieder Paul & Michelle Rieger Jean Hardy Robinson Tom & Jann Rudkin Marilyn M. Roelse Debora M. Roessler Wendy Dill & Mark Russell LTC Leah Coleen Schmidt Margaret A. Schneider Lynn Schrag Inga K. Schuchard Lee A. Schwartz As an assistant planner for an artchitecture firm in Oregon, Jessica Rea (bottom right) travels extensively working on federal building projects around the world. She said of her study abroad experience: “I learned how certain aspects of American culture and infrastructure are inefficient and I absorbed the visual complexity that historical cities and places are made of – the layering of cultures and infrastructure abroad is very different. My perspective shifted beyond myself and has remained so.”

Personal challenge and growth was central to the experience abroad of Ashlie Koehn. Koehn came to KU as a veteran and rural first-generation college student. “Challenging myself to exist in another culture stretched and defined my personality. Living in a place where you don’t understand the local language, culture, or broader society teaches you to accept the chaos around you even as you strive to understand it,” she said.

Retired U.S. Foreign Service Officer John Rodgers studied abroad in 197879. His experience significantly affected his career opportunities, but also his outlook. “Every part of the globe is filled with the ghosts of past cataclysms and mistakes, triumphs and invention. No country is without its bitter experiences as well as glorious achievements. Sorting this out takes time, patience, and a willingness to think outside of your own cultural box. Most of us come back with a new-found appreciation of our own culture, but perhaps also with some ideas as to how we can make our own country’s situation better in some way.”

Michelle Cochran, a licensed social worker in Kansas, graduated with her Masters of Clinical Social Work in 2011.

During her time at KU, she studied

abroad in Costa Rica. “Studying abroad had an absolutely profound impact on my life,” said Cochran. “As I continue to grow in my career, I reflect more on how studying abroad changed me as a person and deeply impacted my clinical career. Studying abroad humbles you.

It empowers you to continue pushing forward with the issues you care about in Kansas and the United States. There is no better way to understand the power of cultural competency than making yourself completely vulnerable in another country’s culture and daily life.”

From recent graduates to retiring professionals, a study abroad experience has life-long benefits that extend beyond the individual. Stated alumna Jenny Mehmedovic, “I’ve found that the more I meet and interact with people different than me, the more I understand about the world. I foster these values in my children and encourage them to spread their wings so they can broaden their own worldviews.”

Studying abroad can alter academic and career paths, deepen cultural understanding, and foster civic engagement. To share your own story, email us at studyabroad@ku.edu.

Deborah Shaw Schwartz Gabrielle Segura Villarreal John A. Sennentz Jeffrey D. Shellhorn Dr. Michael & Virginia Skoch Lori Slater Vivan C. Slater Dale & Sherry Slusser Ryan L. Smartt Melissa S. Spaulding Jennifer Stauch James E. Steinkamp Larry & Nancy Stoppel Dr. Joseph R. Storrs Melody Stratton Jessica Townsend Teague Laura C. Ternes Mary Bleish Thompson Josef Cunningham & Anne Tormohlen Stacie Daniels Vincent & Paul Vincent Thomas & Heather Vrabac Madolyn Wagner Dr. Anne D. Wallace David Clarey & Jean Wayne Alexander J.C. Weakley Brad A. Weiner Drs. Lauren & Maura Welch Michael R. Welker Dr. Allan & Edna Wicker Lora & David Wiley Juliann Crider Wisbrock Sallie Pagels Wolf Richard & Mary Linna Woods Lisa D. Zarate

Source: DeGraaf, D., Slagter, C., Larsen, K., & Ditta, E. Fall 2013. “The Long-term Personal and Professional Impacts of Participating in a Study Abroad Program.” Frontiers, XXIII, 42-59.

Winter 2018-19 / Volume 19

Lippincott Hall 1410 Jayhawk Blvd., Rm. 108 Lawrence, KS 66045-7515

NEW PROGRAMS IN 2019 Each year, SAGE partners with colleagues from across the KU campus to design and develop new opportunities abroad for KU students. This year, in collaboration with the Schools of Business, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Music, eight new international study programs will be offered to KU students.

WINTER BREAK

SPRING BREAK

SUMMER

Global Migration Studies in Rome

Supply Chain Management and Logistics in Brazil

Discovering and Understanding Haitian Culture

Global Sport Management in New Zealand

Graz International Summer Institute

Globalization and AfroBrazilian Music and Culture in Salvador

History, Politics and Society in Israel

GIVE THE GIFT OF STUDY ABROAD! A donation of $

is made

in honor of as a gift from

to help more KU students study abroad.

Name

Your Name: Email:

Give online at:

Study Abroad & Global Engagement 1410 Jayhawk Blvd.

Lippincott Hall Room 108 Lawrence, KS, 66045

kuendowment.org/givenow *Specifiy “Study Abroad Scholarships” in the “My Gift Will Benefit” section

Please make checks payable to: KU Endowment

Address: City:

Mail your gift to:

State:

Zip Code:

100% of your gift will be used to benefit the area of your choice at the University of Kansas