OIP Brochure 2023

STAKE YOUR CLAIM TO THE WORLD

The Office of International Programs (OIP) at UNC Charlotte strengthens international education at the University and in the wider Charlotte community. The ever-increasing interconnectivity of our world brings numerous opportunities and responsibilities. At UNC Charlotte, OIP positions global awareness and intercultural competence as fundamental to the institution’s curriculum and programming. OIP addresses areas of impact such as faculty resources, student opportunities and services, and intercultural education outreach initiatives.

OIP’s overarching administrative office leads the University’s international mission with the support of several interconnected specialization units.

The lead administrative operation (OIPA) coordinates the campus-wide internationalization efforts and administrative leadership of its integrated units. For example, OIPA supports curriculum development and faculty research; promotes Fulbright and other fellow program opportunities; encourages implementation of global initiatives in the various colleges; manages international travel grant funds; coordinates the North Carolina Foreign Policy lecture series program; hosts the World Affairs Council of Charlotte; manages international linkages with higher education institutions in other countries; and welcomes international delegations and official visitors to campus.

OIP’S INTEGRATED UNITS INCLUDE:

The Office of Education Abroad offers opportunities for students and faculty to participate in a variety of learning experiences outside the United States.

The Office of Intercultural and Educational Experiences produces customized short-term academic and professional development programs for groups.

The International Student and Scholar Office provides information, services, and programs for international students, faculty, and visiting scholars.

The English Language Training Institute prepares international students for academic study in the United States through English language and cultural adaptation instruction.

The Office of Global Education and Engagement orchestrates academic and co-curricular opportunities to enhance global and intercultural learning for University constituents and the Charlotte community.

Opportunities Services for Students

Opportunities & Students

In addition to numerous overseas opportunities, the Office of International Programs provides a repertoire of campus-based initiatives to support our students’ global learning and intercultural competence development.

GLOBAL CERTIFICATE

The program provides curricular and co-curricular offerings to strengthen students’ global learning. Students earn points based on participation in designated courses, activities, and overseas engagement options.

GLOBAL GATEWAYS RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM

International and internationally-minded female students seeking to strengthen their global awareness and understanding are invited to apply to live in the Global Gateways house. Residents participate in social, community service, and educational programs.

INTERCULTURAL CONNECTIONS

Various engagement opportunities are provided for students to interact with others from different cultures through language conversation (ELTI Talks, Conversation Partners), social interaction (International Coffee Hour), and structured groups (Friendship and Cultural Exchange, iClub).

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES

UNC Charlotte celebrates the nearly 2,000 international students who enrich our campus community with their global perspectives. The International Student and Scholar Office provides information, services, and programs to assist students in achieving their educational and personal goals.

STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES

All students are encouraged to participate in the academically rigorous, costeffective, and enriching study abroad programs. Students can experience new places in the world while earning academic credit toward graduation.

Resources Faculty

The Office of International Programs offers a variety of opportunities for faculty and staff development to enhance the institution’s global dimensions.

OIP UNIVERSITY COUNCIL

Representatives from the seven academic colleges, together with team members essential to UNC Charlotte’s internationalization, serve as members. The University Council provides a central communication point regarding campus-wide international engagement and assists with identification of future directions for international initiatives.

GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES

UNC Charlotte promotes global learning through strategic country (e.g., India, China) and regional initiatives. Examples of efforts include targeted international recruitment, overseas partnerships, research connections, grant development, and study abroad.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERTISE DATABASE

OIP maintains a database of University faculty and staff with interest and expertise in various foreign languages, regional areas, countries, and cultures. The database is searchable to promote programming partnerships, collaborative research, and expert consultation.

Resources for Faculty & Staff

FACULTY OVERSEAS EXCHANGE

OIP works with faculty to explore international exchange possibilities such as the Fulbright Exchange Program, reciprocal department exchanges, and exchanges based on agreements between UNC Charlotte and overseas institutions of higher learning.

FACULTY INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL GRANTS

OIP awards grants to assist faculty with international travel, giving priority to experiences which enhance the internationalization of the University.

SHORT-TERM STUDY ABROAD COURSES

OIP’s Office of Education Abroad works with faculty to develop and implement short-term, credit-bearing study abroad experiences. These custom programs provide a platform to enhance students’ education.

INTERNATIONAL FACULTY & ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT SUPPORT

As needed, OIP provides international faculty, visiting scholars, and teaching assistants with immigration and visa support, language assessment and enhancement, and cultural adjustment resources. Academic departments receive support navigating the hiring process for international faculty from OIP’s International Student and Scholar Office.

CLASSROOM RESOURCES

OIP offers classroom presentations for faculty. The International Student and Scholar Office’s Cultural Ambassadors panel presentation and discussion features international students sharing their global perspectives regarding specific academic topics and/or general cultural reflections. The Office of Education Abroad staff shares a presentation on study abroad in the classroom.

International

In collaboration with campus academic and co-curricular partners, OIP orchestrates numerous programs to promote global and intercultural learning.

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK

A joint initiative of the US Departments of State and Education, IEW highlights our campus commitment to global and international understanding through lectures, presentations, films, and programs.

FOREIGN POLICY LECTURE SERIES

OIP is the North Carolina state coordinator for the Foreign Policy Association’s program, Great Decisions. In Charlotte, OIP organizes a community lecture series to help citizens become better informed and able to share their opinions on world events.

INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER SERIES

Political dignitaries, ambassadors, authors, and other experts share their global knowledge, addressing diverse topics from economics and business affairs to globalization and human rights.

WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF CHARLOTTE

OIP serves as the UNC Charlotte host for the World Affairs Council of Charlotte. WACC provides globally focused programming for the University and the Charlotte community, including lectures, young professionals’ engagement, networking, and abroad experiences.

International Initiatives

INTERNATIONAL ENRICHMENT SEMINAR

In OIP’s IE Seminar, first-year students receive academic credit to explore global perspectives and intercultural awareness, while learning about international resources and programs at UNC Charlotte.

UNC CHARLOTTE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

A 40+ year tradition with over 20,000 annual attendees, the International Festival celebrates the music, dance, food, and culture of the University’s and Charlotte’s international community.

PHI BETA DELTA HONOR SOCIETY

A charter member of the Phi Beta Delta International Honor Society for Scholars, the UNC Charlotte PBD Mu Chapter recognizes excellence in the field of international education and exchange.

INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION OPPORTUNITIES

OIP invites Charlotte community members, as well as UNC Charlotte faculty, staff, and alumni, to expand their global awareness by participating in short-term overseas opportunities.

OFFICE OF EDUCATION ABROAD

OEA supports overseas engagement for students, faculty, and staff to strengthen intercultural competence. More than 100 countries, cities, and schools are part of the study abroad network. Faculty work with OEA to develop short-term programs and support semester and year-long overseas educational opportunities.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AND SCHOLAR OFFICE

In addition to helping academic departments navigate the employment process for international faculty members, ISSO supports international students and scholars through prearrival resources, orientation programming, individual advising, immigration document assistance, and cultural engagement.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING INSTITUTE

ELTI is the longest established intensive English program in the Carolinas, offering six levels of English language instruction and cultural adaptation support to students. International instructors are also assisted by ELTI’s orientations, English language assessment, communication courses, and consulting.

OFFICE OF INTERCULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES

OIEE creates and implements intensive, structured programs for groups (e.g., university students, academic instructors, businesses, etc.). The custom-designed programs integrate academic content, experiential learning, cultural and recreational activities, as well as opportunities for interaction with the University and local community.

OFFICE OF GLOBAL EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT

OGEE implements curricular and co-curricular programs that advance international initiatives at UNC Charlotte. These programs strengthen student, faculty, and staff members’ global awareness and understanding.

The interconnected specialization units of OIP enhance UNC Charlotte’s internationalization efforts.

INTERNATIONAL REACH