Dear College of Liberal Arts Faculty, Staff and Students,

I am excited to share our Spring 2012 College of Liberal Arts Study Abroad & International Programs Newsletter. This April edition includes many exciting articles from Purdue students, faculty and staff, which celebrate the global initiatives and strides that have been formulating during the academic year.

During this past academic year, our college created new global partnerships, established current global relationships and cultivated many new CLA faculty-led summer programs. It is an exciting time for international opportunities in our college.

I would also like to express many thanks to all faculty, staff and students who participated in and supported our 3rd CLA Study Abroad Fair this past February 1st, 2012. The event was well attended with over 300 participants and representatives from providers, the Study Abroad Office, and CLA Departmental programs.

Enjoy the spring semester and best wishes on all summer international programming, research, and studies!

Elizabeth Díaz, International Programs & Study Abroad Coordinator

Announcements:For Faculty: All CLA 2013 proposals should be submitted to Associate Dean Song No by November 1, 2012, http://www.studyabroad.purdue.edu/faculty/departmental_programs.cfm.

For Students & Faculty:The upcoming CLA Study Abroad Fair will be held Wednesday, September 12, 2012 in Beering Hall Lobby from 11 am - 2 pm; and in Marriott Hall from 4 -7pm with the College of Health & Human Sciences. This should be an exciting day where we hope to celebrate both colleges’ collaborated international endeavors.All are welcome to participate in this event. If you are interested, please contact Elizabeth Díaz at eadiaz@purdue.edu.

Study Abroad & International Programs presents:

SAIP Newsletter

Volume II: April/2012

In This Issue:

Student Perspectives on Programs

News from Abroad

2012 Faculty Programs

CLA Study Abroad News

Find us on Facebook:

College of Liberal Arts Study Abroad and International Programs

Elizabeth DíazBeering Hall, Rm. 1114 eadiaz@purdue.edu

http://www.cla.purdue.edu/

As an out-of-state student from Texas fitting in at Purdue University, especially the Midwest, was extremely difficult. They say you are supposed to find yourself during college, but with the constant digs at the word ‘y’all’ and my Texas culture in general, I was feeling more at a loss with who I am than ever before. Needless to say, my college experience started off as anything but ideal. However, like any other person stuck in a rut, I made the best of it. I changed my major, became more involved on campus and started looking at everything I liked about Purdue rather than its differences from home—glass half full so-to-speak. It was because of this new outlook I decided I wanted to study abroad.

I went into the program knowing no one, but figured I would make friends along the way. I am a Communication major, might as well utilize my degree. Little did I know the people and experiences would change me forever. I know this sounds cliché, but it is the truth. I was thrust into a new country with a completely different culture from my own. The only option I had was to lean on the other Purdue students and try to navigate my way through

the U.K. I will admit there were some reservations about other students, since I had not been able to find my niche. Yet, the people on the trip were welcoming and fun and so much like me I could not believe how blind I had been.

Whether it was having the chance to intern in the music industry or travel to other countries like Ireland and France with great people, something changed when I was abroad. I finally felt like I was a part of Purdue. It was no longer about being on the outside. I was a Boilermaker in London with other students who were just as lost, trying to find our way. I was millions of miles from West Lafayette, but it took being away to realize just how proud I am to attend Purdue University. I gained independence, lifelong friends and an entirely new sense of self because of studying abroad. If I learned anything from my experience it was that while we may not know why life takes us places, sometimes being there and facing the unknown allows us to see we are exactly where we should be.

– Jennifer Higgins

Reflection on London

SAIP Newsletter:

Student Testimonial: London

When I decided to study abroad, it was pretty late in my college career. It was the first semester of my senior year and I had two weeks before I missed the deadlines to apply for programs. My situation was less than optimal, but I was determined.

After much deliberation and research, I decided to apply for the WIP Madrid program, which I knew would count towards my Spanish minor.

Time flew, and before I knew it I was boarding an eight-hour long group flight to Madrid with other students who looked as frightened as I felt. I spent most of the plane ride nervously chatting with my neighbor, a funny girl from Indiana University, speculating on what awaited us. I remember thinking, “there’s no turning back- I’ve passed the point of no return.”

Once in Spain, it didn’t take long for culture shock to hit our group. However, as the days passed,

I developed a rhythm and learned to accept and even celebrate the little intricate nuances that made Spain so different from the US. I bonded with fellow WIP students from the University of Wisconsin and IU, and we helped each other with difficulties we encountered. Classes and professors were vastly different from those in the US, but our tight knit community came together to help each other through.

One of my favorite parts of studying abroad was the opportunity to travel. I

visited different parts of Spain as well as other neighboring countries in Europe. I made it my mission to take pictures of everything, much to my friends’ chagrin. I was intent on documenting every single bit of our excursions, reminding myself that I was lucky and privileged to see these exciting cultures and places.

By the end of my time in Spain, I felt proud of all that

I had accomplished. I had traveled to another country by myself, found housing, and survived all the escapades that I came across

in Spain. My experience had changed me for the better, giving me a new level of assertiveness and confidence in my work and abilities. I never thought studying abroad could change me, but it did. That’s why I never hesitate to encourage others to study abroad because- despite of my struggles, culture shock, and stress- my experience was more than worth it. – Karla Camacho

Reflection on Madrid

SAIP Newsletter:

Student Testimonial: Madrid

“Study abroad enriches a Liberal Arts education and will give you one of the greatest experiences of your life!”

SAIP Newsletter:

Student Testimonial: Scotland

When I arrived in Scotland after being alone on a flight for six hours, I was slightly overwhelmed because I had completely lost my sense of direction. Soon, however, I had taken the right bus to the right stop and was on the right train to the town where I would be studying for the next six weeks.

On the train ride, which was very full, I happened to mention to the woman across from me that I liked her honeybee broach. Shortly after that, I found out that she knew a professor at Purdue University and had visited West Lafayette before. One of the first experiences I had studying abroad was learning how small our world is but at the same time how beautifully diverse it is too. I could not understand half of the Scottish slang that the woman used but was fascinated by it at the same time.

I grew to love that melodic accent the longer I stayed there and grow nostalgic every time I catch a snippet of the sound. The program I went to Scotland

for was specifically tailored for my Professional Writing major. I could take courses that applied directly to my requisites. At first, I wasn’t going to go because of financial reasons, but I tried anyway and was able to finance my trip mostly through

scholarships.

Since my time there, I have been able to utilize my experience on resumes and cover letters. One of the benefits from my trip is that I will be able to graduate sooner than I had initially planned. Anytime that

I hear someone talk about studying abroad, I highly encourage them to go. You will never forget your experiences, the world knowledge and the people you meet.

The best parts of my trip were the beautiful sites I was able to see, how different it was from anything I had ever experienced in the US and how it became a home for me.

– Katelyn Robert

“I have new knowledge about the world, and a love of learning and experiencing as much as I can.”

SAIP Newsletter:

Student Testimonial: Scotland Contined...

I was fortunate enough to study abroad the summer following my senior year in Dundee, Scotland. I went with other professional writing majors for a six week course. It was taught by the director of the Professional Writing program, Michael Salvo, who had spent his sabbatical in Dundee making the connections necessary for us to study there.

More than the classes, which were interesting and helped fulfill major requirements, I had a great social life while in Scotland. I am a member of the Purdue Fencing Club, and was able to fence with members of the Dundee fencing club while in Scotland.

I’m also a dancer. I learned that dance is a universal means of communication. I got to meet people from the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, and another transplanted American currently residing in Aberdeen through a weekend dance exchange in Edinburgh. The following weekend I was invited to come teach a dance class in Aberdeen.

I greatly enjoyed my time in the UK. The rail system is fantastic.

I was able to travel all over the UK, from Inverness in the north down to London for my flight home. The people were friendly, though occasionally prone to poke fun at our politics. The pace of life is very different. People seemed to value socialization and spending time with each other after work instead of doing more work at home. Most evenings were very relaxed and pleasant.

All things considered, the trip was definitely worth the loan I took out to pay for it. I also received a scholarship to help cover the costs. I would highly recommend any student considering studying abroad to look into doing so, even if it’s just for a summer. There is a lot to see and to learn.

– Ross Blythe

Scotland Dundee

SAIP Newsletter:

Summer 2012 CLA Cross Cultural Course: International & Domestic Student Collaboration

Course Title: Interdisciplinary Design Essence

Instructor: Li Zhang (Visual Communications Design) and Cheryl Qian (Interaction Design)

Time: July 9th ~ Aug. 3rd

This course aims to teach multicultural principles and methods pertaining to an emerging discipline bridging visual communications and interaction design. It involves the selection, analysis, interpretation, organization, communication, and evaluation of information to the audience and interaction users, covering a wide variety of delivery mediums, such as lecture, design discourse, individual and group critiques, and in class studio work. The design project will go across different interface types and integrate the usage of different design tools. This course demonstrates the differences and connections between

visual design and interaction design, information design and information visualization, and enhances students’ skills to present and promote their own design projects in global job markets and academic institutions.

It is a studio-based course. The classroom will be in a newly equipped Mac design studio in Pao Hall of Visual and Performing Arts. Students will work with both print and electronic media, and test their projects on different mobile interface. Half of the class would be international students. So far only 6 spots remain open for registration.

SAIP Newsletter:

Faculty News: Women’s Studies in Uganda

The Women’s Studies Program will be launching its first study abroad initiative this summer with a faculty-led trip to Uganda. This program has been designed to provide students with a much-needed global experience. It will function as an international feminist practicum—an optional capstone course that follows Global Feminisms (WOST 483), which is taught in the spring. This experiential learning program will also give students an opportunity to think critically about feminism, activism, and social justice within the Global South.

This five-week program will begin by introducing students to some of the major feminist debates within Uganda. Faculty members in the Women’s Studies Program at Purdue have been working closely with professors at the School of Women and Gender Studies at Makerere University to design and implement all phases of this program. Students will attend a series of lectures at the university during their first week in Uganda, a series which covers key feminist concerns (e.g. African Feminisms, History of Women’s Studies in

Uganda, Queer Politics in Africa, and Women and Health). The students will also begin learning some of the basics of Luganda, one of the major local languages spoken in Kampala.

During the next three weeks of the program, students will be immersed in one of six different feminist organizations operating within Kampala (e.g. Forum for Women in Democracy, Raising Voices, Action for Development, Uganda Women’s Network,

Center for Domestic Violence Prevention, and Ugandan Women’s Health Initiative). By engaging in feminist activism on the ground, students will be able to see how theory links to practice in a very different global context. This portion of the trip has been designed to be a service-learning experience.

Students will also have an opportunity to participate in a number of cultural excursions. During the weekends, they will visit a chimpanzee sanctuary on Lake Victoria, travel to the Botanical Gardens and Wildlife Center, and raft the Nile. They will also spend part of their last week in Uganda on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, as well as chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge.

Dr. Alicia Decker (Women’s Studies and History) and Adrianna Lozano (graduate student in Women’s Studies and History) will be co-leading the inaugural trip. This program, which is open to undergraduate and graduate students of all majors, will be offered every other year. For additional information, please contact Professor Decker at acdecker@purdue.edu.

Alicia C. Decker

Assistant Professor of History and Women’s Studies

Dr. Becky Brown, who is teaching FR 380 French Food Culture this Spring 2012 semester, led her students on a Spring Break trip to the École des Trois Ponts in Roanne, France, March 10th – March 18th, 2012.

The content of the course, taught in French, is framed around the prominence of food in French culture both past and present. The goal of this course is to explore French food culture as illustrated in literature, film, music and the media. In preparation for the Spring Break trip, the students learn about regional specialties, culinary critique, and deciphering French menus. While not a

cooking class, students must enjoy eating since several dégustations (or tastings) are an essential component of the course. This course is taught every other spring, and if you are an interested student you could potentially catch this opportunity again during the Spring 2014 semester.

SAIP Newsletter:

Faculty News: Spring Break Trip to France

Undergraduate, are you interested in being an ambassador?

Do you want to share your international experiences? Or build your résumé? You can do both! CLA Study Abroad & International Programs are looking for Ambassadors who will be participating in various social events and recruiting students who are interested in study abroad.

For more information, go to Purdue CLA Study Abroad Facebook Page and leave any questions or comments.

If you are interested in becoming an Ambassador, please send your letter of interest to Elizabeth Díaz at eadiaz@purdue.edu

‘Purdue CLA Study Abroad’

SAIP Mission

Our mission is to provide opportunities for cultural and intellectual discovery and education of faculty, staff, and students who would like to communicate, collaborate, study, and work across national, cultural, and socioeconomic boundaries.

These international experiences increase participants’ competency in Liberal Arts while strengthening global awareness.

Studying abroad, a key part of a strong Liberal Arts education, contributes to faculty, staff, and students’ intellectual understanding of the world’s interrelationships and to their ability to bring education to a new level of internationalization and global awareness.

I would like to express a very special thanks to the Diversity Initiatives & Study Abroad & International Programs Interns: Juan Tang - VCD major, Jennifer Higgins - Mass Communication major, Cynthia Shin - Communication major, Joan Ogwumike - Mass Communication major, and Karla Camacho - Reyes - Professional Writing major. CLA Student Services sincerely appreciates all of your hard work!

SAIP Newsletter:

CLA Study Abroad & International Program News