global connections Spring2017 A publication of the Virginia Commonwealth University Global Education OfficeGOING THE DISTANCECelebrating ten years of successful partnership betweenVirginia Commonwealth University and the University of Córdoba
Spring 2017 10 | GOING THE DISTANCEExecutive Director Celebrating ten years of successful partnershipR. McKenna Brown, Ph.D. between Virginia Commonwealth University and theAssociate DirectorOsama Alami University of CórdobaEditorV. Renee Russell Table of contentsDesignVCU Global Education Office From the Executive Director 3Communications staff Summer session 4Global Connections is published bythe VCU Global Education Office. First Peace Corps Prep graduate enters the corps 5The views and opinions expressedin the articles and advertisements Fall brings students from around the world 5do not necessarily represent theopinions of the editors or policies VCU international students volunteer hundreds 6of the university or department. of hours to local community Send address changes or Alumni gone global 7comments to:Global Connections Editor No Limits: Antoine Craig champions study abroadVirginia Commonwealth University912 W. Grace St. for students with disabilities 8P.O. Box 843043Richmond, VA 23284-3043 International partnerships 92 Faculty Development Seminar transforms 14 teaching and research Global Visiting Scholar uses film to educate about mental health 16 17 Quest Global Impact Awards Faculty from China receive medical and 18 English training at VCU
From the Executive DirectorInternationalizing VCU takes many forms.Whether it’s an academic unit wishing todevelop a new, innovative program thatsupports VCU’s global priorities, a facultymember looking to enhance their researchand teaching capacity through an expandedglobal network or a student who wants tostudy abroad or learn about the world frominternational students here on campus, theGlobal Education Office can help!We hope you enjoy this inaugural issue ofGlobal Connections, and the stories of howVCU is connecting our students, faculty andstaff to the world. In an increasingly globalizedsociety, our mission is to prepare the nextgeneration of leaders to navigate within and between global communities at homeand abroad.We hope the stories told here will inspire you to get involved with the global mission ofVCU. Regardless of how you choose to do so, we welcome your participation in GEO’smission to increase the global impact of VCU’s research, teaching and service and toexpand our role on the world’s stage.R. McKenna Brown, Ph.D.Senior International OfficerExecutive Director, Global Education Office Spring 2017 3
Summer session... Summer is a busy time at VCU. Each year, our campus welcomes hundreds of international visitors to campus. Here’s who we hosted last summer. Iraqi Young Leaders Mandela Washington Fellowship Exchange Program for Young African Leaders Twenty-five Iraqi undergraduates attend the five- Fifty of Africa’s brightest emerging leaders in week Information Technology and Media Institute the areas of public management, business hosted by the Robertson School of Media and and entrepreneurship spent five weeks at VCU Culture in the College of Humanities and Sciences. participating in this prestigious program. Youjiang Medical Saudi Young Leaders University for Nationalities Exchange Program VCU welcomed a cohort of 50 faculty from Guangxi, Twelve university students from Saudi Arabia China to participate in the Education Qualify Project participated in a community engagement and hosted by the VCU English Language Program and leadership development program at VCU. School of Medicine.4
First Peace Corps Prep graduate enters the corps Andrea Ward ’16, was one of the first students to enroll in the VCU Globe Peace Corps Prep program when it launched in November of 2014. This fall, she becomes the first student to successfully complete the program and subsequently enter the Peace Corps immediately following graduation. Ward will be a community health advisor in the Republic of Benin in West Africa. At VCU, she was a sociology major and French minor, and plans to use her Peace Corps experience to further define her career goals.Ward attributes her interest in global service and citizenship to her experiences in VCU Globe andstudying abroad. “In all of the traveling I’ve done, though, the service is what has really resonated withme,” she said.While at VCU, she studied abroad three times, travelling to the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africato conduct research on social challenges in rural areas; to Negril, Jamaica to plan and participate incommunity health fairs; and to Oaxaca, Mexico to teach English to adult learners in the village of Teotitlandel Valle. “Entering the Peace Corps feels like a natural extension of the global service that I’ve alreadydone,” she said.Fall brings studentsfrom around the worldThis fall, VCU welcomed 23 student scholarsfrom Universidad Politecnica del Estado deGuerrero, Mexico. The group’s visit focused oncompletion of VCU’s English and Culture Plusprogram, as part of Mexico’s Proyecta 100,000initiative which aims to send 100,000 Mexicanstudents to the United States and to receive50,000 U.S. students in Mexico by 2018.The students had a full schedule of activities, which included a combination of English instruction,cultural events and local excursions. Notably, while here, the group experienced the traditionalAmerican holiday of Thanksgiving with local Richmond families and witnessed the election of the45th President of the United States. Spring 2017 5
VCU international students volunteer hundreds of hours to local community Volunteering in the local community is a tangible way for international students to learn about the U.S. and experience life outside of the university’s walls. Each year, hundreds of students from around the world donate their time to complete projects organized by the Global Education Office’s student engagement team. International students volunteered with Hospital Hospitality House to create a mural (above) that continues to send a message of hope to patients. More than 100 internationals have volunteered with Stop Hunger Now, a relief organization that packages meals for distribution around the world. Last September, ten international students donated five days to Sea Island Habitat for Humanity to help build homes in Johns Island, South Carolina.6
Alum ni Gone G Freelance interior design lobal photographer and VCU alumna Felicia Shelton ‘99 has traveled and lived abroad for more than 15 years. In this Q&A, she shares some pearls of wisdom about being a citizen of the world. By Nicol TinsleyDescribe your experience at VCU and how it influenced your travels abroad.My four years at VCU were a wonderful time of self-discovery and community.My interests at that time were French, linguistics, world travel, English literature and photography. These arestill my interests today. Even though I’d lived abroad before studying at VCU, my professors were essential inopening my eyes to the world at large. They were unique and passionate, and I admire them tothis very day. Education in its truest sense was felt at every moment of every day.What life lessons have you learned from living abroad?I love how different people are culturally, but intrinsically, we are all the same.I don’t want to romanticize Europe or other parts of the world, but I do love theslower pace of life. Abroad, people live in the moment more than in the U.S.While I love the conveniences and the efficient way we get things done here,I know it comes at a price. I try to apply the lessons that I’ve learned abroad tomy daily life, and it makes me a happier person.What unique experiences do you attribute to your international travel?During the July 4th celebration at the U.S. ambassador’s residence in Paris, France, I was announced to heads of state and foreign dignitaries. That was truly a once in a lifetime experience. I later found myself working in Paris’ haute couture fashion industry and met lots of celebrities—actors, fashion designers, models, singers. I’ve been interviewed and photographed for a Harper’s Bazaar magazine article concerning expats in South Korea. I’m also a photographer, and world renowned interior designer Tom Dixon hired me to contribute photos to one of his design books! This experience launched my career as a professional photographer. I’m still in awe that I got to work with him. How have your experiences living abroad inspired you personally? I’ve learned how to adapt to any environment with ease. I’ve learned the art and importance of discretion. I truly consider myself a citizen of the world. Most importantly, I’ve learned to live in the moment, and to enjoy and respect it no matter where I am.What advice do you have for VCU students interested in studying abroad?Be brave, be adventurous. Don’t think that you can’t afford it. Today, you can’t afford NOT to study abroad. Welive in a very small world, and thank goodness, more of us now understand how interconnected we are. Leavingyour comfort zone here in the U.S. prepares you for life, both personally and professionally, like no otherexperience can. The fact that someone chooses to study abroad shows anyone—including yourself and futureemployers—that you are courageous, determined and ready for the world. Spring 2017 7
No Limits Antoine Craig champions study abroad for students with disabilities Antoine Craig is your typical of doing,” he said. “I felt like I are willing to help, when you college student—a senior from Newport News, Virginia needed to push beyond my limits just ask,” he said. While studying double-majoring in psychology and African American studies. and do more.” abroad, Antoine was also able to However, there’s one thing that sets Antoine apart from other strengthen his Spanish language students—he’s visually impaired. Antoine figured that studying skills, which was one of his But Antoine didn’t let this perceived disability stop him from abroad was one of the ways original goals. seeing the possibilities that study abroad could offer. Last summer, he could do this after he was Antoine spent six weeks studying abroad in Alicante, Spain. notified by VCU’s Disability Since returning to the U.S., In 2010, Antoine was diagnosed Support Services office about Antoine continues to set goals for with retinitis pigmentosa, a condition which causes scholarships available to students himself, and has started on the photoreceptors to die and, according to Antoine, causes with disabilities. “I wrote an path to accomplishing them. He extreme tunnel vision. “It’s kind of like looking through a straw,” he essay about why I wanted to recently presented a talk entitled said. study abroad, but never really The New Champions for Inclusion: “When I lost my vision, I had to figure out what I was fully capable considered all that would go into Paving the Way for Students with it until it actually happened.“ Disabilities Abroad at the Council on International Educational “I chose to go to Spain because Exchange conference in Berlin, I felt like it was one of the safest Germany. options for me,” he said. “But like anybody else, I had to overcome Antoine plans to eventually challenges, just in a different way.” pursue a career in rehabilitation counseling so he can help others Learning how to get around was with disabilities overcome any one such challenge which Antoine hesitation they face in fulfilling overcame by using a guide and their greatest potential. simply asking questions. “It’s amazing how much people8
Spring 2017 9
GOING THE DISTANCE By V. Renee Russell Celebrating ten years of successful partnership between Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Córdoba In an educational environment medical and nursing sciences professor of sociology in the where international to art history and business, VCU School of Social Work. partnerships can be challenged this relationship has provided “The VCU Quest for Distinction by fluctuations in student a venue for students and has provided the framework interest, faculty research faculty at both universities to for what this partnership priorities and availability of pursue relevant, meaningful has become and having that funding sources, a successful, collaboration in a cross- institution support is what sustainable partnership is a cultural, transcontinental, makes it relevant and a priority rare gem. interdisciplinary environment. in what the university wants to achieve,” he said. Such is the case with the As its legacy, the partnership international strategic has left an imprint on “Without the institutional partnership between Virginia many student and faculty priority that drives this Commonwealth University experiences and careers at program, it would really be left and the University of Córdoba, both universities. up to individual, one-on-one Spain. collaborations, which last only INSTITUTIONAL PRIORITY; as long as individuals have that Since 2006, the VCU-UCO STRATEGIC VISION interest or are even here,” he partnership has been a “The support that this continued. thriving educational ecosystem partnership has received has that has permeated many been absolutely invaluable,” With this understanding, programs throughout the said Humberto Fabelo, Ph.D., in 2006, VCU opted for an two universities. From the chief partnership liaison and approach to establishing10
international partnerships with their counterparts at UCO. my classmates. The students atthat create, for the university Six years ago, Katie Williams UCO were so friendly, that I didat large, in depth relationships and Deborah Me participated not find that difficult at all.”with universities around in the exchange and credit theirthe world that enhance its experience with helping them For Katie Williams, whoresearch, teaching and service now as students in medical pursued VCU’s undergraduatemissions. The initiative sought school. Certificate in Spanish/Englishto make the partnerships Translation and Interpretation,institutional in scope and to “The fact that VCU and UCO studying abroad at UCObe developed as long term already had a partnership provided an opportunity thatrelationships. made the process of applying could not be found at any other for study abroad much university. “UCO was one of theThe University of Córdoba easier,” said Me. “I enjoyed the only universities that offeredwas one of VCU’s original immense diversity of students the courses I needed, andfifteen international strategic at UCO, and there were Córdoba was the only locationpartner universities established students not only from there, abroad where I could study toby VCU president emeritus but from all around the world fulfill the requirements,” saidEugene Trani, Ph. D. In 2010 in the classes I took. Williams.former VCU Provost BeverlyWarren convened the Task “Cultural acclimation is said to Both students were doubleForce on Comprehensive be the hardest part of studying majors in biology and Spanish.Internationalization which, in abroad, but honestly I had such After returning to VCU, bothpart, examined the structure a great time getting to know applied, and were accepted toof VCU’s internationalpartnerships.Upon the recommendation ofthe Task Force, in 2012, threepartnerships emerged as“University Strategic Partners.”These include UCO, FudanUniversity in China and theUniversity of KwaZulu–Natalin South Africa. “UniversityStrategic Partners” affordrelationships that involvemultiple units on both VCUcampuses, support a varietyof activities and coincide withstrategic directions of theuniversity.SHAPING STUDENT Deborah Me ‘02 (l) and Katie Williams ‘02 (r) credit theirEXPERIENCES study abroad at the University of Córdoba with helping toThe VCU Schools of Medicine shape their experience now in the VCU School of Medicine.and Nursing host thrivingstudent exchange programs Spring 2017 11
The VCU School of Business International ConsultingProgram gives students real-life consultingexperiences at the University of Córdoba. the VCU School of Medicine. location for UCO students to universities to collaborate with They credit their experience learn about U.S. history. Equally one another throughout the at UCO with aiding in this the city of Córdoba, home semester to gain knowledge acceptance and with continuing to UCO, provides a unique about key monuments, objects to impact their experiences in location to learn about the and archaeological sites medical school. historic heritage and cultural throughout the region. significance of the region. “My ability to speak Spanish “We hoped to accomplish played a huge role in my Located in the Andalucía two main goals through this acceptance to medical school,” region of southern Spain, project,” said Schreffler. “We said Williams. “Recently I was Córdoba was a major setting wanted to strengthen ties assigned to work as an intern for interaction among Muslims, between VCU and UCO through for a family medicine clinic with Jews and Christians during meaningful engagement among a largely Hispanic population. the 15th century, and the rich professors, administrators and I spoke Spanish with over half tradition of art and architecture students at the two institutions, of the patients, and without my that developed there provides and we sought to provide experience at UCO, I would not a window onto a fascinating undergraduate students at VCU have been able to work in such history of intercultural contact, and UCO with a rich learning a diverse environment.” conflict and collaboration. experience that involved conducting and presenting INTERNATIONALIZING THE In 2012, Michael Schreffler, research in a global setting.” CURRICULUM associate professor of art A major strength of the history in the VCU School of The program was hugely VCU-UCO partnership is the the Arts built on the strength successful in achieving unique location of the two of this location and developed these goals. During the universities. Because of its an undergraduate course on 2012-13 academic year, proximity to Washington, D.C. Islamic art and architecture Schreffler collaborated with and historic Jamestown, the that allowed students and his counterparts at UCO to city of Richmond is a prime faculty members from both develop the syllabus for a course that would be taught on both campuses and a preliminary schedule for the study abroad portion of the program which took place in May 2013. Later that year, in November 2013, Schreffler, Dina Bangdel and Radha Dalal, both faculty on the VCU Qatar campus, met with administrators and art historians from UCO in Palermo, Italy to attend the Fifth Biennial Hamad bin Khalifa Symposium on Islamic art and discuss the next collaboration12
among their institutions. United States and attempted “Whenever anybody goesOne of the partnership’s to find the best area for them over there, they come backnewest academic endeavors to start,” he said. “I really absolutely amazed andis with the VCU School appreciated being able to work overjoyed with the reception,of Business International on a project that actually meant support, collegiality theyConsulting Program. Now in something and I believe the experience, in addition to theits third year, the program is network we created will benefit professional networks that aredesigned to give VCU students my career for many years to already established.the opportunity to develop come.”new business skills in an “It’s been really gratifyinginternational environment. LOOKING AHEAD over the last ten years to see While the VCU-UCO how VCU has grown in itsFor the last three summers, partnership has a great deal internationalization priorities,”VCU business students have of success under its belt, the he said. “It’s no longer a casetraveled to UCO with the two universities continue to by case, individual by individual,program. After completing a look ahead to establish new unit by unit kind of activity.three-week course on the VCU relationships and linkages. It’s really institutionalized - itcampus, students work with Fabelo encourages faculty is strategic, it is relevant andtheir counterparts at UCO on interested in exploring it is absolutely essential forconsulting projects for local or collaboration opportunities a modern, urban, researchinternational companies. through the partnership to oriented university to have this “go for it!” kind of presence around theLuke Clement SOB ‘15 globe.”participated in the program “It’s an open field. Theduring summer 2014. “I was relationship is primed and “It’s exciting to see thevery interested in the lifestyle ready for you to come in and institutionalization of thisin Córdoba,” he said. “I had either take from it or contribute concept and to see it becomeonly heard good things about to it whatever is meaningful in center to who we are as anthe people, the food and the your own work,” Fabelo said. institution,” he said.culture. And seeing picturesof the historic buildings of VCU summer study abroad at the University of Córdoba.Córdoba made me even moreinterested.”Now a claims adjuster at JamesRiver Insurance in Richmond,VA, Clement appreciates thereal world experience affordedto him through the program.He and his team worked asmarketing consultants forBodegas Campos, a restaurantin central Old Córdoba. “Weanalyzed the possibility of themcreating a restaurant in the Spring 2017 13
2014 Faculty Development Seminar: South Africa Opportunities to view 2013 Faculty Development Seminar: SpainwainlddlifMe woreoreccaobundant throughout the visit. VCU Faculty Development Seminar transforms teaching and research Since its launch in 2013, the Virginia relationships, their impact on communities Commonwealth University Faculty Development past and present, and the implications for the Seminar has taken nearly 20 VCU faculty across successful delivery of health and human services. four continents and initiated research and teaching linkages with 32 universities worldwide. The second seminar took place in South Africa, with visits to the University of Kwa-Zulu The seminars are designed to provide faculty Natal, Durban University of Technology and members who have limited international the University of Witwatersrand. This theme exposure with an intensive immersion centered on best practices for community- experience and thus help further the university’s engaged research and, accordingly, participants internationalization goals. Second, they seek to met with faculty members at these South African broaden each participant’s international scope institutions whose work was rooted in the and perspective to include global issues and community. thinking in their research, teaching and service. Lastly, the seminars encourage the establishment The third seminar was a dean’s delegation of sustainable collaboration among the to China designed to provided key decision participants at home and with international makers with the opportunity to connect with partners. their counterparts at educational institutions throughout the country. Over a two week Each seminar is designed with a specific theme. period, four VCU deans met with 10 universities The initial seminar, which took place in Spain and throughout Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai, Morocco, focused on migration of people and China. Since the seminar’s end, multiple cultural encounters resulting from geo-political departmental initiatives have been launched.14
2015 Faculty Development Seminar: China “I appreciate the opportunity afforded toParticipants me by VCU to be part of the Faculty Development Seminar. My life perspective will forever be changed by the experience.“ FDS South Africa participantPatricia Aldredge, Ph.D. Kelli Williams Gary, Ph.D. Colleen Thoma, Ph.D.School of Social Work School of Allied Health Professions School of EducationSusan Bodnar-Deren, Ph.D. Cathy Howard, Ph.D. Rob Tombes, Ph.D.College of Humanities and Sciences Vice Provost for Community College of Humanities and Sciences EngagementRowena Briones, Ph.D. Niraj Verma, Ph.D.College of Humanities & Sciences Carrie LeCrom, Ph.D. L. Douglas Wilder School of School of Education Government and Public AffairsSarah Jane Brubaker, Ph.D.L. Douglas Wilder School of Alison J. Montpetit, RN, Ph.D. Chriss Walther-Thomas, Ph.D.Government and Public Affairs School of Nursing School of EducationHong Cheng, Ph.D. Shajuana I. Payne Guofang Wan, Ph.D.Richard T. Robertson University College School of EducationSchool of Media and Culture Sasha Waters-FreyerRosalie Corona, Ph.D. Joann Richardson, Ph.D. School of the ArtsCollege of Humanities & Sciences College of Humanities & SciencesDeborah DiazGranados, Ph.D. Joe SeipelSchool of Medicine School of the Arts Spring 2017 15
Global Visiting Scholar uses film to educate about mental health There was not a dry eye in the room as the 2013 spans more than four decades, having directed, family drama, ASTU-So Be It, came to a close. The film produced and acted in more than 100 films. In 1996, chronicles the life of Dr. Chakrapani Shastri, a retired Agashe was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi professor suffering from dementia, who goes missing Award, India’s highest recognition given to actors. while in the care of his daughter. “He combines a number of different disciplines like The screening was just one part of psychiatrist and medicine, psychiatry, film and acting,” said Ananda internationally renowned film and stage actor Mohan Pandurangi, MBBS, MD, professor of psychiatry in the Agashe’s week-long visit to Virginia Commonwealth VCU School of Medicine who hosted Agashe. University as a Global Visiting Scholar during fall 2016. Agashe, who plays the film’s lead character, is “I felt that students from a broad range of subjects a mental health advocate who uses film to educate – medicine, social work, film and acting – would all students about the different aspects of mental benefit from his contributions. Plus, having him here health. is a good way of showing the university’s commitment to advocacy for mental health and reducing stigma “Film came along as a tool of business, not a tool of surrounding the issue.” education like print media,” said Agashe. “I use film to educate, because it removes the barriers created by In addition to the film screening, while at VCU, print media. It allows students to feel the emotions Agashe collaborated with the community through the connected to treating patients with mental illness.” National Alliance for Mental Illness–Central Virginia Chapter and met with students in VCU Globe as a Agashe’s expertise in the fields of psychiatry and guest lecturer, using short movie clips as tools of acting are mutually complementary and he is well education. respected in both circles. He is former chair of the Department of Psychiatry at BJ Medical College and Agashe’s visit was sponsored in part by the VCU- founding director of the Maharashtra Institute of PGIMER International Partnership and funded by a Mental Health both in Pune, India. His film career Quest Global Impact Award.16
Global Impact Awards: Expanding VCU’s global footprint From increasing fluency in Mandarin Chinese through a virtual classroom to exploring global health through the lens of sociology, mass communication and political science, the 16 recipients of the 2016-17 Global Impact Awards demonstrate the spirit of advancing VCU’s global priorities. These projects will help to improve the recruitment and retention of VCU’s international students and scholars, increase the global engagement of VCU students and faculty, and expand VCU’s global footprint through research, teaching and global engagement. This year’s awards were announced at a ceremony on Sept. 9. Since the awards were launched in 2011, 55 grants have been awarded through the program totaling more than $675,000. Collaborative Academic Program International Course ThreadsGlobal Impact Awards A combined B.A. and M.A. program Enslavement, Race, and in statistics between VCU and the Representation in the Atlantic WorldAwards in Education Abroad University of International Business Catherine Ingrassia, Ph.D.Generation Study Abroad Fellows and Economics in Beijing, China Brooke Newman, Ph.D. QiQi Lu, Ph.D. Oliver Speck, Ph.D.Thaddeus Fortney D’arcy Mays, Ph.D. College of Humanities and SciencesOffice of Learning Innovation andCollege of Humanities and SciencesStudent Success Exploring Global Health International Collaboration through Christine Cynn, Ph.D.Catherine B. Viverette Teacher Education Exchanges with Marcus Messner, Ph.D. Jiangnan University in Wuxi, China Judy Twigg, Ph.D.And theVCUIntegratedLifeSciences Yaoying Xu, Ph.D. College of Humanities and Sciences School of EducationSummer International Teaching Mexico’s Health, Regional Stability,Fellows Global Visiting Scholar and Connections to U.S. National SecurityJeff South, Ph.D. University of KwaZulu-Natal faculty Maureen Moslow-Benway specializing in occupational therapy, Kimberley Urban, Ph.D.award goes to...CollegeofHumanitiesandSciencesTeaching at Fudan University, China special education and psychology L. Douglas Wilder School of (South Africa) Government and Public AffairsVivian Dzokoto, Ph.D. Hosted by Kelli Gary, Ph.D.College of Humanities and Sciences School of Allied Health Professions Virtual Global ClassroomTeaching at American College ofGreece Dr. Eunsu Ju, University of Ulsan Communicators without Borders: (Korea) Applying Socially-Constructive MediaAmy Cook, Ph.D. Hosted by Youngmi Kim, Ph.D. and Culture Among Three DisciplinesL. Douglas Wilder School of School of Social Work Rowena Briones, Ph.D.Government and Public Affairs College of Humanities and SciencesTeaching at Sant’Anna Institute, Italy Dr. Mohan Agashe, internationally renowned film and stage actor, Accelerating Fluency in ChineseKimberly Urban, Ph.D. psychiatrist, educator and mental through Telecollaboration andL. Douglas Wilder School of health advocate (India) BloggingGovernment and Public Affairs Hosted by Ananda Pandurangi, Ph.D. Yan Gao, Ph.D.Teaching at Sant’Anna Institute, Italy School of Medicine College of Humanities and Sciences Spring 2017 17
Mark your calendar for these exciting events happening throughout the Fall 2016 semester. To see more events sponsored by the Global Education Office, visit global.vcu.edu/events. Faculty from China receive medical and English training at VCU According to the 2016 Open Doors report published launch unique and innovative programs that put us by the Institute of International Education, 32% of all on the map, and really get the VCU name out there,” foreign student studying in the U.S. are from China. said global outreach director, Emily Ferlis, Ph.D. Virginia Commonwealth University is no exception. In particular, VCU has become an increasingly popular Participants in the program benefited significantly destination for international students seeking from the initial English training component which set customized programs to meet specific academic and the stage for their participation in lectures offered on professional needs. the MCV campus. Recently, a cohort of faculty from Youjiang Medical “The first four months of medical English training University for Nationalities in Guangxi, China really prepared us for the lectures at MCV,” said participated in a faculty development program which Meijuin Wei, a nurse in the nephrology department VCU tailored to include medical English instruction at YMUN. “The lectures offered on the medical through the English Language Program and lectures campus were so interesting and professional. The focused on medical pedagogy through the School of professors have really connected with us, and opened Medicine. opportunities for us to do research, which is very helpful.” “This is one of those rare programs that address all three of VCU’s global priorities,” said VCU Nov. 14-18:The doctors recognized significant differences senior international officer, R. McKenna Brown, between medical pedagogy in the U.S. compared with International Education WeekPh.D. “It engages a significant number of high level that of China. “I like the classroom discussions here, practitioners in interactions that highlights the because you can mix many opinions when you have exemplary quality of our institution. Meanwhile, they that interaction between teachers and students,” said are sharing expertise and cultural perspectives which Xiaohua Huang, a neurologist at YMUN. “If you don’t is incredibly enriching for our faculty and students.” have those discussions, the way you look at the world will be more narrowed. As teachers, we want to give “This program showcases what happens at VCU when our students the broadest views possible.” we partner with our outstanding academic units to18
Real-World Job Skills Cultural Outings Early Registration Special Events Access to Exclusive Funding Guaranteed Housing Study Abroad Opportunities Leadership Opportunities International Student Connections theglobe.vcu.eduJoin our global mission. Virginia Commonwealth University Global Education OfficeSupporting the Global Education Office takes many forms. It can meandeciding to develop a faculty-led study abroad program, teaching a class Grace Street Centeras a VCU Globe Faculty Fellow or hosting an international student in your 912 West Grace Streethome during Thanksgiving break. P.O. Box 843043Students can participate in the wealth of programs we offer to become Richmond, Virginia 23284-3043involved in the international community at VCU: attend a global café,become a conversation partner, join VCU Globe or study abroad. Spring 2017 19No matter how you choose to get involved, we welcome your support ofGEO’s mission to increase the global impact of VCU’s research, teachingand service and to expand our role on the world stage.For more ideas about how you can get involved, visit us at global.vcu.edu.
Virginia Commonwealth University Global Education Office Grace Street Center 912 West Grace Street P.O. Box 843043 Richmond, Virginia 23284-3043 VCU SUMMER STUDY ABROAD Austria • Barbados • Costa Rica • Cuba Czech Republic • Dominican Republic • England Germany • Greece • India • Israel • Italy Jamaica • Japan • Kenya • Mexico • Morocco Peru • Portugal • Rawanda • South Africa • Spain Tanzania • Trinidad and Tobago WHERE WILL YOU GO THIS SUMMER? go.vcu.edu/summerabroad17c
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