My Blog is Moving to Wordpress

My blog is moving to http://learningacrossborders.wordpress.com.

Please check me out there, and let me know how I'm doing.

Cheers!

MU Professor Blogging at COP-16 (Cancun)

MU Professor Mike Urban is serving as an official observer (for the Association of American Geographers)  at the COP-16 meetings on Climate Change in Cancun.  Follow his regular posts on these important meetings here.

Recommended Readings on Thailand

On my recent trip to Thailand, my experience was focused on the Northeast of the country in Isan.  I sense that not many Westerners visit this region.  If so, it's a real shame. 

I'm determined to learn more about the culture I found so appealing.  Thanks to Bonnie Brereton - a respected scholar in the region I met on my trip, I have a few books to add to my readings.


Buddhist Murals of Northeast Thailand: Reflections of the Isan Heartland


Forest Recollections: Wandering Monks in Twentieth-Century Thailand.

Child of the Northeast, by Kampoon Boontawee. translated by Susan Fulop Kepner. Editions Duang Kamol.

My Trip to Thailand

I just returned from a long, but very rewarding trip to Thailand.  I spoke at the International Conference on Local Government, organized by the College of Local Administration at Khon Kaen University.  The conference attracted approximately 500 scholars and public officials from 13 different countries.  I learned much from the conference. 

This was my first time to Isan -- Northeast Thailand. Our hosts at KKU were most gracious.  I'll never forget the food, the hospitality and the beauty of the culture.

Does Study Abroad Need a Makeover?

I saw the article this morning, and it’s thought provoking.  The title suggests that the study abroad experience needs a makeover.

I am ambivalent about the angle it takes. 

Here’s what I mean. 

Clearly, the most important element of the study abroad experience is learning to communicate across cultures.  Our advisors try to get this message across to students (and parents) from the time they are considering a program through “re-entry”.

On the other hand, I think the article draws on shaky evidence that international experience doesn’t impress employers.  For every survey that suggests that, we could find at least one that suggests the opposite.  I saw a study recently that says that 30% of US CEOs had studied abroad in college.  Of those, 2/3 instruct their staff to recruit people with study abroad experience.  

I am skeptical about that finding as well.  I think many professionals tend to oversell or over-promise what the study abroad experience can accomplish for a young person.

Bottom line – it is the cross-cultural element that’s key.  Study abroad is not the only way to experience that.  It is one important opportunity.  I believe what should distinguish study abroad from “backpacking across Europe” is the academic context to help students reflect on and appreciate their cross-cultural learning.

Study Abroad -- Misperceptions and Use of Alcohol

All too often, consumption of alcohol becomes a key component of study abroad programs.  Despite clear and specific discussion about alcohol as part of our orientation sessions, we see this issue negatively affecting student experience.

Alcohol can (literally and figuratively) numb the student's sensitivity to the cross-cultural richness of their program, and significantly limit their academic performance as well.

Recently, via Inside Higher Education, I saw this article in the University of Washington News.  It provides research findings, and suggests strategies to address the issues.

October 12 - Careers in the US State Department

U.S. Department of State Careers

Tuesday, October 12, 2010
1:30-3 p.m.
S203 Memorial Union

Presented by Ed Wehrli, Diplomat-in-Residence, University of Oklahoma

·         Learn about a career opportunity unlike any other.
·         Discover how you can have a global impact.
·         Show the world a side of America it has never seen.


Sponsored by the MU International Center