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

Call for Collaboration with South African Student Leaders

For the past few days we've been hosting visitors from our long-standing partner -- the University of the Western Cape.  Yesterday, Khaya Magopeni made an excellent presentation on "the University-Student Relationship: the Courage to Take a Positive Journey.

Thanks to the Columbia Missourian, you can read about it here.

How Segregated is Your City?

I stumbled across this post from Fast Company.  It shows striking maps of racial composition of the forty largest US cities. 

The maps say a lot about life in the United States. 

Two Upcoming International Events - University of Missouri

Two upcoming events at the University of Missouri:

First, tomorrow is International Day.  There are events scheduled throughout the day. 

Second, next Monday, Oct. 4, the International Center is co-sponsoring a session (with MU Student Affairs and the MU Graduate School) that features a very interesting speaker from the University of the Western Cape (South Africa).

Please share these announcements, and I hope you can attend.

Social Media -- and Study Abroad

In my last post, I shared some recent readings on social media.

Jason Kinnear shared this post, called How the Internet Screwed Up Study Abroad.

This piece doesn't provide a holistic balanced view of the benefits and challenges of using social media to support study abroad programs.  However, it's worth reading and thinking about.

Recent Readings on Social Media

I've been thinking a lot recently about social media, and how we might apply this approach more effectively in higher education and at MU's International Center. 

I'll have more to share in the future -- but here are two pieces I'm reading that might be of interest.

First, a recent book by Brogan and Smith, called Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation and Earn Trust.   This work invites a paradigm shift for me on what we could be doing with social media to support the Center's mission.  In fact, it challenges me to re-think my approach to building and sustaining relationships in general.

Second, a brief blog post on how organizations manage social media on the Web Strategist blog.  It really sheds new light on real -- and desired -- organizational culture.

New Global Development Site

If you're concerned about global development issues, check out this content-rich website just launched at the Guardian, in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 

The data warehouse alone is worth your time.  They also provide powerful info-graphs.

UK Universities in Tough Economic Times

Universities in the US can learn from how our partner (and competitive) institutions are responding to significant cuts in public funding.

The latest report released by Universities UK is definitely worth reading. 

MU Study Abroad Fair Today

Stop by MU's Study Abroad Fair -- 11 am - 3 pm today at the Memorial Union.  Faculty members, staff, students, parents -- and all interested in dozens of incredible learning opportunities around the world are welcome. 

The fair is organized by Matt Pourney and our great study abroad staff at the International Center. 

If you're thinking about study abroad this Spring, Summer, or somewhere down the line, check out our website, and stop by the Fair (details and directions).

Things You Should Know about (International) Student Names

I stumbled upon this post at EverythingESL -- a blog about teaching English as a second language.

As classes at Missouri hit full stride, it's good for faculty, staff and students to appreciate the cultural distinctions revealed in student names.

This post (and attached comments) offer some helpful background.

New International Students at University of Missouri -- Culture Shock

This was the second day of orientation for new international students at MU. 

So many people... so much to do... so much to learn and unlearn...


We've got great students starting at Missouri, coping with culture shock.

Thanks to the Columbia Tribune for covering this story -- and thanks to the volunteers and staff at the International Center for great service.

International students begin new year at Missouri

Today is the first day of orientation for new international students at Missouri.  The International Center is buzzing.  Our great staff and dozens of MU student volunteers are welcoming hundreds of new students from all over the world. 

It's really great to see such a warm welcome.  Thanks to everyone involved.

Iraqis Pursue Education at University of Missouri

On the same day I read news about US combat troops withdrawing from Iraq, it was great to see this story in our local newspaper.

Art in South Africa

This morning, I find myself reflecting on a recent trip to South Africa.  Working with Missouri's good partners at the University of the Western Cape is always inspiring. They are doing incredibly ambitious work in spite of serious resource constraints.

On the last day of our visit, we wandered into the South African National Gallery.  I had no expectations, except that it looked like a nice place to visit while waiting for a long flight back home.  If you ever get to Capetown, there are so many things to do.  But don't leave the city without stopping at this museum.

It's filled with contemporary works that are beautiful, vibrant, and genuine.  It reminds me of the palpable creative energy I feel each time I visit the country, and each time I work with our colleagues at UWC.