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On Top of the World
Did you study abroad at SMU? Post a comment to share your memories!
SMU has a long tradition of offering a widespread array of education abroad programs, and the list of opportunities is growing this year with new summer programs in Australia and Asia, India and South Africa; an internship program in London; and a new semester program in Cairo.
The Education Abroad Office also will add a winter interterm program in the Western African nation of Mali and launched its new interterm program in Oaxaca, Mexico, in December.
"In today's global society, SMU is committed to providing educational experiences that allow students to acquire knowledge and understanding of diverse cultures," says Michael Clarke, executive director of the International Center, who oversees education abroad and supports international students and scholars at SMU, among other services. "Students, parents, business leaders and government officials increasingly recognize the value of developing international perspectives and skills."The seven new programs were reviewed and approved by SMU's Education Abroad Council for academic content and suitability, and follow the recommendations of SMU's International Education Task Force, which met last year to develop a comprehensive plan for advancing the globalization of the University.
International Education Task Force Chair John Mears says the new programs reflect SMU's goals not only to increase opportunities abroad and the number of students who participate, but also to diversify the experience. "Education abroad isn't just about Western Europe anymore," says Mears, associate professor of history. "Every region in our interconnected and interdependent world is significant, as is every field of study, from engineering and science to business and the arts."Here's a look at the new programs in brief. Learn more at the Education Abroad Office's Web site, and stay tuned for upcoming information on SMU-in-Mali.
SMU-in-Australia and Asia: The six-week summer term program, open to junior and senior business students, focuses on the economic and political changes occurring in Asia, particularly China's growing appetite for consumer goods. Participants tour diverse areas of China for the first three weeks and then move to Curtin University of Technology in Perth, Australia, where they work with Australian and Chinese students in developing presentations for industry and university experts.SMU-in-India: SMU's Temerlin Advertising Institute partnered with the Mudra Institute for Communications in Ahmedabad, India, to create this summer program, which is open to both advertising and non-advertising majors. Students spend three weeks on the Mudra Institute campus and two weeks taking cultural and industry field trips. Kartik Pashupati, assistant professor of advertising, serves as SMU professor-in-residence in Ahmedabad, and Patricia Alvey, distinguished chair and director of the Temerlin Advertising Institute, participates in the second portion of the program.
London Internships: In this 8 1/2-week summer program, students enroll in six credit hours and are placed in professional internships by Boston-based EUSA, while living in student residences in London. EUSA partners students with well-known companies in many industry sectors, as well as with smaller companies, according to students' skills, course of study and professional goals.SMU-in-South Africa: This summer program at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban focuses on South African history and musical theater, with courses taught by SMU's Dennis Cordell, professor of history and associate dean for general education, and Barbara Hill Moore, professor of voice and program director. Students will prepare and perform highlights of Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story, working with South African students and artists, in addition to participating in cultural field trips.
SMU-in-Cairo: The full semester program in the capital of Egypt and largest city in Africa is offered through the American University in Cairo, a private university whose three schools offer a broad range of degree-granting programs, with courses taught in English. Students will live and attend classes at the university's New Campus in New Cairo, which is scheduled to open in summer 2008. Karl Kilinski II, University Distinguished Teaching Professor of Art History, serves as program director.SMU-in-Oaxaca: The winter interterm program in the southern Mexican colonial city exposes students to the art, history and religion of the region through classes, readings and numerous field trips. Kathy Windrow, adjunct professor in theatre design, teaches the Cultural Formations course and serves as program director.
I studied abroad in Paris in Spring 2003 and had an amazing experience. I had a semester full of wonderful trips to countries I had always wanted to visit, took a wide array of interesting courses, met so many wonderful people and will always cherish my time abroad. I came back more cultured and had the experience of a lifetime! If anyone is interested in studying abroad, I would highly recommend it. It is the experience of a lifetime!
One of the highlights of my SMU experience was a summer program in Santander, Spain in--gulp--1986. The excursions, the beach, the many new friends...so much learned and too many good times to recount, but in particular it was just what the doctor ordered for this gringo pursuing a Spanish degree. Every detail of the trip was absolutely perfecto. Viva Profesor Zimmerman!
I studied abroad in 1995 in the SMU in Oxford Program. It was probably the best and MOST influential experiences in my life. There is nothing like travel and having the experience to other countries' educational systems to further one's development. If there was one experience I could redo in my life, it was THAT one. Don't miss your chance if you have it. If you decide to go, please take me with you. ;-)
Studying abroad was definitely a defining chapter during my time at SMU. I went on 2 programs: SMU-in-Copenhagen & SMU-in-Australia and SE Asia. It was amazing, to say the least...and has made me think about and approach the world differently. I'm actually returning to Copenhagen, Denmark to visit my host parents and I'm SO excited!
SMU-in-Spain in the fall of 1977 was a wonderful experience in many ways, not the least of which was that it was where I met my future (American) husband, Jess Leyva! He was working for Hughes Aircraft at the U. S. Air Force base at Torrejon. He met my future SMU-in-Spain roommate, Sue Perry, on the plane flight on the way over on August 16, 1977 (the day Elvis Presley died), and she eventually introduced him to me. My roommates were Sue Perry, Becky Mathews, Missy Smith, and Becky White, and we lived with a Spanish woman named Carmina. It was a wonderful semester with group trips to Barcelona, Avila and Segovia, and Cordoba and Granada. And thanks to the 4-day school week, I was also able to travel many other places with friends, including Toledo, Sevilla, Andorra, San Sebastian, and the far northwest corner of Spain. We also learned a lot about Spanish train and subway travel, culture in Madrid (tapa hopping!), the Prado art museum, and we experienced a lot of independence by living in a foreign country. Our professors were Ramon Buckley and Tomas (sorry, I've forgotten his last name!). Professor Zimmerman was the director. I haven't been back to Spain since then, but maybe on some future anniversary, Jess and I can re-visit the country and reminisce about our time there.
Rewind 30 years...to 1977 when I studied in Paris in the fall. Although I had grown up on military bases all over the world, the SMU-abroad program led me to my first somewhat "independent" living situation where I was immersed in the culture and where I became keenly aware of the similarities and differences among peoples around our globe. Not only do I believe that every university student should have this experience prior to graduation (perhaps as a core requisite), but professionals and academics themselves should never stop exposing themselves to new cultures as a constant reminder of larger sphere's of influence and information than those that exist in one's day-to-day existence. Thanks SMU.
I spent six months studying in Spain in 1995, and I loved every minute of it. It was perfect, and SMU made sure that every detail was covered. What a fantastic experience. I highly recommend it to any student considering a study abroad program. SMU knows STUDY ABROAD!