We are happy to share the May 2021 edition of our UB Study Abroad Alumni Spotlight series which highlights the impact that studying abroad has had on the careers and lives of UB Alumni! Please feel free to share this with anyone you think might be interested and let us know if you have any students you’d like us to highlight in the future.
Meet Lukas Dickash, UB Study Abroad Alumnus, and hear him speak about how participating in UB’s International Christian University (ICU) Summer Program has allowed him to pursue a career in Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher. Lukas earned a B.A. in Linguistics with a concentration in Language, Society and Communication, and a minor in Japanese Studies, which helped him satisfy his degree requirements for his minor over the summer instead of needing to complete a full year at UB to do the same. He looks back on how his study abroad experience helped him achieve his dream of living and working in Japan!
The SUNY COIL Global Commons summer program is a 6-week/6-credit Collaborative International Online Learning (COIL) course based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This course will count towards either a GE requirement or a student’s major course of study, depending on the disciplinary lens with which the student approaches the particular SDG. Students will begin in a storytelling course on cultural competency, then be grouped with those who share a common interest in one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
There are two components to this course:
3 credits – Intercultural Story-telling
Storytelling is a powerful tool of communication. A challenge faced by organizations, which operate with few resources is accurately and effectively communicating about their work and the issues they are trying to address. When the issues are complex, stories can inform, entertain, educate, inspire, and create connections to influence change.
3 credits – United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals
The world has problems. These problems- such as climate change, inequality, and elimination of poverty-require our attention and our action if we want a better future for our world. Framed by one of the six selected UN SDGs, students will work with people and organizations working on these problems all over the world, every day.
Course details
The SUNY COIL Global Commons program is a six-week, six-credit (undergraduate credit) program open to any student, from any higher education institution
Students are enrolled in two, 3-credit courses that culminate in storytelling projects completed in small groups in partnership with a community based non-governmental organization
The program cost is equivalent to six credits of tuition
A timeline of the course is illustrated below. Participants will learn about the partner organization and the final project. Students will work with their peers from other SUNY campuses as well as with contact from our international partner organizations around the world.
The first cohort of the SUNY COIL Global Commons completed the program in the summer of 2020 and their final storytelling projects are available to view. Check out their videos, podcasts, graphic novels, and more at the Project Showcase site! For a more in-depth explanation of the program description. If you have any questions, take a look at the Program FAQ’s.
Our Alumni Spotlight highlights the impact that studying abroad has had on the careers and lives of UB Alumni!
Meet Dr. Dayle Hodge, UB Study Abroad Alumnus, and hear him speak about how participating in UB’s Global E3 study abroad program has helped shape his career as a Resident Anesthesiologist. Dr. Hodge received an M.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a B.S. Degree in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering with a minor in French from UB. He spent his junior year in France and looks back on how impactful this experience was and the many opportunities it has afforded him since then.
**The Korea University (KU) International Summer Campus (ISC) Course Catalogue can be viewed here. Additionally, existing KU-UB course articulations can be viewed here. Please note that this list is continually growing. If a student would like additional courses reviewed for UB equivalents and/or Global Pathway requirement(s), please contact our office for further assistance.
Additional virtual SUNY programs can be found on our Virtual Study Abroad Program webpage. We will continue to update this webpage as more remote opportunities become available through UB & SUNY.
Interested students are encouraged to contact our office by email (studyabroad@buffalo.edu) or during our Virtual Office Hours via Zoom M – F, 8:30AM – 4:30PM with any questions they may have regarding these programs!
Applications for funding will be evaluated by UB Asian Studies Program faculty and staff. The Rustgi South Asian Language Award provides partial tuition subventions. Additional funds for living expenses incurred during the summer program may also be available. It is anticipated that the average award will be approximately $1,000 per student.
Eligibility:
Full-time enrollment as an undergraduate or graduate student at the University of Buffalo in good academic standing at the time of application.
At the time of application for this award, applicants must demonstrate that they have already applied to a summer language program.
Awards are contingent upon the applicant’s acceptance into an appropriate South Asian summer language program
Criteria for Selection:
Awards will be based on academic merit and seriousness of purpose
The applicant agrees to be an ambassador for Asian Studies at UB by sending occasional posts and photos of their experiences for use on the Asian Studies Program’s social media and website. The applicant must also be willing to talk with other students about their experience upon returning to UB.
The applicant’s prior South Asian coursework or plans to enroll in additional South Asia-related courses at UB.
Preference shall be given to students seeking to learn “critical need” languages (Bangla, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu).
Preference shall be given to students who can demonstrate that they have also applied for the Critical Language Scholarship, Boren Awards, and/or Foreign Language and Area Studies fellowships.
Required Application Materials:
Applicants should send the following components in a single PDF file:
1) Completed language program application form 2) one-page (less than 500-word) statement of purpose describing your academic reasons for selecting a particular program, detailing how the study abroad program will fit into your overall academic program and goals, and how the program benefits you 3) Transcripts: Applicants should scan their undergraduate and graduate transcripts (from U.S. or Canadian universities only) and include them in the single pdf file. 4) Confirmation (email or scanned document) from AIIS, SAFLI, etc. indicating receipt of complete summer language program application. 5) A simple budget indicating anticipated expenses and other sources of funding to which the applicant has applied. 6) Recommended: documentation confirming submission of completed applications for the Critical Language Scholarship and/or Boren Scholarship 7) Applicants should also submit one (1) letter of recommendation emailed as an attachment directly from their professor or instructor. Instructors may also mail their recommendations in a sealed envelope signed by the instructor to Asian Studies Program, 412 Clemens Hall, Buffalo NY 14260.
The 2020-2021 study abroad award supports study abroad for Fall 2021, AY 2021-2022, or Spring 2022. The deadline for applications is March 29, 2021.
The awards will range between $500 and $1000. All UB undergraduate students who are studying abroad in Asia are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to students majoring or minoring in the Asian Studies Program and/or minoring in Korean.
Eligibility Requirements:
Full-time enrollment as an undergraduate at the University of Buffalo in good academic standing at the time of your application
At the time of applying for this award, you must already have applied to a study abroad program in Asia through the UB Study Abroad office. Exceptions will be considered with prior approval from the Asian Studies Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Walter Hakala.
Criteria:
Foreign language study is a component of the program
Participation in an established, credit-bearing study abroad or exchange program
Preference shall be given to applicants who are studying abroad for the first time or in a country or region to which they have never before traveled
Awards are based on academic merit and seriousness of purpose
The applicant agrees to be an ambassador for Asian Studies at UB by sending occasional posts and photos of their experiences while in-country for use on the Asian Studies Program’s social media and website. The applicant must also be willing to talk with other students about their study abroad experience upon returning to UB.
Application Materials and Guidelines:
Please submit the following 4 items:
The application form.
A personal statement no longer than 3 pages double-spaced, 11 or 12 point font following the outline below:
The Program. Describe the program: what is the length of the program, the course of intended study, and the language focus? You may include a program info sheet or brochure as supporting paperwork if one exists.
The Language. What language training have you acquired prior to the study abroad program? What is your expected proficiency at the end of the study abroad program? What is your goal in learning this language?
Academic Purpose. Describe your academic reasons for selecting a particular program and explain in detail how the study abroad program will fit into your overall academic program and goals.
Development. Describe how the program benefits your personal, academic, and professional development.
Candidacy. Why are you a particularly strong candidate for this award?
One letter of recommendation from a professor who has taught you in an Asian Studies-related course. The letter of recommendation must be emailed as an attachment directly from the professor.
A current copy of your unofficial transcript.
All application materials must be submitted no later than 4pm on Monday, March 29, 2021.
Submission Guidelines:
Email Asian-Studies@buffalo.edu with “Study Abroad Award Application: [your name]” in the subject line. Attach the completed application form, your personal statement, and your transcripts. Ask your professor to email their letter of recommendation as an attachment to Asian-Studies@buffalo.edu with “Study Abroad Recommendation: [your name]” in the subject line.
Thinking about participating in a future study abroad program? Don’t know where to start? Join one of our Study Abroad Information Sessions on Zoom to learn more. Study Abroad Programs Staff will present on 80+ UB programs, hundreds of SUNY programs, and information on financial aid and available scholarships—focusing on 2021/2022 programs and beyond! There will also be time for Q&A to answer any questions you may have.
Thursday, February 4 from 11:00AM – 12:00PM – Zoom Link
Thursday, March 4 from 3:00PM – 4:00PM – Zoom Link
Wednesday, April 7 from 1:30PM – 2:30PM – Zoom Link
The Study Abroad Programs Team is also available remotely to help you plan your future study abroad experience. Connect with us during our Virtual Office Hours via Zoom, by phone (716) 645-3912, or email studyabroad@buffalo.edu on Monday – Friday, 8:30AM – 4:30PM! An appointment is not required to join the Virtual Office Hours via Zoom. We are also happy to schedule one-on-one advising appointments with our Study Abroad Program Advisors to answer any questions you may have.
Learn how you can earn UB credit studying overseas! Join us on Zoom for our Virtual Study Abroad Fair to learn about 80+ UB programs, meet with UB faculty regarding their unique faculty-led programs, connect with representatives from UB’s partner universities overseas, gather information on financial aid and available scholarships, and chat with study abroad alumni about their international experiences to learn how you can fit studying abroad into your degree program at UB!
Wednesday, February 10 from 3:00PM – 5:00PM via Zoom
Every year study abroad offices across SUNY come together to host fairs at each participating campus to showcase the many opportunities students have to go abroad. This year the fair will be completely virtual via CareerEco! The fairwill consist of chat rooms hosted by each participating campus. Students can sign in anytime during the three hours and use text or video to ask questions to program representatives and advisors.Click here to pre-register for the SUNY Virtual Study Abroad Fair.
Wednesday, September 9 from 11:00AM – 2:00PM
**SAVE THE DATE: UB will also host its own Virtual Study Abroad Fair via Zoom on Wednesday, September 23 from 4:00PM – 6:00PM. Registration details coming soon!
Connect with us during our Virtual Office Hours via Zoom, by phone (716) 645-3912, or email studyabroad@buffalo.edu on Monday – Friday, 8:30AM – 4:30PM! An appointment is not required to join the Virtual Office Hours via Zoom. We are also happy to schedule one-on-one advising appointments with our Study Abroad Program Advisors to answer any questions you may have.
You are also invited to attend our Study Abroad Information Sessions as well as the UB & SUNY Virtual Study Abroad Fairs!
STUDY ABROAD INFORMATION SESSIONS
Thinking about participating in a future study abroad program? Don’t know where to start? Join one of our Study Abroad Information Sessions on Zoom to learn more. Study Abroad Programs Staff will present on 80+ UB programs, hundreds of SUNY programs, and information on financial aid and available scholarships—focusing on 2021 programs and beyond! There will also be time for Q&A to answer any questions you may have.
Tuesday, September 8 from 2:30PM – 3:30PM – Zoom Link
Monday, October 5 from 10:30AM – 11:30AM – Zoom Link
Friday, November 13 from 3:00PM – 4:00PM – Zoom Link
This Fall, the Experiential Learning Network is excited to offer our first Virtual Study Abroad trip, showing you this remarkable part of the world and introducing you to the places and people Dr. Huber, the instructor, has been working with for over ten years. The course will follow the same study abroad itinerary as the in-person trip and will feature: Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Musoma, Tarime, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Moshi/Arusha, Zanzibar. By participating in virtual class “trips” and “meetings,” students will work on mentored group projects through the ELN Project Portal, collaborating with featured Tanzanian partners to support community development initiatives. Don’t delay! Email Dr. Huber to register for the class! Fall 2020 – PSY499 Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:35 – 10:50 a.m.
