Week
of June 7, 2004
Current topics of interest in higher education
in western Wisconsin
Story Idea
A record number of UW-Eau Claire students are studying abroad this summer. Ninety-nine UW-Eau Claire students are participating in programs in five countries. The university is offering two new summer study abroad programs this year:
- Twelve UW-Eau Claire students (and five students from other UW System schools) are currently in Thailand. The classes and the field excursions will introduce students to the major tribal groups of Thailand, as well as the ethnic minorities who call Thailand home. Excursions include in-depth interaction with Hmong groups in Thailand. The program includes classroom instruction, excursions and lectures by local activists, scholars and representatives of organizations working on human rights and other issues. Students are based at Payap University in Chiang Mai, a city of 250,000 in Northern Thailand. Founded in 1296, the city is one of the oldest continually inhabited settlements in Thailand.
- In July, 13 UW-Eau Claire students will study in South Africa. The host institution is the University of KwaZulu-Natal-International School. KwaZulu Natal, where the university is located, is the most culturally diverse region in South Africa. The program includes excursions to historical sites and a visit to a game park. Classes allow students to experience the realities of building a democracy; learning the Zulu language, culture and customs; and studying the history of the KwaZulu-Natal region. Nine students will complete their service-learning requirement in South Africa by taking a "Policy Issues and Community Service
" course and completing a service project in a government or non-profit agency.
For information about study abroad programs in general, contact Susan Lochner at (715) 836-4411 or lochnesa@uwec.edu. For information about the Thailand or South Africa programs, contact Colleen Marchwick at (715) 836-4411 or marchwcc@uwec.edu.
Story Idea
UW-Eau Claire's Concert Choir returns from Europe this week. The 60 students performed in events in France commemorating the 60th anniversary of D-Day. For details, contact Dr. Gary Schwartzhoff. You can reach him at (715) 836-4056 or schwargr@uwec.edu.
UW-Eau
Claire's Experts Directory
Judy Berthiaume, Director
UW-Eau Claire News Bureau
Schofield 201
(715) 836-4741
newsbur@uwec.edu
Updated:
June 4, 2004