MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

ADVANCING KNOW

DGE

FEBRUARY 10, 2011

The power to tackle the planet's problems

NOTES FROM ISRAEL

Michigan State University has become

EcoClip blends video, social
media to raise environmental
awareness in Israel

a global powerhouse. Ranked among

the top 100 universities in the world,

MSU is number one in the nation for

study abroad participation among

public universities and is a top 10

By Charles Salmon

university for international student

enrollment. In addition, the university

Someday 2010 may be acknowledged as the year in

partners around the world, with nearly

which Israel finally understood firsthand the grim

1,500 faculty members working in

repercussions of global climate change.

more than 175 countries. The impact?

MSU is positioned to make a positive

It was a year in which water prices rose by more

impact in communities from Michigan

than 30 percent in response to exceptionally hot

to Malawi.

and dry weather, declining natural water supplies,

and population increases. Things got so bad that

"We have a 50-year history of

rabbis said extra prayers and even held a special

international engagement, which

ceremony in Lake Kinneret—also known as the Sea

includes working around the world to

do research on problems that are

our graduates with a global view and the skills they

important not only globally but also to the citizens of

need to help shape our world for the better."

the state of Michigan and the citizens of the United

States," says Jeffrey Riedinger, dean of International

Studies and Programs.

of Galilee—in hopes of attracting rain.

It was a year that saw Israel's worst wildfire in its

MSU offers study abroad destinations around the

globe, with opportunities to live, learn, experience,

and conduct research in 60 countries spanning all

history—triggered by the unusually dry summer

and lack of winter precipitation—kill more than 40

people and devastate millions of trees. A week later,

MSU researchers can be found on every continent as

seven continents. In addition, 20 MSU study abroad

Israel experienced its largest snowstorm in the

they work to develop sustainable solutions that

programs offer a community engagement

north in two decades, while in other parts of the

make life better. Whether they're researching better

component in which students have the opportunity

country torrential rains and hurricane-force winds

ways to treat malaria in Africa, leading efforts to

to contribute in a meaningful way to the well-being

battered cities, knocked out traffic lights, and

preserve giant panda habitat in China, or working

of the people and places they visit. Of the MSU

caused more than 100 traffic accidents.

side by side with some of the world's poorest

students who study abroad, 52 percent study in a

farmers to grow high-value crops that help slow

nontraditional location, including Africa, the Middle

effects of climate change, Spartan researchers are

East, and Asia.

making progress to address some of the most

pressing challenges of our time.

For years, Israel's burgeoning environmental

problems have been considered less pressing than

other concerns, such as security, but environment-

MSU senior Daniel Bittker of Franklin, Michigan, who

related events of 2010 have reached the public

is majoring in international relations with a

consciousness as never before.

At the same time, MSU is focused on creating

specialization in Jewish studies, spent last summer

opportunities for its domestic students to study,

completing an internship in Cape Town, South Africa.

conduct research, and complete internships outside

While working with the nongovernmental

the United States and for international students to

organization Africa Unite, he had the opportunity to

contribute their experiences and perspectives to

teach entrepreneurship classes to high school

individual citizens have a vital role, too. The

enrich the campus community.

students and conduct human rights seminars for

accumulated impact of millions of individual

groups that included elementary students and

decisions and actions has enormous consequences

female refugees from the Congo and Zimbabwe.

for Israel's environment and, by extension, Israel's

"Whether they're coming to campus or going abroad,

MSU students are in for life-changing experiences,"

says Riedinger. "Access to cultural immersion

opportunities is a priority at MSU so that we prepare

"My study abroad experience changed my outlook on

Although solutions to some of these problems

require technological breakthroughs and the

cooperation of international governments,

future.

the world," says Bittker. "We sit in the classrooms

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