Wednesday, September 6, 2000 - The Michigan Daily - New Student Edition - 3C
Study abroad programs
enrich experience, education
University living-learning programs provide the opportunity for students to live and study in the same place.
I LIVE TO LEARN
By Ginnefer Cox
Daily Staff Reporter
One of the most difficult tasks for freshmen is the dcci-
sion of which residence hall to live in. For those students
who wish to experience small collegoe life within a big
community, the University has the unique offering oflearn-
ing within a student's residence hall.
Learning communities in residence halls offer sev-
eral advantages for an incoming student. Students are
able to take select classes inside the residence hall,
which makes waking up five minutes before class less
problematic. Also, learning communities offer stu-
dents a chance to meet other students with similar
interests, which can lead to lifelong friendships.
In the Hill area, there are many residence halls in which
learning communities are emphasized. Alice Lloyd Resi-
dence Hall holds the Lloyd Hall Scholars Program, a two-
year program of about 310 participants.
Founded in 1962, the program focuses on building
better relationships between students and faculty, and
on the improvement of student communication skills
in writing and the fine arts. Students in the program
are required to take specific classes inside the resi-
dence hall each semester. Resident fellows and gradu-
ate students, who live in Lloyd Hall with the students,
teach the majority of the classes.
Director of the Lloyd Hall Scholars Program David Pot-
ter noted that this program stands out from other learning
communities because of its resident fellows.
"No other program offers the resident staff that LHSP
does. They are the key to the program, and they offer a
variety of important educational experiences outside of the
classroom as well as within it," he said.
The Lloyd Hall Scholars Program also prides itself
on its unique class offerings. Cecilia Infante, the asso-
ciate director of the Lloyd Hall Scholars Program,
*aid that some of the classes Lloyd offers might not be
offered elsewhere at the University.
"This program offers unique courses that fill either dis-
tribution requirements or holes in the current curricular
landscape. For example, our stand-up comedy class is
designed to help students develop their public speaking
skills in a creative way, and as far as I know, there is no
public speaking course offered at Michigan," Infante said.
Mosher Jordan Residence Hall offers two different
learning communities. The Women in Science and Engi-
neering Residence Program is designed for women who
are either majoring in or considering a career in science or
engineering related fields. Established in 1993, WISE is
comprised of around 120 students, and is deliberately kept
small in order to have a strong learning community. The
major focus of WISE is for women in the program with
similar interests to live together, and to learn from each
other. WISE program director Sally Sharp also encourages
its participants to take advantage of academic opportunities
that freshmen may not be aware of
"We're all here to help students make a successful transi-
tion into the University as well as really fnd those aspects
of the University that students can be successful in. WISE
tries to educate students to be good students and to be con-
sumers of what the University has to offer," Sharp said.
Mosher Jordan also holds another small learning
community, the UROP-in-Residence (UIR) Program.
UIR is a small component of the Undergraduate
Research Opportunity Program, which is available to
all undergraduates who wish to work on a research
project of their interest with a University faculty
member. The UIR program offers 100 freshmen who
are involved in UROP the opportunity to live together.
The Michigan Community Scholars Program was in
Mare Markley Residence Hall until this Fall Term when it
will move to Couzens. The MCSP focuses on academic
study as well as community service.
Participants in MCSP are required to attend a first year
seminar. Each seminar holds only twenty students, and
emphasizes community and social service commitment.
MCSP participants also gain hands-on experience with
community service, and are dedicated in setting a standard
with community living.
On Central Campus, the East Quadrangle is home to
the Residential College, a four-year college that offers
a degree upon graduation. The Residential College is
different from other learning communities because it
is a college within the University, and offers six inter-
disciplinary concentrations.
RC participants can select a major in the University as
well as the concentrations in the RC. A primary require-
ment of RC students is proficiency in a second language.
The Residential College offers daily intense classes in
French, German, Russian, and Spanish.
See LIVING, Page 8C
By Laura Deneau abroad programs. requir
Daily Staff Reporter Also in the International Office require
are various student clubs, organized studen
800 University students study by foreign students studying at the classe
abroad each year, either through the University; they.provide yet another the Ut
University's 70 available programs, means for students to gain an inter- Englan
which encompass 30 countries on 6 national perspective. At I
continents, or through outside pro- Available on the University's lent in
grams; 500 University students work International Center web site, in a fc
abroad at both internships and regu- i.iimich.edul/-icenster/overseas, dents
lar paying jobs each summer and considered a valuable resource by class w
into the school year. study abroad offices across the pete at
"One thing that Caroll Dickerman country, is a link to srmwww.iiepass- The
(Director of the Office of Interna- poi't.org, a textbook listing of every abroa
tional Programs (OIP)) always says available program offered by univer- earned
to students is 'Studying abroad will sities in the US. showL
change your life'," Kristen
M. Stewart, Students Ser- " can't really think of a
vices Assistant in the OIP
said. discipline that can't be
Stewart believes that trav-
el abroad is a beneficial if enhanced by studying abroad."
not an essential component
to higher education and - Kristen M. Stewart
applicable to every concen- Student Services Assistant, OIP
tration.
"I really can't think of a
discipline that can't be enhanced by Peer advisors, previously study- options
studying abroad," Stewart said. "An ing and working abroad hold desig- aid dea
international perspective broadens nated office hours in the as oppi
the material. Even students in Amer- International Office in which stu- ing fo
scan culture studies can benefit by dents can seek advice from them unava
studying how other nations see the and gain perspective from their especi
US." experiences. less foi
The University is very open as far "Students can give more insight conduc
as it allows students to make choices thtan program advisors in some
concerning program lengths and respects," Bill Nolting, Director of
types as well as its willingness to Overseas Opportunities Office said.
accredit the thousands of non-Uni- A respect which he referred to is the
versity programs available to stu- enthusiasm that students express and
dents. eagerly communicate after returning
Although study abroad seems from abroad.
most applicable to LSA students Kristen Furdack who works as a
concentrating in the humanities and peer advisor in the International
social sciences, the School of Engi- Center Office has studied in Aus-
neering as well as the Business tralia, worked in England, Japan and
School incorporate study abroad Thailand and traveled to over 25
offices as an available component of countries. Her trekking-guide
their degrees, evidence of the grow- fiancee whom she met in Thailand
ing need for international awareness teaches her something new every-
in business and technology. day, confirming how strongly she
The International Center, located feels about opening one's eyes to
next to the Union, houses the Inter- different ways of life.
national Office. The International "You see the way people look at
Office is an accessible and highly the world and themselves," Furdack
recommended resource for students said. "By stepping outside your own
who want to learn about opportuni- culture you learn lessons that are not
ties abroad, mainly for work and taught in any classroom."
internships as well as non-Universi- What is taught in classrooms
ty programs and general travel infor- abroad depends on a students area of
mation. The OIP is also located in interest. If language is the priority,
the International Center and is the classes can be taken in a foreign ]an-
center of the University s study guage that fulfill the language
rement as well as degree
ements; if content is a concern
ts study in English and take
s comparatively rigorous to
niversity's in such places as
td and Australia.
east a fifth-semester equiva-
a language is needed to study
oreign language so that stu-
as Stewart said, "can sit in a
with foreign students and com
ttheir level."
credit granted for classes
d is different than credit-
d at the University. Grades
up on the students transcript
but do not figure into their
GPA and the conversion
scale does not credit honor
points.
Beginning in the fall vari-
ous study abroad workshops
will -be held throughout
campus; the annual Study
Abroad Fair will be held in
early October. It is impor-
tant to look into one's
s as internship and financial
adlines come up early as well
ortunities to receive full-fund-
ir studies abroad become
ilable. Some students with
al foresight are now paying
r studies abroad than for those
cted at the University
Looking for a chance
to get involved in
research on campus?
UndergraduateI
Research
Opportunity
Program
Limited Spaces
Research projects still
available in many
fields and disciplines.
For more info or an application,
' please call 998-9381
or visit our website:
http://www.umich.edu/-urop
ULJSLIM
SrLTUDENTS'
J/0i)k s0 L3* O f vw fi , ,, fe j~freiL
Lntined from Page 1C
Bollinger desires, he has formed an
advisory conmittee that will among
osther things serve as the client so
developers and search for a director.
"The director must be not only an
outstanding scientist, but charisiatic
as an administrator," Bollinger said.
fie said he envisions the acquisition
Each course will have about 70 to
80 students and plans to incorporate
professors from a variety of Univer-
sity schools and colleges, including
Engineering and Medicine.
"We're interested it giving stu-
dents an alternative way to think
about the life sciences," said Jill
Becker, assistant to the LSA dean for
faculty affairs. Becker is chairing the
committee developing these classes.
"They are taught from a variety
of departments, so each of the
classes will be broad in its perspec-
tive," she said.
Becker said the courses do not
have official titles yet, but the work-
ing titles are biocomplexity and rnol-
ecular biology, biotechnology and
human behavior, learning and mem-
ory, and evolution, ecology and com-
parative genomics.
"Each class will have three faculty
members," Becker said, adding that
the professors will not take turns
teaching the class.
"Everybody has to be there every-
day," she said.
The collaborative effort in creating
these classes, especially input from
undergraduate students is an impor-
tant part of the process, Becker said.
"The students really need to tell us
what they're going to find interest-
ing," she said.
Bollinger said the classes will be
offered starting this fall.
Allen Lichter, dean of the Medical
School, said discoveries made at the
LSI will further medical science.
"if we have the people organized
in the right fashion, we will be able
to reveal the secrets of life," he said,
adding that "we are at a truly histori-
cal place in medical science.:
Provost Nancy Cantor said the LSI
will bring students and faculty of
various departments together.
"It will serve as a gathering place
for departments across campus
and will serve as a centerpiece,"
Cantor said.
Social Work Prof. Sherri Kos-
soudji, chair of SACUA, stressed
the importance of the establishment
ofthe LSI. Noting that the Universi-
ty lacks an outstanding life science
program, Kossoudji said that the
Institute, "is being placed where we
need a good institutional back-
bone."
Kossoudji said SACUA supports
Bollinger and his plans for the devel-
opment of the LSI.
"Bollinger is really working hard
to put forth this initiative and we
support him," she said.
Regent Rebecca McGowan (D-
Ann Arbor) said the LSI initiative
was one of the most important things
the University has undertook.
"This Board has watched this
unfold," McGowan said, adding that
during her time as a regent, the life
sciences initiative was one of the
most important proposals the regents
have ever voted on.
"This is a great and defining
moment for the University," Regent
Laurence Deitch (D-Bloomfield
Hills) said.
Ribbon cutting for the institute
currently is slated for the Fall of
2003.
establishing the reputation of LSI.
Bollinger added that after a
renowned director is hired a strong
faculty will follow.
9 A committee is currently laying
e foundation to incorporate under-
graduate courses into the institute.
The classes are designed for
freshmen who are interested in the
life sciences and want to take an
interdisciplinary approach to the
sciences.
6.036-9.00~?
U - 5
for more info...
www.umich.edu/~muslims
msa-exec@umich.edu