In this issue of Global Perspectives you'll find the following stories:

1. Wolfe family $1 million gift doubles endowment to support scholarships to study abroad
2. Ohio State assistant professor and two students have been awarded prestigious Fulbright-Hays grants
3. International Affairs grant recipients
4. Learning about the material conditions of life in East Africa
5. Area Studies Centers encourage the study of language through speech competitions
6. Mershon Center supports 14 students in study abroad
7. Design of new Latin American M.A. program moves forward
8. From Ohio to Iraq to Gummy Bears and Halwa Halib
9. International students made to feel right at home
10. East Asian studies M.A. program reaps success
    
    

Wolfe family $1 million gift doubles endowment to support scholarships to study abroad

More Ohio State students will have an opportunity to receive financial assistance to study abroad as a result of a $1 million gift from the Robert F. Wolfe and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation. This gift doubled the endowment that supports the Wolfe Study Abroad Scholarship Fund and was presented to President E. Gordon Gee at the ninth annual Wolfe Study Abroad Recognition Luncheon on May 1. This year 25 students were awarded scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each.

"I am truly grateful to John Wolfe and his family, who have once again demonstrated their deep commitment to The Ohio State University and its students," said Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee. "The Wolfe Study Abroad Scholarships provide critical resources to enable our students – now and in the future – to enrich their educational experience through study abroad. Thanks to the Wolfes' vision and generosity, Ohio State students are well-prepared for leadership in our global society."

Established in 1999 by John F. Wolfe, chairman and CEO of The Dispatch Printing Company, the Wolfe Fund has been the cornerstone of financial support for Ohio State's study abroad programs and has enabled a growing number of students to participate in quarter- or summer-long programs they otherwise would not have been able to afford. The scholarships are administered and awarded to students through the Office of International Affairs.

"The Wolfe Study Abroad Scholarships already have enhanced the educational experience of more than 180 talented Ohio State students who have studied abroad in 39 different countries," said Dieter Wanner, Ohio State's interim associate provost of international affairs.

"These scholarships have helped the university attract those students seeking ways to enrich their academic program through an international experience. Studying abroad enables students to gain a sense of independence, become more confident, improve their communications skills, and acquire valuable skills in preparation for today's job market," he said.

Eric Melton, a recent recipient of the Wolfe Study Abroad Scholarship who studied abroad in Spain, said: "When you travel to another country, it really forces you to figure out who you are and what you enjoy because you do not have access to the comforts of home. I experienced new places, sights and a culture that I will never forget."

The Office of International Affairs administers over 100 study abroad programs in more than 40 different countries. These programs give students an opportunity to become involved in cross-cultural interaction and enjoy a rewarding educational experience in fields from language studies to agriculture, engineering to business, and many more. Close to 20 percent of undergraduates participate in a study abroad program during their academic career at Ohio State. Internationalization is one of nine university-wide priority areas articulated by the Office of Academic Affairs. The university continues to build and focus on the core international activities that will be essential to Ohio State's continued impact on the global community.

• Ohio State Study Abroad
   
  

Ohio State assistant professor and two students have been awarded prestigious Fulbright-Hays grants

One faculty member and two doctoral candidates from The Ohio State University have been awarded the prestigious Fulbright-Hays grant by the U.S. Department of Education.

Morgan Liu, an assistant professor in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, is the recipient of the Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad grant, and students Michael Ewers from the Department of Geography, and Mark Soderstrom from the Department History, are the recipients of the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad grants.

These Fulbright-Hays grant awards represent over $120,000 in research funding for 2008-2009. There are only 25 faculty awards and 140 Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad awards given annually nationwide.

Liu is only the second Ohio State faculty member to receive this highly competitive Fulbright-Hays grant since 2000. Both Ewers and Soderstrom are past recipients of the Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowship. Ewers received his FLAS award from the Middle East Studies Center, and Soderstrom received his FLAS award from the Center for Slavic and East European Studies.

Liu, a cultural anthropologist, plans to travel to Kyrgyzstan for three months to conduct research on the theme of "Central Asian Islam and Post-Soviet Societal Transformation." Liu will examine the beliefs of Muslims in Central Asia about how Islam solves systemic societal problems. The fieldwork involves Uzbek language interviews with religious and community leaders, and observation of mosque life.

Ewers, a doctoral student in geography, will conduct research in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for 10 months, examining the role of highly-skilled, expatriate labor in the country’s efforts to transition beyond oil-based economic development. Ewers will study a number of diversification strategies which have been implemented since the 1970s in the UAE to understand how knowledge transfer from expatriate to local labor has occurred.

Soderstrom, a doctoral student in history, will travel to Russia for 12 months to examine the transformation of Siberia from a peripheral colony into an "organic" part of Russia. His analysis will examine the transformation on individual, local and national levels through the eyes of Peter Slovtsov and Ivan Kalashnikov, Siberia’s first historian and novelist, respectively.

The Fulbright-Hays faculty award provides grants to fund research projects in other countries to help faculty members maintain and improve their area studies and foreign language skills. The Fulbright-Hays dissertation award provides funding for individual doctoral students to conduct research in other countries in modern foreign languages and area studies.

The Office of International Affairs administers the Fulbright-Hays program for Ohio State.

• Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad
• Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad
   
  

International Affairs grant recipients

The Office of International Affairs recently awarded nine faculty members and 24 students with grants totaling $90,000 to be used for research projects or student programs that are international in scope. The International Affairs grant program, which now is held annually during spring quarter, supports projects that advance the understanding of foreign countries, cultures and peoples through academic study.

Grants are given for projects that explore the languages, cultures, arts, politics, economy, or socio-demographic aspects of a foreign region. Proposals addressing global issues are also eligible if these issues are explored in a regional context. This includes proposals about public health, public policy and climate change, among others.

The International Affairs grants will take Ohio State faculty and students around the globe to conduct research, publish articles and books, finalize dissertations and attend and implement seminars. There will be a study done on the impact of local Christians on the social and political nature of Kerala society. Preliminary data will be gathered concerning food insecurity and its consequent health outcomes in the Brazilian Amazon. Articles and conference papers will feature a historical analysis of the cultural relics connected to the hagiography of Pema Lingpa, a primary figure in Himalayan Buddhism.

From Kenya to Brazil, to India, Tibet and Russia, Ohio State faculty and students will be enhancing the university’s reputation as a first-class global, research institution.

• International Affairs grant recipients Spring 2008
   
  

Learning about the material conditions of life in East Africa

Area Studies Centers encourage the study of language through speech competitions

Ohio high school and college students gather annually to demonstrate their understanding of Russian and Japanese at spoken language contests supported by Ohio State Area Studies Centers. The Institute for Japanese Studies supports the Japanese Language Speech Contest as a continuing effort to promote the study of Japanese language and to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and the United States. Similarly, the Center for Slavic and East European Studies supports the Ohio High School Olympiada of Spoken Russian because the contest promotes the study of Russian before coming to college and the event helps teachers attract students to the Russian language. Students benefit from the opportunity to compete, establish proficiency levels and possibly win trips to study abroad.

Olympiada of Spoken Russian

"One mission of the Slavic Center is to help students progress to advanced levels of language study. This competition helps motivate students still in high school, so once at the university level these students can move directly into more advanced courses of study," explains Lance Erickson, assistant director of the center. "Ohio teachers of Russian tell us the competition is an important recruiting device and morale builder for their students. The students establish high proficiency levels that help build their resumes. The competition helps promote the Russian language in so many ways."

The Japan-America Society of Central Ohio Japanese Language Speech Contest has featured talented Ohio high school and college students for nine years. Participants write an original speech to be delivered in Japanese at the contest. Students are scored on their speech content, language ability, delivery, memorization, maintaining the 3 minute time limit and a Question & Answer session. The high school and college students compete in separate categories, however a grand prize winner is also named and presented with round-trip ticket to Japan.

"The Speech Contest fulfills the mission of the Institute for Japanese Studies by promoting the study of Japanese language and encouraging students to write and speak Japanese. Teachers of Japanese offer this opportunity as an incentive to their students," explains Janet Stucky, assistant director of the institute. "Cultural understanding and fellowship between students learning Japanese is increased by this competition. Hopefully the friendship between Japan and the United States is strengthened by this outreach effort."

In addition to promoting Japanese and Russian, expanding student language skills and establishing proficiency levels, both language skills contests bring students to The Ohio State University campus. The campus visit introduces students to the university and presents a great networking opportunity for both the competitors and their teachers to meet peers from across the state.
 

Mershon Center supports 14 students in study abroad

The Mershon Center for International Security Studies announces 14 awards in the first annual Ralph D. Mershon Study Abroad Scholarship competition. These scholarships support students who aspire to careers related to international security.  

Winners this year include students whose ambitions range from working for the State Department, the U.S. Military, or within the intelligence community, to positions with the United Nations. Students also hope to pursue work for global immigration services and non-governmental organizations fostering security and development.

Tim Hoffine, one student winner, is a senior majoring in Journalism and International Studies. He will attend the Arabic Language Institute in Fèz, Morocco for nine months, studying Arabic to pursue his ambition to work in the intelligence community. Another winner, Vince Selip, will spend seven months in Egypt completing a rigorous Arabic language program at the American University in Cairo, gaining skills for a potential security career with the U.S. government.

Alexa Bruder, a sophomore majoring in Linguistics, is a midshipman in the Navy ROTC.  She will attend the Intensive Chinese Language Program in Qingdao, developing the language skills needed as a future naval officer. Lydia Thomas, a sophomore Chinese and Arabic major, is preparing for a career in the intelligence field and will also study in an intensive Chinese language program.

Other scholarship winners will be studying, for an academic quarter or longer, in countries around the globe — including Switzerland, Russia, Israel, Senegal, China, Korea, and Egypt. 

Sarah Gange, a junior majoring in Russian and Comparative Studies, will participate in the Russian Language and Area Studies Program at KORA Language Institute in Vladimir for ten weeks. Her time in Russia will contribute to her honors thesis, identifying how the institutions created by the USSR solidified in Central Asia. One day, she hopes to work as an expert on Central Asia at the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Another scholarship winner, Robert Snyder, is a senior majoring in International Studies with a concentration on Africa. He will participate in the Minnesota Studies International Development program in Senegal.  Snyder volunteers at Community Refugee and Immigration Services in Columbus and has worked with NGOs in Namibia. He hopes to learn more about Muslim culture in Senegal and position himself for future development work.  

The scholarship competition had more than 50 applicants this year. Unfortunately, the Mershon Center could fund only 14 applicants and therefore, had to make difficult choices among the growing number of Ohio State students recognizing the tremendous value of study abroad programs. 

The Mershon Center will fund another competition next year and hopes students from across the campus will apply.

• 2007-2008 Ralph D. Mershon Study Abroad Scholarship Recipients
   
  

Design of new Latin American M.A. program moves forward

The Center for Latin American Studies plans to present a proposal for a master's degree program to the Ohio State Graduate School. The masters program will require students to choose two concentrations, which can be disciplinary (history, literature, geography, political science, etc.) and/or interdisciplinary (border and Latino studies; democratization and globalization studies; environment and development; Latin American cultural studies, etc.).

"This is the centerpiece of what we are trying to do," said Abril Trigo, director of the Center for Latin American Studies. The faculty is demanding it; students are in need; and it will complement other masters and Ph.D degrees from other departments."

The program is meant to be flexible for students so that they could complete the 45 credit degree program in one or two years. The courses must be taken in at least two different departments, with no more than 25 credits in a single department. At least 25 credits must be from courses focused on Latin America. There also would be a prerequisite Spanish or Portuguese language requirement.

"The idea is that we already have the faculty in place, the courses are ready to go and the M.A. will strengthen existing programs,Trigo said. "We have students who want to have a concentration of study in a particular area. This way a student who might be a political science major can also have a focus on Latin America. It will appeal to a wide audience."

Once given the go ahead by the Graduate School, the masters program will need final approval by the Ohio Board of Regents. If the process moves forward, the Latin American M.A. program could be ready to be offered autumn quarter 2010.
 

From Ohio to Iraq to Gummy Bears and Halwa Halib

In collaboration with the Ohio 4-H and the Ohio National Guard’s Operation Military Kids program, the Office of International Affairs offered a taste of global culture to kids aged 6-11 at the new Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center.

In early April, Saba Sohail, outreach coordinator for International Affairs, Cory Driver, outreach coordinator for the Middle East Studies Center, Lance Erickson, assistant director of the Center for Slavic and East European Studies, and Terry Studer, outreach coordinator for the Center for Slavic and East European Studies, presented information about Iraq, Serbia, and Hungary as part of a conference for military families in which a parent was about to be deployed to Iraq or Kuwait.

Driver shared photos of Iraqi landscapes and talked with the young people about the similarities and differences between these landscapes and those of rural and urban Ohio. Along with Sohail, he then made an Iraqi sweet called Halwa Halib or "Milk Candy" for the children on small camping stoves. The young students were invited to taste the fresh candy, which received mixed reviews from palettes more familiar with Snickers bars and gummy bears than with freshly cooked spoonable candy made from milk, oil and sugar. A recipe for the candy was sent home for families to try making it together.

Erickson and Studer shared information and photos of urban Belgrade and Budapest. In celebration of a recent Hungarian holiday that occurs on March 15, the young students were given red, green and white braided bracelets. March 15 is the day Hungarians typically commemorate the revolution and the following war of independence against the Austrian-Hapsburg rule in 1848-49. This day is one of the most prominent national holidays in Hungary.

Two community volunteers, Ann Kangas and Leslie Scott of Columbus Folk Dancers, taught the children folk dances from Serbia and Hungary. Most of the dances were community circle dances thought to be from rural villages.

Sue Ann Carroll, State Youth Coordinator for the Ohio National Guard said: "Thanks for all your assistance in pulling off what we all viewed as our BEST Youth Program for this conference ever. The kids had a great time and the parents really enjoyed the presentation at the end with all the pictures of the children involved in the activities that your organization provided."

• Operation Military Kids Outreach Photo Slideshow
   
  

International students made to feel right at home

For international students and scholars attending The Ohio State University, there is a home away from home for them on campus. The Office of International Affairs checks in and welcomes approximately 1,200 new international students and 800 scholars that come to Ohio State every year. The office serves as the focal point on campus that assists with the special needs, questions and concerns of those who come to Ohio State from another country.

The Office of International Affairs helps international students and scholars with their initial adjustment to the university and Columbus, assists them throughout their entire stay by providing social, cultural and educational programs, and answers their  questions and gives them advice about personal concerns, cultural differences, immigration regulations, and financial matters. International Affairs works closely with faculty, staff, campus organizations and community groups to ensure that international students, scholars, and their families have the greatest opportunity to achieve their academic and personal goals.

A video shares the stories of six international students as they discuss why they chose Ohio State, their differences in culture and their adjustment to life at an American university. Watch "Making our Voices Heard: An International Student Forum."
 

East Asian studies M.A. program reaps success

As word about the East Asian studies M.A. program has spread, Ohio State has attracted a highly qualified pool of students. Since beginning the program in 2005, the newest class had increased to 10 students. Much of the success can be attributed to the dedicated work of Professors Phil Brown, J.J. Nakayama and Naomi Fukumori as well as Patricia Sieber, director of the East Asian Studies Center and Amy Carey, the center’s assistant director.

One of the strengths of the master's degree is that it requires students to complete at least three years of Asian language training by the time they graduate. This goal is achievable even if a student has only one year of previous Asian language training. Ohio State is in the fortunate position that the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures has the ability to offer Japanese, Chinese and Korean language in both intensive and regular formats, which enables students to achieve the required competency levels with two years if necessary.

The diversity of the faculty and the students has led to a wide range of specializations and various fields of study. Specializations extend from research on water management in rural China to the aesthetic conventions of Japanese anime, from the historical nexus between Korean and Japanese art to the Jesuit presence in late imperial China. The required "Introduction to East Asian Studies" course provides an opportunity for students to interact with each other and with graduate students from other departments. This enables students to learn through enhanced disciplinary awareness and interdisciplinary exchange.

"When I taught this course this past spring, the students inspired each other to excel, producing strong papers on topics ranging from the impact of Maoism in the U.S. to current congressional views of China to the importance of literary translations in articulating scholarly & popular perspectives of East Asia," said Sieber. "Such diversity represents more than the sum of its parts."

Global Perspectives is published quarterly by the Office of International Affairs. Dieter Wanner, Interim Associate Provost. If you would like to receive this newsletter via e-mail, please contact Maureen Miller, Director of Communications, at oia@osu.edu.