Welcome first-year and welcome back second-year MSW students! The Office of Global Activities (OGA) is dedicated to connecting MSW students to international social work opportunities through
funding
,
special programs
, academic resources, internationalized curriculum, and
arranging faculty and student exchanges
at partner institutions.
In our weekly newsletters, you will find important global-related opportunities that we collect and organize for MSW students. This volume aims to introduce our office and share upcoming activities at OGA and in Ann Arbor.
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Kati
e
oversees the overall administration of OGA and coordinates the Global Activities Scholars Program, Masters International Volunteer Program, Coverdell Fellows program, and the Certificate in Global Social Work.
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Kaisha Brezina
Global Opportunity Coordinator
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Kaisha's tasks includ
e
advising students interested in participating in Global Independent Study opportunities and working with exchange visitors.
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Shih-Ya Chang
Social Work
Resident
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Shih-Ya assists with international student affairs, global curriculum development, and global activities coordination.
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Social Work: Global Independent Study
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A
Global Independent Study
(GIS) offers students the ability to design a global social work opportunity in a foreign country while earning 1-6 elective credits. Projects are student-initiated and might include service learning, research, or other activities. OGA offers grant funding up to $2,000 to help cover costs. OGA also offers a Passport Grant of $155 for MSW students who have never previously held a passport and are applying to GIS.
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To assist interest students' application to GIS and different grants, OGA provides advising sessions to students. Please come join the advising sessions to learn more about GIS.
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GIS Info Session
This session is intended for first-year MSW students interested in GIS. We will have a panel of returned GIS students share about what they did this past summer, where they went, and their overall experience. An overview of the application process will also be provided. Then we will open it up for questions from interested students.
Dates: Wednesday, September 25th
Time: 2 - 4 pm
Location: SSWB B780
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GIS Appointments
GIS appointments allow students interested in GIS to schedule individual meeting with OGA staff. Meeting agenda can vary from introduction to GIS to application process to project logistics.
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For more information about GIS, click the button below.
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Sunday, September 8, 2019
12 pm - 2 pm
EDT
New Shelter, Island Park (1450 Island Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105)
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International Picnic is one of most popular social events attended by international students, scholars and their families. It is a great time to meet the U-M international members across campus. It takes place at a spacious and beautiful park not far from campus. Come and make new friends, enjoy the outdoors and take part in the fun and games. Food and drinks will be provided.
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Intro to International Career Pathways:
Myths and Realities in Pursuing Global Careers
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Monday, September 9, 2019
12 pm - 1 pm
EDT
Online Webinar
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This is an introductory webinar that gives an overview of International Career Pathways and provides tips on how you can get the most out of the ICP sessions. The webinar also covers the myths, realities, and next steps in pursuing a global career.
To join the webinar, please click the link below and visit the event page.
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Info Session: Careers & Internships with the U.S. Department of State
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Monday, September 9, 2019
6 pm - 7:30 pm
EDT
Annenberg Auditorium, Weill Hall
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This event is an information session about programs for careers and internships with the U.S. Department of State. The U.S. Department of State offers over 1,000 summer internships at its embassies and missions throughout the world, at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., and at facilities in approximately 20 other cities throughout the United States. Lou Fintor, the State Department Diplomat in Residence at the Ford School, will review the application process for this exciting and challenging program.
The program is part of U-M International Career Pathways. Sponsored by the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.
Details on the internship program can be found through the link below.
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International Student Coffee Hour Kick-off
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Tuesday, September 10, 2019
12 pm - 1 pm
EDT
SSWB Room TBD
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OGA hosts bi-weekly coffee hour for all international students and visitors at the School of Social Work. It is a time to relax and socialize with each other. Please come join us!
Bubble tea will be provided if you RSVP before 9 AM on 9/10.
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Monday, September 11, 2019
12 pm - 1:30 pm
EDT
Weiser Hall 455
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Since 1987, more than 60,000 JET Program participants from over 40 countries have lived and worked in cities, towns, and villages throughout Japan. Join JET and become part of this exclusive network of like-minded international enthusiasts!
To learn more and to speak with a JET Program Representative, join the on-campus info session.
For more information about the JET Program, click on their website link below.
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Workshop on Political Unrest in Hong Kong
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Wednesday, September 11
12:30 pm - 2 pm EDT
SSWB B780
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The protests in Hong Kong that started with oppositions to the extradition bill have evolved rapidly, garnering international attention due partly to the scale of the protests but mostly to the level of brutality exhibited by the Hong Kong police and the threat of China’s military intervention (this article has a good background:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/08/world/asia/hong-kong-protests-explained.html
). The protests have been led by young people who use social media to organize without identifiable leaders, and their tactics were inspired by Bruce Lee’s line: “Be water.” The ongoing protests have exposed deep-seated fear of China’s control of Hong Kong, and long-simmering frustration of young people with the society. Dr. Lydia Li will provide a brief history of the relationship between Hong Kong and China, and background contexts of the Hong Kong society to help understand the current conflict. The protests have triggered many questions relevant to social work, especially those related to organizing and tactics. For example, what are the strengths and weaknesses of being leaderless and “like water”? How to draw the line between non-violence and forceful tactics? How to remain peaceful when being treated violently? Are tactics that cause inconvenience to innocent others, such as blocking public transportation and airport, justified? The event is an open discussion.
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Strength of Refugees and their Community:
Gallery and Reception
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Wednesday, September 11, 2019
5:30 pm
EDT
Hatcher Gallery
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Refugees have been at the forefront of political discussion in the United States as the Syrian crisis escalates and xenophobia heightens. Much has been said regarding these refugees, but all too often the voices of refugees themselves are left out of the conversation.
This exhibit uses the data collected from a Photovoice project, combining photography and transcriptions from groups discussions with adolescent refugees to better understand the lived experiences of adolescent refugees.
Speakers:
Andrea Belgrade, PhD candidate at UM Psychology
Dr. Odessa Gonzalez Benson, Assistant Professor at UM Social Work
Ayah Kutmah, Co-Founder of Revive
Dr. Mari Kira, Research Scientist at UM Psychology
Dilli Gautam, MPH, President of the Bhutanese Community of Michigan
The gallery will be open until Sunday, October 6.
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Friday, September 13 - Sunday, September 22
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By participating in Welcoming Week, many businesses (e.g. Roeda Studio, Menchie Frozen Yogurt) in Ann Arbor recognize that being a welcoming community for all makes everyone stronger economically, socially, and culturally. They will be placing a Welcomer sign at the window of their stores and provide discounts throughout the week.
To learn more about Welcoming America or download your own "I'm a Welcomer" signs, please click the buttons below.
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Higher Education in South Africa:
Hope for the Future
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Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Public Talk: 4:00 pm EDT | Reception: 5:00 pm EDT
Hussey Room, 2nd Floor, Michigan League
911 N. University Ave
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Please join us in welcoming Vice Chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng from the University of Cape Town.
Vice Chancellor Phakeng is a highly regarded scholar and educator, noted for her commitment to social justice and access to higher education. She has stewarded the University of Cape Town through several challenges, including the “Fees Must Fall” movement among South African learners. The event is free.
Cosponsored by the African Studies Center and the Office of the Provost Global Engagement.
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Global Social Work Event Grant
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Application Deadline: November 8, 2019
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OGA offers event grants to the School of Social Work students who would like to propose and plan an event with a global theme.
Student events that have been proposed and funded in the past include showing a documentary with a global focus, hosting a discussion afterward, and organizing a panel of social workers who have done work abroad. Events are not limited to these categories, and we encourage students to get creative and propose something new.
Two grants, each up to $125, are available in the fall semester.
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Global Activities Funding List
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Application Deadlines: varies
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OGA lists different globally-related funding on our website. They are ordered by their application deadlines. Check out their links below for more details.
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Jobs/Volunteer Opportunities
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International Advisor/Coordinator with International Programs in Engineering Office
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The International Programs Advisor/Coordinator has primary responsibility for student advising, admissions, program promotion, pre-departure and re-entry programming as well as overall program management. The advisor/coordinator plays a key role in forging and maintaining strong global partnerships and programs in their portfolio. The International Programs Advisor/Coordinator shares IPE’s commitment to providing inclusive and accessible services and programming to all CoE students regardless of background. The International Programs Advisor/Coordinator will report to the International Programs Assistant Director in the IPE office.
Note that the IPE office is hoping to fill out this position soon. Feel free to share widely.
For more information on the position and how to apply, click the link below.
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Call for International Students
Who Studied Outside the U.S.
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Did you participate in a study abroad program while at U-M? If so, the U-M International Center would love to hear from you!
Sharing about your time outside the U.S. can help encourage other international students to explore international opportunities, recognize the opportunities and/or challenges they may face overseas due to their identities, and inspire them to become more involved in the international community on campus.
The U-M International Center asks that you share a quote and image(s) about your experience at
this link
.
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After travel, you may find many things are different in the U.S. compared to when you left. From your daily routines to navigating structural systems, reverse cultural shock can affect you in many ways. Recognizing what you are going through is normal and finding support is critical. The link below has info about reverse culture shock.
SSW has an embedded Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) social worker,
Alejandro Rojas for MSW student support. If interested, we
highly recommend you seek support from Alejandro.
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Email ssw.oga@umich.edu if you have any questions.
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