Volume 23 | August 2019
OGA Newsletter
The Office of Global Activities 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.
Summer Updates
MSW Students Abroad
Check out SSW global students who are or will be abroad around the world on our Global Activities Map ! It is located at the lower section on the Global Activities webpage.

At the end of Summer 2019, there will be 11 students who have completed their Global Field Placements and 28 students who have finished their Global Independent Study. In addition, we have five Peace Corp Volunteers continue serving abroad.

Visit our webpage, and you can find more details of each student doing global activities.
Global Independent Study Stories
Kaisha Brezina , the SSW Global Opportunities Coordinator, together with 11 former Global Independent Study (GIS) students and the SSW Webmasters put together a GIS Stories webpage. In this page, you will find 11 unique stories about these students' experience, projects, and reflections abroad.
Events
"Finalizing Your Fulbright Application"
Webinar Workshop
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
12 pm - 1:30 pm EDT
During this webinar, U-M Fulbright Program Advisors will review the online application for Study/Research & Arts awards (12:00-12:45pm) and English Teaching Assistantship awards (12:45pm-1:30pm), and also detail final steps for submitting an application by the U-M campus deadline.

Attendees should  start an online application  before the workshop.

RSVP  is required to attend this webinar.
International Picnic
Sunday, September 8, 2019
12 pm - 2 pm EDT
New Shelter, Island Park (1450 Island Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105)
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. 
Grant Opportunities
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Application Deadline: Friday, August 30
General Fulbright information
The Institute of International Education (IIE), on behalf of the U.S. State Department, administers the  Fulbright U.S. Student Program , which makes fellowships available to approximately 1,900 U.S. students annually to study, conduct research, teach English, or train in the creative arts in more than 140 countries worldwide. This competition is administered on campus by the International Institute.

Eligibility
Enrolled students are required to apply through U-M.
Recent alumni (those who last attended no more than 3 years ago) may also apply through U-M.
  • U.S. citizen or national at time of application
  • Conferred bachelor's degree by the start of the grant
  • Demonstrate language skills necessary to complete the proposed project
*Additional eligibility may apply. 

Jobs/Volunteer Opportunities
International Advisor/Coordinator with International Programs in Engineering Office
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.
Call for International Students
Who Studied Outside the U.S.
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 .
Travel Tips of the Month!
Cultural Adjustment
It takes time to adapt to a new environment. Typically, cultural adjustment consists of four phases: Honeymoon, Crisis, Recovery, and Adjustment. The Phases of Adjustment chart from the International Center lists details of each phase. However, note that the adaptation pace varies from one to another due to personal experience, travel length, and the destination's local culture. Some suggestions for easing the transition summarized by the University of California Berkeley are:
  • Realize that what you are going through is normal.
  • Keep in touch with your home country.
  • Take care of yourself.
  • Talk to someone.
  • Have fund and relax!
To find previous OGA Newsletter volumns, clink the OGA Newsletter Archive .
Email ssw.oga@umich.edu if you have any questions.