Issue 143 | December 2022

School of Social Work Office of Global Activities logo
OGA Newsletter
The Office of Global Activities (OGA) is dedicated to connecting MSW students to international social work opportunities through fundingspecial programs, academic resources, internationalized curriculum, and arranging faculty and student exchanges at partner institutions.

Spotlight: Global Independent Study Grant Deadline Approaching!

OGA Global Independent Study Grant

Application Deadline: January 15, 2023

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. Students from all pathways and curriculum tracks are eligible to apply, and grant recipients will receive up to $2,500 to help cover the cost of their experience.


Projects are student-initiated and might include service learning, research, or other activities. Students must find a clinical-track or tenure-track faculty member to serve as the faculty instructor who will provide academic guidance as well as grade the course.


Click here for to view the recording of the GIS Information Session and here to access the GIS Advising Calendar.


OGA staff will also be hosting drop-in advising sessions at the beginning of the Winter 2023 semester in the SSW Building, room 3668D from 12:00 - 2:00 PM on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, January 4
  • Monday, January 9
Click here to learn more & apply!
Events

December International Coffee Hour (Click here to RSVP)

Date: Tuesday, December 13, 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET

Brief Description: The International Center's International Coffee Hour is a great opportunity to meet new people from around the world! The event is open to all members of the U-M community, including international and U.S. students, scholars, faculty, staff and their partners. Their December event will be held in partnership with Wolverine Wellness and will be held in the University Health Service Multi-Use Room! They are excited to announce that Hawkeye the Therapy Dog will be in attendance, as well!!

I-20 Travel Signature Session (Click here to learn more)

Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2:00 - 4:00 PM ET

Brief Description: The International Center staff will provide in-person I-20 travel signatures for F-1 students (and their dependents) who plan to travel internationally or need an updated signature. No pre-registration is required. Please do not submit a travel signature request through M-Passport if you will come to one of the in-person travel signature sessions. Please bring the following documents with you to receive a travel signature:

International Center Graduation Reception/Cord Pick-Up (Click here to RSVP)

Date: Thursday, December 15, 3:30 - 5:00 PM ET

Brief Description: The International Center is excited to celebrate the academic achievement of U-M's international graduates this year! To celebrate, they hope that graduating international students will join them for a reception in the South Lounge of the Michigan Union (first floor, across from Sweetwater’s) to enjoy a few treats and pick up a graduation cord! The International Student Graduation Cord is a new initiative to showcase the broad impact of international students at U-M. These blue and green cords are only available to international students and symbolize their significant global contributions to our campus, both in and out of the classroom. There is no charge for the graduation cord. Graduation Cords will be presented to graduates at the International Center Graduation Reception, and are available to all students graduating Fall 2022. If students cannot attend the reception, cords will also be available for pick-up at the International Center to students who fill out this form.

Student Conversation with U.S. Department of State Diplomat in Residence (Click here to RSVP)

Date: Tuesday, January 10, 2023, 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM ET

Brief Description: Join the Office of Career Services and the Weiser Diplomacy Center for an information session with Lou Fintor, U.S. Department of State Diplomat in Residence, to hear about career paths and upcoming opportunities at the State Department, including internships, fellowships, and scholarships. Discover opportunities that allow you to contribute your experiences, knowledge, and expertise to work on foreign policy issues, public engagement through exchanges and cultural programs, information technology, security, facilities management, and more — in Washington, D.C. at U.S. diplomatic missions around the world. Lunch will be served at this event.

Announcements

New opportunity for a globally-focused independent study in Winter 2023!

Professors Nasreen Meah and Joe Ryan are offering MSW students the opportunity to create an independent study course related to a community-driven initiative in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Jotno Foundation is preparing to launch an early childhood education program for low-income families to support equitable and inclusive access to preschool. The scope of this residential independent study could potentially include designing focus groups, strategizing needs, identifying culturally- and developmentally-appropriate activities, structuring training programs, and designing program evaluation. Interested students may also choose to apply for a Global Independent Study to engage with this project on-site in Bangladesh during the Sp/Su 2023 term. For more information, please contact Nasreen Meah at nmeah@umich.edu or info@jotnofoundation.org.

U-M Announcements: Preparing for Upcoming International Travel

If you are planning to travel internationally during the winter break, the University has specific reminders and guidance that it recommends you take into consideration in your plans.

Free Professional Headshots with the University Career Center

Need a professional headshot? The University Career Center has a brand new self-service photo booth you can use to take as many photos as you'd like. It's FREE to use and you have immediate access to your photos. You only need to reserve a time slot via Handshake. Under 'category', select your school year, and under 'appointment type', choose the 'Professional Headshots Photo Booth' option. For any questions, please reach out to the University Career Center. We hope this is a useful resource for you!

U-M Graduates Now Eligible for "High Potential Individual" (HPI) UK Visa

U-M graduates are now eligible for a United Kingdom (UK) work visa, the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa. This visa aims to recruit skilled young workers from top universities across the world to elevate Britain’s workforce.


The HPI visa policy states that any person who graduated from a list of top eligible universities within the past five years is able to receive this visa to reside in the UK for two years. Those with doctoral qualifications are eligible to reside for three years. 


A job offer in the UK is not required to apply for the visa and those applying for the visa are allowed to bring dependents along with them. For more information about the HPI visa, visit the UK Government's website here and read this Michigan Daily article.

Professional Opportunities

Multiple Positions Available: Jewish Family Services - Ann Arbor, MI

Application Deadline: N/A

Brief Description: Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County is a private non-profit social services agency serving the greater Ann Arbor community since 1993. Originally established by the Jewish Federation of Washtenaw County to assist the growing number of refugee families in Ann Arbor from the former Soviet Republics, JFS has since grown into an organization providing programs and services ranging from older adult caregiving to immigrant resettlement and career services. Due to increased community need for their services, they have several job openings available. These include:

For a full list of the available positions, click here to access their job postings page.

Position Available: International Rescue Committee Anti-Trafficking Caseworker - Miami, FL

Application Deadline: N/A

Brief Description: The Caseworker provides assistance to victims and survivors of human trafficking, developing case plans to match individual needs utilizing a range of financial, medical, social, vocational, and other services and resources based on client eligibility. The Caseworker also participates, as required, in program planning and service development through committees, task forces, and work groups. The Caseworker operates under moderate supervision with latitude for the use of independent judgment and initiative. Click here to learn more and apply.

Position Available: International Rescue Committee Research, Analysis, and Learning Intern - New York, NY/Remote

Application Deadline: N/A

Brief Description: As part of its strategy, the IRC is focused on becoming an outcomes-driven, evidence-based organization with a commitment to data-driven programing. The Research Associate Intern will be part of the Research, Analysis and Learning team and will play a critical role in delivering on IRC’s Strategy 100 Research and Evidence Ambition. In this role, the intern will develop and support the dissemination of evidence reviews to support program staff in designing evidence-based programs. They will work directly under the supervision and guidance of the Research Officer, Research Technical Advisor and Senior Officer for Learning and Evidence. Click here to learn more and apply.

Position Available: International Rescue Committee Economic Empowerment Manager - Denver, CO

Application Deadline: N/A

Brief Description: The IRC in Denver assists newly arrived refugees and similar populations to foster the best possible initial resettlement experience, advance client self-sufficiency, and promote community integration. Using a trauma-informed, client-centered approach that empowers clients, the Economic Empowerment Manager guides a team that strives to assist clients in meeting their immediate needs for financial stability while ensuring that near-term demands do not overshadow longer-term economic wellbeing. Click here to learn more and apply.

Peace Corps Volunteer Service - Summer 2023 Application

Application Deadline: January 1, 2023

Brief Description: January 1, 2023 is the “Apply By” deadline for Peace Corps programs departing in July, August, and September 2023. Students should submit their applications between now and January 1, if they wish to serve during the summer of 2023. You can find all the volunteer openings here. Each positing shares the “apply by” date and the “depart by” date. This information gives applicants the deadline in which to apply by and the date in which selected applicants will depart for service. Additionally, the U-M Peace Corps Staff will be hosting their last office hours for the semester will on Wednesday, December 14. You can sign up for the office hours here.

Grant Opportunities

Robert J. Donia Graduate Student Fellowship (Click here to learn more)

Application Deadline: January 31, 2023

Brief Description: The Donia Human Rights Center Robert J. Donia Graduate Student Fellowship offers student summer grants of $6,000 to support graduate students engaged in research on human rights. Student grantees will conduct research leading to the writing of a paper on a relevant topic of their choosing. It is expected that during the spring and/or summer, grantees will devote their full time to their project in consultation with their faculty advisor(s). The grant will support a broad range of human rights issues but preference will be given to students engaged in historical research on human rights. The fellowship is limited to returning students. For further information, please contact dhrc-fellowships@umich.edu

International Institute Student Fellowships (Click here to learn more)

Application Deadline: February 15, 2023

Brief Description: A The International Institute Student Fellowships (IISF) are designed to support U-M students, regardless of citizenship, who are enrolled in a degree program and seek funding to participate in internships or conduct research abroad. The II Student Fellowships Application is the common application for several fellowships, including some from II centers. The IISF Application must be used to apply for any of the following awards:

  • Rackham International Research Award
  • Global Individual Grant 
  • African Studies Center Funding for Research or Internship Support in Africa
  • Center for Armenian Studies Summer Research Grants
  • Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies Tinker Field Research Grants for Graduate Students
  • Weiser Center for Europe & Eurasia Summer Grants for Research and Internships in Europe & Eurasia
Resources

U-M Considerations for International Travel

To find previous OGA Newsletter volumes, click the OGA Newsletter Archive.
Email ssw.oga@umich.edu if you have any questions.