GlobaLinks NewsWire » South Pacific

AustraLearn’s Sote Village Project Featured In Fiji Times

Stacey — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:05:25 +0000

The Fiji Times is highlighting the Sote Village garden community service project completed by AustraLearn in Fiji this summer with a feature article this week about the efforts of the North American semester-abroad students and AustraLearn staff, who along with residents of the village, started a garden to benefit local school children.

An excerpt of the article “A Year of Free Lunches” by Samantha Rina at Fiji Times Online:

A YEAR’S abundant and fresh supply of lunch – this was the gift from 10 North American university students to the children of Sote Village School.

The students spent three days labouring beside villagers to plant a large garden which is expected to supply lunch for village children.

Sote Village School

The students were part of the AustraLearn semester-abroad student volunteers accompanied by two AustraLearn staff.

AustraLearn South Pacific Educational Support Center (Queensland) director Shelia Houston said students were able to learn about the lives of Fijian people and promote bonds with the host country.

“The weekend was an outstanding success and students were welcomed into the village,” Ms Houston said.

This was a hands-on project that everyone found personally fulfilling. Our students lived on site with the Sote community.”

She said the initial Sote Village garden planting was the beginning of twice-yearly community service by AustraLearn students.

Seeds planted included watermelon, cucumber, pumpkin, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, eggplant, okra, peppers, carrots, spring onions, radishes and tomatoes.

The goals of the project are to supply a year’s worth of lunch for the village children, enrich the cultural experience of both visiting and hosting students, breaking down cultural misconceptions and underscoring for the AustraLearn participants on the benefits of contributing time, energy and talent to a charitable cause.

To read the entire article, visit Fiji Times Online.

Students Volunteer Abroad In Fiji, Plant Garden For Sote Village School

Students Volunteer Abroad In Fiji, Plant Garden For Sote Village School

Stacey — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:00:24 +0000

Rylee Genseal, an AustraLearn participant from Marshall University, enjoys spending time with the Sote Village School children.

AustraLearn participants studying abroad at the University of the South Pacific recently joined residents of a remote village in Fiji to start a large garden for the local school, and in the process, sow seeds of cultural understanding.

By Stacey Hartmann

GlobaLinks NewsWire Editor

North American university students studying abroad in Fiji at the University of the South Pacific (USP) recently spent three days laboring beside residents of the remote Sote Village to plant a large garden to supply lunch food throughout the year to the children of Sote Village School.

The group of 10 students and two AustraLearn staff arrived July 17 in Sote Village with seeds, gardening tools and strong backs to establish a garden growing produce not normally found in the area, including watermelon, pumpkin, cucumber, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, eggplant, okra, bell peppers, carrots, spring onions, radishes and cherry tomatoes.

The group gets to work on the garden at Sote Village.

“Our AustraLearn semester-abroad student volunteers worked side by side with the people of Sote Village and Sote Village School to learn about the lives of the Fijian people and promote the bond between student and host country,” said Shelia Houston, director of AustraLearn’s South Pacific Educational Support Centre in Queensland, Australia. “The weekend was an outstanding success and the students were welcomed into the village completely.”

AustraLearn students and staff gather with residents of Sote Village in Fiji during a three-day community service project.

The initial Sote Village garden planting is the beginning of a twice-yearly community service effort by AustraLearn students to tend and maintain the garden. In addition, donations were raised by AustraLearn staff to provide teaching tools to the school.

Sote Village School serves children up to eighth grade.

Goals of the project include:

supplying lunch food throughout the year for the students – Form 1 through Form 8 (first through eighth grade) – who attend Sote Village School.
enriching the cultural experience of both the North American AustraLearn participants and Sote Village students.
breaking down cultural misconceptions in both directions.
underscoring for the AustraLearn participants the benefits of contributing time, energy and talent to a charitable cause.

The headmaster and teachers at Sote Village School.

“This was a truly hands-on project that everyone found personally fulfilling,” Houston said. “Our students lived on site with the Sote community during our stay. They enjoyed sharing meals and playing games, soccer and other sports. The farewell was very emotional for the children, the AustraLearn students and staff, and the villagers – everyone had tears.”

The community service project is one of the unique volunteer abroad programs offered by the AustraLearn / AsiaLearn / EuroLearn international education programs of Westiminster, Colo.-based GlobaLinks Learning Abroad, which annually sends more than 3,000 students abroad.

A young student of Sote Village School gives flowers to AustraLearn participant Laura Packard, an Ohio Wesleyan University student, during a welcoming ceremony.

AustraLearn in 2007 opened its semester-abroad program at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva, Fiji. It now sends 15-20 students a semester to the island nation, with participants experiencing a six-day Culture and Adventure Program to introduce them to local customs and culture. Students also are provided access to many travel and cultural opportunities along with their schooling, and 24-7 access to an AustraLearn resident director to assist them with any needs or emergencies.

“A community is an important place to belong,” Houston said, “and our students love the country, communities and cultures of Fiji with passion and dedication.”

Residents of Sote Village assisted the AustraLearn students and staff with the school garden project.

Kindergarten students at Sote Village.

Tug-of-war was among the games played during a visit by AustraLearn students and staff to Sote Village for a community service garden-planting project for the local school.

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Olinger’s 15-Year International Education Career Grows Into ‘Whole Way Of Life’

Stacey — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:12:30 +0000

Fiji Program Expansion Among Highlights Of AustraLearn Director’s Time At GlobaLinks Learning Abroad

Editor’s Note: This is the second of an occasional series profiling individuals who, through their unique circumstances with the AustraLearn, AsiaLearn, EuroLearn programs of GlobaLinks Learning Abroad, collectively tell the story of the organization’s 20 years of impact and vision in international education. Read the entire 20th Anniversary Series here.

By Stacey Hartmann

Kathryn Olinger, right, stands in 2008 at Nausori Airport in Fiji with Jalyssa Brummer, left, senior coordinator of outreach and student services, and Tomasi Tiko, center, former resident support officer at the University of the South Pacific.

Fifteen years ago when Kathryn Olinger took a position with AustraLearn as an administrative assistant, it was impossible for her to envision how the organization and her own career might evolve.

At the time, it was 1995, and Olinger was one of just four employees of the company.

“I did all of the inquiries and a lot of administrative work, including sending all of the guides and packets out to the students,” she says. “When I started, I didn’t really think of it in terms of a career. I suppose I didn’t know that really existed. I just knew it fit in with my love of international travel.”

Within a year, she was promoted to coordinator. A year after that, she became a senior coordinator. Then, senior coordinator was made a management position. In 2001, Olinger was made acting director of AustraLearn, which grew in scope and responsibilities to evolve into her position today as Director of AustraLearn Programs. In this position, Olinger oversees program development and enrollment services within the semester/year abroad, degree, internship and short-term programs in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

She also is GlobaLinks Learning Abroad’s most tenured employee after Executive Director Cynthia Banks, who founded the company 20 years ago.

“I’ve done just about every internal job there was,” says Olinger, who resides in Fort Collins with her husband and son, “and I’ve had the opportunity through working here to visit Australia, New Zealand and Fiji multiple times.”

Olinger says she’s also found it professionally rewarding to be a part of the culture of GlobaLinks Learning Abroad, where she’s watched alumni of the programs join the company as enthusiastic employees who assist student participants and grow in their own careers through more travel and educational experiences.

“It’s the development of the people through the work we do, as well, not only the development of the students,” she says. “It really filters into every single aspect of who you become and who you interact with.”

Career Growth And Change As Organization Evolves

Olinger’s career in international education is one of professional growth and diversification in tandem with an employer.

“When I started, we had 28 universities, and they were all in Australia,” she recalls. “At that point, we sent about 150 students a semester to Australia. We hardly had email at that time.”

“Now,” she says, “we’re sending more than 3,000 students a year – and to destinations around the world.”

One of the many scenic views of Fiji.

Those destinations today fall under the program names of AustraLearn, AsiaLearn and EuroLearn, which, as part of the umbrella organization GlobaLinks Learning Abroad, annually send students from about 800 North American colleges and universities on degree, year, semester and shorter international education programs at partner universities in Australia, as well as New Zealand, the South Pacific, Asia and Europe.

“In 1995, there weren’t as many avenues for students who were interested in studying abroad,” Olinger says. “Now, it’s an ever-changing and ever-growing field with a lot more opportunities and a lot more options for students.”

In addition, GlobaLinks Learning Abroad’s expertise in international education is much greater than it was in 1995.

“We take our programming and all aspects of health and safety, and risk management, very seriously,” Olinger says. “These are standards that are much more at the forefront of the consciousness of the field than they were in 1995.”

Olinger’s Global Experiences Began Young

Olinger as a child living in Taiwan, where she got early exposure to another culture, international travel and education.

International education is something Olinger got a taste for as a child and missed out on – now regretfully – as a teenager.

But now, as a professional in the field, international education “isn’t just about work and a passion any more but a whole way of life,” she says.

Born and raised in Fort Collins, CO., Olinger was a young child when she got her first taste of international education and travel. She was at the time just four years old when her father, an Asian history professor, went to Taiwan on sabbatical for nine months and took his family with him.

“I attended an international pre-school with children from many different countries,” Olinger says, “and we travelled around the world on the return home.”

Then, when she was in the sixth grade, her entire family boarded the ship called the S.S. Universe with the Semester at Sea program, a provider of ship-board global international education. Her father taught on the ship, and she and her brothers were home-schooled for the semester.

The SS Universe ship was home to the Semester at Sea program, which Olinger was exposed to as a sixth grade because of her father's role as an instructor on the ship.

“We started off in San Francisco and went to Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India, Egypt, Spain and Greece,” she says. “We were usually in each port anywhere from two to six days and saw so much, including the Valley of the Kings, the Pyramids in Egypt and the Parthenon in Athens.”

When Olinger was a senior in high school, her father once again went on the Semester at Sea, and she had an opportunity to go along.

“I didn’t go because it was the start of my senior year,” she says. “It was one of the things I’ve regretted in my life.”

It is one experience, however, that spurs her in her program director role today to strongly encourage young people to search out every opportunity they can to gain an international education experience.

New Program In Fiji Among Favorite Accomplishments

As Olinger reflects on all she’s achieved during her career at GlobaLinks Learning Abroad, she lists among her proudest accomplishments the program she helped set up in Fiji, an island nation in the South Pacific that posed unique challenges but has yielded many rewards.

Before opening a program in 2007 at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva, Fiji, AustraLearn’s program expansions had all taken place in the developed countries of Australia and New Zealand.

With Fiji, “the challenge initially was just going into a developing country,” Olinger says, “and whether that would be a place where students would want to go.”

Kathryn Olinger, far left, stands in July 2008 with a student group during orientation at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji.

As Olinger and Banks met with USP representatives to explore the establishment of a study abroad program, they had to consider the academic offerings of the university, the safety of the destination, student accommodations, and how to advise students on what life would be like for them in Fiji, where most would be an ethnic minority.

Then, once those aspects were more clearly defined, the program had to be delayed because of a political coup.

“There was health and safety of our students to consider,” Olinger says.

Once the political climate stabilized, however, AustraLearn in July 2007 sent its first two program participants to USP.

“The students love Fiji,” Olinger says. “They’ve found it to be one of the most remarkable experiences of their lives.”

Now, the company sends 15-20 students a semester, with participants experiencing a six-day Culture and Adventure Program to introduce them to local customs and culture, including a community service project at a local village. They also have access to many travel and cultural opportunities along with their schooling, as well as 24-7 access to an AustraLearn resident director to assist them with any needs or emergencies.

Children in Fiji.

The people in Fiji are “beautiful and amazing human beings,” Olinger says.

“Some can be a bit quiet, however,” Olinger says, “so students are encouraged to reach out more to get to know the local residents.”

“Students have gotten involved in the rugby program and various campus clubs,” she says. “We have one student who trekked through the mountains and the hills handing out jeans and shoes, sent by his father, in the villages he visited.”

Olinger expects to play an integral role in more ground-breaking educational and cultural programs from GlobaLinks Learning Abroad.

“It’s just really exciting to know that after 15 years of working here, I want to continue to be a part of what we do,” she says, “and to see what more we can offer to students in international education.”

Student Snapshots: Video Posts from Sichuan University; “Fiji Sunset” Takes Top Prize In 2010 Alumni Photo Contest; Swansea Student Union Goes Green

Stacey — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:41:50 +0000

AsiaLearn Video Blogger Gives Glimpses Of Life at Sichuan University

In new videos posted this month, Lauren Lowe of the University of South Carolina-Columbia gives insight into academics and accommodations during her spring semester at Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.

“I comprised this video of student interviews because I think that is the best thing to get other students ready for a semester or year abroad at Sichuan University,” says Lowe, AsiaLearn’s spring 2010 video blogger. “My friends included all the information they would have liked to know before their study abroad experience.”

To see all of Lauren’s videos, visit the AsiaLearn YouTube channel.

Mike Condon’s Photo Garners Winning Entry In This Year’s Alumni Photo Competition

Mike Condon - Best of Category: Landmark/Favorite Place - Sunset over Nadi, Fiji

Congratulations to Mike Condon whose photograph of a sunset over Nadi, Fiji, won the 2010 GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Alumni Photo Contest.

For his winning entry, Mike receives a Flip camera and the title of Grand Prize Winner for the 2010 GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Alumni Photo contest.

Swansea University Students’ Union Earns Environmental Recognition

The Swansea University Students’ Union has achieved silver standard in this year’s Sound Environmental Impact Awards.

The awards are run by the National Union of Students (NUS) and aim to encourage environmentalism and green innovation in students’ unions.

This is the third year the students’ union has competed in the awards.

“The students’ union has made a big commitment to reducing our environmental impact,” said Raechel Mattey, societies and services officer, “and I’m really pleased with the result.”

Eighty three unions across the UK took part, with Swansea recording an above average score.

On previous attempts, Swansea was accredited with working towards the award. But after making a number of green changes, this year was a success.

Voting Ends Friday For Grand Prize Winner Of 2010 Alumni Photo Contest

Stacey — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 20:31:28 +0000

Five Finalists Contending For Top Prize

More than 4,800 votes already have been cast in the selection of the five finalists for the 2010 Alumni Photo Contest, and GlobaLinks Learning Abroad needs your help one more time to determine the overall Grand Prize winner.

Based on the votes received, the Top 5 finalists or “Best of Category” photos have been selected from a pool of 400 entries.

Vote now at www.facebook.com/glaalumni for your favorites in the album titled “Best of Category”. Voting is open through this Friday, April 16th.

The winners of each category will receive Lonely Planet guides and the Grand Prize Winner will receive a Flip Cam video camera worth $150.

Enjoy the finalists’ photos below – but be sure to visit the GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Alumni Facebook page and make your Grand Prize picks there.

Paul Shriver - Best of Category: Getting Around - "Blues"

Mike Condon - Best of Category: Landmark/Favorite Place - Sunset over Nadi, Fiji

Loren Diaz - Best of Category: Getting Involved Abroad - "Volunteer at ICMS's Victoria Bushfire Benefit" During my semester abroad in Manly, NSW, Australia at the International College of Management, Sydney, I volunteered for a benefit concert to raise funds for the Victoria bushfires. I volunteered as a face painter for children

Kelly Root - Best of Category: Local Culture -"Didgeridoo in the Grampians"

Brandi Dority - Best of Category: A Day in the Life - "Morning Meditation

Student Snapshots: Alumni Photo Contest, Canadian Student Featured By Edith Cowan University and More

Stacey — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 04:36:00 +0000

Don’t Forget: Vote for Your Favorite Alumni Photos by Friday, April 9

Here's one photo entry - by Tyler Stern of the 2009 Fijian Tertiary Champs - that's one of 400 being voted on now in the 2010 AustraLearn Alumni Photo Contest.

AustraLearn has received more than 400 submissions to this year’s Alumni Photo Contest from all over the world. It’s asking everyone’s help to choose a winner.

All photos are posted on the new GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Facebook Fanpage. There are 5 albums – each album corresponds to a category.

Directions on voting: Simply “LIKE” your favorite photos. You may “LIKE” and comment on as many photos as you want – the more the better! If you think a photo is great or interesting or funny, “LIKE” it and tell the photographer by commenting. The more you vote, the more everyone else will vote too. Keep in mind that ANYONE can “LIKE” photos in the photo contest so invite your friends and family to vote too.

A winner will be chosen in each category and named “Best of Category” based on the number of “likes”received. Once AustraLearn has all of its “Best of Category” winners, it will open voting on those 5 photos and choose a grand prize winner.

The deadline to vote for the “Best of Category” is Friday, April 9th.

AustraLearn Degree Student From Canada Profiled On Edith Cowan University Web Site

Chris Devauld from Seneca College in Toronto, Canada, is featured on the web site for Edith Cowan University in Perth, Western Australia, where he is earning a master’s degree in professional communications through AustraLearn’s degree program.

Devauld is able to do the program because of an articulation agreement between Seneca College and Edith Cowan University that allows him to turn his Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communications from Toronto into a Master of Professional Communications at ECU in only one semester.

During Devauld’s studies at ECU, he won a one-year internship at the Canadian High Commission in Canberra, working as a Public Affairs and Academic Relations Intern.

The internship involves writing speeches, creating media kits, organizing study-in-Canada campaigns and international events, as well as basic office duties.

“It was a good way to put the frosty finish on my studies once and for all and it got me where I wanted to go,” he said in a university news article. “The professors were very helpful and encouraging and the Master of Professional Communications helped me find closure. Overall, ECU is a great place and gaining education there was a wonderful experience. I am glad I went.”

AustraLearn Student Earns Scholarship To Bond University

Ashleigh Reuter of Southern Methodist University has received a Dean’s Scholarship from Bond University for the Master of Criminology program, commencing in September through the AustraLearn program. The scholarship provides a 25% discount on tuition.

Attention AustraLearn, AsiaLearn, EuroLearn Shutterbugs: 2010 Alumni Photo Contest Ends March 15

Stacey — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:16:29 +0000

Take a photograph that speaks volumes on your time abroad? Enter it in the annual photo contest!

Did you capture a special moment during your time abroad in Asia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand or the South Pacific? Maybe your camera is full of colorful snapshots of local culture? Or a perfectly lit landscape?

2009 1st Place Winner: Michael Lao - UTS Sydney, California State University Long Beach - At the wildlife park, visitors feed the wallaby's food from ice cream cones. The pigeons try to get food too. This is a photo of a wallaby feeding a pigeon.

If so, then now is the time to submit your photo for the GlobaLinks Learning Abroad 2010 Alumni Photo Contest. Photos will be accepted until Monday, March 15.

All 2009 AustraLearn – AsiaLearn -EuroLearn participants plus 2010 J-term participates are eligible to submit photos.

Students may submit up to 2 photos total in the any of the following categories*:

Landmarks/Favorite Places
Did you visit any famous landmarks while you were abroad? Did you have a favorite place in your host country? Show us!

Getting Involved Abroad
Did you join a local sports team? A club on your campus? Did you volunteer in the local community? Did you join a local cause? We’d love to see pictures from your experiences getting involved in clubs, organizations, and activities abroad!

Getting Around
How did you get around in your host country? Did you bike? Walk? Rickshaw? A train? Show us the common or unique forms of transportation you experienced abroad.

Local Culture
Your host culture is bound to be different from home – we’d love to see the food, people, celebrations, etc. that best represent your host country!

A day in the life…
There’s no doubt that you’ve now not only travelled abroad but have LIVED abroad! Your day to day activities are the focus of this category – show us where you lived, where you slept, what you ate, your classes or internship, and your everyday life. Whether it’s hanging out with friends, studying for a class or completing a project for your internship, or just walking on campus or in your city!

*One photo must include people

To submit photos, email them to alumni@globalinksabroad.org.

CONTEST RULES – Please read!

Photos must have been taken while participating in time abroad with AustraLearn, AsiaLearn or EuroLearn. They MUST be photographed by participant OR photographed with participant’s camera. Otherwise, there are no other guidelines. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place.

Send your photos to alumni@globalinksabroad.org (.jpg preferred)

Re-sizing will be done by GlobaLinks Learning Abroad, so entires can include photos at any file size, however high quality images are preferred.

This year the photo contest will be held on Facebook for the first time EVER! To view photos and vote, go to GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Alumni Facebook Page. Become a “fan” for updates, voting instructions, and to see all of the amazing photos!

*** NOTE - By submitting photos, entrants agree to allow AustraLearn – AsiaLearn – EuroLearn to post them on the AustraLearn -AsiaLearn – EuroLearn websites as well as use them in future print and web publications. GlobaLinks Learning Abroad reserves the right to not accept or post any photos that display drinking or other inappropriate behavior.

Winners, as well as honorable mentions, will be posted on each of the AustraLearn, AsiaLearn, and EuroLearn web sites.

Congratulations Study Abroad Scholarship Winners!

Stacey — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:13:17 +0000

AustraLearn, EuroLearn Participants Off To Ireland, England, Australia, Fiji and New Zealand

The AustraLearn and EuroLearn programs of GlobaLinks Learning Abroad have announced their latest scholarship winners.

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad, a Colorado-based provider of international education programs that also offers programs in Asia via AsiaLearn, features a variety of scholarship opportunities so students can further enhance the affordability of a semester or year study abroad.

Congratulations to these most recent winners!

EuroLearn

Ireland

Dublin Institute of Technology

Kamryn Bagley of Minnesota State University – Mankato received an Affiliate Student Award of $500 to attend the Dublin Institute of Technology (Spring 2010 Semester).

England

University of Manchester

Amber Teachnor of the University of Tulsa received an Affiliate Student Award of $500 to attend the University of Manchester (Spring 2010 Semester).

AustraLearn

Australia

Australian National University

Lauren Henriksen of Maryland Institute College of Art received an Australian National University Sponsored Scholarship of $4,585 to attend Australian National University (February 2010 Semester).

AUT University

Heather Kelahan of the University of Alaska – Anchorage received an AUT University Sponsored Scholarship of $660 to attend AUT University (February 2010 Semester).

Sherwan Kordian of USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism received an Air New Zealand Travel Grant for approximately $1,200 to attend AUT University (February 2010 Year).

Kara Lemons of Boise State University received an AUT University Sponsored Scholarship of $660 to attend AUT University (February 2010 Semester).

Bond University

Lauren Ahola of the University of Rhode Island received a Bond University Sponsored Scholarship of $1000 to attend Bond University (January 2010 (1 Term)).

Kenneth Brand of Tufts University received a Bond University Book Award of (AUD)$400 to attend Bond University (January 2010 (1 Term)).

Katherine Grim of the University of Kentucky received a Bond University Sponsored Scholarship of $1,000 to attend Bond University (January 2010 (1 Term)).

Lyndsay Harwood of the University of Missouri – Columbia received a Bond University Sponsored Scholarship of $1,000 to attend Bond University (January 2010 (1 Term)).

Kelly Keeman of the University of New England received an Affiliate Student Award if $500 to attend Bond University (January 2010 (1 Term)).

Nickolas Reilly of Washington State University received an Affiliate Student Award of $500 to attend Bond University (January 2010 (1 Term)).

Courtney Turcotte of Clemson University received a Bond University Sponsored Scholarship of $1,000 to attend Bond University (January 2010 (1 Term)).

Edith Cowan University

Shayna Sembrano of the University of Rhode Island received an Edith Cowan University Sponsored Scholarship of $400 to attend Edith Cowan University (February 2010 Semester).

Griffith University – Gold Coast

Marni Garfinkel of the University of Wisconsin – Madison received a Qantas Travel Grant of approximately $1,500 to attend Griffith University – Gold Coast (February 2010 Semester).

Jennifer MacCosham of Queen’s University – ON received a Griffith University Sponsored Scholarship of $6,585 to attend Griffith University – Gold Coast (February 2010 Semester).

Alexandria Pagac of Washington State University received a Qantas Travel Grant of approximately $1,500 to attend Griffith University – Gold Coast (February 2010 Semester).

International College of Management

Jeffrey Chui of Texas Tech University received an ICMS Sponsored Scholarship of $1,000 to attend the International College of Management, Sydney (February 2010 (1 Term)).

Olivia Halls of the University of Wisconsin – Madison received an ICMS Sponsored Scholarship of $1,000 to attend the International College of Management, Sydney (February 2010 (1 Term)).

Kaylen McRae of Washington State University received an ICMS Sponsored Scholarship of $1000 to attend the International College of Management, Sydney (February 2010 (1 Term)).

Kaleigh Veltus of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater received an ICMS Sponsored Scholarship of $1,000 to attend the International College of Management, Sydney (February 2010 (1 Term)).

James Cook University – Townsville

Jessica Lajoie of the University of Massachusetts – Amherst received a Qantas Travel Grant of approximately $1,500 to attend James Cook University – Townsville (February 2010 Semester).

Kimberly McCallister of Eckerd College received a James Cook University Sponsored Scholarship of $400 to attend James Cook University – Townsville (February 2010 Semester).

Laura Whitney of the University of Arizona received a Qantas Travel Grant of approximately $1,500 to attend James Cook University – Townsville (February 2010 Semester).

La Trobe University

Bradley Bender of Central Michigan University received a La Trobe University Sponsored Scholarship of $795 to attend La Trobe University – Bendigo (February 2010 Semester).

Macquarie University

Leah Graeff of Eastern University received a Qantas Travel Grant of approximately $1,500 to attend Macquarie University (February 2010 Semester).

Jacob Hayes of Minnesota State University – Mankato received the Gina Rosko Memorial Scholarship of $13,270 to attend Macquarie University (February 2010 Semester).

Claire Jones of Texas Tech University received a Qantas Travel Grant of approximately $1,500 to attend Macquarie University (February 2010 Semester).

Murdoch University

Rebecca Lange of American University received a Murdoch University Sponsored Scholarship of $600 to attend Murdoch University (February 2010 Semester).

Queensland University of Technology

Jennifer Zettl of the University of Pittsburgh received a Queensland University of Technology Sponsored Scholarship of $795 to attend Queensland University of Technology (February 2010 Semester).

University of Canberra

Kristin Arvidson of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities received a University of Canberra Sponsored Scholarship of $795 to attend the University of Canberra (February 2010 Semester)

Thomas Schink of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities received a University of Canberra Sponsored Scholarship of $795 to attend the University of Canberra (February 2010 Semester).

University of Melbourne

Caitlin Figaro of Capital University received a Qantas Travel Grant of approximately $1,500 to attend the University of Melbourne (February 2010 Semester).

Jasmine Jones of the University of Maryland – Baltimore County received a Qantas Travel Grant of approximately $1,500 to attend the University of Melbourne (February 2010 Semester).

Emily Meyer of the University of Minnesota – Duluth received a University of Melbourne Sponsored Scholarship of $795 to attend the University of Melbourne (February 2010 Semester).

University of New South Wales

Sarah Jordan of the University of Colorado Denver received a Qantas Travel Grant of approximately $1,500 to attend the University of New South Wales (February 2010 Semester).

John Paul Lombari of the New Jersey Institute of Technology received a Qantas Travel Grant of approximately $1,500 to attend the University of New South Wales (February 2010 Semester).

Chelsea Sax of Colorado State University received a Qantas Travel Grant ofaApproximately $1,500 to attend the University of New South Wales (February 2010 Semester).

University of Newcastle

Alexandra Cartwright of DePauw University received a University of Newcastle Sponsored Scholarship of $400 to attend the University of Newcastle (February 2010 Semester).

University of Newcastle

Griffin Lewis of York College of Pennsylvania received a Qantas Travel Grant of approximately $1,500 to attend the University of Newcastle (February 2010 Semester).

University of Queensland

Maria Burdick of the University of Southern Maine received a University of Queensland Sponsored Scholarship of $7,555 to attend the University of Queensland (February 2010 Semester).

Brooke Goodman of the University of North Florida received an Affiliate Student Award of $500 to attend the University of Queensland (February 2010 Semester).

University of South Australia

Kimberly Kirshon of California State University – Monterey Bay received a University of South Australia Sponsored Scholarship of $400 to attend the University of South Australia (February 2010 Semester).

University of Tasmania

Stacey Page of Georgetown College received a Qantas Travel Grant of approximately $1,500 to attend the University of Tasmania (February 2010 Semester).

Sara Lake of Texas Tech University received a University of Tasmania Sponsored Scholarship of $795 to attend the University of Tasmania (Study Internship Combo) (February 2010 Semester).

University of Technology, Sydney

Leanne Plath of Northern Michigan University received a University of Technology, Sydney Sponsored Scholarship of $1,985 to attend the University of Technology, Sydney (February 2010 Semester).

University of Wollongong

Stephanie Johnson of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities received a Qantas Travel Grant of approximately $1,500 to attend the University of Wollongong (February 2010 Semester).

Fiji

University of South Pacific

Chauncey Smith of the University of Vermont received an Air Pacific Travel Grant of approximately $1,200 to attend the University of the South Pacific (February 2010 – Semester).

New Zealand

Lincoln University

Kathryn Hietala of Michigan Technological University reeived an Air New Zealand Travel Grant approximately $1,200 to attend Lincoln University (February 2010 Semester).

Melissa Johnston of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee received a Lincoln University Sponsored Scholarship of $500 to attend Lincoln University (February 2010 Semester).

Massey University

Carly Hake of San Diego State University received a Massey University Sponsored Scholarship of $165 to attend Massey University – Auckland (February 2010 Semester).

Allison Krupnik of Roanoke College received an Air New Zealand Travel Grant of approximately $1,200 to attend Massey University – Auckland (February 2010 Semester).

University of Otago

Susanna Beien of DePauw University received an Air New Zealand Travel Grant of approximately $1,200 to attend the University of Otago (February 2010 Semester).

Alyssa Jackson of the University of Minnesota – Duluth received an Air New Zealand Travel Grant of approximately $1,200 to attend the University of Otago (February 2010 Semester).

Ashlyn Kalies of the University of Tulsa received an Air New Zealand Travel Grant of approximately $1,200 to attend the University of Otago (February 2010 Semester).

University of Waikato

Susan Bury of Minnesota State University – Moorhead received a University of Waikato Sponsored Scholarship of $200 to attend the University of Waikato (February 2010 Semester).

Christopher Russett of Colorado State University received an Affiliate Student Award of $500 to attend the University of Waikato (February 2010 Semester).

Victoria University of Wellington

Colin Ackerman of Miami University – Oxford received an Air New Zealand Travel Grant of approximately $1,200 to attend Victoria University of Wellington (February 2010 Semester).

Samantha Bacon of Colorado State University received an Air New Zealand Travel Grant of approximately $1,200 to attend Victoria University of Wellington (February 2010 Semester).

Haley Carmack of the University of South Florida received a Victoria University of Wellington Sponsored Scholarship (Science) of $1500 to attend Victoria University of Wellington (February 2010 Semester).

Allison Nunnikhoven of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities received a Victoria University of Wellington Sponsored Scholarship of $1,500 to attend Victoria University of Wellington (February 2010 Semester).

Survey On Impacts Of Studying Abroad Wrapping Up This Week

Stacey — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:32:46 +0000

Did You Study Abroad? The Foundation for Asia Pacific Education Wants Your Input Via An Online Survey

If you’ve previously studied abroad, there’s still time to complete the Foundation for Asia Pacific Education’s “Who Are You Now” online survey of study abroad alumni.

“It’s doesn’t matter when, where, how long or with whom you studied abroad,” says Ashley Borden, project consultant for the Foundation, a non-profit organization in Denver whose mission is to create global citizens and leaders by helping students gain cultural and academic experiences in the Asia Pacific region. “If you are from the United States or Canada and studied overseas, then we want to hear from you about how that experience has impacted your life today.”

So far, more than 1,500 people have responded to the 15-minute survey, and the Foundation hopes to surpass its goal of 2,000 completed surveys by Sunday.

The survey, while not a scientific study, is designed to gather input on how international educational experiences influence participants’ educational choices, lifestyles and careers, among other areas.

“The surveys so far are yielding some valuable responses,” Borden said. “For example, more than three-fourths of the respondents who are out of school and have at least one year of work experience said their overseas study has had an impact on their choice of career path.”

Among responses so far to the question of how experiences abroad most significantly impacted them professionally are:

“It has given me a stronger sense of self. While this may seem entirely personal, I’ve found a stronger sense of self has allowed me to be both a better leader and a better team player.”
“The language skills I gained have helped to qualify me for jobs that other colleagues were not eligible for.”
“It gave me tremendous confidence in business relationships with the ability to understand how others are critically thinking.”

Among responses so far to the question of how studying abroad has most significantly impacted participants are:

“Studying abroad was one of the most significant experiences of my life – opening up my eyes to new possibilities and helping me form new goals for my future education and experience.”
“I am more aware of what’s considered necessity and what’s considered want.”
“It got me hooked on traveling, and I have done a lot of packpacking and traveling since.
“I learned how to adapt quickly to unexpected circumstances.”

To take the survey and contribute to the conversation on the impacts of studying abroad, visit the “Who Are You Now” survey.

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Named 2009 Small Company Of The Year By Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce

Combating Erosion Of Fijian Language

Stacey — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:56:00 +0000

Without More Preservation And Promotion, Fijian May Grow Extinct

The Fijian language could become extinct if people don’t promote and preserve it, notes a recent article in Fiji Times.

People listen to discussion of the Fijian language at the University of the South Pacific during the World Hindi Day celebration in September. Photo, Fiji Times.

Professor Rajesh Chandra, vice chancellor of the University of the South Pacific, described the challenges facing the Fijian language during World Hindi Day celebrations in September.

“Hindi literature is progressing in India,” he said, “the popularity of Bollywood is further protecting Hindi and Indian culture.”

Fijian does not have these opportunities, he noted.

“It is our shared responsibility to help strengthen and preserve both the languages,” he said.

Experts believe culture is lost when language is lost. In Fiji, many communities use Fijian as their everyday language.

In an effort to spur more preservation efforts, an advisory committee is being set up at the University of the South Pacific for Hindi and Fijian languages, Chandra said.

For more information on Fijian, visit Fiji-Language.com.

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