UNews - Laura Ferguson

Student blog offers tour impressions

trevor.kenney — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:41:37 +0000

Ulsan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in South Korea has long been a valuable partner with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, and for the first time, U of L students are enjoying the opportunity to participate in a one-month study tour to learn Korean culture, history, society, business and language.

"We've had a longstanding agreement with Ulsan where we offer four-month exchange programs and they send a number of their students here to participate in our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program," says Laura Ferguson of the U of L's International Centre for Students. "This study tour is for one month only, is quite inexpensive and is completely in English, so there are no language requirements."

The tour began June 27 and runs through July 26. IDST 2850: Study Tour of South Korea is for course credit and is available to just 20 qualified students. A list of participating students can be found below, as well as a link to a student blog about the experience.

A South Korean monastery stay is one of the highlights of the study tour.

"This course really fits well within the interdisciplinary studies category, given the broad base of what they are learning," says Ferguson.

Ulsan is South Korea's seventh largest metropolis with a population of over 1.1 million, and is the industrial powerhouse of South Korea, forming the heart of the Ulsan Industrial District. Home to the world's largest automobile assembly plant, operated by Hyundai Motor Company, the world's largest shipyard, operated by Hyundai Heavy Industries, and the world's second largest oil refinery, owned by SK Energy, it also neighbours the historic city of Kyung-ju, the capital of the Silla Dynasty from 57 BC to 935 AD.

Dr. Ian MacLachlan of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's geography department is accompanying the tour participants this summer. While in South Korea, they get the chance to experience every facet of the South Korean lifestyle. The tour includes trips to Hyundai Heavy Industries, a one-night home stay with a Korean family, a night in a Buddhist temple, a week of study in Seoul and many more opportunities.

"You can't really do something like this as a tourist, you don't get access to this type of experience on your own," says Ferguson.

Students advanced through an application process in order to be chosen for the tour.

"They needed to write an essay of about 1,000 words about why they wanted to participate in the program, and what value they thought they'd get from this kind of exchange," says Ferguson.

"We looked for ambassadors of the U of L, people who would go there and show our partner university how great U of L students are."

It's also an opportunity to take advantage of a partnership agreement between the two institutions that sees Ulsan send many more students to Canada.

"This summer program gives students the opportunity to go and study in Korea completely using the English language, which is much less intimidating and allows a lot more people to participate."

Study Tour Participants and Blog Contributors:

Ian MacLachlan (Instructor); Ashley Boras; Mike Burland; Kenny Davey; Jeremy Heidebrecht; Basil Jefferies; Crystal Kensley; Aaron Kurmey; Sang Ha Park; Tyler Ramsay; Jayne Simpson; Derrick Smithson; Brett Stephenson; Evan Strangward.

To follow their study tour blog or send a message to someone on the tour, click on this link.

Peer partners sought for exchange

trevor.kenney — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:12:08 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's International Centre for Students (ICS) is looking for peer partners as it once again hosts exchange students from Japan this fall.

The U of L has had a longstanding exchange agreement with Hokkai Gakuen ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, hosting a number of exchanges over the years. This August, another group of students from Japan will be coming to campus and ICS is in need of peer partners to accompany the students while they are here.

Peer partners will be invited to participate in some of the group's activities (including a day trip to Waterton), and will be asked to commit approximately three hours per week during the month of August.

For more information on this program and how you can participate, visit Laura Ferguson in the International Centre for Students (SU040) or contact her via e-mail at laura.ferguson2@uleth.ca.

Summer program a Spanish expedition

trevor.kenney — Fri, 07 May 2010 18:10:23 +0000

This May, Luz Ospina, academic assistant, Department of Modern Languages, will accompany 11 ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students as they immerse themselves in the language and culture of Mexico City as part of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's pilot Spanish summer immersion program.

"Currently we offer a minor in Spanish, but we are in the process of developing a Spanish major. The six-credit immersion course came about because of that. We were also trying to create a relatively easy and efficient way for students to acquire oral fluency in the language," says Dr. Raquel Trillia, who teaches Spanish in the Modern Languages Department. "Immersion makes it much simpler. It is more natural."

The International Centre for Students (ICS) has played a major role in getting the program off the ground.

"The professors of modern languages came to us with the idea of doing an immersion program and asked for assistance finding a Spanish speaking university," explains Laura Ferguson, co-ordinator, International Programs and Exchange for ICS. "We have a long-standing exchange agreement with the Universidad Panamericana in Mexico City so we were able to use our contacts there and partner with them on the program."

Students, who must complete Spanish 1100 prior to leaving for Mexico City, will spend six weeks living with Mexican families. Monday to Thursday mornings, they will attend Spanish language classes at the university, studying all aspects of learning a language, including pronunciation, conversation, reading and writing. In the afternoons, they will be involved in various activities that will expose them to Mexican culture, art and history. They will also participate in guided field trips to enrich the cultural experience. The great bonus is that students will be continually immersed in the language: shopping, cooking, interacting with their hosts and learning about the culture through everyday experience.

"I would expect that the workload will be intense; they will be required to write papers and do presentations, and from that the students should achieve greater oral proficiency," says Trillia. "Students who come back to our classrooms having lived this experience are going to enrich our Spanish program. We are hopeful that this program will be successful and that we will be able to continue to run it in the future."

Evelyn Peters is one of the 11 students going to Mexico City.

"This is an awesome opportunity to learn the Spanish language hands-on. I expect to pick up the language much more quickly and have a better understanding of, not only the language, but also the culture," she says. "I plan to graduate with a BEd in Modern Languages. I will feel much better equipped to do this after spending time immersed in the language. I am very grateful for this opportunity. Vamos a Mexico!"

For more information, contact the Department of Modern Languages or the ICS, or send an e-mail to raquel.trillia@uleth.ca or laura.ferguson2@uleth.ca.

Peer partners sought

trevor.kenney — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 21:28:07 +0000

The International Centre for Students is looking for ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students who are interested in becoming peer partners for Japanese students visiting the U of L this August. The visiting students will be participating in a one month exchange program from Hokkai Gakuen ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

Peer partners will be invited to accompany the group on certain planned activities, like a day trip to Waterton, and will be encouraged to socialize with their partner outside of the regular program hours.

A peer partner should be able to commit approximately four hours of their time each week throughout the month of August.

For more information, or to register, contact Laura Ferguson at laura.ferguson2@uleth.ca.

South Korea beckons with summer study tour

trevor.kenney — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:02:04 +0000

Application deadline extended to Jan. 22

Ulsan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in South Korea has long been a valuable partner with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, and for the first time this coming summer, U of L students will get the opportunity to participate in a one-month study tour to learn Korean culture, history, society, business and language.

"I expect this program will be very popular," says Laura Ferguson of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's International Centre for Students.

"We've had a longstanding agreement with Ulsan where we offer four-month exchange programs and they send a number of their students here to participate in our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program. This study tour is for one month only, is quite inexpensive and is completely in English, so there are no language requirements."

Scheduled to run June 27 to July 26, 2010, IDST 2850: Study Tour of South Korea is for course credit and is available to just 20 qualified students. Depending on scholarship funding, the study tour will be priced at $2,500 per student and include the cost of tuition, flights, accommodations, meals and a host of activities.

"It really fits well within the interdisciplinary studies category given the broad base of what they will be learning," says Ferguson.

Participants in the summer tour will be accompanied by a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ faculty member and experience every facet of the South Korean lifestyle. The tour includes trips to Hyundai Heavy Industries, a one-night home stay with a Korean family, a night in a Buddhist temple, a week of study in Seoul and many more opportunities.

"You can't really do something like this as a tourist, you don't get access to this type of experience on your own," says Ferguson.

Interested students must advance through an application process in order to be chosen for the tour. Applications are due to the International Centre by the extended deadline of Jan. 22.

"They'll need to write an essay of about 1,000 words about why they want to participate in the program and what value they think they'll get from this kind of exchange," says Ferguson.

"We're looking for ambassadors of the U of L, people who will go there and show our partner university how great U of L students are."

It's also an opportunity to take advantage of a partnership agreement between the two institutions that sees Ulsan send many more students to Canada.

"This summer program gives students the opportunity to go and study in Korea completely using the English language, which is much less intimidating and allows a lot more people to participate."

For more information, contact Laura Ferguson via e-mail at laura.ferguson2@uleth.ca or visit the International Centre for Students.

South Korea beckons with summer study tour

trevor.kenney — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:00:54 +0000

Ulsan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in South Korea has long been a valuable partner with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, and for the first time this coming summer, U of L students will get the opportunity to participate in a one-month study tour to learn Korean culture, history, society, business and language.

"I expect this program will be very popular," says Laura Ferguson of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's International Centre for Students.

"We've had a longstanding agreement with Ulsan where we offer four-month exchange programs and they send a number of their students here to participate in our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program. This study tour is for one month only, is quite inexpensive and is completely in English, so there are no language requirements."

"It really fits well within the interdisciplinary studies category given the broad base of what they will be learning," says Ferguson.

"You can't really do something like this as a tourist, you don't get access to this type of experience on your own," says Ferguson.

Interested students must advance through an application process in order to be chosen for the tour. Applications are due to the International Centre by Dec. 15.

"They'll need to write an essay of about 1,000 words about why they want to participate in the program and what value they think they'll get from this kind of exchange," says Ferguson.

"We're looking for ambassadors of the U of L, people who will go there and show our partner university how great U of L students are."

For more information, contact Laura Ferguson via e-mail at laura.ferguson2@uleth.ca or visit the International Centre for Students.

South Korea beckons

trevor.kenney — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:59:33 +0000

"I expect this program will be very popular," says Laura Ferguson of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's International Centre for Students.

"We've had a longstanding agreement with Ulsan where we offer four-month exchange programs and they send a number of their students here to participate in our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program. This study tour is for one month only, is quite inexpensive and is completely in English, so there are no language requirements."

"It really fits well within the interdisciplinary studies category given the broad base of what they will be learning," says Ferguson.

"You can't really do something like this as a tourist, you don't get access to this type of experience on your own," says Ferguson.

Interested students must advance through an application process in order to be chosen for the tour. Applications are due to the International Centre by Dec. 15.

"They'll need to write an essay of about 1,000 words about why they want to participate in the program and what value they think they'll get from this kind of exchange," says Ferguson.

"We're looking for ambassadors of the U of L, people who will go there and show our partner university how great U of L students are."

It's also an opportunity to take advantage of a partnership agreement between the two institutions that sees Ulsan send many more students to Canada.
"This summer program gives students the opportunity to go and study in Korea completely using the English language, which is much less intimidating and allows a lot more people to participate."

For more information, contact Laura Ferguson via e-mail at laura.ferguson2@uleth.ca or visit the International Centre for Students.

International exchange info sessions begin Monday

trevor.kenney — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:15:48 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's International Centre for Students will be hosting a variety of information sessions on campus, Monday through Wednesday, showcasing a variety of exciting international opportunities for students.

Following is a list of information sessions beginning Monday, Nov. 16.

Monday, November 16th – 11 a.m. in L1170A
The Washington Centre - for Internships and Academic Seminars. An academic internship program offering thousands of tailored placements in governmental, international, business and non-profit organizations.

Tuesday, November 17th – 12 p.m. in L1170A
U of L Exchange Programs - We have several exciting international exchange opportunities available for all students! You could study in Australia, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, The United States, Great Britain, or Germany.

Wednesday, November 18th – 9 a.m. in L1170A
Study Tour of South Korea - This summer program is designed for students who want to learn Korean culture, history, society and business, as well as the Korean language. Students will receive course credit for successful completion of the study tour.

Thursday, November 19th – 2 p.m. in L1170A
Alberta Smithsonian Internship Program - Offers students a chance to experience history and the opportunity to gain international work experience in their field of study.

For more information on any of the sessions contact Laura Ferguson via e-mail at laura.ferguson2@uleth.ca, or stop by our table in the Atrium.

Japan Study Tour offers students a cultural opportunity

trevor.kenney — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:49:31 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge education professor Dr. Lance Grigg doesn't mind admitting he had a number of lost in translation moments when he first visited Japan. It was out of these instances his appreciation for diversity really took root.

Grigg will lead a contingent of 15 students to Japan in the 2009 spring session as the latest chapter in the Hokkai-Gakuen ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ exchange program. The Japanese study tour is currently seeking applications, having held an information session earlier this month through the International Centre for Students. A respect for diversity and a willingness to listen and learn are hallmarks Grigg will be looking for when he interviews candidates.

"I think the major quality I'm looking for in someone going on this exchange is a respectful person," he says. "We want people who respect diversity and who have the maturity to engage that in action."

Grigg knows of what he speaks, having done a four-month tour as part of a professorial exchange in 2002. He says going to Japan with an open mind and a willingness to challenge his own ideals on learning allowed him to gain a deep appreciation for Japanese culture.

"That's one thing students can take away from an experience abroad, about any culture. To unlearn how you learn, in order to learn in a different culture," he says. "Be attentive to how that culture operates, what the values are underpinning that culture and how a culture goes about doing things."

Students seeking to be involved in the program must
remember the core value of the tour is that it is an exchange. Dr. Grigg says there is no room for arrogance, or an attitude that students are going abroad to spread the Canadian way.

"You don't go to another culture thinking that you are going to enlighten them, or bring knowledge to them that is not there," he says. "That's not the kind of attitude we want in a student going on the exchange. We're looking for students who are attentive to every part of another culture."

Grigg found Japanese society to be fascinating and quickly understood he could get the most out of his tour by abandoning preconceived notions and opening himself to a different way of teaching. By first accepting new approaches and then assessing them in the context of his experience, it gave Grigg a much broader perspective in his own teaching.

"Students going over there first have to be attentive to everything around them; culture, laws, practices," he says. "Then try and understand what they mean and reasonably accommodate those beliefs within one's own cultural framework. Within such an ambassadorial perspective, a conversation can ensue which respects the similarities and differences among cultures."

Students willing to work hard within the program are promised to reap immeasurable rewards. Those interested can contact Grigg at 403-329-2449 or Laura Ferguson in the International Centre for Students at 403-329-2053.

UNews - Laura Ferguson

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