Category Archives: Undergraduate Students

Numbers tell story of study abroad at UW-Madison

November 16, 2011   Division of International Studies   No comments

A significant indicator of the support for international education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has been the number of students who study abroad each year—a number that has grown 75% in the past decade.

According to Open Doors 2011, the report released Monday by the Institute of International Education, UW–Madison ranked 10th nationally in the number of students who studied abroad in 2009-10, with 2,169. That compares to 1,236 in 1999-2000.

“At UW-Madison, study abroad continues to be an essential high-impact practice that instills a multitude of skill sets for our students, including global competencies, integrative learning, and independent thinking,” says Julie Lindsey, interim managing director of International Academic Programs (IAP) in the Division of International Studies.  “Through these experiences, students are complementing their degree programs and enhancing their career preparation by learning cross-cultural and workplace skills that are of great value to today’s employers.”

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World Bank Chief Economist to Speak on Campus Oct. 14

October 06, 2011   Division of International Studies   No comments
Justin Yifu Lin

Justin Yifu Lin

Justin Yifu Lin, the chief economist at the World Bank, will give a public lecture Friday, October 14, as part of the annual meeting of the Wisconsin China Initiative advisory board. Dr. Lin will be speaking about his forthcoming book, “Demystifying the Chinese Economy.” The talk will be held in the Wisconsin School of Business’ Morgridge Auditorium (1100 Grainger Hall), from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Visiting professor Yang Yao (of Peking University) will give the introduction and UW-Madison professor Ian Coxhead will serve as the discussant.

In his current position, Dr. Lin guides the World Bank’s intellectual leadership and plays a key role in shaping the economic research agenda of the institution. Prior to joining the World Bank in 2008, Dr. Lin served for 15 years as founding director of the China Centre for Economic Research (CCER) at Peking University in Beijing, China.

The Wisconsin China Initiative  was launched in 2007 to both serve as the contact point for information about UW-Madison connections with Greater China and to bring together cross-disciplinary faculty, alumni and leaders in business and government.  The Initiative is housed within the Division of International Studies. It is staffed by Associate Director Laurie Dennis, and directed by Law Professor John Ohnesorge. 

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UW Alum Prompts Exchange With Condoleeza Rice

October 04, 2011   Division of International Studies   No comments

Anna Therese Day, who received her B.A. in political science and communications arts with minors in Middle East Studies and education policy and leadership from UW-Madison in 2010, has landed in a public exchange over U.S. foreign policy with Condoleeza Rice, who served as national security adviser and secretary of State under President George W. Bush.

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Chinese Champions Visit Cranberry and Ginseng Growers

September 29, 2011   Division of International Studies   No comments
hinese cranberries

A group of world-class Chinese athletes accustomed to competing on the international stage got a close look at two international stars of Wisconsin agriculture—cranberries and ginseng.  The student-athletes in the Chinese Champions Program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison traveled north to broaden their perspective on their host state.

“It is important for all of us to recognize and celebrate how we are interconnected around the world,” say Gilles Bousquet, UW–Madison’s dean of the Division of International Studies and vice provost for globalization.  “Having the Chinese athletes visit ginseng and cranberry producing regions of our state highlights ties between Wisconsin and China.”

The athletes visited the Elm Lake Cranberry Co., near Wisconsin Rapids, in Wood County, where they got some hands-on experience harvesting cranberries. Wearing on thigh-high rubber boots and armed with wooden baskets, they waded into the cranberry pools and competed to see who could fill a collection bin the fastest.

“It’s fun to do once, but it’s hard to imagine people doing it all the time,” Gong Ruina, world-champion badminton player, told a Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune reporter with the help of an interpreter.

The event attracted the attention of Chinese media, including the news agency Xinhua.

“Since coming to America, we think that participating in many of these kinds of activities is very useful,” Chinese champion swimmer Zhou Yafei told Xinhua. “Although studying is our first priority, greater contact and blending into the culture means understanding more about the United States. With these kinds of activities we can combine China’s great things and America’s together, which means achieving better results.”

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[UW News] Sociologist Celebrates 50 Years of Teaching at UW-Madison

September 29, 2011   Division of International Studies   No comments
Elder_Joe_classroom11_3269

UW-News — September 27, 2011

By Stacy Forster

On a research trip to India several years ago, UW–Madison sociology professor Gay Seidman was eavesdropping on other visiting faculty sharing their struggles to set up international study abroad programs when a familiar name came up.

“I heard one say, ‘You know what Joe Elder has done at Wisconsin, he’s been doing this for years and we’re just all imitating him!’” Seidman says.

Elder, a professor of sociology, languages and cultures of Asia, and integrated liberal studies, has not only established a global reputation in the field of international studies, he’s also built a long-lasting legacy at UW–Madison.

This fall, Elder is marking a rare milestone, celebrating his 50th year of teaching at UW–Madison. He’s educated generations of students — including the many who currently line up to meet with him during his daily office hours.

What is it about teaching that keeps him in the classroom?

“Learning from the people you’re working with, having them ask questions — it’s just extraordinarily refreshing,” Elder says, adding with a smile, “I even enjoy committee meetings.”

Elder hasn’t confined himself to just one role at UW-Madison.

During those 50 years, his wife, Joann, was undergraduate adviser in the sociology department, while he’s been involved in preparing students to spend a year abroad in India or Nepal; mentoring struggling doctoral candidates; starting a certificate program for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender studies; producing documentaries about South Asia; and teaching hundreds of students a semester about life in world cultures.

He’s done it with a steady presence, generosity, high standards and ethics, and good humor, his colleagues say.

Read the rest of the story.

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