As we begin this new semester, I want to extend a warm welcome to new and returning students, staff, and faculty at UW–Madison. I hope this semester opens a world of possibilities for each of you.
Referring to the past few months as summer “break” seems a misnomer to me as many of our International Division programs and activity were at their peak from June through August.
The Wisconsin Intensive Summer Language Institutes (WISLI) hosted almost 200 students on campus for intensive learning for more than 20 less commonly taught languages (LCTLs). Participants in WISLI see extraordinary growth during their time in Madison, acquiring two semesters of language learning in only eight weeks. I am proud that UW is a LCTL hub because even though these may be less commonly taught languages in the U.S., the cultural, diplomatic, and scholarly importance of each of them, from Arabic to Vietnamese, cannot be overstated. I invite all current and prospective language learners to consider the summer 2025 WISLI session and reach out for more information.
Additionally, during summer more than 1,200 students took part in study abroad programs in 60 countries. We have already heard from participants about their immersive experiences and their determination to build a global dimension into their academic programs and careers. Those who are interested in learning more about study abroad programs should attend the Study Abroad Fair on Sept. 24.
There is much more I could highlight, including summer visits to Astana, Seoul, and Bangkok, and you can read about them in a recently published article about our international partnerships. As the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” and the article includes images that bring these experiences to life!
I look forward to updating you on more exciting developments on and off campus in future messages. In the meantime, please see our calendar for events on international topics.
Whether you are beginning your semester on campus or in one of our global programs, I wish you the best and Go Badgers!
Editor’s note: Follow Dean Vavrus on X (formerly Twitter) to learn more about the ways the International Division is growing global engagement and exchange on campus and around the world.