News

Congratulations to all TEN SU Abroad students who received Gilman Scholarships for their abroad programs next spring! The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide. We encourage all SU Abroad students who meet the qualifications to apply for awards that can reach up to $8,000!

The next deadline (for summer/fall 2017 programs) is March 7, 2017.

Our spring 2017 winners are:

Ashia Aubourg, SU Florence
Shafin Zamen, SU Hong Kong
Kaitlynn Chopra, AMIDEAST Morocco
Estephany Hinojosa, SIT South Africa
Jomarie Mosquea, SU London
Michelle Kincaid, SU Santiago
Sarah Hewitt, SU Santiago
Jamila Perkins, UNSW (Australia)
Deema Alsalih, UPCES (Czech Republic)
William De la Vera, SU Santiago

One student was also named as an alternate:

Brianna Torres, SU Madrid

By Emily Alek

Through extensive travel and immersion in new cultures, studying abroad allows students to grow and become citizens of the world. Students of the SU Strasbourg program take full advantage of this opportunity for growth as they delve deeper into European affairs through internships and event attendance at the Council of Europe.

Headquartered in Strasbourg, France, the Council of Europe is an international organization dedicated to upholding democracy, human rights, and the European rule of law. SU Strasbourg students have the chance to interview for a variety of internships at the Council in the fields of international relations, policy development, communications, and more.

Senior Shoshana Kranish is just one of several SU Strasbourg students interning at the Council of Europe this semester. At her internship, she assists the staff of the Pompidou Group in planning their upcoming symposium on New Psychoactive Substances. In this position, Kranish provides research on prevention mechanisms and policies, helps to manage and compile participant information, and she is creating a video on New Psychoactive Substances. Her involvement extends beyond the walls of the Council of Europe: “I have been invited to, and will attend, the Pompidou Group’s symposium next month in Venice, Italy, where I will get to meet with top policy makers and lawyers from more than a dozen different countries,” noted Kranish.

Thomas Poston is a junior at Wake Forest University, but is spending the semester at SU Strasbourg. He, too, is interning at the Council of Europe, but in a different division. “As the Trainee in the Media and Internet Division of the Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law, my work at the Council of Europe entails the promotion and preservation of the freedom of expression in all 47 of the organization’s member states,” said Poston. “My division’s thematic focus encompasses all types of expression, but particular emphasis is placed on (a) the rights and freedoms of journalists and the press, and (b) privacy, social media safety, and Internet governance.” Throughout his internship, Poston has assumed many responsibilities, such as attending committee meetings and parliamentary debates, creating “elevator briefings” of each event for his colleagues from all over the continent, and researching the current state of press and internet freedom in member states that are not also members of the European Union. These tasks will ultimately become part of the Secretary General’s Annual Report, in which assessments are made of the member states’ varying levels of freedom.

Along with receiving career-bolstering internship opportunities, SU Strasbourg students also benefit from attending special events at the Council of Europe. SU Communications Professor Giuseppe Zaffuto works in the Council’s Communications Department, and his students have had the opportunity to attend a number of these events and report on them via social media. In October, students heard speeches by the French President, François Hollande, and the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mevlut Cavusoglu. These opportunities have allowed them to learn more about the various issues that the Council’s member states are facing, including the crisis in Syria, the migration crisis, and the recent coup attempt in Turkey. Students also attended a debate about conducting fair elections in the Council of Europe’s member states and witnessed a Council-wide vote on implementing new policies.

Thanks to these opportunities at the Council of Europe, SU Strasbourg students are able to fully immerse themselves in European political culture and get a clearer sense of the complex workings of an institution that includes more than 40 member states, and in which the United States has observer’s status.

November 14-18, 2016 marks the 18th anniversary of International Education Week (IEW), an annual celebration of international education and exchange worldwide. Institutions across the United States and around the world, including SU Abroad, are hosting events throughout the week to recognize education abroad and internationalization.

While nationally, only 10% of U.S. undergraduate students study abroad, nearly 50% of Syracuse University students have at least one study abroad experience before they graduate. In recognition of the robust culture of international education at Syracuse University, SU Abroad will host two events this week to mark International Education Week 2016.

On Monday, November 14, SU Abroad and Career Services will host “Marketing Your Study Abroad Experience,” a workshop focused on strategically marketing a study abroad experience when pursuing career opportunities. Attendees will learn how to present their study abroad experience on their resumes, to identify skills and competencies developed through study abroad, and to articulate your abroad experience during job interviews. The workshop will be held from 5-6 p.m. in Maxwell Hall, Room 111.

Tuesday, November 15, SU Abroad presents “Live a Story Worth Telling” with Professor Bruce Strong from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Hergenhan Auditorium in Newhouse III. As both a staff and freelance photojournalist, Professor Strong has shot in nearly 60 countries while working on assignments and personal projects. SU Abroad invites all SU staff, faculty, and students interested in international travel to attend as Professor Strong will discuss his work, what it means to travel and to immerse oneself into different cultures, and to tell your story through photographs.

Additionally, SU Abroad will host general advising hours in its office all week for students who want to drop in and meet with a study abroad advisor. All interested students are invited to stop into 106 Walnut Place between 8:30 – 5 to discuss their study abroad options.

SU Abroad is happy to report that it is extending its deadline for the Spring 2017 semester in Beijing, China. All students will receive a $2500 grant for enrolling in the program!

No matter what career you choose to pursue, China will be a part of it. By having an understanding of China, you set yourself apart as someone who recognizes the myriad possibilities and exciting challenges of the future.

Are you an economics or business major? China is the fastest-growing economy on the planet.

Concerned about the environment? Learn how China’s government is coping with a potential ecological crisis as the country’s demands consume more and more of their natural resources.

Are you intrigued by international relations? US-China relations are widely considered to be the most important bilateral relationship in the world today because of its global impact.

Are you interested in complex social issues? Learn about the challenges brought about by China’s transformation into a superpower on a speed and scale unprecedented in history.

Love languages? Obtain proficiency (or fluency) in an intriguing language spoken by 1.3 billion people.

Interested in history? Study in a country of rich cultural tradition with more than 5,000 years of recorded history.

All courses are taught in English. There is no language prerequisite.

Questions? Contact Mary Fedorko at mmfedork@syr.edu or call (315) 443-3471.

If you’re still interested in studying abroad next semester, SU Abroad has space remaining in some programs! To begin your application, start on our ‘Apply’ page. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time. The following programs still have space remaining for Spring 2017:

Beijing Center

Florence Center (including intensive language, engineering, design, and studio arts programs)

London Center (including design program)

Madrid Center (including business, science & math, and UAM programs)

Santiago Center (including Cuenca immersion program)

Strasbourg Center (including intensive language, social work, and music programs)

Ricky Cieri ’17 was already a study abroad veteran before he decided to go abroad for his senior year. He had completed a summer abroad at the SU Madrid Center and a full semester at the SU Strasbourg Center. He represented his programs as a global ambassador and had passed on his passion for international education to prospective abroad students. Though he had already mastered three languages (French, Spanish, and Italian), the Modern Foreign Languages and International Relations major wanted to learn another – so he applied for the CET Brazilian Studies and Portuguese Language program, an SU World Partner. The program, located in São Paulo, Brazil, will be Cieri’s third abroad adventure, and this time, he will be away for an entire year.

In order to fund his year away, Cieri applied for the Boren Scholarship. Funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), Boren Awards for international study provide exceptional undergraduates the opportunity to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Middle East. Following their cultural immersion, scholars then agree to work in a qualifying national security position within the United States federal government for at least one year.

“During my first semester, I will take courses about Brazil and develop a proficiency in Portuguese,” Cieri told SU News. “In the second semester, I intend to enroll directly in the university in São Paulo, taking all my coursework in Portuguese.”

At SU Abroad, we are incredibly proud of Ricky’s achievements and are confident that he will do a great deal of good in the world when he graduates! You can read the rest of his interview with SU News here.

SU Abroad will host and participate in several events during the Fall 2016 semester. We encourage any interested students to come out and explore our programs or take advantage of the resources the campus offers to help you on your abroad journey!

Gilman Scholarship Interest Session: Friday, September 9, 12-1 p.m., Eggers Hall Room 010
Learn more about the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad.  Must be a U.S. citizen and Pell grant (federal financial aid) recipient to apply.  Application deadline is October 4 to study abroad in spring 2017 or summer 2017.

Gilman Scholarship Writing Workshop: Thursday, September 22, 3:30-5 p.m., HBC Room 306
Applicants are invited to attend one or both workshops to receive constructive feedback on their scholarship essays.  Please bring five copies of your essay to share with others.

Gilman Scholarship Writing Workshop: Friday, September 30, 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., Bowne Hall Room 305
Applicants are invited to attend one or both workshops to receive constructive feedback on their scholarship essays.  Please bring five copies of your essay to share with others.

Critical Languages Scholarship Interest Session: Friday, September 30, 1-2:30 p.m., Eggers Hall Room 352
Learn more about this fully funded summer overseas language and cultural immersion program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

Critical Languages Scholarship Writing Workshop: Friday, October 28, 1-2:30 p.m., Eggers Room 352
Applicants will receive constructive feedback on their scholarship essays. Please bring 4 copies of your essay to share.

Career Services Workshop: Marketing Your Study Abroad Experience: Tuesday, October 4, 5-6 p.m., Maxwell Room 111
Past and future study abroad participants are invited to this one-hour workshop to learn how to identify marketable skills gained from an international experience and how to effectively present these skills on their resume and during the interview process.

Career Services Workshop: Marketing Your Study Abroad Experience: Monday, November 14, 5-6 p.m., Maxwell Room 111
Past and future study abroad participants are invited to this one-hour workshop to learn how to identify marketable skills gained from an international experience and how to effectively present these skills on their resume and during the interview process.

Boren Scholarships and Fellowships Interest Session: Friday, November 11, 2 p.m., Eggers Room 111
Learn more about this funding opportunity sponsored by the U.S. government to promote linguistic and cultural immersion through study abroad. Application deadline is late January 2017 to study during the 2017-18 academic year.

Congratulations are going out to seven SU Abroad students who received Gilman Scholarships for their abroad programs this fall! The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide. We encourage all SU Abroad students who meet the qualifications to apply for awards that can reach up to $8,000!

The next deadline (for spring 2017 programs) is October 4, 2016.

Our fall 2016 winners are:

Angel Cai, SU Hong Kong
Katelyn Faubel, AMIDEAST Area & Arabic Language Studies in Jordan
Brandon Jackson, SU Hong Kong
Yeagee Jung, Yonsei University
Elvis Lora, SU Santiago
Zeena Saifi, SU Hong Kong
Sudan Zhuang, SU Hong Kong

Three students were also named as alternates:

Steve McDonald, SU London
Alexandra Pereira, SU Strasbourg
Lindzee Powel, SRAS: Russian as a Second Language

Congratulations to all the winners!

Syracuse University, both here on the main campus and at our international learning centers, sends its thoughts and prayers to the victims and all those impacted by yesterday’s tragic attack in Nice, France.

SU Abroad, in partnership with its overseas directors and partners, have confirmed the location, safety and well-being of all University students, faculty and staff traveling in France and in neighboring countries in Europe on SU Abroad programs.

It’s important to note that SU Abroad summer sessions in Madrid, Florence, and Strasbourg have all concluded for the summer. We do, however, have some faculty-led programs still underway in Paris, Geneva, Bologna, and Brussels, and have confirmed that all students and staff are safe and accounted for.

SU Abroad monitors travel conditions daily and is constantly reviewing State Department and International SOS travel guidance.

Faculty, staff, and students traveling abroad are reminded to be aware of their surroundings and thoughtful about their own personal safety, to plan their itinerary with safety in mind, and to refer to the US State Department and ISOS for security updates.

Heads-up for all of our students going to Europe this fall! The Cultural Bridge Scholarship is a $500 scholarship for study abroad. The deadline to apply is August 1.

Requirements: You must be a US citizen, an undergrad, with a 3.0 minimum GPA, and must be going to Europe.