INSTITUTIONAL PROFILE

GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

International programs at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls have grown significantly in the last few years, yet there continue to be many opportunities for development and growth. The Office of Global Connections coordinates study abroad programs, international students, and the National Student Exchange (NSE). The number of faculty-led study tours has more than tripled in the past three years. During each academic year, approximately 400 UWRF students have an international experience in such areas as Europe, Central and South America, Africa, and Asia through a variety of short term, faculty-led study tours and full semester programs. Among the semester programs, The Wisconsin in Scotland program, offered by five cooperating institutions in the UW System and administered by UWRF, gives students the opportunity to live in an 18 th century estate outside Edinburgh, Scotland while they take classes from UW System and British faculty. UWRF international student numbers, although small, have realized a net gain during a post-September 11 environment where most colleges and universities are losing numbers. For the 2007-2008 year, UWRF will have an estimated 75 international students representing a wide variety of countries, but with nearly 70 percent coming from Japan and Taiwan due to unique relationships with organizations in those countries.

A new and unique international program is UWRF’s International Traveling Classroom. Students spend a semester in Europe, traveling and earning credits in course units taught by UWRF faculty members situated in different locations. The students move to that location for the duration of the unit, e.g., the group may spend 3-4 weeks in London studying British theatre and then travel to Germany for a 3-4 week course in European history.
The growth of international programs at UWRF is supported by a UW System initiative. The primary goal of the University of Wisconsin System Institute for Global Studies (IGS), located at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, is “to ensure that all UW System students attain a level of global and international awareness, knowledge, and proficiency that enables them to meet the global challenges of the 21st Century.” IGS advocates for international education within the UW System, provides faculty and curricular development, and supports increased international opportunities for students across the curriculum. IGS has provided grants, which UWRF faculty have received, and has sponsored an annual conference on international education.