UMass Boston Alumni Magazine - Fall/Winter 2008-2009 - (Page 8)

Faculty members who are involved with such trips point out Prou of the university’s Africana Studies Department, “are that the benefits extend well beyond the participants. “There often met with new appreciation once they see what life is like is a definite ripple effect,” says William Koehler, director of elsewhere.” But students often learn a related lesson as well, graduate programs in the College of Management. “Students he says: don’t confuse quality of life with a life of quality. Or, bring new ideas and perspectives back to their workplaces, and as Dan Roche says, “What I took away from my trip to South they educate their family and friends about where they’ve been. Africa was, in a word, admiration….There is a huge amount of That can make everyone less parochial.” inspiring courage all around us that can be overlooked when As one example, Koehler says that a student who saw manwe’re feeling cynical. But we were fortunate to see the concept agers take a morning tea break with line workers at a Chinese of ‘ubuntu,’ which might be translated as ‘love that comes with factory “thought that it served as a great morale booster, and the realization of our shared humanity,’ all around us.” vowed to try to do something similar in his own company.” “Privileges and amenities that students take for granted are One of the more noteworthy aspects of UMass Boston’s overseas often met with new appreciation once they see programs is the high number of destinations that are well off the familiar what life is like elsewhere.” college path—that is, Europe. While students interested in augmenting their educations with time spent in Ireland, France, Germany, and other western European counSpeaking about that same trip, another student, Alison tries have ample opportunity, those looking for a chance to Robles, says, “It has made me completely rethink what my sample life in what might be called truly foreign countries have goals and aspirations are.” What had been a hazy idea about an expanding array of options. And, as Koehler notes, “those going to law school, she says, has now acquired a greater are the kinds of experiences that are truly transformative, sense of purpose, as she plans to specialize in the intersection because they take students out of their frame of reference and of government and public health in order to “make the most provide a real jolt.” impact in my community and create positive change for those Sometimes that jolt occurs when students return home. A who need it.” common theme among many of the students who have traveled Gina D’Haiti can relate. Earlier this summer she traveled abroad is a newfound appreciation for American life. “Privito Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Morocco with Professor Prou and leges and amenities that students take for granted,” says Marc others as part of an Africana studies course. While abroad Getting There From Here a sizeable number of educational opportunities at UMass Boston include international travel. • More than 70 semester, yearlong, and summer- and winter-break programs overseen by the Study abroad office allow students to spend time in France, Germany, italy, ireland, Canada, the U.K., Vietnam, Bulgaria, russia, Sweden, australia, and many other countries. • The Division of Corporate, Continuing, and Distance Education manages a wealth of trips, often in conjunction with such academic units on campus as the College of Management and the Africana Studies Department. Among the destinations are China, india, Belize, Mexico, Ghana, Benin, Haiti, and Jamaica. • The Honors Program sponsors a bi-annual trip to South africa and hopes to also offer a trip to the Middle east, funds permitting. • The Confucius Institute sponsors trips to China, and also brings Chinese scholars and others to the U.S., in conjunction with the asian-american Studies Program and the College of Management. • Other options include programs run by individual departments. For example, the Department of Modern languages offers a year-abroad program in Paris in conjunction with the UMass Amherst French Department and several French universities.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of UMass Boston Alumni Magazine - Fall/Winter 2008-2009

UMass Boston Alumni Magazine - Fall/Winter 2008-2009 Contents UNews Oh, the Places They've Gone! "One of Those Rare Leaders" Acknowledging History, Renewing a Commonwealth Heart and Mind Indelible Images About Alumni Investing in UMass Boston A Generous Friend Alumni Calendar

UMass Boston Alumni Magazine - Fall/Winter 2008-2009

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