2015 Fall Grand Valley Magazine - (Page 34)
IN T ER N ATI O N A L EDU C AT I O N
Celebrating 40 YEARS of international
collaboration, friendships by Michele Coffill
International relations major Nicolaus
Solecki visited the Padnos International
Center (PIC) two years ago with the
thought of studying abroad for a
semester. He had in mind going to
London or maybe Oslo, Norway.
With an open mind and after a few
email exchanges, Solecki ended up
spending a year in Krakow, Poland.
When he graduates next year, Solecki
will have a dual degree from Grand
Valley and the Cracow University of
Economics.
"I started thinking of a semester study
abroad program but PIC emailed me
about the opportunity to go to CUE,"
said Solecki, a native of Flushing. "When
I'm done I will come away with two
degrees for the price of one."
Solecki is participating in the Studies
in Trans-Atlantic International Relations
(STAIR) program, which was established
in 2008 with funding from the U.S.
Department of Education and the
European Union.
Although STAIR is no longer fully
funded, it is one example of the many
collaborative programs and exchanges
between Grand Valley and Cracow
University of Economics. The two
institutions are celebrating a 40-year
partnership this year; festivities began
in Poland in May when President
Thomas J. Haas received an honorary
degree, and will end in December when
CUE Rector Andrzej Chochol is honored
at Grand Valley's commencement.
CUE is Grand
Valley's oldest
international partner.
President Emeritus
Arend D. Lubbers
signed the initial
partner agreement
with CUE officials
in 1975.
Solecki enjoyed
his CUE classes and
being in central
Europe. "I visited
Nicolaus Solecki
Budapest, Vienna
and Prague," he said. "There were
a lot of other international students
in Krakow. Every Monday night was
student night and I even met another
student from Grand Valley."
Solecki was in the audience at CUE
when Haas gave a convocation address
and received an honorary degree. "I
had an opportunity to go to another
ceremony where CUE faculty were
named full professors. It was very
HIGHLIGHTS OF A 40-YEAR PARTNERSHIP
1975 Grand Valley faculty members Christine Rydel
and Ezra Gearhart, plus members of the Grand
Rapids Polish Heritage Society, travel to Poland
to establish further contacts in Krakow.
1978 First CEU faculty scholar visits Grand Valley.
1981 Lubbers presents honorary doctorate to Rector
Antoni Fajferek at Grand Valley commencement.
1989 Lubbers receives CUE honorary doctorate.
2005 30th year of partnership, more than 275
Grand Valley students have studied at CUE.
2008 STAIR (Studies in Trans-Atlantic International
Relations) program begins. Students from both
universities can obtain dual degrees, increases
opportunities for faculty exchanges. Program
jointly funded by the U.S. Department of
Education and the European Union.
2013 Funding for STAIR program ends.
2015 Haas receives honorary doctorate and
signs new five-year agreement.
34
Fall '15
much like an old European, medieval
ceremony," he said.
Polly Diven, professor and director of
the International Relations program, has
visited CUE several times and presented
lectures there. "It's a beautiful, historic
city," Diven said. "The campus is
easy to get around and the faculty
are easy to get to know."
CUE faculty members have
visited Allendale, and Diven
said that has added to the
globalization of Grand Valley.
"We have had many faculty
members teach classes here, so
even if students don't travel, it
makes for a more international
classroom, hearing their ideas
and learning about their
backgrounds," she said.
Solecki will return to CUE next year to
defend his thesis on trans-Atlantic trade
and investment partners.
"Going abroad to study and learn
shows that you are willing to work
with other cultures, and you are going
beyond your comfort zone," he said.
GVM
ONLINE
Watch a video celebrating 40 years
of an international partnership online
at www.gvsu.edu/gvmagazine.
President Thomas J. Haas talks with Rector
Andrzej Chochol after a ceremony at the
Cracow University of Economics.
http://www.gvsu.edu/gvmagazine/international-education-fall-2015-356.htm
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2015 Fall Grand Valley Magazine
Campus News
Research
Athletics
Arts
Scientific symbiosis
Focal Point
Seidman College expanding EMBA
Sailing at 1/12th scale
Same song, different verse
Q&A Lynn 'Chick' Blue
Off the path
International Education
2015 Fall Grand Valley Magazine
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/GVMagazineSpring2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/GVMagazineWinter2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/GVMagazineFall2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/GVMagazineSummer2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/GVMagazineSpring2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/Spring2016GVMagazine
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/Winter2016GVMagazine
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/2015FallGVMagazine
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/Summer2015GVMagazine
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/GVMSpring2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/GVMwinter2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/Grandvalley/GVMFall2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/Grandvalley/grandvalleymagazine
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/spring2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/winter2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/fall_2013
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com