Volume 106 | December 2021
OGA Newsletter
The Office of Global Activities (OGA) is dedicated to connecting MSW students to international social work opportunities through fundingspecial programs, academic resources, internationalized curriculum, and arranging faculty and student exchanges at partner institutions.
Congratulations on a successful semester!
Congratulations on completing a successful semester and good luck on your exams! To all of our graduates, congratulations on finishing up your final semester! The past year has been one defined by uncertainty, difficulty, and loss. Each of you has pushed through personal, academic, and professional challenges, and for that we sincerely and heartily congratulate you. Congratulations on all that you have accomplished. Best wishes, and Go Blue!
Spotlight: Global Independent Study Application Deadline 1/16!
Global Independent Study Application Deadline 1/16!
Global Independent Study (GIS) applications are open and the deadline is rapidly approaching! All GIS applications are due by 11:59 PM EDT on January 16, 2022.

Global Independent Study is a student-initiated opportunity to design a global social work project abroad. Students from all pathways and curriculum tracks are eligible to apply and can receive 1-6 elective credits.

However, please note that a limited number of grants will be available for Summer 2022. Due to COVID-19, applicants will need to carefully consider numerous factors to determine if travel is feasible, including potential impacts of the new Omicron coronavirus variant. See "Considerations for Planning International Travel during COVID-19" and the U-M Travel Designations list for more guidance.

If you are interested in pursuing a Global Independent Study and would like to learn more, you can watch the recording from our GIS Information Session or sign up for an advising appointment, found in the Announcements section below.
Events
Date: Monday, December 6 from 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM GMT (11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT)
Brief Description: In November 2021, at least 27 people tragically lost their lives in the English channel. Many of them are believed to be from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Likewise, many of the refugees currently at the Belarus/Poland border appear to be from the same region. This event will host Kamal Chomani, an independent journalist and political analyst from Kurdistan. Chomani will speak about the current situation of these refugees and comment on political developments that have led to recent episodes of migration from the Kurdistan Region to Europe.
Date: Wednesday, December 8 from 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM EDT
Brief Description: The Weiser Diplomacy Center at the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and the American Academy of Diplomacy will co-host an in-person discussion on China and the challenges facing the U.S.-China relationship. These challenges include managing disputes in areas such as the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea; addressing developments in Hong Kong and Xinjiang; and navigating tensions over economic issues related to cybersecurity, intellectual property, and transparency in trade. An expert panel will weigh in and explore elements of China-U.S. relations.
Date: Thursday, December 9 from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT
Brief Description: The Office of the Provost - Global Engagement Team and the International Center are hosting a panel to provide student travelers considerations for international travel as they navigate new and changing country conditions as well as U-M requirements for international travelQuestions can be submitted in advance through the registration form.
Date: Thursday, December 9 from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT
Brief Description: This panel discussion brings together a group of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who are leading efforts across multiple sectors to address climate change. They will share their expertise on climate change within their sector, thoughts on how their Peace Corps experience contributed to how they approach their work, and ideas for partnering with communities at home and abroad to address current and future challenges.
Announcements
Global Independent Study Information Session
Weren't able to make it to the Global Independent Study Information Session? No worries! Below you will find the recording and PowerPoint slides from the Office of Global Activities' recent Global Independent Study Information Session (recorded November 10).



If you are interested in pursuing a Global Independent Study, please contact our office at [email protected] or view the GIS advising calendar to set up an individual advising appointment with someone from our office.

Upcoming drop-in advising sessions:

Friday, January 7 from 12:00 - 2:00 PM
Wednesday, January 12 from 12:00 - 2:00 PM

No registration necessary. All sessions will take place in Room 3668D (OGA suite conference room).
The Africentric Therapist: A Case Study on Working with Young Adult Children of African Immigrants recording
In this virtual event, Change Kwesele Malama, Ph.D, LLMSW shared some of her research gathered from interviews with young adult children of African immigrants, exploring ideas of mental health and the home; cultural and historical considerations in mental health practice for African immigrant communities; and the importance of (more) support for an Africentric worldview in academic and mental health practice. 

Below you will find a recording of the presentation for the Africentric Therapist (recorded November 22).


Professional Opportunities
Application Deadline: Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Brief Description: The International Institute Student Fellowships (IISF) are designed to support University of Michigan students, regardless of citizenship, who are enrolled in a degree program and wish to participate in internships or conduct research abroad.  
Application Deadline: Tuesday, March 1, 2022 (Rolling admission)
Brief DescriptionThe Ottawa Internship Program is designed to provide a first-hand learning experience in Canadian government through placement with a Member of Parliament or Senator in the capital of Canada. Students will work in a parliamentarian's office for a period of five weeks. This program is open to graduate and undergraduate students from all majors and all colleges at U-M.
Grant Opportunities
Deadline: Thursday, December 30 at 5:00 PM EDT
Brief DescriptionBlakemore Freeman Fellowships are awarded for one academic year of full-time, intensive language study of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Khmer or Burmese at the advanced level in approved language programs in East or Southeast Asia. Applicants must be American citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
Deadline: Saturday, January 15
Brief DescriptionThe Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship provides tuition and stipend to students studying designated foreign languages in combination with area studies or international aspects of professional studies.
Deadline: Tuesday, February 15 by 11:59 PM EDT
Brief DescriptionThe LACS Tinker Field Research Grants support master’s, doctoral, and professional school students conducting preliminary or pre-dissertation fieldwork in Latin America. Research projects must be conducted in the Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking countries of Latin America and trips must last a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of four months. Awards, up to $2,500, are made based on the quality of the proposal and the academic progress of the applicant. Funds cover international airfare, in-country transportation, and some field-related expenses.
Deadline: Rolling
Brief Description: The International Center offers a grant opportunity to help student organizations and University departments recognize the diversity of the U-M international student population through special events and programming. Organizations and departments should apply at least 14 days in advance of their event (the earlier, the better). Grants amounts will vary based on the submitted budget and the availability of funds.
Deadline: Rolling
Brief Description: Subject to availability of funding, awards will be made to faculty, students, and staff presenting Africa-focused papers or serving as chairs or discussants for Africa-focused sessions at regional, national, or international conferences. Priority is given to applicants who have not received prior ASC funding and to projects focused on Sub-Saharan Africa.
Deadline: Rolling
Brief Description: The U.S. Department of Education provides a variety of grant opportunities. Eligibility, funding amounts, and deadlines vary.
Resources
To find previous OGA Newsletter volumes, click the OGA Newsletter Archive.
Email [email protected] if you have any questions.