Volume 111 | February 2022
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.
Spotlight: Intercultural Leadership Seminar
Intercultural Leadership Seminar
Application Deadline: Sunday, February 13 at 11:59 PM EST
The Intercultural Leadership Seminar (ILS) is designed for international and U.S. students who want to learn how to be more effective in a global environment. ILS includes brief lectures, discussions, experiential activities, and small group work. While at ILS, you will:

  • Increase your awareness of the impact of culture on communication styles
  • Gain skills necessary for effective intercultural communication
  • Discover your own leadership potential
  • Develop and enhance your intercultural competence

Students who attend both days can complete a small essay assignment afterward if they want to receive a certificate for their participation. The deadline to apply is Sunday, February 13.
Events
Date: Wednesday, February 9 from 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM EST
Brief Description: Militarized global apartheid is a loosely integrated effort by countries in the global north to protect themselves against the mobility of people from the global south while consolidating racialized labor hierarchies. Professor Catherine Besteman (Colby College) will discuss how militarized security empires are emerging from and shoring up global apartheid, and how they racialize and incarcerate people while securing cosmopolitan class privilege and capitalist extraction across borders.
CAPS Nourish Lunch Series (Email to RSVP)
Date: Wednesday, February 9 from 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
Brief Description: Nourish is a (virtual) lunch series open to all students, faculty, and staff that focuses on topics that disproportionately affect women of color. RSVP to [email protected] for each meeting. When received, a link and password will be sent. Nourish is a drop-in program held via Zoom.
Date: Friday, February 11 from 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
Brief Description: Join this lecture by Heather MacLachlan, Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology and Interim Director of Women's & Gender Studies at the University of Dayton.
Date: Friday, February 11 from 2:00 - 3:30 PM EST
Brief Description: International Coffee Hour is a great place for international and U.S. students to socialize with each other and meet new people from around the world! The February coffee hour, co-sponsored by the English Language Institute (ELI), will have a Valentine’s Day theme. Come meet others while learning about ELI and (optional) participating in Valentine’s Day-themed activities.
Date: Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 6:00 PM EST
Brief Description: Based on the struggle of young people in Goma (Northeastern Congo) against the prevailing Western reporting about war and misery, Stop Filming Us investigates how these Western stereotypes are the result of a skewed balance of power. Stop Filming Us creates a cinematic dialogue between Western perceptions and the Congolese experience of reality. Virtual viewing followed by a panel.
Announcements
Black History Month Events
Join MESA in celebrating the lives, success, struggles and beauty of the Black and Afro-descended peoples from around the globe. The theme for this year's Black History Month is Black Joy! As you will find in the events below, our communities on campus have prepared dynamic, immersive and meaningful programs for all to attend, with a myriad of in-person, hybrid and virtual options.
Date: Tuesday, February 8 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM EST
Brief Description: Racial justice begins with anti-racism. Anti-racism is the active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies, practices, and attitudes so that power is redistributed and shared equitably (University of Calgary). This peer-led teach-in will engage analytical frameworks for examining systemic cultural, social, economic, and political forces in the community along with individual reflection. Our hope is to raise critical consciousness, understand the opportunity for actions, and how our resources can be distributed. This Teach-In will be facilitated by Dillon Alexandro Cathro. 
Black Love Mass Meeting
Date: Thursday, February 10 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM EST
Brief Description: The Black Love meeting will be a casual discussion coordinated by the Black Student Union on the workings of Black Love and what that means and looks like to us as Black folk. This meeting will be in person at Trotter Multicultural Center, Sankofa Lounge.
Date: Friday, February 11 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM EST
Brief Description: This is part two of a two-part series. The dance workshop will include 35 minutes of Kizomba, 35 minutes of Detroit Hustle, and 20 minutes of free dancing at the end. Participants can join virtually or in person. To register for the in-person event, click here.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Events
To celebrate his life and legacy, please consider attending some of the below events in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his vision. For all U-M MLK Symposium events, see here.
Date: Thursday, February 17 from 12:00 - 1:30 PM EST
Brief Description: The 2022 MLK Health Sciences Committee presents an Interdisciplinary Panel Discussion on racial and ethnic disparities in pain management. The panelists will discuss their experiences with this issue and will share their insights regarding potential solutions. This Interdisciplinary Panel Discussion is sponsored by the MLK Health Sciences Committee – representing the University of Michigan – School of Dentistry; School of Kinesiology; Michigan Medicine / Medical School / Office for Health Equity & Inclusion; Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research; School of Nursing; College of Pharmacy; School of Public Health; and the School of Social Work.
Date: March 21 from 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST (tentatively in person) and March 22 from 4:00 - 5:00 PM EDT (virtual)
Brief Description: The MLK Health Sciences Committee invites you to join them for discussions on selected topics from Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present by Harriet Washington. We will plan to discuss select chapters (8, 11, 13) that focus on clinical studies involving African American children as well as current studies involving citizens from African countries. This book dialogue is sponsored by the MLK Health Sciences Committee – representing the University of Michigan – School of Dentistry; School of Kinesiology; Michigan Medicine / Medical School / Office for Health Equity & Inclusion; Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research; School of Nursing; College of Pharmacy*; School of Public Health; and the School of Social Work.
Professional Opportunities
Application Deadline: Friday, February 11, 2022
Brief Description: Are you an international student at the University of Michigan? Are you interested in practicing informal English conversation, learning about US culture, meeting new people, and connecting with other international students and scholars at U-M? If yes, register to join a Conversation Circle! These circles are free, weekly, one-hour meetings facilitated by volunteer U-M students, faculty, or staff who are native or near-native English speakers. In Winter 2022, Conversation Circles will happen online, via Zoom, so that you can join a Circle no matter where in the world you are! Please note: Space is limited and sign-up is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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 Description: The 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.
Multiple Positions Available: Switchboard/International Rescue Committee
Application Deadline: N/A
Brief Description: Switchboard, International Rescue Committee's funded training and technical assistance provider, is growing its team to accommodate increased needs among providers serving Afghan newcomers. Switchboard is a one-stop resource hub for refugee service providers in the United States.
Grant Opportunities
Deadline: Tuesday, February 15 by 11:59 PM EST
Brief DescriptionThe Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia (WCEE) is pleased to make available grants for in-person and virtual summer research projects or internships for current undergraduate and graduate students at U-M Ann Arbor. Funding is intended to be used within Europe/Eurasia or at international institutions from that area in the U.S. Please contact WCEE for questions regarding projects outside the region.
Deadline: Tuesday, February 15 by 11:59 PM EST
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: Tuesday, February 15 by 11:59 PM EST
Brief Description: The ASC awards student grants (up to $3,000) toward research projects or internships in or on Africa. ASC is committed to supporting students at all levels and in all fields, regardless of citizenship, to undertake research, internships, or other training activities in or on Africa. Projects may be for any length of time, with a project start date between May 1 in the calendar year the application is submitted and April 30 of the following year. In light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, travel to the continent may or may not be feasible. Alternative approaches such as virtual internships are welcomed.
Deadline: Monday, February 21 by 11:59 PM EST
Brief Description: Awards will vary in amount based on proposal merit, budget, and need. Applications must meet one of two criteria:

  1. Conduct student-designed research that is tied to degree requirements and focused on issues of importance to women
  2. Travel abroad for students in public health, environmental health, or another health-related field (including but not limited to, nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, environmental health, and public health)

Most CEW+ Fellowships range between $2,000 and $5,000. CEW+ Fellowships are not intended to support travel for conference attendance and presentations.
Deadline: Monday, March 1 at 11:59 PM EST
Brief DescriptionFor graduate students working on Thailand, the Center for Southeast Asian Studies is accepting proposals for conference travel support funds, research fellowships, and internship support. 
Preference will be given to those who have not received funding in the past and who enroll in Thai language courses at U-M.
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.
Resources
To find previous OGA Newsletter volumes, click the OGA Newsletter Archive.
Email [email protected] if you have any questions.