Volume 104 | November 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.
Trans Day of Remembrance (November 20)
Last Saturday was Trans Day of Remembrance. Observed annually on the 20th of November, Trans Day of Remembrance honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. Transgender Day of Remembrance was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated all the transgender people lost to violence since Rita Hester's death, and began an important tradition that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Spotlight: The Africentric Therapist
The Africentric Therapist: A Case Study on Working with Young Adult Children of African immigrants
Monday, November 22 from 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM EDT
In this virtual event, Change Kwesele Malama, Ph.D, LLMSW will share 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. 

Dr. Kwesele Malama's research depicts narratives of children of African immigrants and African immigrant communities to amplify and integrate their voices and communities in academic scholarship and mental health practice.

This will be an interactive session that will include a short presentation and open discussion followed by time for Q&A. 
Events
Date: Friday, December 3 from 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM EDT
Brief Description: International Coffee Hour is a great place for international and U.S. students, scholars, faculty, staff and partners to socialize with each other and meet new people from around the world. Coffee and snacks will be provided! This is an informal event, so you can come and go at any time you like. The December coffee hour is co-sponsored by Wolverine Wellness. A therapy dog will be stopping by, as well! We highly encourage both international and U.S. students to attend!
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 OGA Appointments calendar to set up an individual advising appointment with someone from our office.
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month! This month, we celebrate and honor the heritage, history, art, traditions, and contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives. We at the School of Social Work acknowledge that the University of Michigan was formed and has grown through connections with the land stewarded by the Anishinaabeg—the Three Fires People who are the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi—along with their neighbors: the Seneca, Delaware, Shawnee, and Wyandot nations.

See below events to celebrate Native American Heritage Month, hosted by the U-M Native American Studies Department in collaboration with MESA (Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs) and NASA (Native American Student Association):

Date: Monday, November 29 from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Brief DescriptionJoin us for an engaging dialogue and panel with amazing guests and speakers that have been a part of significant efforts to honor the Burt Lake Band and work on projects surrounding sustainability, language revitalization, and representation of Native Identities. Through this event, we hope to not only hold the university accountable to the acknowledgement of the history and land, but to raise awareness on climate justice, language revitalization, and the landback movement as a whole.

Date: Tuesday, November 30 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Brief DescriptionPlease join us at the closing ceremony for Native American Heritage Month where we will celebrate the amazing indigenous speakers that presented and held dialogues on conversations that are necessary to the community. There will be a Native food menu for those that are registered!
Professional Opportunities
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.