SIR Study Abroad Showcase Summary

From Simmons International Relations

Experiencing wanderlust?

Thank you to all who participated in our Study Abroad Showcase Summary.

A special thanks to our speakers:

Meaghan O'Connor spoke about the Seoul Korea 2009 trip:

Travel to Seoul, Korea and study Academic Libraries in Korea through Yonsei University. August 3-August 14, 2009 Questions? contact: meaghan.oconnor@simmons.edu

Em Claire Knowles spoke about the UNC Chapel Hill programs in Prague and Oxford,as well as others! (check back soon for more) Questions? contact: emclaire.knowles@simmons.edu>

Melissa Laplante shared her Czech Libraries Prague Seminar 2008 experience and photos. Questions? contact: melissa.laplante@simmons.edu

Hannah Miller and Jessica Haglund spoke about travelling to Nicaragua. Questions? contact: hannah.miller@simmons.edu, jessica.haglund@simmons.edu San Juan del Sur Trip Information & Facts

Basic Information: San Juan del Sur Biblioteca Movil • established in November 2001 • provides books, information, & community center services to the people of SJDS & its surrounding communities • 4,800 patrons • 12,500 books in Spanish & English Image:147785-more-children-come-to-check-out-new-books-and-read-with-us-pochote-nicaragua.jpg .jpg SJDSBM Mobile Project • established in May 2003 • operates 3 days per week • brings over 8,000 books to 27 communities • provided over 3,900 library cards to children, their teachers, & other members of the community

Hester J. Hodgdon Libraries for All • 501(c)(3) non-profit • umbrella organization for SJDSBM • “Library in a Box” program offers protocols & volunteer expertise & support to other groups in establishing & sustaining lending libraries in Nicaragua

About the trip: • 2 times per year (January & August) • 7-14 days • currently not covered by Simmons financial aid • can use GSLIS Professional Development Reimbursement (contact LISSA treasurer) • some expenses (i.e. airfare) can be tax-deductible • possible fundraisers in the future to help defray costs?

Estimated costs: Airfare: $500- $800 (Delta or American recommended) Lodging: $30/night, breakfast included Food: $20- $40 per day

A few of the past volunteers estimated the total cost of their trip anywhere from $1100 - $1300. This included airfare, lodging, meals, souvenirs, and supplies bought before the trip.

What you’ll need: Shorts T-shirts/tank tops Dress clothes/long pants for official occasions Dress clothes for meals out (dress or skirt & top for women, chinos & nice shirt for men) Sneakers Sandals Pair of dressier shoes Sunblock Bug Spray (with at least 30% DEET – purchasable at REI, EMS, or any sporting goods store) Hand sanitizer Band-aids & Neosporin Antacids/Tums/Pepto Tylenol/Advil/Aleve Hat Sunglasses Water bottle Skeeter stick/calamine lotion Shampoo/conditioner Bathing suit School supplies (to donate to the library  !)

• You will need Hep A, Hep B & maybe the Flu shot (for not getting sick from air travel). You can go to the CDC website to look up the health requirements. These shots may or may not be covered by your health insurance.

• You may want to look into the need for malaria pills and the typhoid shot. It depends on what you want to do & what your health care provider recommends. Since SJDS is not in a “red area”, some people feel malaria pills aren’t needed. Also, if you’re not traveling throughout Nicaragua, you may not need a typhoid shot. Personally, I tend to err on the side of caution. Since we were only in Nicaragua for 11 days, I took the 7 week cycle of malaria pills & I got the typhoid shot.

• You will also want to get Cipro for food poisoning (i.e. a very bad case of food poisoning, one that can’t be treated with regular otc meds). I didn’t need it, but was glad to have it just in case.

• You do not need a visa to travel to Nicaragua, just a passport.

• Do not bring traveler’s cheques. Bring some cash with you, which will always be taken. Credit cards are also taken & there are ATMs where you can withdraw money in cordobas, or cords.

What if you can’t make it, but still want to help: • Donate school & craft supplies • Help sell coffee to support the library • Other fundraisers

Readings on Nicaragua: • The Country Under My Skin by Giaconda Belli • Gaspar! A Spanish Poet/Priest in the Nicaraguan Revolution by Simmons professor David Gullette • Moon Handbooks Nicaragua (Randy Woods & Joshua Berman) • Footprint Nicaragua (Richard Leonardi)

Questions? Need more info? San Juan del Sue Biblioteca Movil: http://www.sjdsbiblioteca.com/home.htm

Hester J. Hodgdon Libraries for All: http://www.librariesforall.org

Jessica Haglund (SIR co-chair & Development Initiatives Coordinator for the Hester J. Hodgdon Libraries for All Foundation): jessica.haglund@simmons.edu

* feel free to read my blog from last year’s trip at www.traveljournals.net. Search for “jlibrarian”

Hannah Miller (SIR co-chair & Administrative Coordinator for the Hester J. Hodgdon Libraries for All Foundation): hannah.miller@simmons.edu

Jessica Haglund concluded with Volunteer and School opportunities abroad, as well as some funding opportunities: Questions? contact: jessica.haglund@simmons.edu Volunteer Programs

1. NGOabroad – www.ngoabroad.com • Links students, alumni, or faculty to international volunteer or paid work that helps build democracy: o bolstering human rights o teaching citizen rights o strengthening education & literacy o expanding freedom of the press & freedom of speech through media & IT programs • NGOabroad is a volunteer program, referral, and career consultation service that custom-fits peoples’ skills with international humanitarian needs: o career consultants that help people enter into or advance in international humanitarian work o custom-fit international service opportunities that are well suited to people who have something specific in mind (i.e. they have cultivated a particular skill or desire & now want to make it a reality in international work) o exciting international volunteer programs in democracy building: building schools for girls, vocational training, media, youth & children, capacity building, etc.

2. The Riecken Foundation – www.riecken.org • Non-profit international foundation dedicated to promoting prosperity & democracy in Central America by building and supporting rural community libraries. • Offers internships for undergraduate & graduate students interested in exploring careers in international development. • The length of the internship is negotiable, but will be for no less than two months starting immediately or for the summer. • An internship with the Riecken Foundation offers a unique experience of working in our DC office, supporting both programmatic & administrative efforts to create dynamic spaces for discovery, learning, & social participation in Guatemala & Honduras. o The Foundation is also happy to host volunteers in its field offices & libraries in Honduras & Guatemala.  Volunteers must be fluent in Spanish.  Individuals who would like to volunteer should submit project ideas, which will be evaluated to determine if they match current needs in our library communities. • Submissions can be mailed to out DC office, Tegucigalpa, Honduras; or Antigua, Guatemala (see website for mailing address). • You may also email volunteer inquiries to: • honduras@riecken.org • guatemala@riecken.org

3. WorldTeach – www.worldteach.org As a WorldTeach volunteer, you will • Witness firsthand the challenges and rewards of education in a developing country. • Share the skills & knowledge gained through your education & life experiences with students who have not had the same advantages. • Make a concrete & lasting difference in their lives. • Gain cultural understanding & the ability to work independently in a new environment. • Have a role in the community. • Have an opportunity to learn about the local culture & contribute to community life & development. • Develop key skills – including teaching, language, cross-cultural communication, & leadership – that will be useful in any career. o Year-long, semester, & summer programs available: Africa, Central America, Asia, etc.

4. Educator & Librarian Exchange – www.educatorechange.com “Helping facilitate a temporary exchange with long-term benefits” • Exchange homes & vehicles for a work exchange almost anywhere in the world. • Currently accepting faculty on sabbatical, recent grads, and retirees. • Possible salary/living expense.

School Programs

5. Pratt School of Library & Information Science • Florence Summer 2009 in partnership with Studio Art Centers International Florence (SACI) – www.sils.pratt.edu/pratt-saci.html • May 21 – June 19, 2009 • 2 three-credit courses: o Florentine Art & Culture, Museum & Library Research Documentation o Cultural Heritage Conservation • Program costs: o $2700 for each three-credit course o $375 International fee o $50 application fee for non-Pratt students o $1470 SACI Florence apartment for 4 weeks, double occupancy bedroom o Airfare (~ $750/one-way) – students make their own travel arrangements

6. London Summer School and Bloomsbury Conference 2008 Pratt SILS and the University College London, School of Library, Archive and Information Studies – http://pratt.edu/~infosils/london.html • Summer 2009 • Program focus: E-Publishing • 3-credit course, which includes the Bloomsbury Conference • Program cost: o $2,550 plus fees

7. Information Transfer/Technology Study Romania May 2008 – www.bsu.edu/international/romania • Spring/Summer 2009 • Research will focus on how the digital divide plays out in less developed contexts • Sponsored by the Department of Anthropology, Ball State University

8. International Summer Seminars sponsored by UNC-Chapel Hill – http://sils.unc.edu/programs/international/index.html • Spend two weeks out of your summer exploring the libraries of Oxford, Prague, meeting other people, enjoying the culture, all while gaining academic credit! • Sponsored by the School of Information and Library Science at UNC Chapel Hill.

9. British Studies Program, University of Southern Mississippi Library of Science King's College Central London – http://www.britishstudies.org • Summer 2009 • Program cost: $5,399 for six credit hours,airfare, housing, and academic travel. • Contact: studyabroad@usm.edu

10. Global Education for Librarians and Information Professionals Program sponsored by University of Rhode Island – http://www.uri.edu/artsci/lsc/web/Academics/Courses/travelchina/GELIP_Home.htm • Programs currently include Professional Field Experience and/or Seminar in Chinese Librarianship, both at Zhejinag University in China.

Grants/Scholarships

11. Fulbright Border Program http://www.cies.org/award_book/award2009/award/Ful9584.htm • Award #9584 • Category: Lecturing, Lecturing/Research or Research • Number of Awards: 3 • Deadline: Summer 2009 • Grant Activity: Teach graduate courses and/or conduct research in any discipline relevant to U.S.-Mexico border relations. • Language: Fluent Spanish is strongly recommended; applicants must submit a language proficiency report. o Additional Qualifications: o Candidates must be from U.S. institutions located in any of the U.S. states on the border with Mexico. o Preference for candidates with a Ph.D. but in certain disciplines equivalent terminal degrees will be considered. o Location: Affiliation must be with a university or research institution in any of the Mexican states on the border with the United States. o Applicants are encouraged to provide letter of invitation but COMEXUS can assist with affiliation as necessary. o Length of Grant: 3 months to 9 months o Starting Date: August/September 2009 or January/February 2010 for one-semester grants; August/September 2009 for academic-year grants

The border designation of this award refers to geography as well as focus: the goal of the Fulbright Border Program is to enhance linkages and collaborative work between U.S. and Mexican institutions and scholars in the border regions. Grantees maintain their U.S. residence and travel into Mexico periodically to engage in research, teaching, or both. At least 8 work days per month should be spent in Mexico. Applications in any discipline relevant to U.S.-Mexico border relations will be considered. Academic-year grants are preferred. Start dates must correspond to the academic calendar. See "Base Stipend" heading in benefits table for stipend information.

• Staff: Assistant Director Carol Robles, 202.686.6238, crobles@cies.iie.org or Program Associate Margaret Dickson, 202.686.6237, mdickson@cies.iie.org

12. Traditional Fulbright Scholar Program, 2009-2010 http://www.cies.org/us_scholars/us_awards/ • The traditional Fulbright Scholar Program sends 800 U.S. faculty & professionals abroad each year. Grantees lecture and conduct research in a wide variety of academic & professional fields. • The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Under a cooperative agreement with the Bureau, the Council for International Exchange of Schoalrs (CIES) assists in the administration of the Fulbright Scholar Program for faculty & professionals. • Eligibility: o U.S. Citizenship (at time of application) o Ph.D. or equivalent professional/terminal degree (including a master’s depending on the field) o College or university teaching experience o Foreign language proficiency o Sound physical & mental health

13. Bogle Pratt International Travel Fund http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/iro/awardsactivities/bogleprattaward.cfm

The American Library Association is accepting applications for the 2009 Bogle Pratt International Library Travel Fund sponsored by the Bogle Memorial Fund and the Pratt Institute School of Information & Library Science. An award of $1000 is given to an ALA personal member to attend their first international conference. An international conference may be defined as a conference sponsored by an international organization or conference held in a country other than your home country.

• Deadline to submit: January 1, 2009. • The winner will be announced after the ALA Midwinter Meeting. • Applications should be sent to: International Relations Office
 American Library Association
 50 E. Huron St.
 Chicago, IL 60611-2795
USA
 Email: intl@ala.org

14. Boren Fellowships “Opportunities for U.S. graduate students to add an important international and language component to their studies” http://www.borenawards.org/boren_fellowship

Boren Fellowships provide up to $30,000 to U.S. graduate students to add an important international and language component to their graduate education through specialization in area study, language study, or increased language proficiency. Boren Fellowships support study and research in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interest, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.

Fellowships enable both master’s and doctoral level students representing a broad range of academic and professional disciplines to add significant language and international dimension to their curricula. Boren Fellows study less commonly taught languages, including but not limited to Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Portugese, Russian, and Swahili. Funding is available for both domestic and overseas support.

15. Harold Lancour Scholarship for Foreign Study http://www.Beta-Phi-Mu.org/ • This scholarship is awarded to librarians or library/information studies school students to survey foreign libraries or programs, attend a foreign library school, and/or to do research in a foreign country. • No application form is required. • Requirements for this scholarship include: o Current vita o One or two page typed description of the planned foreign study with some indication of plans to use the information gained. Include any previous experience in foreign travel or study as well as any languages you can read or write. o Scholarship will be awarded on: o Plan of study or research o Usefulness of the study or research to the applicant and to the profession. o It is anticipated that recipients of this scholarship will submit a paper pertaining to their study within one year of completion of the study to: Beta Phi Mu School of Information Studies Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 32306-2100

16. Rovelstad Scholarship in International Librarianship, 2009 www.clir.org/fellowships/rovelstad/rovelstad.html

The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) is pleased to announce a scholarship for a student of library and information science to attend the World Library and Information Congress of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). The scholarship is intended to encourage students who have an interest in international library work and enable them to participate in IFLA early in their careers. The 2009 IFLA annual meeting takes place in Milan, Italy in August. The scholarship is made possible through the generosity of Mathilde and Howard Rovelstad. • Eligibility: o Must be enrolled in an accredited school of library and information sciences at the time time of the 2009 IFLA annual meeting. o Must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States o An interest in cooperative endeavors with international libraries, international standards, or other international library and information issues. • The scholarship covers: o Conference Registration o Passport fee (if applicable) o International economy-class air travel o Ground transportation o Meals o Lodging • Deadlines: o Must be submitted using CLIR’s online application form by January 23, 2009. o Materials submitted in hard copy (i.e. academic transcripts) must be postmarked to CLLIR by January 23, 2009 o The award recipient will be notified by April 10, 2009.

Funding Off-Campus

17. Rotary Club,Kiwanis, ethnic/religious organizations/family & friends

It is possible to approach your local Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, etc. club and offer to do a presentation about your internship/volunteer trip for them instead of just writing a paper for funding. Usually these types of clubs are very interested in having speakers present at their meetings and enjoy establishing a relationship with the people they are funding. It would also be to your advantage to offer to present again upon your return from the internship/volunteer trip in order to assure them that their money has been put to good use. Specifically for Rotary Clubs, offering to attend a Rotary meeting in the country where you will be traveling would be extremely beneficial (*look into this – I don’t know if this is feasible in every country). Presenting your internship/volunteer trip in front of religious organizations as well as in front of family members and friends is also a good way to inform them of your goals and to give them a sense of investing in your education as opposed to just giving you money.

Jobs at the UN www.jobs.un.org • 14 listed openings in Information Management

American Community Schools • http://www.crayonbynumber.com/acs/

We had a great turn out and spurred much interest in a variety of study abroad opportunities. Please feel free to contact these speakers for more information.