Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE-International academic relations continue to stretch to far reaches of the globe for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's students and faculty. Many students attending UW-Platteville spend a semester in countries such as Spain, Japan, England, Italy or Australia - just a few of the countries in the program. Students can apply credits acquired to their declared major at UWP and pay the same tuition abroad as at home.

"Internationalizing" is the word being applied to colleges throughout the world, permeating the systems of education, so that all people can learn to appreciate a community of learning and accept all cultures' abilities.

Donna Anderson is director of the International Study Abroad Programs at UWP. Anderson's immediate office administers and works with students desiring to study in Seville, Spain; Nagasaki, Japan; London, England; and Rome, Italy. Other college coordinators include Lisa Riedle, Susan Hansen and Wally Iselin, each administering programs within their study and interest areas. There are indepenent programs like the one Beth Frieders, biology professor, took part in by taking a group of students to Costa Rica. Other countries that have been added to UWP's already extensive list are Sweden, Norway, Germany, The Netherlands, and Ireland. The coordinators for the programs meet weekly to discuss policy issues, student involvement and ideas to enhance study abroad.

UWP is a member of the College Consortium for International Studies, which is a nationwide program with an immense number of countries involved. Within the University of Wisconsin System study abroad opportunities, UWP represents 90 percent of the UW-Systems total study abroad participation.

Anderson said, "Last semester a team of four students from a UWP marketing class conducted a study dealing with our students studying abroad. From the random sample of 300 persons interviewed, they found that 90 percent of students are aware of the international study programs and learned about these through a class, or knew someone that had studied abroad, too. About a third of the students indicated an interest, but were unaware of many opportunities available, such as funding, that would enable their wish to become a reality."

All grants that are awarded to a UWP student for the purpose of attending college can be used for study abroad. There are also scholarships available. UWP extends grants for the purpose of study abroad. A misconception is whether study abroad credits can be applied to degree earning credits - they usually are applied and Anderson recommends speaking with a coordinator. "Don't just assume this is not affordable for you. Come and talk with us about options," stressed Anderson.

Information regarding any study abroad program can be researched on-line at uwplatt.edu/studyabroad or by contacting Donna Anderson, director of International Study Abroad Programs, at (608) 342-1727, or anderdon@uwplatt.edu.