Union held its first International Programs Faculty Recognition
Union students on the first Russian mini-term.
Dinner last week “to honor those who have worked tirelessly to produce the kind of high quality academic experiences that we offer Union students abroad,” said International Programs Director Lara Atkins.
Guest speaker at the College Park Hall event was President’s Council member Patrick DiCerbo ’88, a financial representative with the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. DiCerbo studied European history and Spanish at Union and credits much of his success in life and in his profession to the experiences that shaped him on terms abroad in Barbados, Mexico and Spain.
Student speakers included seniors Chenele Mclean and Randall Miller. Mclean, a member of the Pre-Health Society and Student National Medical Association, took part in last spring’s National Health Systems term abroad, with travels to Canada, Denmark and England. Miller, a political science and American history major, is a student representative to the Board of Trustees, Student Forum member and co-chair of the Union-Schenectady Alliance. He has participated in three mini-terms, including most recently, the new term in Russia.
In addition to the mini-term in Russia and one in Senegal, Union has added several new full terms abroad. A term in the East African nation of Tanzania, beginning this winter, is geared toward anthropology majors and combines intensive Swahili language instruction, guest lectures, an independent reach project and field excursions.
A term in London, launching in the spring, offers academic and experiential learning opportunities for a wide range of majors. Students will choose from among courses on international marketing, European government and politics, child development and global cities. The term also offers a chance to do internships in businesses, nonprofits and non-governmental organizations. Union has a long-established term abroad in York, England.
Other recent full-term additions to Union’s global programs include a spring-term independent study in Siem Reap, Cambodia (site of a Minerva Fellowship), and a pilot program in Costa Rica emphasizing environmental ecology and social justice.