UW-Oshkosh and UWSP to collaborate on international studies

Collaboration between the international studies programs at the Universities of Wisconsin at Stevens Point and Oshkosh will provide more foreign study opportunities at less cost for students at both schools.

Beginning with the fall semester of the 1999-2000 school year, the universities will begin sending foreign language students to the same international studies sites in Magdeburg, Germany, as well as in Caen, France and Valladolid, Spain.

Sending a larger number of students to these international sites holds benefits for both schools, says Mark Koepke, assistant director of UWSP’s International Programs and initiator of the collaboration, as more programs and less expensive travel arrangements may be made for larger groups. It also saves taxpayer dollars by not duplicating programs within the UW System, and offers both school’s foreign language faculty and students a chance to meet a variety of people.

UW-Oshkosh has just begun its Office of International Initiatives, headed by Christine Gemignani, while UWSP’s Office of International Programs has been sending students abroad for 30 years.

"We have good programs that can serve UW-Oshkosh without them having to create their own," said Koepke.

"This project represents an ideal model of inter-institutional cooperation within the UW System," added UWSP’s International Programs Director Dave Staszak.

While students from other UW System schools may transfer to UWSP to study abroad at these sites, this collaboration will give UW-Oshkosh students priority, make it easier for them to apply for the trip as well as transfer credits.

"I think this is going to work out real well," Gemignani said. "We will be able to provide better services for our students and handle their questions right here. They won’t have to have long distance contact with UWSP."

Personnel from both schools will visit the sites over spring break in April and this fall, giving UW-Oshkosh staff and faculty a chance to familiarize themselves with the facilities. The long-term goal is for faculty members from each university to share leadership responsibilities, but for now, site leaders will continue to be from UWSP.

The UW System has provided $2,950 for the project, which is also being funded by both universities.

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