Diverse Perspectives: An overview
American Intercultural Center
The Center serves as resource and cultural center for African-American, American Indian, Hispanic, Asian-American and Southeast Asian students. The Center — open to all students — exists to foster cultural identity among students of various cultures and to develop an appreciation of different cultures within the larger University community. The annual pow-wow attended by thousands is just one example of a major campus/community event organized by Center staff members and students.
International Student Center
Each year, students from more than two dozen countries attend UW-Green Bay to earn degrees and gain firsthand knowledge of the United States. The welcoming, small-city atmosphere is attractive to students and faculty from other countries. Activities and events at the International Student Center offer American students and those from other countries the chance to share their cultures and ideas. The annual International Dinner is a highlight.
A curriculum that encourages exploration
World travel, international communication, multi-national business, global issues — all are part of today’s world, making an understanding of the variety of world cultures increasingly important. At UW-Green Bay, it is a formal curriculum requirement that each student add both a three-credit ethnic studies and a three-credit world culture component to his or her education; this could involve either an on-campus course or credit for international travel. Additionally, the University awards the certificate in International Studies to students who complete a set of courses indicating proficiency in foreign language, cross-cultural knowledge and global awareness.
International and American exchanges
UW-Green Bay has long-established academic exchanges with the Universidad de León in Spain, the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán in Mexico, Kassel Universität in Germany, the Haagse Hogeschool in the Netherlands, and Aalborg University in Denmark. Partnerships exist with institutions in Italy, China and Germany’s Hessen state and language-immersion programs in Guatemala, Barcelona and Germany. New this year are exchanges with the University of Auckland, New Zealand; and the Bordeaux Business School, France. Students may study for a summer, semester or a year at these universities with credits applicable toward UW-Green Bay graduation. Through UW-Green Bay’s links to various exchange networks, students can study almost anything, anywhere. This includes the National Student Exchange program, which facilitates out-of-state study for a semester or year. Recent student destinations have included Virginia, New Mexico, Colorado and Florida.
Costa Rica, Ecuador, Cuba, Australia, India, France, Italy, Greece, England, Switzerland and Eastern Europe are just some of the destinations available to students through University-sponsored trips in recent years. Travel courses are typically offered between semesters and enable student groups to tour and study abroad with UW-Green Bay faculty.
Special events, series, special initiatives
UW-Green Bay’s International Visiting Scholar program, sponsored in conjunction with St. Norbert College, brings noted educators to Green Bay for residency activities which shed light on world issues. A program popular with the community is the ongoing International Film Series co-sponsored by UW-Green Bay.
UW-Green Bay brings prominent, visiting lecturers to campus on a regular basis for programs exploring issues of race, culture, politics and socio-economic differences. The Office of Student Life, the American Intercultural Center and the Center for History and Social Change are regular sponsors.