By Ericka Pier '14
The Office of International Programs hosted a week-long conference titled “Perspectives from Brazil: Student Responses to the Challenges of the Millennium.” Siena students and faculty, as well as representatives from groups in the Capital Region, were joined by 15 students and faculty from FAE Centro Universitario, a Franciscan university in Curitiba, Brazil. Presentations and discussion centered on topics relating to sustainability across national boundaries, in particular from a shared Franciscan perspective.
“Even though the national cultures are different, and the students speak different languages, communication was easy because of a common set of values based in the Franciscan tradition” Br. Brian Belanger, O.F.M., Ph.D., director of international programs said. “Siena students could see through their Brazilian counterparts how research projects can cross national boundaries and can have real-world applicability.”
“Going into service this summer, their presence gave me hope that there are others who share the same values towards helping people” James Bulmer ’12, program participant said.
A new dual-degree program in Economics between Siena and FAE, expanding the exchange programs already in place, and a new exchange program with Universidade Sao Francisco in Sao Paolo were announced at the conference. Four students from FAE will enroll at Siena this coming September.
The Office of International Programs also announced four students who received study abroad and post-graduate studies scholarships: Matt Grimes ’12, a Fulbright Scholarship for his post-grad studies in Argentina; and Jahnna Rymer ’14, Melissa Alexander ’13 and Jonathan McRae ’14, all of whom received Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships. Rymer is finishing her program at Universidade Católica do Salvador in Brazil. Alexander will study abroad at the University of Cape Town in South Africa and McRae will study “Emerging Identities in North Africa” through the School for International Training in Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia in the fall.
