|
Nexopolis (Study Abroad), |
NEXOPOLIS :: University of Washington Student Travel Program to Mexico or Canada For Graduate Students In Urban Design and Planning and Landscape Architecture Overview The College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Washington in Seattle is the recipient of a FIPSE (Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education) grant, perhaps the most competitive grant-making process in the Federal government. The 4-year grant encourages graduate student and faculty mobility to consortium partners in Mexico and Canada. The six universities of this trilateral consortium are the following: Universite Laval in Quebec City, Canada and Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada; Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo in Morelia, Mexico and Universidad de Guanajuato in Guanajuato, Mexico; San Diego State University and the University of Washington in Seattle. The consortium Nexopolis is developing a comparative program of study in the area of central city revitalization. The program allows students from the United States, Canada, and Mexico to become knowledgeable in the area of comparative urban studies with regard to central city revitalization and related issues while working toward completing their degree in Mexico or Canada. The three federal governments of the United States, Canada, and Mexico conjointly fund Nexopolis. Goals and Outcomes The broader purpose of this multilateral project is to promote a student-centered North American dimension to educational and training in urban studies. It aims to improve the quality of human resource development in the three countries and to better prepare students to work throughout North America by acquiring an international academic profile. Some of the outcomes of this program should include language proficiency in Spanish or French; broaden cultural awareness and understanding as well as being more conversant in comparative urban studies. When Does the Program Start? Starting in the fall of 2005, selected students have the opportunity to spend one or two semester(s) abroad, enrolled as full time students in one of the Nexopolis consortium universities in Mexico or Canada. One course (3 credits), is devoted, under the supervision of a local professor, to the study of one specific aspect related to central city revitalization in the city where the student resides. Credits earned abroad are recognized by the University of Washington, and financial assistance is available to the candidates selected. In addition, Nexopolis organizes annual seminars devoted to one specific topic of central city revitalization. These seminars involve selected professors and students from the six universities and last eight days. Students receive credits for their work. The first seminar is in Seattle on May 14 ?June 1, 2006. Topic: Actors and Roles in Central City Revitalization. The second seminar is in Mexico in May 2007. Topic: Saving the Downtown through Heritage Preservation. The third seminar is in Canada in May 2008. Topic: Economic and Social Impacts of Central City Revitalization. Who Can Participate? In order to participate in this new exciting program, you must be a full time student at the University of Washington, in the programs noted above, and be motivated to learn French or Spanish and, above all, be committed to pursue your education in a different intellectual, social and cultural environment. For more details or questions about the program, please contact: Fritz Wagner, Ph.D. |
||