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January 29 , 2007
Internationalization

by holli semetko

Thanks to thousands of personal connections, the Emory community can no longer be accurately defined by geographic boundaries. Atlanta may be Emory’s home, but the University’s influence is in evidence around the world.

In Korea, Sanghyun Lee (C‘01), who now works in South Korea’s Civil Service Commission and plans to return to the U.S. for further study next year, is doing his utmost to strengthen Emory’s longstanding relationship with his home country. Thanks to Lee, Emory now partners with the South Korean government to host civil servants on sabbatical at The Halle Institute’s Program on Governance, which sponsors research and expert meetings.

Korean fellow Munsu Kim is working in Atlanta this year on pressing issues of South Korean national tax reform. Bradford Dickson of Tarpley & Underwood is acting as his mentor. Dickson is an internationally engaged, locally based, “triple” alumnus of Oxford College, Emory College and Goizueta Business School.
Emory College has marked a steady increase in the number of international first-year students. They constituted 8 percent of their class in 2006, up nearly 3 percent in just one year.

Increased participation also is evident in doctoral-level study and beyond. By realigning existing resources, we have created more opportunities for global post-docs and Ph.D. students to conduct international research through Emory’s Institute for Comparative and International Studies and the College’s prominent area studies programs.

As the number of international students and scholars at Emory has grown, however, housing Emory’s international programs has become increasingly difficult. A new International Center is planned for Dobbs Hall and would serve to bring together key international offices, including the International Student and Scholars Programs, the Institute for Comparative and International Studies, areas studies programs, the Center for International Programs Abroad, the Office of International Affairs, the Emory-Tibet Partnership, the Institute of Human Rights and The Halle Institute for Global Learning.

A top priority for the coming months is to identify sources of support for the renovation of Dobbs Hall and for construction of a new international wing, equipped with smart classrooms and space for exhibitions and cultural events.

Emory also is dedicated to providing unique opportunities for students here to study abroad. Emory undergraduates can now engage in newly created service-learning internships and fieldwork in developing countries, while qualified science students are placed in high-tech labs around the world through Emory’s Center for International Programs Abroad.

Encouraging students to study abroad is only one of the University’s initiatives to increase its international exposure. Emory launched an International Advisory Board for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, which had its inaugural gathering at Westminster Abbey in London in 2005. The group met subsequently in Istanbul in 2006 and will convene in Atlanta next month. The events bring together prominent alumni and friends from the region to help raise awareness and recognition of Emory as an international destination.

In addition, the newly created Institute for Developing Nations and the Global Health Institute are prime examples of major new international initiatives that are addressing important problems and quickly becoming self-sustaining.

Emory’s mission is reflected in the work of Lee, Kim, Dickson and countless other people making a difference around the world. Visit www.international.emory.edu or www.emory.edu for more information about Emory and its international programs.

Upcoming Internationalization Events and Milestones
January–April
Religion, Conflict and Peacebuilding Initiative’s Inaugural Lecture Series: “Humanity at the Crossroads”

January 29
Center for the Study of Law and Religion
Currie Lecture: “The Future of Shari’a: Secularism from an Islamic Perspective,” delivered by Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law Abdullahi An-Na’im

February
Launch of Arabic Media Center by The Department of Middle East and South Asian Studies, in conjunction with the journalism program

February 7–8
Third meeting of Emory’s Europe, Middle East and Africa Board

February 16
Asian Studies conference: “What’s Indian about HIV/AIDS in India?”

February 25
2007 Sheth Lecture in Indian Studies to be delivered by author Salman Rushdie

March 22–24
World Law Institute’s Inaugural Conference: “World Law and the Health of Women, Especially in Developing Countries”

June 16–October 14
“Cradle of Christianity: Jewish and Christian Treasures from the Holy Land” at the Carlos Museum

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