Students pondering life's great mysteries -- like the origin ofthe Swedish Bikini Team, the secrets to German beer brewing, andthe speed it takes to outrun bulls -- now have the opportunity todo in-depth research for themselves.
This week, representatives from Sweden, Germany and Spainvisited campus to open more international doors of study for Tigersready to put on their mortarboards and get their passportsstamped.
Political Science Chair Ken Holland authored a grant thatincludes The University of Memphis in the consortium ofuniversities that make up Project RENEUUS, a regional educationalnetwork between the European Union and the United States.
The other schools include Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio;Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.; Umea University, Sweden;University of Applied Sciences, Jena, Germany; and the CatholicUniversity of Salamanca, Spain.
Exchange students will analyze current economic, social andpolitical developments areas like the turbulent Middle East incommunication, management and public administration courses.
"The University's students studying abroad help destroystereotypes, make it easier for individuals to look at things fromdifferent perspectives, and also increase most people'sappreciation for the U.S. when they return home," Holland said.
Submersion in an alien environment, according to Holland, forcesstudents to constantly face situations that at home the studentwould consider menial.
"The foreign student must constantly deal with a languagebarrier. Even currency can cause a problem. Simply buying a cup ofcoffee is a learning experience, not to mention the differentsocial norms that have to be faced," said Holland.
The language barrier is the highest hurdle to be faced byAmerican students studying abroad.
Potential students must have a minimum of two years ofuniversity-level foreign language study.
"American students start learning a second language relativelylate. Most European students are introduced to their secondlanguage in early elementary school," said German businessprofessor Helmut Assfalg.
Holland agreed, adding "There just isn't any force exerted onAmericans, especially if they never leave the U.S, to learn asecond language."
A close geographic proximity of different languages promotes amulti-lingual society.
"Germany is surrounded by ten countries speaking seven differentlanguages. In such situations, you learn other languages even if itis informally."
After the language barrier, overcoming the social differences isprobably the hardest for Americans studying in Europe, according toGerman marketing professor Gunter Buerke.
"American students must remember to assert themselves sociallybecause Germans as a people are not as open to strangers asAmericans are. If an American in the U.S. hears a strange accent,they think nothing of asking the person were they are from, andfrom here starting a conversation. Most Germans would never do sucha thing."
However, Spaniards are different.
"Spanish people are very much open to meeting new people. Partof this is because historically, Spain is a vacation destinationfor the whole of Europe ... language is not a problem in Spain. Twobeers with a little body language, my people will work with you,"Javier No, the Spanish delegate said with a smile.
Agreeing with No's assessment of Spain, Buerke added, "Yes, thisis very true, especially the Salamanca area. Between its twouniversities and many tourists, it is very vibrant and welcoming toforeigners."
If you know right now that you are the type of person that'sgoing to be longing for a quarter-pounder with cheese two daysafter you leave the states, Sweden might be the place for you.
"Sweden is probably the most Americanized of European countries,not including England of course. Most foreign exchange studentsbecome adjusted quickly," said Swedish Political Science professorKjell Lundmark.
The three-year program, funded by a U.S. Department of Educationgrant and by the European Union's Directorate General for Educationand Culture, is open to undergraduate and graduate students.
Scholarships are also available to help offset the cost oftravel and living expenses.
Students interested in more information about the program cancontact Holland at 678-3320, or stop by the Political ScienceDepartment in Clement Hall.
