“World Opportunities Week is designed to help students identify unique learning opportunities, either at home or abroad, that can enhance problem solving skills, promote self-reliance, develop a tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty, and improve one’s intercultural effectiveness. These are important traits and attributes in today’s interconnected world,” said Tony Rogge, Director of the International Centre for Students (ICS).

This year’s theme — Ethics & Tourism — was chosen for its relevancy in our increasingly interconnected world. W.O.W runs from Tuesday, November 3rd until Friday, November 6th with an information booth set up in University Centre and free lectures and info sessions around campus.

Student Exchange Fair
Tuesday, November 3rd – Campo Area (1st floor University Centre)
10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Did you know that the U of M has over 100 international exchange programs in over 30 countries? Check out the Exchange Fair to learn about our partner universities from around the world. Incoming and returned exchange students will be available to answer your questions and speak about their experiences abroad.

Teaching English in Japan: JET Programme Information Session
Wednesday, November 4th – GSA Lounge (217 University Centre)
11:30 am – 12:45 pm

For more than 25 years the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme has invited university graduates from around the world to work in Japanese schools and cultural organizations. The Programme aims to enhance foreign language education and promote international exchange through the development of relations between Japanese and foreign youth . Participants gain valuable work and life experience while fully immersed in an intriguing and dynamic country. Come learn about this excellent opportunity.

International Opportunities Fair
Wednesday, November 4th – Campo Area (1st floor University Centre)
10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Looking to expand your horizons? Don’t know where to start? Take this opportunity to network with internationally-focused non-governmental organizations and student groups. Whether you want to work, travel, or volunteer, come to University Centre to find out what program is best for you.

Between the State and the Polar Bear: Tourism & Economic Change in the North
Wednesday, November 4th – 307 Tier Bldg
12:30 – 1:45 pm
Hosted by: Global Political Economy Student Association

Unpack the rise of Arctic tourism with a cup of coffee and a critical conversation as Bruce Erickson, Associate Professor in the Department of Environment and Geography, examines the significant economic change in northern Canada over the past 50 years. Erickson will argue that the recent surge in attention to Northern development is facilitated in part by a set of tourist sensibilities to Northern Canada Tourism functions as a way of smoothing out some of the rough patches of economic development, but in reality, this might be more of a smokescreen than an actual solution.

WUSC Mock Refugee Camp(us)
Thursday, November 5th – Campo Area (1st floor University Centre)
10:00 am – 3:00 pm

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), over 60 million refugees and displaced people have fled their homeland because of armed conflict, violence, and human rights violations. For over 35 years, University of Manitoba students have supported the sponsorship of refugee youth to resettle in Winnipeg and study at the U of M. The Mock Refugee Camp(us) is a space for students to learn about issues connected to refugees and resettlement in Canada. Stop by the Mock Refugee Camp(us) and learn about the Student Refugee Program and how you can contribute to support refugees at the university.

English Language Centre Information Session
Thursday, November 5th – 217 University Centre (GSA Lounge)
11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Did you know that the English Language Centre (ELC) at the U of M coordinates the Language Partner Volunteer Program, the Homestay Program, and IELTS Testing?

The Language Partner Volunteer Program gives international students of the ELC and domestic students at the U of M the opportunity to practice communicating cross-culturally.

The Homestay Program is a rich and rewarding cross-cultural experience for both homestay hosts and international students.

IELTS is useful for international students who need to meet the language proficiency requirements for entrance into Universities in Canada and around the world. It can also be used for immigration to Canada, as well as many other English-speaking countries.

Voluntourism, Sex Tourism, and Cecil the Lion (Panel Discussion)
Thursday, November 5th – 217 University Centre (GSA Lounge)
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm

Tourism is usually perceived as a harmless activity in which the traveler pays for the enjoyment they receive; a win-win transaction that also contributes to the local economy. However, this seemingly innocent endeavor can have a greater impact on the host society than we might anticipate. Join us for a dynamic multi-disciplinary panel discussion that will dive into the ethical challenges of travel.

Panelists:

• Dr. Michael Campbell, Director and Professor at the Natural Resource Institute at the University of Manitoba
• Dr. Neil McArthur, Associate Professor in the University of Manitoba’s Department of Philosophy
• David Arenas, facilitator of local and international service-learning programs at the University of Manitoba

eXchanging Perspectives – Powered by Pecha Kucha
Thursday, November 5th – The Hub (3rd floor, University Centre)
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Come hear about the incredible adventures of former University of Manitoba exchange students! See the world through their eyes as they share their stories and newly-gained perspectives from their experiences abroad. PechaKucha, meaning “chit chat” or “chatter” in Japanese, is a fast-paced and visual form of storytelling where presenters show 20 images lasting 20 seconds each. Join us at The Hub for an informal evening of entertainment!

The Experiential Kitchen: A Taste of Central America Outside the Classroom
Friday, November 6th – 417 Human Ecology Bldg
12:30 – 1:30 pm

Go beyond the books and get a taste of Latin American cuisine in this exciting cooking workshop! Discover the delicious pupusa, an El Salvadorian treat. Made from corn flour and shaped by hand, pupusas can be adapted to delight vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, and meat-eaters alike. The chef of Mercadito Latino will lead participants through the basic techniques to make a pupusa, which you will eat while learning about the various International Service-Learning opportunities offered by Student Life.

Step Outside: Tips for Travel and Research Abroad
Friday, November 6th – GSA Lounge (217 University Centre)
2:30 – 3:30 pm

Traveling is exciting, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming. Come learn and share tips for traveling, whether you are going abroad for research, education, volunteering, or vacation. Learn how to make the most of your travel budget, what to pack, and how to be a “good guest”. This workshop will help you avoid some common and not so common pitfalls in order to make sure your own travel is a memorable and spectacular experience. Discover how you can become involved in international research through the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship Program. This program is designed to help undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to become part of a new generation of global leaders. Through enhanced collaborative capacity and relationship building, it aims to enable scholars to pursue and amplify community development in Indigenous and Global Health research.

World Opportunities Week is sponsored by:

English Language Centre       Arts Student Body Council

Government of Manitoba       University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU)

Each November, the International Centre for Students and the World W.I.S.E. Ambassadors host World Opportunities Week, a series of events that we affectionately call W.O.W.

W.O.W. is all about opportunity. Not just the opportunity to travel (though that is always nice), but also about opportunities to grow, learn and develop new skills that will help you engage effectively with a rapidly shrinking and constantly changing world. Sometimes it is about seeking your first international opportunity (maybe a short volunteer placement, or a paid international internship, or a term abroad on academic exchange?), but more often it is about seeking out the kind of opportunities that will affect personal or community-based change right here on our campus, in our communities or around the province. As a student at the UM these opportunities are well within reach. They come in all shapes-and-sizes and can meet a broad range of interests, time-frames and price-points. If you are currently sitting on the fence and have been wondering what is out there and why you should care, we hope that W.O.W. will inspire you to take a closer look and take the next step. I like to say that sometimes it is just a matter of getting the first pickle out of the jar. Once you get things started, the good stuff comes more easily, and before you know it the best and most transformational opportunities cease to become ‘once in a lifetime experiences’ and start to feel more normal, like a good habit.

If you have already enjoyed the benefits of working, living, studying or volunteering abroad, maybe you are looking for a different kind of experience? Maybe you’d like to apply your skills right here at home and participate in some of the amazing opportunities that are available locally, either on campus or around the corner? W.O.W. is also designed with these experiences in mind and helps you make connections between disciplines and interests, between people and organizations, and to discover opportunities to get involved, develop networks and build the intercultural skills that will last a lifetime. Remember, the whole point is not to think of these kind of things as one-offs, or as either-or-propositions, but to recognize that the skill sets you develop, the lessons you learn, the attitudes you cultivate, and the opportunities you grasp to share your insights, experiences, and talents, will not be limited by your current program, or where you are in life at this moment, but will continue indefinitely; they are resources to draw upon and they represent an ethic of lifelong learning and good citizenship.

This year ICS and World W.I.S.E. are proud to work with its partners in Student Affairs to bring you a great program that kicks-off with a special workshop on Building Your Intercultural Effectiveness by internationally respected author and intercultural consultant, Dr. Lionel Laroche. The event will take place on November 4th in Senate Chambers at 11 a.m. Space will be limited and an RSVP on Community Link is appreciated.

Following Lionel Laroche, a panel of experts will convene in the Graduate Students Lounge, on the second floor of University Centre to reveal some of their secrets to finding international work experience. “Get Me Out of Here: How to Find Tour First International Work Experience” will include students and faculty with great ideas and direct experience in the international job market and academic fields. Everyone will walk away with a free subscription to the My World Abroad website, a powerful tool and resource to help focus you and guide you in your effort to find and secure international experiences.

On Wednesday, November 5th., the UM welcomes Japhet Emmanuel from Farm Radio International’s Tanzania Country Program. Farm Radio uses radio broadcasts to educate and empower millions of small-scale farmers by relaying important and innovative agricultural and health information to them. Japhet will deliver a talk on how radio is transforming lives in rural Tanzania. Later in the afternoon, Japhet will host a more personal workshop that drills down into the unique challenges and successes associated with community development in Tanzania. These workshops are free and open to all.

Later in the week, join our World W.I.S.E. Ambassadors and former student exchange participants at the HUB for our 2nd Annual Pecha Kucha Night. Pecha Kucha means “chatter” or “chit chat” in Japanese, and is a dynamic visually focused way of storytelling. Come hear about the incredible adventures that UM students have had on their exchanges. See the world through their eyes as they share their favourite photos and speak about the cultures they encountered. Cultural performances, good food, and entertaining stories will make this a lively evening for all. Join us at the HUB on Thursday, November 6th., starting at 6:30 pm.

At 1 p.m. on Friday, November 7th., Professor Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair, a nationally recognized advocate, writer and commentator on issues pertaining to Canada’s First Nations, will speak at the GSA lounge on the second floor of University Centre (room 217). His talk, “Indigenous Peoples From Here to You”will highlight a wide range of topics that are affecting emerging and shifting relationships and the future of our communities.

Other events are planned throughout the week, or drop by our information booth throughout the week on the main floor of University Centre. You can take a peek at the calendar of events at: http://umanitoba.ca/student/wow. To learn more about all of the UM’s great opportunities to explore to world, either at home or abroad be sure to read the new on-line edition of the (be) World W.I.S.E. magazine at: http://umanitoba.ca/student/wowª

Tony Rogge

Featured Speakers

Lionel Laroche

Building Your Intercultural Effectiveness (Presentation)
Tuesday, November 4th – E3 – 262 Engineering Building (Senate Chambers)
11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Lionel Laroche is an internationally renowned author and expert on intercultural effectiveness. With many years of experience working internationally and researching the dimensions of culture, Lionel understands the challenges and opportunities that rest in cultural differences. Join us for this informative and practical skill-building session on working effectively in intercultural environments.

Seating is limited.  Register through UMCommunityLINK:  communitylink.umanitoba.ca

Japhet Emmanuel

Tuning In to the Needs of Small-Scale Farmers in Tanzania (Presentation)
Wednesday, November 5th – 224 Education Building
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm

Learn how radio broadcasters are used to meet the needs of local small-scale farmers and their families in developing countries. Farm Radio International works with more than 540 radio partners across 38 African countries to fight food insecurity and poverty. Growing up in rural Tanzania, Japhet Emmanuel has firsthand experience of the developmental challenges facing farmers in Sub Saharan Africa. Japhet has been behind the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of community development projects that work to address these challenges and strengthen rural communities.

Tuning In to the Needs of Small-Scale Farmers in Tanzania (Workshop)
Wednesday, November 5th – 108 St. John’s College
3:30 – 4:30 pm

Join us for an interactive and thought-provoking workshop on some of the critical issues facing small-scale farmers in Sub-Saharan African. Take this opportunity to meet Japhet Emmanuel and engage in conversation about the needs of rural communities.

Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair

Indigenous Peoples from Here to You (Presentation)
Friday, November 7th – 217 University Centre (GSA Lounge)
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair is an internationally recognized First Nations activist, author, and professor here at the University of Manitoba. He has commented on Indigenous issues for outlets including Al Jazeera, The Guardian, and national broadcasters like CTV, CBC and the Globe and Mail. In his presentation he will speak on a number of important and relevant First Nations issues and provide students with opportunities to engage in the building of cross-cultural bridges right here in Winnipeg.

Featured Event

Pecha Kucha Night – Exchange Edition
Thursday, November 6th – The Hub (3rd floor University Centre)
6:30 – 8:30 pm

Come hear about the incredible adventures of former University of Manitoba exchange students! See the world through their eyes as they share their favourite photos and speak about the cultures they encountered while abroad. Pecha Kucha, meaning “chit chat” or “chatter” in Japanese, is a dynamic way of storytelling, where presenters show 20 images lasting 20 seconds each. Join us at the Hub for an evening of entertaining stories, free food, and amazing door prizes!

W.O.W. Events

Student Exchange Fair
Tuesday, November 4th – Campo Area (1st floor University Centre)
10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Did you know that the U of M has over 100 international exchange programs in over 30 countries?! Check out the Exchange Fair to learn about our partner universities from around the world. Incoming and returned exchange students will be available to answer your questions and speak about their experiences abroad.

Get Me Out of Here: How to Find Your First International Work Experience (Discussion Panel)
Tuesday, November 4th – P412 Duff Roblin
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Presented by: Office of International Relations

Interested in working internationally? Come hear U of M professors and staff with extensive international work experience talk about their overseas adventures and tips for kick-starting your international career. Presentations will be followed by a Q & A session and a list of useful links and resources will be available.

Panelists:  Dr. Judith Scanlan (Faculty of Nursing), Dr. Jerome Cranston (Faculty of Education), Dr. Shauna Labman (Faculty of Law), Ms. Amber Pohl (Asper Student Exchange Coordinator)

Info Fair: International Opportunities for Students
Wednesday, November 5th & Thursday, November 6th – Campo Area (1st floor University Centre)
10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Take this opportunity to network with internationally focused NGOs and student groups. Find out more about a variety of programs and organizations that provide internally-related opportunities in the area of study, work, travel and volunteer.

JET – Teaching English in Japan (Info Session)
Thursday, November 6th – 217 University Centre (GSA Lounge)
12:00 – 1:00 pm

For more than 25 years the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme has invited university graduates from around the world to work in Japanese schools and cultural organizations. Participants gain valuable work and life experience while fully immersed in an intriguing and dynamic country. Come learn about this excellent opportunity and hear from a past participant.

Merit Travel – SWAP Working Holiday Talk (Info Session)
Thursday, November 6th – 112 University Centre
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Merit Travel is a full service travel agency located on campus. One of the unique programs they offer is a working abroad program, SWAP.  SWAP’s support system at home and abroad helps you with everything from the visa application, to getting a job, and everything in between.  Merit Travel works with you to make sure your working holiday experience is the best it can be!

Become an Explorer – International Experiential Learning Opportunities (Info Session)
Thursday, November 6th – 217 University Centre (GSA Lounge)
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Find out about all the exciting international internships and service-learning programs available to U of M students. Opportunities are available in Malawi, Tanzania, Peru, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Bangladesh, and many more.
For more information, visit: http://umanitoba.ca/student/studentlife/experience/.

Research Experiences around the World: Historians Speak on Exciting Finds, Challenging Political Situations, and International Opportunities (Discussion Panel)
Thursday, November 6th – 217 University Centre (GSA Lounge)
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Presented by: Department of History

Hear three of the University of Manitoba’s most esteemed historians share their unique cross-cultural experiences while doing research overseas!

Panelists: Jorge Nallim (Associate Professor; Coordinator, Interdisciplinary Research Cluster on Power and Resistance in Latin America), Ravi Vaithees (Associate Professor; Co-ordinator, Postcolonial South Asian and African Studies Group), Tina Chen (Department Head; Professor; Co-ordinator Interdisciplinary Research Circle on Globalization and Cosmopolitanism).

CPAR and the University of Manitoba have been working together since 2007 when students began to join CPAR’s study tours.

This year’s Badili Mtizamo participants further developed and adapt the ‘Gender Relations’ program delivered last year and expanded it to two new secondary schools in Bunda District, Mara Region of northern Tanzania — Kuzungu Secondary School and Rubana Secondary School.Badili Mtizamo means ‘change the way you see things’ in Kiswahili. Service-learning is a recognized methodology that differs from typical “voluntourism” because of the emphasis it places on genuine reciprocity and a demand driven approach, the principle of guided and structured reflection, and the intensity of the pre-departure preparations. Each of the participants has been selected for their suitability and undertakes an on-line not for credit course called “Transformative Partnerships: An Introduction to Service Learning.” To acknowledge their hard work and dedication, they will receive a notation on their Co-Curricular Record.

UM Today brings you selected entries by student Virginia Robinson from the ongoing blog maintained by the students through the course of their  journey. See our story on all of the students here.

The students who participated in the service learning trip to Tanzania. Virginia Robinson is second from the right.

On route

May 3, 2014

Virginia

It’s hard to believe that it’s already May – the time since I applied for this program last November has flown by. Thankfully, the journey to Tanzania has gone equally as fast. We just arrived at the KIA lodge outside Kilimanjaro airport after a very, very long day of travel. I think we are all excited to finally be setting off after months of planning and meetings in Winnipeg. It’s started out well so far – all of the flights were on time, my bag was only slightly overweight, and all of our luggage made it here with us. After a positive, albeit somewhat teary-eyed goodbye to my dog and my family, I am very ready to see what Tanzania has in store for us.

When I think about my expectations for this program, I hesitate to set concrete goals. My past experience working overseas has taught me to expect the unexpected, and to lead with an open mind. So, rather than setting specific goals for this experience, I’d like to set a list of hopes.

First, I hope to create an open, inclusive and safe environment for the students to learn. I hope to give exciting, relevant and engaging lessons, and that we are able to inform and encourage students to make healthy, positive decisions. I hope to learn — about the culture and traditions of the village that I’m in, about the wants and needs of the students, and about my own strengths and weaknesses as a teacher. I plan to take all of these hopes and set out on this journey ready to give all that I have to give, and take away all that I can take.

Our First Day of School

Virginia

May 9, 2014

Virginia Robinson, Faculty of Education

I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Education with a focus on the middle years stream, and will be graduating in the spring of 2015. Prior to this, I completed a Bachelor of Arts in history, also from the University of Manitoba.  I have always been passionate about education, and have been involved in teaching, coaching and coordinating educational programs for children in Winnipeg for many years. I have travelled throughout Europe and to Thailand, volunteering in Western Thailand at a wildlife rehabilitation center and a community center for the children of Burmese refugees. This will be my first trip to Africa, and I cannot wait to discover life in Tanzania, to learn from the local community and to be a part of this amazing service-learning experience.

 See our story on all of the students here.

The Second Congo War, also known as the Great War of Africa, began in August 1998 and continued until 2003. It claimed the life of his father, along with the lives of 5.8 million other people.

Michel Chikwanine’s story is powerful because of what he has seen and experienced; it’s remarkable, however, because his perspective — in spite what he’s seen and experienced — is a humanitarian one. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chikwanine has witnessed first-hand the problems facing the developing world, but also the beauty of the communities and people who live there.

Chikwanine shares his story and message of hope in a keynote speech on Thursday as part of this year’s annual World Opportunities Week (WOW).

WOW takes place this week from Tuesday, November 5 to Friday, November 8. The U of M’s International Centre for Students (ICS) hosts a series of events for the thirteenth annual event, organized in collaboration with ICS’s World W.I.S.E. ambassadors, who are student volunteers.

Last week, ICS’s Welcome Dinner event welcomed new international students to the U of M.

Showcasing the wealth of international opportunities available to U of M students, WOW also raises awareness of global issues and provides an international perspective.

Students can find out about learning and work exchanges, local and international internships, service-learning and volunteer opportunities and JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme) through informational fairs and sessions running throughout the week.

Several hands-on activities are also taking place as part of the week-long event, including: cultural and dance performances; an afternoon of storytelling, spoken word and music facilitated by assistant professor Jessica Senehi with musicians John Samson and Christine Fellows; a food security work shop by Engineers Without Borders, revealing some of the issues surrounding food security and famine that affect people all over the world; and a panel discussion hosted by the Global Political Economy Students Association to examine Canadian mining practices throughout the developing world.

WOW also features displays and live performances by U of M student groups from cultures around the world as well as a Pecha Kucha night in which past U of M exchange participants will share rapid-fire reflections.

All WOW events are free and take place at the Fort Garry Campus. For the full schedule and event details, visit umanitoba.ca/student/wow or ICS, 541 University Centre.

PUBLIC PRESENTATION BY MICHEL CHIKWANINE

Hear the unimaginable story of this former child soldier and his inspiring message of hope. Part of the International Centre for Students’ World Opportunities Week. In E3-262 Engineering Building (Senate Chambers), Engineering & Information Technology Complex, 75 Chancellors Circle, November 7, 2:30 p.m.

WOW is made possible by Arthur V. Mauro Centre for Peace and the Justice Arts Student Body Council (Gold Sponsors), and the Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture, the Faculty of Human Ecology, Travel CUTS and University of Manitoba Graduate Students’ Association (Bronze Sponsors).