UNM’s Global Education Office expands global reach with immersion programs

The University of New Mexico's Global Education Office is UNM's link to the world. The office focuses on creating a globally engaged community by offering international education programs, fostering cross-cultural understanding and preparing students, faculty and staff to thrive in a connected, modern world.

The faculty and staff achieve this through various community programs, including a customizable short-term global certificate program that has offered two- to four-week intensive courses on different topics for over 20 years. The program customizes each program to the interests and needs of each institution, organization, professional or other international partner.

Paul Edmunds, director of the Center for English Language and American Culture, has helped promote and grow the short-term global program since its inception.

"Partnering with our international community members is a great way to expose international students to UNM and New Mexico," Edmunds said. "These programs give them a sense of what we have to offer, what we do here and in turn, we can share who we are."

Short-term programs have involved numerous global university partnerships spanning South America, Europe and Asia. Some of these programs include the Friends of Fulbright Argentina Program, the Institute for Community Identity & Leadership from Mexico, the Hungarian University of Sports Science & Teaching Excellence, as well as virtual initiatives such as Esquina Franklin Guadalajara for Women in STEM.

Most recently, in June, four students from the Chinese Cultural University in Taipei, Taiwan, visited for a four-week English immersion summer camp specifically designed to enhance their studies at CCU.

Hsu Chiao Chuang, Chia Chen Lin, Hung Ya Tsai, and Yu Chen Chen traveled to New Mexico with their professor Li-Hsiang Chang, the CCU's English department chair and language center director, to improve their English skills and to become more fluent, as it is one of the most widely spoken languages worldwide.

"I want to help my students develop the skills to navigate and solve problems in a new cultural environment while traveling," said Chang. "Most importantly, it's my hope that they will broaden their knowledge and experiences to start thinking about their futures. New Mexico's diverse multicultural population makes it a truly unique place-there's nothing else like it. This four-week English immersion program at UNM will expand their worldview and have a lasting impact on their personal and professional growth. "

During the four-week program, students attended daily classes with time set aside for studying. They stayed in on-campus dorms throughout the program.

Edmunds and his team collaborated to schedule classes, cultural trips and grocery runs, ensuring the students had everything they needed. Not only were they taking their current English classes, but they were also finishing up their semester and coursework for classes back home.

The students were responsible for managing their time to complete all coursework from UNM and CCU while exploring New Mexico. They went on field trips to Santa Fe, the Sandia Peak Tramway, and a shopping trip to ABQ Uptown, as well as visiting the Jemez Pueblo. Along the way, they ate at several iconic local restaurants, such as Saggios.

"I have enjoyed my time at the University of New Mexico. This intensive English program has taught me what I'm capable of speaking in English, and it will help me do well in my master's program," said Chuang.

Chen also shared that "Not only am I more confident speaking English in everyday conversations, but I will be able to travel with more confidence."

For more information, visit GEO's short-term global certificate programs.