Executive Vice President and Provost's Initiative for International Studies - 2009
Provost Initiative Maymester Abroad Programs
Including 2007, approximately 1,000 University of Texas at Austin students have participated in Maymester Abroad programs at international locations spanning the globe. We are grateful to the over 50 UT faculty who have taught innovative courses around the world.
The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost will again provide one-for-one matching funding for colleges and their faculty to offer approximately 10 Maymester Abroad programs in 2009. Colleges are invited to put forth proposals.
What is a Maymester Abroad?
Maymester Abroad courses are four-week, three- or four-credit hour international study courses taught by UT faculty members at international locations. They begin prior to the start of first summer session; they conclude before second summer session begins. Students enroll for Maymester Abroad courses during pre-registration for the spring semester, and then they take the course during the Maymester time period.
To prepare students for the intensive course experience abroad, all Maymester faculty leaders, in cooperation with Study Abroad Office staff, will hold a series of four orientation meetings during the Spring 2009 semester.
Proposing a New Maymester Abroad Program*
New Maymester Abroad programs for 2009 may be offered at any of the locations on the corresponding Destinations list below. The list represents locations where UT can provide adequate support given the lead time and the nature of each program type. Additional destinations may be possible for faculty members who are beginning to plan for 2010 or later and whose programs have departmental and college support to run more than once. Faculty interested in exploring broader options should contact a Program Team Member to discuss possibilities.
Preparing the Proposal:
- Contact the appropriate program coordinator (please see Program Contacts below) to schedule an individual appointment for application counseling.
- Consult with academic advisors and course schedulers for compatibility of proposed course with departmental and college curriculum.
- Consult with department chair and college dean to seek support and gather their signatures
- Submit the endorsed proposal to Vice Provost Terri Givens (Main 201, G1000) by Friday, February 15, 2008.
- Successful Maymester Abroad programs may be repeated.
*Repeating Maymesters begin with step 3.
Selection of Maymester Programs
A cross-college committee will review the proposals and make recommendations to the Vice Provost, who will make the final selections. Questions central to the review process include the following:
- Can the program can be implemented safely and successfully?
- Can the course attain a minimum enrollment of 15-20 students?
- Does the program target first-time travelers?
- Are the content and delivery of the course enhanced by the international location?
- How does the course fit with college and/or cross-college goals in international education?
- Has the faculty member successfully taught the proposed course(s) or (a) similar one(s) at either UT Austin or an international course location?
- Will the course contribute to a balanced set of offerings, including opportunities for different fields of study and students of different classifications?
Selection results will be communicated to the faculty, department chairs, and deans by March 7, 2008.
Faculty Support
UT’s Study Abroad staff, in collaboration with on-site coordinators, will manage all logistics, including student services, for the Maymester programs associated with this initiative.
Participating UT faculty members will be paid a stipend equivalent to that of a normal six-week summer session course for teaching a Maymester Abroad course. The costs of their travel (both international and appropriate, program-related local), international medical insurance, accommodations (not meals and incidentals), and other program activities will be covered. The Study Abroad Office will also provide a cell phone with attached usage restrictions. We regret that we cannot provide support for family members.
Timeline of Faculty and Study Abroad Office Collaboration
Faculty and Study Abroad Office staff work together closely throughout the proposal, program development, onsite, and program evaluation stages. The timeline below outlines the basic responsibilities of each stage.
January 2008:
- Prepare to write the proposal
- Schedule an individual appointment with the appropriate Study Abroad program coordinator for application counseling
- Consult with academic advisors and course schedulers for compatibility of proposed course with departmental and college curriculum
- Visit www.utexas.edu/provost/policies/international/maymester.html to review updated instructions and download Maymester Abroad 2009 application
- Consult with department chair and college dean to seek support
February 2008:
- Submit Proposal by Feb. 15th deadline
March 2008:
- Selection results announced March 7th
- Begin collaboration with Study Abroad program coordinator
- Familiarize academic advisors with program and course so they can promote internally to students during registration advising
April 2008:
- Attend the mini fair to announce and promote new Maymester programs
- Continue work with Study Abroad program coordinator to develop program
May-August 2008:
- Maintain contact with Study Abroad program coordinator
August-late October 2008:
- Participate in coordinated promotional and recruiting efforts
- Attend promotional info sessions organized with Study Abroad program coordinator
- Represent program at Fall Study Abroad Fair in September
- Promote internally to and through:
- Faculty colleagues
- Advisors
- In-house student organizations
November 2008:
- Together with Study Abroad staff select student participants
- Late in month attend Kick Off Party to meet with newly selected students
December 2008:
- Maintain contact with program coordinator
January- early May 2009:
- Hold and attend four preparatory sessions with Maymester participants
- Attend training workshop for faculty program leaders
May-June 2009
- Teach course and participate in all program activities
- Distribute Student Evaluations
August-September 2009
- Complete program report
- Attend recognition ceremony for faculty and student participants
- Study Abroad Office staff circulate a web-based evaluation to all Maymester Abroad program participants.
- Survey results will be shared with program faculty and select University officials. Advising and Registration
Destinations for 2009 Maymester Programs
- Atenas, Costa Rica
- Beijing, China
- Dehradun, India
- Dublin, Ireland
- Guadalajara, Mexico
- Guanajuato, Mexico
- Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
- Lima, Peru
- London, UK
- Milan, Italy
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Rome, Italy
- St. Petersburg, Russia
- Sevilla, Spain
- Salvador, Brazil
- Vienna, Austria
- Paris, France
- Syracuse, Sicily
- Berlin, Germany
Program Team Contacts*
Listed below are the names and contact details of the program team members. Also indicated are the geographical areas in which each has developed programs. Program coordinators are available by appointment 9 am-5 pm M-F. Please e-mail to arrange an individual consultation.
David Holmes
Program Team Leader and Assistant Director, Study Abroad
232.6566| dwholmes@austin.utexas.edu
Angie Carter
Program Coordinator
Maymester Areas: Austria, Italy (including Sicily), Russia, United Kingdom, France, Germany
471.6965 | carter@austin.utexas.edu
Eduardo Contreras
Program Coordinator
Maymester Areas: China, India, Netherlands & Singapore
471.6492 | eduardoc@mail.utexas.edu
Helena Wilkins
Program Coordinator
Maymester Areas: Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Spain
471.6415 | helena@austin.utexas.edu
More information about Study Abroad can be found on our website at www.utexas.edu/student/abroad
*We are currently hiring a fourth program coordinator.
The following required information for Maymester Abroad and Summer Session can be downloaded:
Guidelines for 2009 Provost Initiative
Proposals
Word .doc | Adobe
PDF
2009 Provost Initiative Maymester Abroad Program Application
Form
Word .doc | interactive
PDF*
(*-Interactive PDFs allow you to type directly on the form, however you cannot save it without the full version of Adobe Acrobat.)
