Group Proposal Information

Group proposals for short-term, fact-finding study abroad work are accepted every year before the deadline of September 31 by the Office of Study Abroad studyabroad@uiwtx.edu located at the UIW International Conference Center. Prospective groups should keep in mind that only one group will be selected each academic year and a four to six month planning period needs to be built into their proposal.

There is no rigid format to the proposal. Any group should feel free to base its proposal upon its primary interests. However there are three focuses that should be addressed when submitting a proposal:

1. proposals should be based on an itinerary that will have a specific focus such as attending a competition or conference, or pursuing research that will benefit your club and UIW
   
2. proposals should have a well planned means of raising at least half of the funds necessary to complete the proposal,
   
3. proposals should have a clear follow-on project to bring their experiences to the UIW campus and increase excitement about Study Abroad.

Officer groups of UIW campus organizations are particularly encouraged to consider submitting a group proposal.

See case histories below for historical guidance on what to include in the proposal.

Case History One: Stipends were awarded to the 2001-2002 Officers of the Student Government Association for short-term, fact-finding study abroad work in March 2002. Their studies took them to Turkey and Cyprus. During their work, they visited the American Embassy, various UIW Sister School campuses, the Turkish Parliament, and other historical sites. Upon return, they shared their findings at a lunch hosted by the International Programs staff, during which they presented a photo documentary to faculty and friends.

The project was organized by the SGA Officers who wrote a proposal describing their goal, their study interests, and the estimated cost of the project. Planning sessions were conducted during the months leading to the travel in order to identify the various academic goals of the participating students and to discuss cultural challenges awaiting the group during the travel.

Case History Two: The UIW Computer Graphic Arts Club organized in Spring 2002 an international competition—The Tower Awards—with Sister Schools in Asia. The group traveled to Beijing Union University, stayed in housing on their campus, and participated in a week-long competition organized by student teams. The focus of the work was computer graphics with emphasis on animation and programming.

Students enrolled in the UIW Computer Graphic Arts Program competed for placement in the UIW team and were selected by a faculty screening committee.

Case History Three: The Officers of the Student Government proposed a fact finding mission to China to meet with Sister Schools in Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong as well as China Incarnate Word in Spring of 2003. The travel lasted 10 days and involved an in-depth look at how student associations in China varied from those here in the USA.

The program was organized and planned by the Student Government Officers who presented a photographic presentation of the travel for a group of professors and administrators upon return. Weekly planning meetings were held with the Office of Study Abroad to ensure that the program was a success.

For more information, study the UIW Sister School list and the specialties offered by the various campus sites in order to more fully understand the opportunities available. Then, please email the Study Abroad Office at studyabroad@uiwtx.edu.