North American Mobility Program
In 2010 UNB Saint John was awarded funding by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) for the Program for North American Mobility in Higher Education.
The current grant, with funding from 2010 to 2014, creates a tri-national consortium of six university partners in Canada, the United States, and Mexico: University of New Brunswick, Saint John; Wilfrid Laurier; Georgia Southern University; University of Vermont; Universidad Veracruzana; and Tecnologico de Monterrey.
The principal aim of this consortium is to develop educational opportunities that explore perceptions of each country across North America, while building knowledge and skills that address inaccuracies and stereotypes. The objective is to train the next generation to be well-informed citizens who, having recognized the interconnectedness of continental issues, will be in a position to engage with public policy issues related to the interactions between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.
To achieve this broader aim, the participating universities facilitate one-semester visits by students among the participating universities. Over the life of the project, more than 50 undergraduate students from the consortium partners will receive funding to study abroad.
Interested students can contact Dr. Joseph Galbo, the UNB Saint John Project Director, or Ase Berg, the UNB Saint John International Office co-ordinator.
Directed study courses
A particularly innovative feature of this exchange opportunity is the development of a parallel system of directed studies courses, offered at each of the consortium partner institutions. This system of courses will provide students with a more holistic and integrated approach to the exchange experience.
The directed studies courses will provide an academic framework for students to:
- participate in a work experience / placement;
- actively engage in their own production and analysis of research related to the project's academic focus - (mis)perceptions across North America; and
- study issues related to the continental implications of public policy formulation and implementation.
Students and faculty from the six partner institutions will use technology to bridge borders and interact with one another each semester.
Who can apply
North American Mobility is an interdisciplinary and comparative program that aims to study North America as a distinct historical, cultural, political and economic entity. Any student at UNB Saint John can apply to the program. We particularly encourage students in the Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences who have an academic or research interests that focuses on interactions within and between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.
Students currently taking courses in History, English, Sociology. Political Science, Psychology, Information and Communications Studies, International Studies, and Languages and Philosophy, among others, are especially encouraged to apply.
UNB Saint John is an active participant in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Mobility Exchange Program, which provides funding for our students to study for one term at one of our partner campuses in the U.S. and Mexico. For example, a student who is majoring in History could supplement their UNB Saint John studies with courses on the American South and Civil War History at Georgia Southern University. Or, a student enrolled in Sociology might find it interesting to take courses in regional anthropology at Universidad Veracruzana.
Students interested in studying at Universidad Veracruzana or Tecnologico de Monterrey will be expected to have some proficiency in Spanish, and funding is available for further language study in Mexico.
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