Latest News
At the Visiting International Professional Program, we are always looking for ways to promote the work done by international visitors participating in professional development programs and taking part in cultural enhancement activities.
The following news briefs show how VIPP participants and staff work together alongside MSU faculty, staff, students and community members to promote global awareness.
2009-11-08
President Sul and five delegates from Hanbat National University (HNU) in Korea visited MSU last week to discuss possible study abroad opportunities and collaborative faculty research.
“MSU is famous for its excellent programs,” said Dong-Ho Sul, the 5th president of HNU. Strong programs in engineering and business sparked interest in working with MSU, but representatives were especially interested in learning about study abroad programs and international internships.
HNU representatives, including deans of the College of Engineering and College of Business and Economics, participated in various meetings at MSU during their visit, which was sponsored by the Visiting International Professional Program (VIPP).
“We are extremely pleased that President Sul and delegates of Hanbat National University chose MSU as a potential partner for student exchange and collaborative faculty research,” said Michael Miller, director of VIPP. “President Sul has excellent ideas for partnership and we are excited to see what the future brings for MSU and HNU working together,” he said.
President Sul’s ideas of collaborative research and student exchange programs with MSU are demonstrative of universities responding to the demand to promote global awareness.
“The most important result of this partnership would be increasing collaboration to increase students’ ability to compete in their field in the future,” said President Sul.
“And the sooner the better.”
2009-11-01
Director Mike Miller recently returned from a trip to Latin America, where he helped promote global outreach and professional development opportunities offered by MSU and VIPP to Bi-National Centers (BNCs) in four countries.
Directors and program coordinators from more than 40 BNCs located in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Chile met with Miller and other VIPP staff to discuss various professional partnership development techniques and how to link programs in Latin America to various units at MSU.
Points of discussion included international language training for BNC teachers, guest lectures at each center by visiting MSU faculty and opportunities for students to to broaden their understanding of Latin American languages and culture by visiting BNCs.
BNCs, centers that teach American language and culture, are found throughout Latin America, and serve a growing constituency of professionals and students who are looking for global awareness as a means to enhance their professional career.
In addition to meeting with BNC representatives, Miller also met with VIPP alumni who work at companies in Latin America such as Ford Motor Co. in Argentina.
“Our goals for this trip were to build ties with the vast network of Bi-National Centers in various countries throughout Latin American and to promote a VIPP/MSU connection through mutually beneficial opportunities in professional development, outreach, education and research,” Miller said. “Trips such as this one are important because they help build an understanding between their country and ours.”
2009-10-29
VIPP participants saw the spooky side of American tradition at the latest American Culture Night hosted by the Visiting International Professional Program at MSU.
Participants took part in Halloween activities, such as bobbing for apples, while learning the history and culture behind the holiday through a special presentation. 'Graveyard juice,' a concoction of cider and gummy worms, and candy body parts were just some of the unique Halloween fare enjoyed at the event.
Participants also had hands-on experience with carving pumpkins as VIPP staff demonstrated the creation of jack o’lanterns.
To cap the event, participants chose from a variety of Halloween movies, ranging from kids movies to suspense, and from classic horror to present-day slasher films.
To volunteer at VIPP cultural activities, please contact the VIPP offices at 517.432.3663 or email vipp@msu.edu.
2009-10-17
Visiting professionals and students from around the globe discovered apple cider and other fall traditions Saturday at the Country Mill in Charlotte.
Participants were greeted by the smell of fresh apple cider, cinnamon donuts and the promise of a truly cultural experience with various activities around the property.
International visitors picked apples, explored a corn maze, survived a haunted house and enjoyed roasted marshmallows around a bonfire as part of a cultural experience organized by VIPP, an experience that helped a local business while allowing internationals to experience various fall traditions.
After dark, some took part in a haunted corn maze and cider mill while others gathered around the bonfire to learn about the business of running an apple orchard.
To learn more about VIPP events, please contact the VIPP offices at 517.432.3663 or email vipp@msu.edu.
2009-10-03
More than 100 people gathered together to show support to the MSU Spartans at the VIPP tailgate last Saturday. Playing rivals from the University of Michigan (the Wolverines), the Spartans pulled off the victory, thanks to the large crowd cheering in support.
Participants at the tailgate enjoyed a cookout with burgers and hotdogs, as well as some catch with footballs and more than a few rounds of bean bag toss. VIPP was especially glad to welcome ISP Dean Jeffrey Riedinger to the tailgate, as well as participants fromthe Michigan Council on Citizen Diplomacy Maldives program, who enjoyed the tailgate despite unfamiliar weather.
To receive emails about upcoming American cultural experiences such as the VIPP tailgate, email vipp@msu.edu and ask to be added to our distribution list.
2009-09-25
MSU students, faculty and staff joined VIPP Thursday in showing participants another side of American culture. People from around the world gathered together at the International Center to teach and play American card games and board games.
Monopoly, Clue, Apples to Apples, Charades and Spoons were popular games that participants and their families learned at the event, which was the first of a series of American Culture Nights to be hosted by VIPP this year.
Stay up-to-date on future American Culture Nights by visiting the upcoming events section of this site.
2009-09-18
VIPP staff, as well as MSU department and community representatives, welcomed new participants to the program today at a special lunch held at the University Club.
"It is refreshing to see the number of professionals interested in programs for professional development that also enhance their global awareness is still climbing," said Michael F. Miller, Director of VIPP. Despite economic concerns around the world, professionals are still seeking programs and VIPP is continuing to provide its one-of-a-kind services to visiting professionals from around the world, he said.
Special thanks to the Korean Fellows Association, the Asian Studies Center and International Studies and Programs representatives who attended the event to welcome participants.
2009-09-01
As the fall semester begins at Michigan State University, the Visiting International Professional Program is proud to announce more than 30 new participants representing countries ranging from Korea to Mexico.
A majority of new participants will be taking part in a year-long Global Professional Education Program, including participants from various universities in China here as part of the Beijing Teachers Training Cooperative for Higher Education.
These participants will make connections in units or departments on campus that most closely match their individual research interests, sitting in on courses and working with faculty to foster professional development. They will also have the opportunity to engage in various cultural activities held by VIPP throughout the year.
To learn more about the Global Professional Education Program, see the GPEP section of our Web site under the 'Programs' tab.
