WMU News

Students studying abroad in WMU-approved program

April 13, 2000

KALAMAZOO -- Thirty-five WMU students (See list below) are studying abroad during the winter semester in WMU-approved programs.

Several WMU study abroad students were also recipients of the WMU President's Grant for Study Abroad. The award is given primarily on the basis of demonstrated financial need, although some students without financial need received merit-based assistance.

"Students from any academic discipline, as long as they are in good standing, can study abroad," said Margaret Riley, director of the WMU Foreign Study Services. "They can study anything they want but we do encourage students to study a second language."

The application procedures for a WMU language-based study abroad include two recommendations from faculty members and an interview with a selection committee.

WMU currently sponsors study abroad programs in Querétaro, Mexico; Besançon, France; Saratov, Russia; Bonn, Germany; Beijing, China; and Burgos, Spain. The programs of study offered at these locations include, and are not limited to, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Chinese language and culture, Latin American history and culture, social sciences, and business.

In addition to study abroad programs, WMU also offers language based study exchanges at various locations in Germany and Japan. Other WMU exchange and study abroad options for students include Malaysia, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Australia. Each study site provides qualified students with the opportunity to receive academic credit and make progress in their programs of study as well as broaden their skills culturally and linguistically.

"Students are not limited to the programs we sponsor or the countries other WMU students have gone to," Riley said. "One of the things we like to tell our students is, 'We give you the world at WMU.' Students can literally explore a world of opportunity and they can virtually go anywhere."

Between 1998 and 1999, about 300 WMU students were accepted to study abroad programs in 34 countries. The locations selected by students included WMU sponsored program locations as well as programs in Belgium, Czech Republic, England, Greece, Israel and Nepal.

The following students are studying abroad in WMU-approved programs:

Brandon T. Anulewicz, Plymouth, Mich., who graduated from Plymouth-Canton High School in 1998, is a sophomore majoring in integrated supply management and Spanish. Anulewicz was accepted to a WMU language based study abroad program sponsored by Saint Louis University in Madrid, Spain.

Sara Ballenger, Romeo, Mich., who graduated from Romeo High School in 1996, is a senior majoring in secondary education in English and history. Ballenger was accepted to a WMU study abroad program at the University of North London in England.

Joseph A. Bosco, Kalamazoo, who graduated from Loy Norrix High School, is a senior majoring in elementary education. Joseph was accepted to a WMU study abroad program at the Wollongong University in Australia.

Michael Anthony Bourbina Jr., Monroe, Mich., who graduated from Jefferson High School in 1997, is a junior majoring in French and journalism. Bourbina was accepted to a WMU language based study abroad program in Besançon, France, and received a President's Grant for Study Abroad.

Sherry M. Bourzac, Calendonia, Mich., who graduated from Caledonia High School in 1996, is a senior majoring in organizational communications and Spanish. Bourzac was accepted to a WMU language based study abroad program at the University of Alicante in Spain.

Betsy Blake, Palatine, Ill., who graduated from William Fremd High School in 1997, is a junior majoring in music theater performance. Betsy was accepted to a WMU study abroad program at the American University Center of Provence in France.

Sara L. Brinks, Grand Rapids, Mich., who graduated from South Christian High School in 1998, is a sophomore majoring in accounting. Brinks was accepted to a WMU study abroad program at the Jerusalem University College in Israel for the Spring 2000 semester.

Katherine L. Catalano, Ypsilanti, Mich., who graduated from Huron High School in 1997, is a junior majoring in art history. Catalano was accepted to a WMU language based study abroad program in Besançon, France, and received a President's Grant for Study Abroad.

Susan L. Cheyne, Lansing, Mich., who graduated from Grand Ledge High School in 1997, is a junior majoring in French, German and Spanish. Cheyne was accepted to a WMU language based study abroad program in Besançon, France.

Brandy L. Davis, Allegan, Mich., who graduated from Allegan High School in 1995, is a senior majoring in French and marketing. Davis was accepted to a WMU language based study abroad program in Besançon, France, and received a President's Grant for Study Abroad.

Anthony J. Durso, Livonia, Mich., who graduated from Livonia High School in 1996, is a senior majoring in marketing. Durso was accepted to a WMU study abroad program in the Netherlands.

Sara M. Foster, Hartford, Mich., who graduated from Hartford High School in 1998, is a sophomore majoring in secondary education in Spanish and geography. Sara was accepted to a WMU language based study abroad program, known as the Cultural Experiences Abroad, in Spain and received a President's Grant for Study Abroad.

Rebecca E. Fried, Livonia, Mich., who graduated from Livonia Stevenson High School in 1993, is a graduate student in business administration. She is the daughter of William and Barbara Fried of 16009 Riverside. Fried was accepted to a WMU study abroad program in Turin, Italy.

Michelle L. Gill, Clawson, Mich., who graduated from Clawson High School in 1997, is a junior majoring in engineering graphics and design and German. Gill was accepted to a WMU language based study abroad program in Bonn, Germany, and received a President's Grant for Study Abroad.

Rachel L. Herp, Bad Axe, Mich., who graduated from Ubly High School in 1997, is a junior majoring in English literature with a minor in French. Herp was accepted to a WMU language based study abroad program in Besançon, France, and received a President's Grant for Study Abroad merit award.

Tai Hobohm, Midland, Mich., who graduated from Midland High School in 1997, is a junior majoring in elementary education. Hobohm was accepted to a WMU study abroad program in Limerick, Ireland.

Jason J. Khodl, Otsego, Mich., who graduated from Otsego High School in 1995, is a senior majoring in industrial engineering. Khodl was accepted to a WMU study abroad program in Bond, Australia.

Ryan Koshar, Marcellus, Mich., who graduated from Marcellus High School in 1994, is a senior majoring in business education. Koshar was accepted to a WMU language based study abroad program in Besançon, France, and received a President's Grant for Study Abroad merit award.

Benjamin R. Malek, Kalamazoo, who graduated from Loy Norrix High School in 1995, is a junior majoring in biology and Spanish. Malek was accepted to a WMU study abroad program in Costa Rica.

Dawn M. Marchand, Romeo, Mich., who graduated from Romeo High School in 1996, is a senior majoring in Spanish and marketing. Marchand was accepted to a language based study abroad program in Burgos, Spain.

Katie R. Markey, Oakland, Mich., who graduated from Troy Athens High School in 1996, is a senior majoring in secondary education. Markey was accepted to a WMU study abroad program at the University of Wollongong in Australia.

Megan Lynn Merrifield, Muskegon, Mich., who graduated from Reeths Puffer High School in 1997, is a junior majoring in French with a minor in public relations. Merrifield was accepted to a WMU language based study abroad program in Besançon, France, and received a President's Grant for Study Abroad merit award.

Carolyn N. Mulka, Utica, Mich., who graduated from Henry Ford II High School in 1997, is a junior majoring in elementary education and German. Mulka was accepted to a WMU language based study abroad program in Bonn, Germany, and received a President's Grant for Study Abroad merit award.

Erin M. Myers, Kalamazoo, who graduated from Portage Northern High School in 1998, is a sophomore majoring in biology. Erin was accepted to a WMU study abroad "Study in Africa" program.

Nichelle L. Nelson, Benton Harbor, Mich., who graduated from Lake Michigan Catholic High School in 1998, is a sophomore majoring in secondary education. Nelson was accepted to a WMU study abroad program at the University of Newcastle in England.

Jason D. Price, Williamsburg, Mich., who graduated from Elk Rapids High School in 1997, is a senior majoring in integrated supply management and computer information systems. Jason was accepted to the WMU study abroad program at the University of Wollongong in Australia, where he will study computer science.

Brian J. Ryckman, Owosso, Mich., who graduated from Owosso High School, is a junior majoring in elementary education. He is the son of Terry and Nancy Ryckman of 1409 Shady Lane. Ryckman was accepted to a WMU language based study abroad program in Besaçon, France.

Carly S. Risko, Grand Rapids, Mich.,who graduated from Forest Hills Northern in 1996, is a senior majoring in creative writing. Risko was accepted to a WMU language based study abroad program in Bonn, Germany, and received a President's Grant for Study Abroad.

James M. Santeiu, Plymouth, Mich., who graduated from Canton High School in 1998, is a sophomore majoring in business. Santeiu, who attended a WMU study abroad program at the American Intercontinental University in London, England, during fall 1999, was accepted to a WMU study abroad program at Sunway College in Malaysia.

Greathen A. Sauter, Blissfield, Mich., who graduated from Blissfield High School in 1998, is a sophomore majoring in secondary education with a minor in history. Sauter was accepted to a WMU study abroad program at Saint Mary's University College in England.

Gregory R. Schultz, Kalamazoo, who graduated from Mattawan High School in 1995, is a senior majoring in French with a political science minor. Schultz was accepted to a WMU language based study abroad program in Besançon, France, and received a President's Grant for Study Abroad merit award.

Nicole Rochelle Seaman, Athens, Mich., who graduated from Athens High School in 1998, is a sophomore majoring in interior design. Seaman was accepted to a WMU study abroad program at the American Intercontinental University in London.

Kevin M. Sweeney, Rochester Hills, Mich., who graduated from Brother Rice High School in 1997, is a junior majoring in communication. Sweeney has been accepted to a WMU study abroad program in England.

Vija K. Viksne, Kalamazoo, who graduated from Portage Northern High School in 1997, is a junior majoring in marketing. Viksne was accepted to a WMU study abroad program in the Czech Republic.

Rebecca P. Wiener, Plymouth, Mich., who graduated from Plymouth Salem High School in 1997, is a junior majoring in psychology. Wiener was accepted to a WMU study abroad program at Sunway College in Malaysia.

Media contact: Pauline Oo, 616 387-8400, pauline.oo@wmich.edu


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