From an intern’s perspective

My name is Yumino Kira, a York Masters graduate. I have been working in the International Relations Office for a couple of months and have had a fascinating experience. All the staff in the International Relations Office were friendly and professional. I learnt that they have a very diverse role regarding international activities at the University of York, all of which enhances Internationalisation, one of the four strategic objectives in the University Plan.
There are range of role and activities in the International Relations Office including:

• Developing international teaching and research partnerships
• Establishing formal departmental agreements with strategic partner institutions
• Accessing funding to help international collaborations
• Working on range of international student mobility programmes, including Study Abroad
• Visiting priority countries as part of a delegation of York staff from a range of disciplines to exchange ideas and discuss sustainable collaboration
• Hosting overseas visitors on campus

While working on a research project in this office, I have contacted the university’s Worldwide University Network (WUN) as well as the Worldwide exchange and Erasmus partners. I was very much helped by the range of networks the University of York has - those partners contributed greatly to the research, which made me realise the importance of continuing partnerships and collaboration. There Study Abroad Office is increasing its partnership with worldwide universities through exchange and summer programme schemes - those universities who have an exchange scheme with the University of York also helped my insight into the research.
The International Relations Office had many visitors while I was here at the office and there were trips made to other worldwide universities. I was able to see how these trips contribute to the University of York’s new and continuing partnerships, which was a very interesting experience.

Yumino Kira

Lyse Doucet, BBC correspondent, receives honorary degree

Lyse Doucet, the acclaimed BBC presenter and correspondent, was awarded an honorary degree by the University of York on 21 January 2012.  Well-known for her in-depth reporting and strong insights in the Middle East and South Asian regions, she is also a Member of the International Council on Human Rights Policy. 

After receiving the honorary doctorate from York Chancellor, Greg Dyke, she spoke directly to graduating students about their own future and the setting aside of journalistic scepticism when faced with ‘the perfect day’.

[caption id="attachment_65" align="alignnone" width="214" caption="Lyse Doucet receiving her honorary degree from the University of York"][/caption]

Opportunity beckons with Global York

It has been a busy year for York’s Study Abroad Office. We have launched our Global York brand for the range of international opportunities open to York students, moved into our new headquarters in Derwent College, and have developed new agreements for student exchange with Rhodes University in South Africa, Seoul National University in South Korea, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and University of British Columbia.

With the New Year comes new opportunities - We have 10-month job opening in 2012 for an office administrator – follow the link below for the job details , and we’re moving the University’s Visiting Student programme into the Study Abroad Office.
https://jobs.york.ac.uk/wd/plsql/wd_portal.show_job?p_web_site_id=3885&p_web_page_id=141050&p_no_apply=Y&p_show=Y&p_seo=noindex
This week we interview for our highly competitive worldwide exchange schemes. Students from York have the chance to spend their second or third year at universities in the United States, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore. A year abroad as part of your study can build self-confidence, widen your horizons and give you a global perspective. All of these things can make you highly employable after graduation.

We’re also planning next year’s Erasmus exchanges, where York students exchange with students from European universities for up to a year. And we’re thrilled that this year’s UK Erasmus Essay competition prize-winner was Ben Charig, who studied Maths and Physics in Erlangen. Read Ben’s winning entry - http://competition.lifelonglearningprogramme.org.uk/erasmus/

If you’re interested in what Global York has to offer York students, come and see us in Derwent College – our new office is just off the foyer.

Sarah Leach
Study Abroad Manager