In August 2023, an eight-day international seminar will take place at Hiroshima University in Japan. Hiroshima University and JMU’s Center for Global Engagement along with a scholarship from Hiroshima University and Japanese government, will fully support the participation of up to three outstanding JMU undergraduates in this seminar.
JMU is a member of an organization called the International Network of Universities (INU). The INU’s members include institutions in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. The annual INU summer seminar brings together students from INU universities to consider global citizenship and peace and to investigate a certain theme. This year’s theme is “Climate Emergency and Action."
The eight-day seminar involves a series of lectures, workshops, and role-plays led by professors from INU member universities. The summer school also involves special visits to Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Museum and the annual Peace Memorial Service (which takes place on the morning of August 6, the day that the atomic bomb was dropped over central Hiroshima). Please see the attached flyer for more information on the seminar.
As noted above, Hiroshima University and JMU CGE will support up to three students’ participation in the 2023 summer seminar. Specifically, airfare and all program fees (including admission to the museum and the peace service) will be covered. With CGE assistance, students will be able to apply for a JASSO scholarship, in the amount of 80,000 yen, which will cover the campus dormitories accommodation and meals and will come in a form of reimbursement at the conference.
Students will travel with a selected JMU instructional faculty member also attending and presenting at the conference. Students should budget $300-$400 for incidental costs and be able to bring a personal credit card that can be used internationally for incidentals, emergencies and personal expenditures. Selected students will need to already have or promptly obtain a passport for international travel and apply for any necessary travel visas. Travelers will be expected to adhere to the host country’s COVID-19 protocols and requirements for entering the country and attending the conference.
Program dates
The academic program of the summer seminar will begin on August 1, 2023 and conclude on the evening of August 10, 2023. Students wishing to apply to the seminar should be available for travel from July 30, 2023 through August 11, 2023.
Eligibility
Previous participants have found the Hiroshima seminar to be an extremely rewarding academic and life experience. Any student who will return to JMU for studies in Fall 2023 may apply to the 2023 seminar. Preference will be given to students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and who are thoughtful in their application responses in relation to the conference theme.
If you meet the conditions listed above and would like to apply, please (a) make sure that you are available from July 30, 2023 – August 11, 2023, and (b) take the following steps:
(1) Complete the application form.
(2) Write a 500-word essay that presents a cogent response to the following prompt:
This year, the Seminar will explore current geo-political climate debates with a view to evaluate local, regional and global dynamics concerning energy security, sustainability and development. In up to 500 words, which country’s government is the biggest obstacle to global efforts to address the climate emergency? What are two concrete steps that other governments should take to encourage that government to take the climate emergency more seriously?
(3) Submit the complete online application, including the essay question response pasted into the application. Applications must be submitted by TUESDAY, April 4, 2023 at 11:59 PM EST.
Applications will be reviewed by a committee of JMU faculty members. Selected students will be notified by mid-April. JMU’s Center for Global Engagement will work closely with selected students and faculty on travel arrangements and preparation to attend the conference.
Questions?
Questions about the seminar and the application process may be addressed to CGE’s Global Learning & Partnerships staff at glp@jmu.edu.