Salzburg Global Seminar 2011

Attended International Study Program (ISP) 48 in Salzburg, Austria from July 9 to July 16, 2011. It was an amazingly enriching experience! Here are links to some useful resources, to my blog entries, and to my web albums.

I. HCC Salzburg Global Seminar 2011:

 

II.  Salzburg Global Seminar Website

 

III. Salzburg Global Seminar ISP Facebook Page

This Facebook Page is open to the public.


IV.  My experience in attending Salzburg Global Seminar (7/9/2011 - 7/15/2011):

Salzburg Global Seminar – International Study Program (ISP) 48, July 9 – July 15, 2011

A Report by Chiehwen (Joanne) Lai Hsu, Ph. D.

Together with two HCC Colleagues (Roger Bumgardner and Raven Davenport), I attended Salzburg Global Seminar - International Study Program (ISP) 48 at Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg, Austria, July 9- July 15, 2011. It was an amazingly enriching experience! To report my experience in Salzburg, I wrote the following blog entries before, during and after the seminar. Together, they provide an overview of my experience and observations.

Many thanks to all the administrators (Dr. Mary Spangler, Dr. Zachary Hodges, Dr. Charles Cook, and Gigi Do), faculty (Dr. Alan Ainsworth and the selection committee members), and staff (Melissa Bustamente, Monique Deleon, Joseph Conway and Tomi Middleton) who have provided support for this great opportunity!

In collaboration with other HCC Salzburg fellows, I hope to continue to engage in the effort to internationalize curriculum at HCC. I plan to support our faculty colleagues by providing resources, making presentations and organizing workshops. I hope that HCC will continue to participate in the Salzburg Global Seminar, sending more faculty, students, and administrators to this well-organized and “enchanting” seminar to be inspired and to create a “critical mass” to make HCC a leader in developing good global citizens.

Salzburg 2011 Blog 1 (7/6/2011): Getting Ready for Salzburg!

I picked up my medical insurance paperwork from Risk Management today and plan to pack up my things tonight. We are leaving Houston for Salzburg on Friday (7/8/2011) evening. I would like to write a few words to test this blog function. I was in Salzburg for two days in March 2010. It was cold and snowed on the second day. I wonder how Salzburg will look like in summertime. I am sure that it will be beautiful in a different way. “The Sound of Music” is one of my most favorite movies and development of global citizens is one of my great professional interests. I feel really lucky to have this opportunity to attend the Global Seminar in the venue where the Sound of Music was shot. I promise to share my “happiness” with you all!

Salzburg 2011 Blog 2 (7/8-7/10/2011): Hills are alive in Salzburg

We arrived in Salzburg Saturday afternoon, July 9, 2011, according to schedule. Shortly after our arrival, we attended the introductory meeting where we met other fellows and staff members. A large number of fellows are from San Jose State University, others are from Louisiana Community & Technical College System, Bronx Community College, West Valley College, etc. Most fellows have impressive credentials and professional experiences in global education. I am looking forward to learning from them!

We were also given a tour of our beautiful venue, Schloss Leopoldskron and Meierhof, and treated to a magnificent dinner in the palace dinner room. I woke up this morning refreshed and without jet lag. We were given a free morning to explore Salzburg. Kay (a fellow from Louisiana Community & Technical College System) and I set out to hike up to the Fortress Hohensalzburg, sitting on top of a hill overlooking the city. This historical fortress protected Salzburg from invasion by foreign forces in the past. Now, it provides breathtaking views of Salzburg and the surrounding areas (see photos at:https://picasaweb.google.com/chiehwen.hsu/Salzburg2011_I# ).

After the free time, our first “class” started at 2 PM. Madeleine Green gave a presentation on “Internationalizing Higher Education: What are we talking about and how can we measure it?” The presentation generated many questions and lively discussion. Raven and I shared some of the positive things we do at HCC during the discussion. After dinner, Raven, Roger, and I met for an institutional meeting to discuss what we can do to enhance global education at HCC. Our dialogue will continue over this week to develop more concrete steps. Tomorrow will be a full working day. I am sure that more ideas will emerge every day and creative juice will flow.

Salzburg 2011 Blog 3 (7/11-7/12/2011): Global Citizenship for an Interdependent World

We listened to two excellent presentations yesterday (7/11/2011) and today (7/12/2011). Reinhold Wagnleitner presented on “US and the World: Views from a Distance and Why It Matters ”. Drawing data from various surveys, Wagnleitner showed that most of the world perceives US as a “bully”. US has full spectrum military dominance and is “quick to trigger”. On the other hand, US has become a global product (or brand) of popular culture. It sets the trends for the rest of the world to follow. In general, “America means more to the world than the world to America”. Indeed, most of the attendees have noticed that most American students in US show little interest in and curiosity about the rest of the world. This is in contrast to the fact that the rest of the world knows a lot about what are popular and “hot” in US.

Today (7/12/2011), Bill Reckmeyer gave a presentation on “Global Citizenship for an Interdependent World”. He convincingly argued that a system approach should be used to address the complex issues of global significance. Many global issues are interconnected. By focusing on single issues independently, you may create unintended adverse consequences as the solution for one issue may create unintended problems for other interconnected issues. He used ethanol as an example. In encouraging the use of ethanol for oil, it drives up the price of corn, which leads to higher prices in food, since corn is also used as feed to cattle. “Housing bubble” is another example of good intention gone bad. Using a system approach with integrated strategy enables us to find the “holistic” solution that takes the whole system into account. Both presentations were followed by thoughtful questions and discussions. We also continue to work with our thematic groups on issues of our choices.

Compared to other institutions, HCC actually appears to be in good standing with regard to internationalization. We have a chancellor (Dr. Mary Spangler) who strongly supports internationalization, our strategic plan addresses the issue of global awareness, and we have the infrastructure (i. e., Office of International Initiatives) in place to support it. In HCC Faculty Development program, we already have two courses that address the global and multicultural issues in curriculum design. Most faculty recognize the importance of helping their students develop global perspective. Many have already incorporated global issues into their curriculum. We just need to continue to encourage all to infuse global issues across curriculum.

Salzburg 2011 Blog 4 (7/13-7/14/2011): Joy and Fun in Salzburg!

The main topics covered yesterday (7/13/2011) and today (7/14/2011) were about sustainable future (presented by Chuck Hopkins) and global civics (by Hakan Altinay). Both are important topics in global education. Last evening, we also listened to Barbara Weigruber who shared the progress on “Creating a Common European Higher Education Area”.

In addition to listening to informative and insightful presentations and engaging in dialogues with colleagues, I have been able to take time to explore Salzburg every day with several colleagues. With much joy and awe, we climbed up to Fortress Hohensalzburg to take in the breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding area. We visited Mirabell Garden, completely delighted by this “Horticultural Wonderland”. We were amazed and humbled by the magnificent cathedral and churches in Salzburg. There is always music in the air in this birthplace of Mozart!

Tonight, we went to dine in the oldest restaurant in Europe, St. Peter Restaurant since 803. It lived up to its reputation as a historical fine dining place. (See web albums at: https://picasaweb.google.com/112003815634166800202/Salzburg2011_IV) Speaking of dining, Salzburg Global Seminar provides gourmet cooking three meals a day plus coffee breaks. We eat in the magnificent Marble Dinning Hall at Schloss Leopoldskron and have nice, long conversations.

Tomorrow (Friday, 7/15/2011) will be the final day of our seminar with many activities scheduled. I will leave to return to Houston on Saturday morning. So, I will probably write my next blog in Houston. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Salzburg Global Seminar. I feel enriched in both mind and body!

Salzburg 2011 Blog 5 (7/15 – 7/24/2011): Lessons from an Incredible Week in Salzburg

I have returned to Houston for a week, but am still basked in the “afterglow” of an incredible week in Salzburg. In the final day (7/15/2011) of the seminar, all the four Thematic Groups made presentations. My two HCC colleagues, Roger and Raven, joined the Bronx Community College Group to present on the topic of “Multicultural Diversity in Religion and Spirituality”. I worked with Louisiana Community College Group on the presentation of “Curriculum Development: Developing Globally Competent Students”. The other two Thematic Groups, mainly consisting of San Jose State faculty and administrators, presented on the topics of ” "Hub and Spoke Communication Model Using Social Media Platforms" and "Feminist Approach to Change". It was interesting and informative to hear about the summary reports based on several days of dialogues and discussions by each group.

After the presentations, Roger and I signed up for a tour to visit the Salt Mine in Berchtesgaden, Germany during the free afternoon. It was an interesting tour. We all had to wear special clothing to enter the salt mine and slid down two slides like miners do. In Berchtesgaden, we were also able to glimpse up to see the Hitler's Eagle Nest Retreat on the mountaintop. We returned in time for the Farewell Reception, piano concert, and Farewell Banquet. While listening to the wonderful music performance in the Great Hall, I looked out to see the lake and mountain framed by the open door. My heart was filled with joy and gratitude for the beauty of this place, the wonderful people I met, and the network I now belong. (See photos at:https://picasaweb.google.com/chiehwen.hsu/Salzburg2011SeminarPartII# )

One of the greatest lessons I learn from the seminar is the affirmation of how important and essential it is to help our students develop global awareness and competence to operate and compete successfully in today’s globalized world. Research has shown that most Americans have little interest in and little knowledge about other parts of the world. This deficit may be addressed through internationalization of curriculum.

During the seminar, I also became keenly aware of how lucky we are living in a cosmopolitan city like Houston and having the largest enrollment of international students in the US at HCC. We have so many valuable existing resources readily available to help internationalize our curriculum. We have strong support from our administration and a significant number of faculty members have already infused global awareness and competence into their curriculum. With other HCC Salzburg fellows, I hope to play a role in organizing workshops or faculty development activities to further encourage our colleagues to explore creative ways to internationalize curriculum at HCC. There is no reason why HCC can’t be a leader in this arena.

 

 

V.  Joanne's Photo Links:

***Salzburg Global Seminar at Schloss Leopoldskron:

1. Salzburg2011 Seminar Part I (7/9 – 7/12/2011):
https://picasaweb.google.com/chiehwen.hsu/Salzburg2011SeminarPartI#

2. Salzburg2011 Seminar Part II (7/13 – 7/16/2011):
https://picasaweb.google.com/chiehwen.hsu/Salzburg2011SeminarPartII#

***Sights of Salzburg Beyond Schloss Leopoldskron:

1. Salzburg I (7/10/2011): Fortress Hohensalzburg
https://picasaweb.google.com/chiehwen.hsu/Salzburg2011_I#
2. Salzburg II (7/11/2011): Mirabell Gardens, Old Town Salzburg, Dom Cathedral
https://picasaweb.google.com/chiehwen.hsu/Salzburg2011_II#
3. Salzburg III (7/12-7/13/2011): Beautiful Churches
https://picasaweb.google.com/chiehwen.hsu/Salzburg2011_III#
4. Salzburg IV (7/14-7/15/2011): St. Peter's Abbey, St. Peter Restaurant, Salt Mine
https://picasaweb.google.com/chiehwen.hsu/Salzburg2011_IV#