As we enter the 21st century, our marketplace now transcends national boundaries. Effective progress in environmental and health concerns hinges on international exchange and cooperation. And even traditionally domestic concerns, such as national security and legal rights, now play out on a global stage.

That’s why UW-Madison has recently implemented a strategy that calls for us to both prepare globally competent students and also ensure that our campus, through its research and international collaborations, continues to help shape the future of global relations.

My missive to you brings me back to early last summer, when I spent two weeks in Asia meeting with university and government representatives. Not only was this trip a marvelous way for me to connect with many international studies alumni, the trip also yielded several exciting initiatives involving East Asian studies.

UW-Madison senior Lana Landgraf had a truly memorable international experience earlier this month. Presently in the nation’s capital participating in the Division of International Studies’ Washington, D.C. International Affairs internship program, Landgraf was the guest of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin at the November 8 joint meeting of Congress honoring French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

UW-Madison Ranks High in Study Abroad Programs — The 2007 Open Doors report, which surveys study abroad programs across the nation, ranks UW-Madison fifth and sixth respectively among other research institutions’ semester- and year-long programs in 2005–2006.

UW-Madison a Top Producer of Fulbright Students — UW-Madison students have fared well in landing 2007–08 international fellowships with The Fulbright Program. In all, 24 UW-Madison students were offered Fulbright awards, and 18 accepted.

Fran Taylor, a UW-Madison alum and member of the Division of International Studies Advisory Board, published a provocative piece in the Wisconsin State Journal’s Capital Region Business Journal, in which she cited a statistic that will come as a surprise to some: today, one in five US jobs is now linked to international trade.

Citing his own international education as a pivotal experience in his career, UW alum Jack Lavin now generously supports our International Academic Internship program. A unique partnership between UW schools and colleges, private businesses and supportive alumni, IAI sent more than 20 UW-Madison students on international internships in just two years.

In this article about the International Academic Internship program, Dean Gilles Bousquet describes how UW-Madison has created an innovative way for students to gain the skills, knowledge and attitudes they need to succeed in an increasingly international workplace.

On October 11, the Wisconsin Alumni Association, the Division of International Studies and the Center for South Asia hosted a reception for Indian American alumni in Madison and UW-Madison faculty with an interest in India. Established in 2007, the India Initiative brings together faculty, alumni, and friends to support, enhance and increase awareness about India’s arts, cultures, economy, history, religions and society.