Penelope Pynes, Associate Provost, International Programs

Welcome to the 2012-13 academic year! Although by now-- to many of you-- the semester no longer seems so new as our students have settled in and the year is fully in swing. Nonetheless, this portends to be an exciting year as it marks the twentieth year anniversary of the International Programs Center.

It's hard to believe that it has been twenty years since we sent our first two students on exchange to Mannheim, Germany.  Since then our programs have grown by leaps and bounds.  This summer and last academic year, UNCG sent 459 students abroad to 35 countries throughout the world (245 of those students attended partner universities for a semester or year; 310 of those students have just returned home this semester). 

As for our international population, we have approximately 300 new international students joining us from 59 countries this semester; half of them are exchange students from our partner institutions.  

Throughout the year we will publish stories from our current and former participants of our programs. I invite any of you out there who have stories to share with us about your connection to International Programs and/or internationalization to send them to us (along with a picture or short videoclip if possible). We would like to connect with as many of our UNCG alums, partners, former and current faculty and staff who have shared in our journey.  Stories may be emailed to ipg_news@uncg.edu

And remember: if you are interested in “all things international” visit the IPC (207 Foust Building) where we will support you in your plans to “do something bigger altogether."