Stepping Up International Initiatives
Loyola’s office for international programs (OIP) is leading efforts to fulfill the University’s strategic goal of strengthening the international dimensions of its programs and outreach.
Patrick Boyle, Ph.D., assistant provost and OIP director, says current initiatives are focused in several areas. Loyola is coordinator for The Beijing Center, which educates students from more than 25 Jesuit colleges and universities about China and its culture. One of its initiatives, the Ricci Scholars Program, begins next year and will offer a two-culture immersion for students at The Beijing Center and the John Felice Rome Center.
The OIP is also spearheading efforts to create international centers that provide a wider variety of study and research options for students, faculty and alumni. “For example, we’ve traditionally thought of the Rome Center as mostly an undergraduate center. Now, we’re looking at graduate programming, options for international students, and seminars for professional groups and alumni,” says Boyle, noting that locations for similar centers might include South America, Asia and Africa.
In addition, the OIP is expanding cultural immersion opportunities for faculty and students. “Our goal is to make it possible for increasing numbers of students and faculty to have meaningful immersions that honor the University’s commitment to service and justice on a global scale,” Boyle says.
Besides these initiatives, the OIP administers Loyola’s study-abroad program, services for international students and scholars, and English as a Second Language program.