Study Abroad in Germany

This summer offers two exciting opportunities for studying abroad, no matter where your academic interests lie. Many students have dreamed of visiting other countries and of combining a great educational experience with the chance to spend an unforgettable summer exploring new parts of the world. Dr. John Horack, vice president of research here at UAH, has been working in conjunction with Dr. Dave Williams and Dr. David Johnson and a few sources that may surprise you.Horack is on a first-name basis with the head of the DLR the German Aerospace Center, which in turn works closely with the University of Rostock much in the way the Marshall Space Flight Center works closely with our physics and engineering departments. The DLR is similar to NASA in many ways, including its current interest in the science of space weather and the ionosphere. In an effort to honor Huntsville’s already rich cultural diversity, our university has teamed up with the DLR and the University of Rostock to offer a truly unique learning experience for this summer.

The Joint Space Weather Summer Camp will include two consecutive two-week sessions July 16-Aug. 14, 2011. The first two weeks take place at the DLR site in Germany, and the second two weeks take place in Huntsville. Students from Germany will switch places with our own UAH students.In addition to site visits to space weather monitoring facilities and an introduction in the processes of space plasmas, students will have the opportunity to enjoy the city of Neustrelitz a truly unique chance to experience the cultural and political nuances of northern Germany.Although the technical focus of the camp is on the science of space weather, space plasma, and the sun-solar system connection, this opportunity is open to graduate and undergraduate students of any major from education to foreign language to political science. To apply, interested students should contact Dr. Qiang Hu Dr. David Johnson to find out about eligibility requirements and application materials. The deadline to apply for this unique trip to Germany’s version of the Rocket City is Jan. 31, 2011. Students receive UAH credit for this program.

Would you rather spend your summer at the beach? Study abroad in Panama from June 5 July 31, 2011, for a program focusing on environmental issues related to climate change and sustainable development. In conjunction with the Water Center for the Humid Tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean (CATHALAC), participating students will receive professional training and participate in truly ground-breaking research all while enjoying the cultural immersion of Latin America and the Caribbean.For these eight weeks of study at the beach, students will earn six undergraduate credits or three graduate credits. Applicants can be from any major as long as they have completed at least two semesters of undergraduate work.Basic Spanish proficiency is preferred, but not required, as students will receive intensive Spanish instruction while in Panama.

For details and program costs, visit panama.nsstc.uah.edu. The application deadline for this outstanding eight-week study program is March 1, 2011.Many students might be a little intimidated by all of this talk of earth science and outer space, but as Horack explained, the idea behind these programs is not only to encourage collaboration between different countries, but between different academic disciplines.We’ve had students from the college of science, [from] the college of liberal arts history and education and foreign language majors, he said, pointing out pictures of past research students in Panama.For them, it’s less about the technical focus of the program it’s more of a stepping stone toward bigger and better opportunities.