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Disabilities in a Global Context

Overview  |  Program Components  |  Scholarship Opportunities

<student in a wheel chair in Peru

 

Overview

UMD’s new Internship program empowers you to explore multidisciplinary perspectives on disability on a global comparative scale. Join innovative organizations that seek to eliminate barriers to the full integration of people with disabilities in communities around the globe.

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Program Components

Students who complete the three-part program will earn six academic credits. Coursework is based on campus and on-line.
 

On-Campus Disability Course: 
In the second part of the spring semester you will enroll in the UMD course, EDPS 488W or EDPS 788W, "Introduction to Global Comparative Disability Studies." This is a hybrid course, combining 3 meetings at UMD on Tuesday evenings with online classroom interactions using ELMS/CANVAS.

The course uses a global comparative lens to examine disability activism, theory, practice alongside broader issues and questions pertaining to power, cultural difference, and international ‘development.’ Other areas of emphasis include exploring disability in relationship to issues of race, nation, culture, embodiment, and sexuality. The purpose of this course is to explore how identity, difference and inequality are experienced, expressed, interpreted, managed and negotiated in various societies, and to develop critical thinking and analytic skills in the process. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to consider their own positionality in relation to course themes.

Summer Internship:
During the summer, you will be enrolled in EDCP 386 and complete an internship with a innovative organization. Each internship is a minimum of four weeks and a maximum of eight weeks. Internship locations include:
  • Perú: Cusco
  • Ecuador: Quito
  • Costa Rica: San José and Cartago
  • Morocco, Meknés
The internship course is overseen by the University Career Center. Utilizing the ELMS/Canvas platform students will interact with a UCC staff member during their experience.  In addition to internship hours, students will be asked to construct journals and/or contribute to discussion board conversations.  At the conclusion of the experience, students will be asked to produce a reflective, summative paper and to prepare an updated resume.

Capstone Project and Public Forum:

Upon completion of the program, students will produce an original analysis, project, video, creative work, or other scholarly product that integrates the body of knowledge acquired in the course, their guided observations throughout the internship placement, and potential areas of application of learning gained through the experience.

*Please note that participation in all three program components is mandatory.

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Scholarship Opportunities

UMD Education Abroad Fund Scholarship: 
  • Eligibility: need-based; must be degree-seeking UMD student with FAFSA on file
  • Scholarship amount: maximum of $750
  • Application deadline: February 15th
  • To apply or for more info: complete scholarship application in MyEA by February 15th deadline to be eligible; program application does not need to be complete in order to submit application for Education Abroad Fund scholarships
The Bright Futures Scholarship: 
  • Eligibility: All registered UMD undergraduate students returning to campus for the fall 2016 semester, who have an internship for summer 2016, are eligible to apply. Graduating seniors (May 2016 or August 2016) are not eligible. Preference will be given to rising juniors and seniors and to those who have not previously received an award.
  • Scholarship amount:   $250 - $1,250
  • Application deadline:  apps open on April 4th and close on April 25th
  • To apply or for more info:  http://www.careercenter.umd.edu/page.cfm?page_id=151
Gilman Scholarship:
  • Eligibility:  must be a US citizen, current degree-seeking undergraduate at UMD receiving a Federal Pell Grant participating in a credit-bearing study or intern abroad program with a minimum duration of 4 weeks (28 days).
  • Scholarship amount: up to $5,000
  • Application deadline: March 1st
  • To apply or for more info: www.iie.org/gilman  or gilman@umd.edu
Business School Global Scholarships for 1st time study abroad:  Back to top