Professor Building New Study Abroad Program
Dr. Erin Hippolyte, Associate Professor of French and Coordinator of International Education and Study Abroad at Fairmont State University, traveled to Montreal to meet with colleagues at the Université de Quebec à Montreal (UQAM) on Sept. 14.
In collaboration with Dr. James Natsis from West Virginia State University and sponsored by the Director of International Programs at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, Hippolyte worked on initial steps to establish a four-week summer program in French language and Quebec culture that will be open to college students across the state. The six-credit program will run annually, beginning summer 2016. Details and registration information will be available soon.
“It is so important for students to gain international experience as part of their higher education. I am excited to be involved in these initiatives. For students who want to learn French in a global context that is safe and affordable, the Montreal summer collaborative program can make this a reality,” Hippolyte said.
International Education at Fairmont State brings together international students, study abroad, internationalizing the curriculum and faculty development. There are many ways to participate in the international community, on and off-campus. As Fairmont State works with the WVHEPC to build capacity in international education, Hippolyte has been involved in two other initiatives. This past summer, she attended the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) international meeting in Charleston, learning about security issues and procedures to keep our students safe while abroad. She receives daily bulletins about emerging issues and events that affect students around the world.
In addition, Hippolyte has been designated within the state’s J-1 Visa Consortium to request visitor visas for students and scholars who come to Fairmont State. She will pursue the next training level for those responsibilities in Charleston in October.
Erin HippolyteInternationalstudy abroadLanguage & LiteratureCollege of Liberal Arts
