The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center is an academic unit of the University of Montana dedicated to enhancing mutual understanding between the United States and other countries around the world, and to fostering ethical public policy and leadership. The Center supports this mission by fostering university and community links with other countries and dialogue on issues facing the United States and the world on matters of the economy, the environment, global development, and international relations.
Join us on a tour across Mainland China to visit three unique cities and immerse yourself in a new culture and environment by applying to this fully-funded program.
The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center has partnered with Beijing University, Fudan University, and Guangxi University in Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanning respectively to expand Chinese cultural immersion opportunities for students from the University of Montana. China is a global power with a dynamic economy, long history, and thriving culture that Americans need to better understand. The summer exchange offers a unique and generous opportunity to close the knowledge gap about China and the Chinese people by inviting students to spend three weeks exploring the country and deepening their knowledge of Chinese culture through people-people exchange.
With opportunities to engage in cultural exchanges with local university students and to explore China’s fast-growing cities, this short-term educational program is designed to expose a new generation of students to Chinese culture (which can unlock diverse job opportunities), as well as its unique history and culture. This program can kickstart academic growth while providing the chance for students to bolster respect for and cooperation with people from different backgrounds. The study tour is fully funded by The Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, Guangxi University, and The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center. Round trip flights, lodging, transportation, cultural tours, and meals are covered. Please note that the study tour is not a UM course offering.
Program Dates: May 29-June 19 2025
Participation Selection Criteria:
- U.S. citizen
- University of Montana student (graduate or undergraduate)
- Interest in East Asian history and culture
- Ability to enthusiastically engage with fellow program participants and overseas university students
- Flexibility, adaptability, and open-mindedness
- Interest in international affairs and cultural exchange
- Strong leadership, teamwork, and communication skills
- Ability to articulate how participation in this exchange will align with future study or work
- Demonstrated understanding of cultural sensitivity and cross-cultural competence
Applications Period: November 8 - December 4 (11:59 pm), 2024
Contact: For more information on this exchange to China, please contact Program Officer Rachel Krach at rachel.krach@mso.umt.edu and Assistant Program Manager Ming Harris-Weidner at ming.harris-weidner@mso.umt.edu.
Taiwan Spring Study Tour 2025
Join us in vibrant Taiwan to gain critical language skills and increase your global awareness by applying for this fully funded program.
The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center has partnered with Shih Chien University in Taipei, Taiwan to expand Chinese language and cultural immersion opportunities for Montana high school students. Taiwan is an island with a distinct identity, robust democracy, and dynamic economy that Americans need to better understand. The Taiwan Spring Study Tour offers a unique and generous opportunity to close the knowledge gap about Taiwan by inviting Montana high school students to spend two weeks in Taipei studying Mandarin language and deepening their knowledge of Taiwanese culture.
With a blend of class time and cultural excursions throughout the island, this short-term educational program is designed to expose a new generation of students to Mandarin language (which can unlock diverse job opportunities), as well as its unique history and culture. This program can kickstart academic growth while providing the chance for students to bolster respect for and cooperation with people from different backgrounds. The study tour is fully funded by the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center, in partnership with Shih Chien University. This means that round trip flights, lodging, transportation, language and cultural courses, cultural tours, and meals are covered. Please note that the study tour is not a UM course offering.
Program Dates:
March 15 - March 29, 2025
Participant Selection Criteria:
- Students who participate in Model UN will have preference, but those without Model UN experience should still apply!
- U.S. citizen
- Montana High School student — sophomore or junior
- Interest in learning Mandarin language
- Interest in East Asian history and culture
- Ability to enthusiastically engage with fellow program participants and overseas university students and staff
- Flexibility, adaptability, and open-mindedness
- Interest in international affairs and cultural exchange
- Strong leadership, teamwork, and communication skills
- Ability to articulate how Taiwan Spring Study Tour learnings will align with future study or work
- Demonstrated understanding of cultural sensitivity and cross-cultural competence
Application Period:
November 1 - December 8, 2024
- Please submit your completed application by the posted deadline. Use of artificial intelligence tools to craft responses is prohibited; only submit your original work.
- Reach out to Rachel Krach at rachel.krach@mso.umt.edu or 406-243-2989 with questions.