EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Two contingents of student nurses from Taiwan are visiting Eastern Michigan University this summer, continuing a recent tradition of collaboration between the University and its international nursing partners.

The groups, from Chang Gung and Hung Kuang universities, are learning about nursing practices and pedagogy in the United States along with viewing some of the area’s fun sights, attractions and health institutions. The Chang Gung contingent will be at Eastern from July 9 to August 9, while the Hung Kuang students are here from July 10 to July 23.

Activities for the groups include:

• A visit to the Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit, Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan Hospital. 

• A variety of presentations by faculty within the School of Nursing and attending various classes in the School of Nursing.

• A visit to the Detroit Zoo, Greenfield Village, Depot Town, a weekend in Chicago and a traditional American BBQ and pool party.

*Shopping at Birch Run, Arborland, Briarwood Mall and the Ann Arbor Art Fair.

• A July 21 visit to Comerica Park as part the annual TRUEMU trip with Eastern students, staff, family and friends to watch the Detroit Tigers, who will be playing the Boston Red Sox that night.

The students are living in Eastern residence halls and eating in the University’s Dining Commons facility. Eastern students have also visited Taiwan in past years. 

“We have learned so much from our Taiwan visitors and our visits to Taiwan about cultural competence and compassion in health care,” says Michael Williams, Ph.D., RN, CCRN, CNE and director, EMU School of Nursing.  “Our students love having them attend classes, and our clinical partners are so gracious to host them in their facilities. Both (visiting) universities are great partners and we are continuing to explore additional ways to collaborate in the future.”

The visits extend Eastern’s extensive efforts over the past two years to recruit and welcome international students to campus – one of President James Smith’s priorities since he took office in the summer of 2016. 

Last month, Eastern introduced the TRUEMU Global Rate tuition plan, providing in-state tuition pricing to all new incoming international undergraduate students, beginning this fall. The move expands the University’s action in June 2016 to offer in-state tuition to incoming undergraduate students from anywhere in the United States. This provides a simplified single-rate pricing for all incoming undergraduate students, whether from Michigan, another state or from outside the U.S.

This past year, Eastern initiated the nationally-recognized #YouAreWelcomeHere campaign, designed to make international students aware of how they can flourish academically and socially at Eastern. The campaign includes a variety of initiatives, including social gatherings, efforts to grow campus awareness and special scholarships. 

For example, the campaign features a highly visible banner initiative featuring 120 individual international students. The banners were placed on light posts around the campus and on major roadways in Ypsilanti. The University also placed a large banner featuring international students on its parking structure, with other banners located around campus highlighting students and their many home countries.

In addition, a #YouAreWelcomeHere video features international students, faculty and staff, and the University also has developed the #YouAreWelcomeHere website to provide a comprehensive resource to international students and scholars, with links to important offices that support Eastern’s international community on campus.

Eastern also teamed up with the Washtenaw County Convention and Visitors Bureau to offer a further local touch, producing a video, narrated by Ypsilanti mayor Amanda Edmonds that spotlights the distinct, diverse and welcoming character of Ypsilanti and the University. 

Earlier this spring, Eastern Michigan University, together with Temple University and seven other U.S. university partners, announced they are launching a national scholarship program for incoming international students for fall 2019.

Eastern currently hosts nearly 700 international students.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves 20,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.