Access for Exchange Summer Institute Announcement

June 15, 2021
Categories: Staff, Uncategorized Tags: Staff

Are you a UNC Charlotte student with a disability, interested in studying or volunteering abroad? Consider applying to the Access to Exchange Summer Institute (AESI), a course designed to prepare you for whatever challenges you might find in your international journey.

Program overview

The three-week institute starts on August 10. Sessions will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 PM to 3 PM EDT. Individuals who successfully complete AESI will receive a certificate of completion from Mobility International USA (MIUSA). The application deadline is July 16.

Who is it for?

This is the course for you if:

  • you have a disability (physical, sensory, learning, mental health, intellectual, or chronic health),
  • you are between the ages of 14 and 30,
  • you have never been abroad before,
  • you are not sure if international exchange is for you and would like to learn more,
  • you don’t know where to start, and
  • you are available for at least five out of six sessions in August at the times mentioned above.

Topics

The course will cover a variety of topics including:

  • Disability culture around the world,
  • Discovering different types of international exchange programs,
  • Creating your own international education plan,
  • Conducting research into a program,
  • Researching disability-related concerns, and
  • Negotiating reasonable accommodations.

How to Apply

Interested? Submit an application here. If you have any questions about the AESI, send a message to clearinghouse@miusa.org. Reasonable accommodations including captions and sign language interpretation are available. Applications are due by July 16, 2021.

If you apply to this program, remember that the course is offering general information about international experiences. UNC Charlotte students interested in study abroad must still adhere to the Office of Education Abroad policies and procedures, including completing Study Abroad 101. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at edabroad@uncc.edu.

This program is offered by the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange, a project of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, designed to increase the participation of people with disabilities in international exchange between the United States and other countries, and is supported in its implementation by Mobility International USA.