Capstone International Center

Programs

Global and Cultural Perspectives Minor

Dr. Teresa E. Wise

Associate Provost for International Education and Global Outreach
Office: 135 B.B. Comer Hall

The Capstone International Center (CIC) has multiple complementary units and functions, including intensive English language instruction, U.S. visa support and compliance, and education abroad. The Capstone International Center works with both international and domestic students, faculty, and staff members, as well as members of the local civic, education, and corporate communities. The Center annually serves more than 1,200 international students on campus and makes possible the participation of UA faculty, students, and staff in a multitude of internationally focused degrees, research, and outreach programs. Education Abroad sends approximately 1,700 students abroad each year. The Center also oversees the Global and Cultural Perspectives Minor and the Fulbright Program for both students and faculty.

The CIC strives to achieve a global vision that prepares our students for the ever-evolving society and economy of a globally-connected world; attracts and supports all students who seek unique opportunities for global learning; supports research efforts that address the world’s challenges and contribute to state, regional, and global success in economic and knowledge-creation realms; and develops a strategic core network of global partners for teaching, exchange, and research.

UA and CIC are active members of numerous international education organizations providing professional training, outreach to national and local governmental entities, and annual conferences to promote international education. Among others, these organizations include NAFSA: Association for International Educators, the Institute for International Education (IIE), the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA), the European Association of International Education (EAIE), the Fulbright Association, and the Forum on Education Abroad.

Through its three units, the English Language Institute (ELI), Education Abroad (EA), and International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), the Center provides courses, programs, and activities to the constituents of The University of Alabama community.

Fulbright Programs

The Capstone International Center encourages and facilitates active participation in all Fulbright programs. Since the founding of the Fulbright programs in 1948, more than 200 UA students, faculty, and professional staff members have received a prestigious Fulbright award. Their appointments have ranged from Austria to Zimbabwe. The University of Alabama has been a Top Producer for U.S. Student Fulbright Awards four times since 2015. More information is available from the CIC, 135 B.B. Comer Hall; 205-348-9002; or fulbright@ua.edu.

Education Abroad 

The Education Abroad office, a unit of the Capstone International Center, provides support to the UA community through identifying, developing, and administering overseas opportunities. Education Abroad offers academically challenging programs for students, promoting both academic and personal growth. The office is responsible for all of UA's global learning experiences. Exchange programs, affiliate programs, and numerous faculty-led programs are offered. Visit studyabroad.ua.edu to learn more about all of our study abroad programs.

Exchange Programs

The University of Alabama offers several international exchange programs allowing students to study as visiting students at overseas universities. Each program gives students opportunities to learn in a foreign country and obtain firsthand knowledge of other people, language, and culture in addition to gaining course credits. In some cases, a working knowledge of the language of the host country is a prerequisite. In others, the language can be studied for the first time in the host country; sometimes, no language requirement is necessary (e.g., England and Australia). Students pay The University of Alabama tuition based on residency and are assisted in arranging the transfer of credits through appropriate departments and divisions before departure. Graduate students should secure approval from the Graduate School before taking any overseas credit that they may wish to transfer.

International exchange programs are currently available to UA students at the following partner universities for either one or two semesters and, in some cases, summer study.

• Australia
  • Queensland University of Technology (Brisbane)
• Austria
  • University of Klagenfurt
• Belgium
  • Université de Liege
• Denmark
  • Aarhus School of Business
• England
  • University of Birmingham
  • University of Hull
  • University of Leicester
• France
  • Université François-Rabelais (Tours)
  • Bordeaux Business School
  • Université de Poitiers (Poitiers)
• Germany
  • Esslingen University of Applied Sciences
  • Offenburg University
  • Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences
  • University of Augsburg
  • University of Mannheim
• Italy
  • Politecnico di Torino
  • University of the Sacred Heart (Milan)
  • Universitá degli Studi di G.d'Annuzio Chieti-Pescara
• Japan
  • Chiba University
  • Ritsumeikan University (Kyoto)
  • Hiroshima University
  • Meiji University
  • Kansai Gaidai University (Hirakata-City)
• Korea
  • Pusan National University
  • Yonsei University (Seoul)
  • Ajou University (Suwon)
• The Netherlands
  • Hanze University of Applied Sciences
• Scotland
  • University of Glasgow
• Taiwan
  • Feng Chia University (Taichung)
• Wales
  • University of Wales (Aberystwyth)

Faculty-led Programs

In addition to its longer-term international exchange programs, The University of Alabama conducts many overseas study programs lasting from two to six weeks, most often during the summer and Interim sessions. These are normally led by UA faculty members. The number of these programs has significantly expanded over the last few years. Scholarships and financial aid are available to students participating in these programs. Examples of programs and fields of study in recent years have included the following:

• UA in Oxford: English, history, honors
• UA in Belgium: Political science
• UA in France: French language, culture, and literature
• UA in Ghana: Service learning
• UA in Greece: Western civilization
• UA in Italy: Italian language and culture, art history
• UA in Spain: Spanish language and culture
• UA in Sweden: Political science
• UA in Europe: International Financial Reporting
• UA in Australia: International Business
• UA in South Africa: Resistance and Freedom
• UA in Colombia: Spanish Language and Culture

Affiliate Programs

The University of Alabama also offers programs through third-party program providers, and students continually have positive feedback on their experiences with these providers. Students participating in these programs can use their UA scholarships and financial aid for funding. Also, students do not pay UA tuition but pay the program fee charged by the program provider and additional expenses, including, but not limited to, travel, personal, meals, visa, housing expenses, etc.

Similar to third-party affiliate programs, students also have the opportunity to spend a summer, semester, or academic year at several international universities with which we are affiliated. Participants in these programs can use their UA scholarships and financial aid for funding. Also, students do not pay UA tuition but pay the cost of attending the international university. A list of UA's Affiliate Programs and international university programs can be found online at studyabroad.ua.edu.

 Study Abroad Program Policies

• Students participating in UA programs abroad must be in good academic standing. GPA requirements vary by program.
• All UA students participating in programs abroad will be cleared through the Office of Student Conduct.
• Students must submit all application and pre-departure requirements before program departure.
• Study abroad in countries where current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories exist is subject to additional restrictions and requirements and may be denied.

Additional information about any international study program may be obtained from studyabroad.ua.edu or by visiting the Education Abroad office located in 144 B.B. Comer Hall. In the rare instance where The University of Alabama is unable to meet the overseas study needs of a student, Education Abroad provides information about additional international education opportunities available through study abroad at other institutions and organizations.

International Student & Scholar Services

International Student & Scholar Services, a unit of the Capstone International Center, provides specialized services for international students, professors, research scholars, visitors, and their families.

ISSS’ primary function is to provide visa support for these international members of the UA community. The office is responsible for the creation and ongoing maintenance and verification of visa support documents within the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) for both F-1 student visas and J-1 student and scholar visas. These are ongoing services that monitor individual progress according to federal regulations. The office is also responsible for filing H-1B and other types of work-visa support documentation on behalf of international faculty and staff at UA.

ISSS conducts comprehensive orientation programs and provides vital information regarding U.S. immigration compliance as well as multicultural guidance and counseling. Great emphasis is placed on international student programming. ISSS coordinates a variety of student activities such as a weekly multicultural coffee hour, an international spouse support group, and an annual welcome reception for international students at the President's Mansion.

Professional staff members advise and assist the International Student Association, which represents all international students, and the many nationality organizations on campus. Professional work closely with community groups such as Tuscaloosa's International Friends (TIF), which sponsors a friendship family program for international students.

International Student & Scholar Services may be contacted by telephone at 205-348-5402; fax at 205-348-5406; email at international@ua.edu, and by mail at Box 870254, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0254, USA. More information about office services, visa regulations, and processing of visa support is available online at http://international.ua.edu/isss/. International Student & Scholar Services is located in 105 B. B. Comer Hall.

English Language Institute (ELI)

For the non-native speaker of English, The University of Alabama English Language Institute (ELI), a unit of the Capstone International Center, offers two types of year-round English-language programs: 1) The Intensive English Program which offers six sessions per year and five levels of proficiency, from high beginning to advanced, and 2) Customized Group Programs which provide specially designed programs for groups of 10 or more participants. Also, the ELI offers the Academic Support Program, which provides opportunities for undergraduate students who may want or need additional English-language instruction.

To obtain more information about any of the ELI programs, contact The University of Alabama, English Language Institute, Box 870250, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0250; visit eli.ua.edu; call 205-348-7413; fax 205-348-9266; or email info@eli.ua.edu.

Intensive English Program

The ELI Intensive English Program (IEP) is designed for individuals who need to learn English as a second language. The program focuses on preparing students for academic success, both in English-language proficiency and cultural awareness, for undergraduate and graduate study at The University of Alabama.

Five levels of study, from high beginning to advanced, are available. Each level consists of a minimum of 20 hours of class per week. Sessions lasting 6-8 weeks are available six times per year in January, March, May, June, August, and October. Students may begin their English study at the beginning of any one of these sessions.

An ELI student wishing to enter an undergraduate degree program at The University of Alabama may meet UA's English proficiency requirements either by obtaining the required TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score or by completing Level 6 with a minimum GPA of 2.0 in Levels 4, 5, and 6 or by completing The Pathway to UA Program. Conditionally admitted students who meet certain conditions (minimum TOEFL score and GPA) become eligible to enroll in Pathway to UA and take undergraduate courses while completing their ELI program of study. In such cases, the number of UA courses that an eligible student may take is determined by the ELI.

Students who apply for admission to UA and meet the academic and financial qualifications to enter the University but do not meet the English proficiency requirements may receive conditional admission. Such conditionally admitted students will not be eligible to begin an academic program and will be required to register for study in ELI until they satisfy the requirements for English proficiency for full or partial academic program enrollment.

Intensive English Program Courses

Structure: Levels 2 to 6

Structure courses provide students with the basic grammatical structures they will need to communicate effectively in English in four language skill areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Each structure course emphasizes communication, both comprehension (listening and reading) and production (speaking and writing). Structure courses meet five hours per week.

Speaking/Listening: Levels 2 to 6

ELI courses in Speaking/Listening provide students with the opportunity to improve their listening and speaking skills and to gain confidence in using English to communicate orally. Students practice appropriate conversation management skills, receive instruction on problem areas of pronunciation, and learn useful vocabulary. These activities are carried on through a variety of classroom exercises that focus on the everyday situations students are likely to encounter while adjusting to life in the United States. Speaking/Listening courses meet six hours per week.

Reading/Writing: Levels 2 to 6

The Reading/Writing curriculum of the English Language Institute is designed to provide students with both the skills and the practice that is necessary for them to develop satisfactory reading and writing skills in English and eventually to function successfully in U.S. university courses where extensive academic reading and essay writing are required. Skill instruction, along with accessible, varied, and challenging tasks, invite students to invest their time and energy in constructing meaning from written texts, responding to those texts, and producing writings of their own. Students will acquire new vocabulary and develop effective reading strategies for different types of tests. Working on closely related reading and writing assignments, students will develop proficiency in understanding what they read and in thinking, drafting, and revising their own ideas by working through the writing process with input from their classmates and teachers. Reading/Writing courses meet nine hours per week.

Culturally Speaking Class

Through the Culturally Speaking class, ELI students meet regularly with American students to converse in English in relaxed surroundings. Culturally Speaking provides a comfortable way for ELI students to form friendships with American students and to practice their English.

Culture and Language Exchange Program

The Culture and Language Exchange Program matches the ELI students with UA students who are studying the ELI student's native language. Once matched, these pairs or groups of students then meet as often as they like for conversation practice in both English and in the particular foreign language.

Customized Group Programs

ELI Customized Programs can be designed for 10 or more participants who are interested in customized dates and curricula. Such programs are typically designed for international English teachers, students whose international universities have approved given curricula for credit, international graduate students preparing to enter universities throughout the United States, and business professionals who wish to improve their overall effectiveness in English or to concentrate on specific skills, such as written communication.

An organization wishing to participate in such a program should clearly define the goals of its group and keep in mind that program enrollments typically require a minimum of 10 participants. Financial sponsorship for the above programs may come from ministries of education, embassies, corporations, private philanthropic organizations, U.S. or other government sponsoring agencies, or the individual participants themselves. Programs may be offered at any time of the year and typically range in length from two to six weeks.

Academic Support Program

The ELI Academic Support Program provides opportunities for UA undergraduate students who may want or need additional English-language instruction. Newly admitted international students with IELTS Speaking sub-score of less than 6.0, a TOEFL iBT Speaking sub-score of less than 18, a TOEFL Essentials speaking score lower than 6.5, a DET overall score of less than 120, or a PTE Speaking sub-score of less than 51 will have to take ELC 110 Undergraduate Academic Speaking. Newly admitted international undergraduates with an IELTS Writing sub-score of less than 6.0, a TOEFL iBT Writing sub-score of less than 18, a TOEFL Essentials writing score lower than 8.5, a DET overall score of less than 120, or a PTE Writing sub-score of less than 51 will have to take ELC 111 Undergraduate Academic Writing.

Contact the ELI

To obtain more information about any of the above ELI programs, contact The University of Alabama English Language Institute, visit the ELI website (eli.ua.edu) or contact the ELI at Box 870250, Tuscaloosa, AL  35487-0250; telephone 205-348-7413; fax 205-348-9266; or email info@eli.ua.edu.

Academic Support Program

The ELI Academic Support Program provides opportunities for UA undergraduate students who may want or need additional English-language instruction. Newly admitted international students with IELTS Speaking sub-score of less than 6.0, a TOEFL iBT Speaking sub-score of less than 18, a DET overall score of less than 120, or a PTE Speaking sub-score of less than 51 will have to take ELC 110 Undergraduate Academic Speaking. Newly admitted international undergraduates with an IELTS Writing sub-score of less than 6.0, a TOEFL iBT Writing sub-score of less than 18, a DET overall score of less than 120, or a PTE Writing sub-score of less than 51 will have to take ELC 111 Undergraduate Academic Writing.

To obtain more information about any of the above ELI programs, contact The University of Alabama English Language Institute, visit the ELI website (eli.ua.edu) or contact the ELI at Box 870250, Tuscaloosa, AL  35487-0250; telephone 205-348-7413; fax 205-348-9266; or email info@eli.ua.edu.

Community and Corporate Outreach

Outreach is an essential function within the Capstone International Center, as evidenced by the annual Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Festival (focused on Japanese culture), International Education Week activities, and the work of the English Language Institute (ELI). ELI provides the annual World Friends Day for local elementary schools, yearly summer programs for students from our sister city in Japan, on-site corporate programs, and tailored courses for the children and spouses of employees. A variety of activities are coordinated in conjunction with Japan America Society of Alabama (JASA), Rotary International Club of Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa's International Friends (TIF), Tuscaloosa Sister Cities International, AlabamaGermany Partnership, University Place School, and the Birmingham Committee on Foreign Relations. Also, CIC has previously worked extensively with the German Supplementary School for school-age children from Germany and the Japanese Supplementary School in Birmingham. 

Language Supplementary Schools

In 1995, the University, in cooperation with Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc., established the German Supplementary School to provide supplementary education in German to children ages six to 16 who will return to a German-speaking educational system after living in Alabama for several years. The school is no longer located on the UA campus, but CIC continues to work closely with Mercedes-Benz to promote German culture and language within the community. In addition, CIC works with the Birmingham Supplementary School for Japanese established by Honda to provide education to Japanese-speaking children.

Japan Program and Sakura Festival

The Capstone International Center, working with numerous on- and off-campus partners, organizes the annual spring Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Festival and Haiku contest for the state of Alabama. 

Reciprocal student exchange programs with Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Ritsumeikan University, Hiroshima University, and Chiba University allow qualified undergraduate students to study Japanese in Japan while undertaking Asian studies, humanities, social science, and science courses taught in English. Gilman and Freeman-ASIA scholarships for students on financial aid are also available.