International Studies and Programs (ISP) is the hub for international research, teaching and outreach at MSU. The areas of work in ISP span the globe, and the projects for this year’s Give Green Day funds do as well. For Give Green Day, coming up on March 12th, 2024, ISP is highlighting three different projects from three different offices. Each project focuses on supporting global learning and cultural exchange at MSU. Our next project comes from the Canadian Studies Center.

Founded in 1958, the MSU Canadian Studies Center (CSC) is the first university center focused on Canada in the United States. The CSC works to build connections with Canada through research, education abroad opportunities and shared courses with universities in Canada. The Canada CONNECT fund, one of ISP’s features for Give Green Day, will help support these and other initiatives to build partnership and collaboration with our nearest geographical neighbor. 

A new team with new initiatives 
 

After 10 years engaged with the CSC as a faculty member, Dr. Rebecca Malouin was named the new Director of the CSC in 2023. Dr. Mitchell Goldsmith started his tenure as the new Assistant Director of the center last month.

The center is celebrating 65 years of connecting MSU students with Canada, but they are also looking ahead at new initiatives for this new era. These include building new strategic partnerships with Canadian universities and reinvigorating the Midwest Association for Canadian Studies (MWACS). The CSC also hopes to get students more involved in learning about, traveling to, and understanding the region – through relaunching the Canada Club student organization and more. 

Education abroad in Canada

Currently MSU students can take part in two different programs in Canada.  

One is Community Literacies in Canada, a faculty-led program where students gain teaching and non-profit experience while working with literacy centers in Toronto and Montréal.  

The other focuses on the Toronto International Film Festival, which students will attend as they study film festivals, industry partnerships and film publicity.  

The center has plans to expand not only the education abroad opportunities in Canada, but to bring more Canadian students to MSU. 

Last fall, 22 students and faculty from Wilfrid Laurier University visited MSU, spending time on both East Lansing and Flint campuses in October.

The visiting delegation toured the East Lansing campus and spoke with students and faculty before traveling to Flint and learning about public health initiatives. Read more reflections from a student participant on the Laurier Centre for the Study of Canada website.

Malouin says many students don’t understand the geopolitical and economic relationship the U.S. has with Canada.  

"Canada is the largest and most important trade partner to the U.S., our closest defense ally and co-steward of the Great Lakes," Malouin said.  "It's important to know your neighbors."

Starting the year in Ontario
 

This January, Malouin helped lead a delegation of students and faculty to Ontario. For two of the students, this was their first time traveling outside of the U.S.

The trip included visits to Woodland Cultural Centre, two campuses of Wilfrid Laurier University, Queen's Park, and the US Consult General in Toronto.

For Melayna Elliott, experiences in Canada reinforced a lesson on the transformative power of meaningful conversations and insightful presentations. 

“The Canada trip has become a catalyst for my journey toward becoming a more informed and engaged global citizen,” Elliott said. “I’m ready to explore, learn, and connect on a deeper level.”

Professor of Printmaking d’Ann de Simone appreciated connecting with faculty at partner institutions during the trip. 

“The trip emphasized for me the fact that connecting as human beings is so important,” de Simone said. “How important it is for students to see themselves in an unfamiliar culture so they can see themselves through others, gain new perspectives, and question their outlook.”