News

How many faculty do you know who’ve been on not one, not two, but three Fulbrights? For French professor Valerie K. Orlando, the world is her classroom. From the souks of Marrakech to the traboules of Lyon, her time spent in Morocco, Tunisia, and France have been foundational to her work in the humanities—and she’s not done yet. As a humanities scholar with a focus on Africa and the Caribbean, her international experiences are foundational to her explorations of literature, film, and women’s studies in these regions.

On February 27, the new Maryland initiative, ATLAS (Africa Through Language and Area Studies) sponsored its first annual conference, with a series of panel presentations and discussions highlighting University of Maryland faculty-led research related to Africa, the African diaspora, and African American studies.

The C.D. Mote, Jr. Incentive Awards Program (IAP) and the School of Public Health (SPH) teamed up to create a new UMD-Winter program in Brazil, addressing the enduring injustice of racism as a public health crisis.

International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) has begun fundraising efforts for a new International Student Support Fund, which will go towards supporting UMD international students experiencing a crisis in their home country, providing cost assistance for basic necessities or educational expenses. 

"I was fortunate to serve in the military and be stationed overseas, particularly in Europe. Going to Nicaragua did not provide any unusual challenge; however, I was able to guide the new students with some cultural adjustments."

"I had a level of independence that allowed me to explore Italy at my own pace, but still, a community of my peers to socialize with. The perfect mix of support and freedom helped me get the most immersive experience while learning new course material."