Study Abroad
INST Grads Find
Their Place in the World
When
International Studies & Programs (IS&P) was established in 1973 to
provide development and coordination of the university's rapidly growing
international dimensions, no one could have imagined the impact the program
would have on the lives of countless UNO graduates or the national recognition
the program would receive. Today more than 200 International Studies (INST)
majors benefit from contact with the more than 1,000 international students —
from more than 100 countries — who study at UNO. Current INST majors join a
long list of illustrious graduates who not only have learned how to make a
difference but who do make a difference.
Czech Republic
Ross Chambers ('06)
Being a
pioneer comes naturally to Ross Chambers. As he explains it, "I come from
several generations of pioneers . . . my great-great-grandfather,
great-grandfather and grandfather were always heading west. My grandfather was
one of the last real cowboys and founded the city of Eagle, Colo. For my
ancestors, it was always important to explore and find new places."
After
9/11, Chambers decided to begin a new chapter in the spirit of his pioneering
family—a journey to international understanding—and UNO's INST became the
practical path to reach this dream.
A 2006
UNO graduate, Chambers says, "The INST major was extremely helpful in assisting
me to achieve my goals. It is a program that opens doors and encourages
students to do what they never thought could be possible. And for those who
dream, it helps them to find a practical path to reaching those dreams."
Now
living in the Czech Republic and consulting for projects funded by the European
Union, Chambers also finds time to teach legal and business English, and to
import and sell Harley-Davidson motorcycles. His next goal is to dedicate two
years of his life to a Third World humanitarian program.
"I am
very proud to be an alumnus of UNO and International Studies. I truly believe
that without this education I would not have realized my goals of pioneering a
new interconnected and inter-dependent world."
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United States
Joseph Chapuran ('94)
Joe
Chapuran's career philosophy is simple—globalization. Chapuran came to UNO as a
computer science major. He had not traveled much — never on an airplane — and
vacations always were in the United States.
Then
everything changed. As he explains, "I was inspired to go into the INST major
because of the international friends I met at UNO. It made me realize that it
is a big world out there, and I had to go experience some of it."
Chapuran
started with Japan. From 1990 to 1991 he traveled to Shizuoka on a Japanese
Ministry of Education scholarship and studied Japanese and Economics. At
Shizuoka he joined the university tennis team and participated in the martial
arts club.
In 1994
Chapuran spent a semester abroad in the Czech Republic and Belgium, then
graduated from UNO with a bachelor's degree in INST with a specialization in
international management and business (IMB) and a minor in marketing.
Now
working for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development as the
international development manager, Chapuran uses his position to help Nebraska
grow in a globalized economy, enter new markets, create joint ventures with
foreign companies and organize trade missions.
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Japan
Pamela Jewell ('94)
Pam
Jewell's interest in Japan and the world outside of Omaha began in high school
when she participated in a sister city exchange program visiting Shizuoka City
for three weeks. Once she enrolled at UNO and chose INST as her major, Jewell
explains, "My experiences and study abroad exposed me to a wide variety of
people and lifestyles."
Jewell
was on her way to becoming a citizen of the world.
In 1992
as the recipient of a Japanese Ministry of Education Scholarship, Jewell
returned to Shizuoka for a year of study at UNO's sibling institution, Shizuoka
University. Afterward, an internship with the Omaha Sister Cities Association
seemed a natural step for her when she returned to Omaha.
In 1994
Jewell graduated from UNO with a major in INST and specializations in East Asia
studies and international management and business (IMB), and headed back to
Shizuoka. For many years she was the English language face of Shizuoka City
Hall, where she served as coordinator and translator for the organization that
manages Shizuoka's Sister City activities. This past year Jewell joined the
private sector, working for Hexa Project as a graphic designer in a job that
takes her to Europe and Asia to present her company's products to others.
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United States
Hiro Makino ('91)
Hiro
Makino is quick to credit the education he received at UNO for the success he
has enjoyed in his career. "Majoring in international studies opened up the
world for me. Without the opportunity to learn about other cultures and to meet
people from around the world, I wouldn't be where I am today."
Where he
is today is in California serving as vice president of operations for Tamiya
America Inc., a global leader in the design and production of plastic models.
Makino joined Tamiya shortly after graduating from UNO and spent most of his
time at the company's headquarters in Shizuoka, Japan, where he was responsible
for licensing and overseas purchasing.
For many
Omahans, Shizuoka and the Makino Family are nearly synonymous. Hiro's father,
Yutaka Makino, was instrumental in the development of the sister city
relationship between Omaha and Shizuoka. An enthusiastic and tireless supporter
of cultural exchange, the senior Makino visited Omaha 27 times throughout his
life and eventually sent his son Hiro to Omaha to study.
Today
Hiro and his family continue to maintain their UNO ties, having made a generous
contribution to the university in memory of his late father. The fund helps to
support educational exchange between Shizuoka and Omaha.
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United States
Jody Manning ('92)
Jody
Manning's love of international travel began in high school when she lived in
Germany and traveled throughout Europe while her father was on a three-year
assignment with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. When she entered UNO as an
accounting major and needed an elective for honors credit, she chose
international studies. As Manning explains, "I was hooked immediately — I
changed my major to INST halfway through the semester and have never looked
back!"
After UNO
Jody attended law school and reports, "My UNO education was great preparation
for the global workplace. In graduate school I found myself in class next to
people who had graduated from some pretty big-name schools, and I was just as
prepared as they were, or more, from an academic standpoint. I succeeded with
the confidence that only comes from knowing I had a good academic foundation."
In 1998 Manning was appointed to the U.S. Department of State as a foreign
affairs officer assisting the Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues and worked to
develop strategic objectives for an international task force to promote
Holocaust education and remembrance.
From 2003
to 2005 she served in London as chief of staff to former U.S. Secretary of
State Lawrence Eagleburger and worked with international corporations and
victims' rights groups. Manning says the foundation she received in
cross-cultural communication, beginning with her time at UNO, helped her
overcome ambiguous situations, cultural conflicts and difficult negotiations.
Now living in Washington, D.C., Manning is an independent consultant for
non-profit organizations and involved with efforts to rebuild homes that were
damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Currently, she has another important
international project in the works. She and her husband, an electrical engineer
with the Department of Defense, are in the final stages of adopting their first
child from Kazakhstan.
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Singapore
Mark Steele ('89)
Mark
Steele has climbed Mount Everest, led an expedition to the North Pole, run a
150-mile footrace across the Sahara Desert and traversed the Patagonian ice
cap. Next up — the South Pole. No, he's not an extreme athlete.
Steele
serves as CEO of Asia-Pacific at Tele Atlas, which produces digital maps and
content that power the world's essential navigation and location services.
Based in Singapore, Steele has called the Asia-Pacific region home since 1993.
But it was his study at UNO that first took him there.
In 1988,
as an INST major, Steele received a scholarship to study in Japan. He acquired
Japanese language skills, had internships with GM and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo,
then returned to UNO with a clear career goal. "UNO . . . positioned me for my
career in international business. I couldn't imagine taking the path I have
without the preparations I received during my enrollment in the International
Studies Program."
In 2004
that path led Steele to head his company's tsunami relief efforts in Sri Lanka,
where he was recognized by former presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton.
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Seven More
Talk to
any of the UNO students turned global citizens and you'll know they have
something that sets them apart. They know it, too . . . They are "Finding Their
Place in the World."
INST
grads have stayed close to home to work at various UNO offices:
• Lori
Arias, IS&P international student adviser.
• Jean
Worshek, IS&P International Admissions.
• Barb
Stelmaszek, IS&P International Admissions.
• Vickie
Stone, IS&P Dean's office.
• Sara
Pirtle, UNMC / IS&P coordinator.
• Craig
Adler, UNO Admissions.
• Emily
Seybert, UNO College of Education.
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