Welcome to the Knowledge Exchange Institute’s (KEI) March 2004 on-line newsletter!  (for students, current KEI participants abroad, program alumni, and others with an interest in studying abroad).

In this month’s issue: 

Featured City: Red-Hot Moscow!

New Study and Intern Abroad Programs
* DUBLIN
* BARCELONA

Summer 2004 Application Deadline Approaching: March 20

Will the English Language Decline in Use Around the World? 

Internship Options Provide Valuable Job Experience

Featured City: Red-Hot Moscow!
Although Moscow hasn't been "red" for more than a dozen years, the new Moscow (in the "new Russia") is booming. The city has always had world-class museums, theaters, and concert halls, but new businesses and buildings are sprouting up all over, and old landmarks and churches are being renovated. The Moscow International Performance Arts Center recently opened (September 2003) beside the Moscow River, and is envisioned to be Moscow's version of NY's Lincoln Center. A collection of world-famous, Czarist-era Faberge eggs (and other formerly-Russian treasures) were just bought (in February 2004, from the Forbes Collection), to be returned to Russia this spring for permanent public display. One can find coffee houses, sushi bars, and an ever-widening array of upscale restaurants in this city at every turn. And, the upcoming Presidential Election on March 14 is taking center stage. The New York Times refers to "Moscow's dazzling, often dizzying rebirth" -- this is truly a city that is transforming. And, an exciting place to consider study abroad. Be a witness to this city's rebirth, study in the largest country in Europe, and take discipline-specific, English-taught classes at one of the top universities in the world -- Moscow State University.  See here for more info: www.KnowledgeExchange.org

New KEI Programs in Dublin!
It's not too early to start thinking about studying abroad in Spring 2005. KEI is pleased to announce the opening of Spring 2005 study abroad programs in Dublin, Ireland -- at Griffith College Dublin. Centrally-located GCD is Ireland’s premier (and largest) independent college, with over 5,000 students from 50 countries. Ireland boasts one of Europe’s most dynamic economies, and Dublin is its beautiful and cosmopolitan capital city, with a  friendly, small-town atmosphere. Dublin is a university town, rich with culture and entertainment, and a large percentage of the population is under 35 years of age -- a great place to study abroad! 

The following programs will be offered starting Spring 2005:
*   International Business, Law, and Diplomacy Program  
*  Computer Science & Software Engineering Program
*  International Journalism & Media Communications Program
*  Interior Design & Architecture Program
*  Irish Culture & Humanities Program

New KEI Program in Barcelona: Business, Law, and Diplomacy
This English-taught program is being offered starting Spring 2005. Students can take courses in international business, marketing, finance, management, economics, commerce law, foreign policy, and international relations (as well as other disciplines). The Barcelona Business School (BBS) is a private institution, renowned for its practical and interactive approach to business and management education (close lecturer-student contact and small classes). Barcelona's vibrant cosmopolitan population and economic importance make it one of the most dynamic cities on the Mediterranean -- with its own language (Catalan), culture, and history, and an exceptionally balmy year-round climate. To read more about Barcelona, see here: http://www.bcn.es/turisme/english/turisme/welcome.htm -- or here:  http://www.spaintour.com/barcelona.html.  

For more information, call us at 1-800-831-5095.  Information about Dublin and Barcelona will shortly be on our website.

Summer 2004 Application Deadline Approaching: March 20
The application deadline for Summer 2004 KEI programs is March 20. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, and scholarships are available. KEI offers discipline-specific, 4-12 summer programs in Brussels, Venice, Beijing, Mexico City, Nairobi, and Moscow, as well as educational travel programs in Spain, Mexico, Europe, and Kenya. (Note that applications will be accepted after the March 20 deadline on a space-available basis.) Call us at 1-800-831-5095.

Will the English Language Decline in Use Around the World?  
According to a recent news article, the share of the world's population that speaks English as a native language is falling. Some say that English will play a growing role as a second language (but not necessarily the primary language). In 2003, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that nearly 1 in 5 Americans speaks a language other than English at home (with Spanish leading, and Chinese rapidly increasing). According to an article in the February 27 issue of Science Magazine, "English-only speakers may find it difficult to fully participate in a multilingual society." A study abroad experience offers an unrivaled opportunity to learn, improve, and/or perfect a second language, and an internship abroad is a great way to utilize a language skills.

Internship Options Provide Valuable Job Experience
KEI includes internship opportunities in each of our study abroad programs -- so that students can gain practical experience while earning academic credit. It's also a great way to immerse in the foreign culture, make new friends, and graduate college with real-life work experience. Graduates are facing increased competition for college-level jobs, and work experiences can set you apart from other applicants. Students can earn credits for their internships abroad. KEI currently has numerous internship positions available in a wide variety of companies. We can place you in a field of your choosing in Nairobi, Moscow, Mexico City, Barcelona, Brussels, and New York.  To read more about career outlooks and learn what the "hottest" jobs are in today's economy, visit the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics website:  http://www.bls.gov/emp/#outlook

Call us at 1-800-831-5095, or refer to our website for further information: www.KnowledgeExchange.org