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Student Research University of Richmond students are encouraged to conduct research or independent study with an international focus, particularly when combined with an experience abroad. International and exchange students studying at Richmond are encouraged to continue research begun in their home countries while here in the U.S., or begin new research here. Below are a few examples of students who have completed independent studies or research with an international focus. Joyce Bennett (Guatamala) Project Title: Oxlajuj Aj
Study Abroad Program: Tulane Summer Program in Guatamala
Abstract: With the help of a Weinstein Grant through the Office of International Education, I spent the past summer traveling in highland Guatemala with a course offered by Tulane University called Oxlajuj Aj. The program is designed to teach Kaqchikel, a Mayan language spoken by about half a million people in highland Guatemala, to non-native speakers. The classroom uses an innovative approach whereby ten native Kaqchikel speakers teach ten non-native speakers while traveling together through different Kaqchikel towns. My experiences and research in Guatemala are now helping me in working with a women's weaving group that is part of the Mayan population in Richmond. This group and its affects will be the focus of my senior thesis for American Studies.
Click here to watch Joyce's video.
Nina Bhattacharyya (New Zealand, Trinidad & Tobago)
Nina received a 2006-2007 Fulbright Grant in biology to study for a year in Trinidad and Tobago. Click here to read more about Nina's Fulbright award. Project Title: Floristic Treatment of Acalypha found in the Yucatan Peninsula
Study Abroad Program: University of Otago, New Zealand
Abstract: A floristic treatment was prepared for the species Acalypha found in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, as a contribution to two ongoing flora projects for the region. Original descriptions, published when each species was first named as new to science, were obtained through interlibrary loan requests. Specimens were requested from herbaria with significant holdings of Yucatan material. Loans were sorted by species and morphological features were recorded for all specimens of each species. During this study phase, hypotheses concerning morphological variation and species limits were repeatedly created, tested, and rejected or accepted. Some of the most useful characters in distinguishing species include: overall habit; leaf size, shape, and pubescence; stipule morphology; pistillate inflorescence architecture; presence/absence and form of allomorphic flowers. Next, results of morphological study were synthesized through the drafting of concise descriptions for each species. Some previously named entities are best reduced to synonymy. For example, A. unibracteata Muell. Arg. and A. seleriana Greenm. should be included within A. leptopoda Muell. Arg. Similarly, A. flagellata Millsp. proves not to be distinct from A. villosa Jacq. Preliminary results support the recognition of eight native and two cultivated species of Acalypha for Yucatan.
Click here to read Nina's paper.
Click here to view Nina's poster.
Click here to watch Nina's video.
Genevieve Goulding (Canada, France, Switzerland, Tanzania, Uganda)
Genevieve received a 2007-2008 Fulbright Grant in international relations to study for a year in France. The title of her project is "Sheltering Hands? UNHCR Protection in France?" Click here to read more about Genevieve's Fulbright award. Project Title: Refugee "warehousing" in African Nations
Study Abroad Programs: SIT Switzerland, SIT Uganda
Abstract: My research is a study of refugee policy, specifically the practice of "warehousing" refugees in camps in host countries in Africa. With the help of Quest funding and incredible faculty support, the research has taken me around the world. In Tanzania, I studied the implications of power within camp structure, and how that defines the "refugee" identity. In Geneva, Switzerland, I focused on the theoretical and political issues behing the policy making of "encampment," and in Uganda, I explord how the camp policy hinders development initiatives in the country. The project has turned into my senior thesis.
Click here to watch Genevieve's video.
Beth Massie (Scotland) Project Title: Courting Disaster: Women, Romance, and Novels in Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Britain
Study Abroad Program: University of Edinburgh
Abstract: Society always fears that something is corrupting its youth and therefore dooming the future. Just as violent television shows are blamed for a rise in violence carried out by today's youths, two centuries ago it was believed that high dramatized romantic courtship novels were adversely affecting the actions of marriageable young women in Great Britain. From the middle of the eighteenth century to the middle of the nineteenth century, courtship novels influenced and were influenced by British society's changing views on courtship and marriage. This dual impact transformed the courtship novel of the late eighteenth century into the didactic novel of the early nineteenth century whose primary aim was to impress upon their readers the importance of education and logic for women without entirely destroying the romantic notions of the courtship genre.
Click here to read Beth's paper.
Click here to watch Beth's video.
Przemyslaw Polaski (Poland) Project Title: Pilgrimage of Dignity
International Program: Przemyslaw is an international student at Richmond. His home country is Poland.
Abstract: John Paul II's first visit to Poland took place in June of 1979. The pilgrimage was arguably one of the most important trips of his pontificate. Within a matter of days the Pope was able to transform the Polish society, inspire hope, and ignite a sense of collective dignity. Through a series of rhetorically powerful speeches the pilgrim questioned the foundations of Communist authority. Talking about the inalienable rights of man, he stirred up a longing for freedom that matured with the birth of the Solidarity Movement in 1980. The purpose of this presentation is to show how John Paul II's epical journey changed the course of Polish history.
Click here to read Przemyslaw's honors thesis.
Click here to watch Przemyslaw's video.
Stephanie Schwartzkopf (Chile) Project Title: El Estado del Capital Humano en Micro y Pequeñas Empresas
en La Quinta Región
Study Abroad Program: SIT Chile
Abstract: Micro and small businesses (Mypes) in Chile are in a precarious situation due to their high failure rate, instability, poor quality products and low income among other aspects. Human capital is an important factor in the economic development of Mypes and consequently the development of the Chilean economy which is largely consists of Mypes. Chilean Mypes lack the human capital which is the factor that has the most potential to improve their situation. The majority of small business owners lack the knowledge, training and skills necessary for success. There are various state programs such as SENCE, CORFO, SERCOTEC and Chile Califica, along with local government programs that are intended to increase the level of human capital but these programs have a small impact. The programs fail to give Mypes the knowledge, training and skills that they require because the programs fail recognize the different needs of micro and small business, they do not focus on raising the competency level, business owners believe that programs are useless and the state does not have an over reaching theory for human capital to guide is programs.
Click here to read Stephanie's thesis in Spanish.
Click here to watch Stephanie's video.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you are a University of Richmond study abroad, international, or exchange student and would like to have your international work highlighted on this webpage, please contact Abby Ward.
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