Exchange Programs - The North American Conflict Resolution (NACR) Program
North American Conflict Resolution Program is an exciting College of Arts and Sciences program that provides the opportunity for U of L undergraduates to study conflict resolution through a semester exchange at U of L’s partner universities in Canada and Mexico. Through this innovative program, U of L's "North American Peace Ambassadors" take courses, do international internships, and have an extended period to learn about and analyze an array of conflicts found on the North American continent.
Why Study Conflict in North America
Communities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States face many contentious social, political, and economic problems. Some of these occur within all three countries. Others reach across our borders affecting our relations with one another. These problems are further complicated by cross-cultural misunderstanding and the lack of a single, shared North American language.
Through coursework at home and abroad and a guided internship in a community abroad, the North American Conflict Resolution Program equips students to assess and handle conflict more skillfully, effectively, and peacefully.
Program Information
Students selected as "North American Peace Ambassadors" will spend a semester at one of our partner universities in Mexico (the Universidad de Colima or the Universidad de San Luis Potosí), or in Canada (l'Université de Montréal or the University of Manitoba). At their host universities abroad, they will gain a deeper understanding of the theory and practice of peace-building and conflict resolution, while becoming intimately familiar with a different culture and with different approaches to analyzing and resolving differences.
This competitive program is open to students in good academic standing from any academic background. Those traveling to Mexico must demonstrate proficiency in Spanish and those headed to Montreal must be prepared for classes in French. Courses given at Manitoba are in English. Students accepted into the program are awarded $3,000 grants to cover their transportation and room and board abroad. Tuition for the program (12 credit hours) is paid at the U of L. Checks are paid to the International Center, payable to “U of L.” Students are responsible to cover their fees, insurance, and personal expenses while they are on the program. Program participants earn 12 hours of transferable credit. Specific courses are determined in consultation with a Study Abroad advisor and academic advisors in the appropriate departments at U of L.
Eligibility
Full-time registered student; junior standing at the time of travel; transfer students must have completed at least one year at U of L and be in good disciplinary standing.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 and good academic standing.
Commitment to take the required conflict resolution course at some point prior to going abroad, if the applicant has not yet taken this course.
Prior to travel, demonstrated advanced proficiency in the language of their prospective host institution abroad. Note that additional grant money may be available to student participants for advanced language study in their host country prior to their semester abroad.
Partner Institutions
To learn more about our partner institutions in Mexico or Canada, please see:
More Information
For program information, contact Dr. Joy Carew by email or at 502-852-6602.