Achievement

Students consistently speak of the personal advantages they have accrued as a result of their exposure and exploration into research and education during year one. In addition, they cite two other transformative experiences as critical to their academic maturation, and their ability to initiate and conduct a portion of their dissertation research internationally. First was a one week- transboundary course where as a cohort, they explored cross-border environmental issues with the associated stakeholders. Second was a 2 to 3 week international trip with an associated interdisciplinary research focus. Students discovered that by the time they do the international component of their fellowship, they have reached a level of ability where they can make rapid connections, have profitable collaborations and acquire research publications at a much faster than they were able to with their initial home institution dissertation project.