New interdisciplinary program draws praise

Look out world, here they come. The International Studies Program, the University's newest academic venture, has been received enthusiastically on campus, according to ISP coordinator and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Professor Roger Allen. The curriculum, which is being offered for the first time this year, is a dual-degree program in both the College of Arts and Sciences and the Wharton School. "The context of this is the University's desire to globalize and internationalize the curriculum and opportunities for students," Allen said. "The purpose is to produce highly qualified, globally-ready graduates." The program, which is being co-coordinated by Associate Professor of Finance Jamshed Ghandhi, requires a 42-course load, including the Wharton and College general requirements, an intense four-semester advanced language requirement and a required semester of study abroad. In addition, students must take College courses in political science, Wharton international management and area studies focusing on a particular geographic location. Last spring, 29 students were admitted out of a pool of more than 450 applicants. In future years, the program will be capped at 40 students, with projected increased application numbers, Allen said. He added that no transfer students will be admitted to the program because "it's simply not possible because of the size of the program." "We began last year without any publicity," Allen said. "Though it's absolutely impossible to predict numbers, we expect a huge increase in international student applications. "I have been getting every week, inquiries from other Universities," he added. "This is a very, very high-profile program for Penn." One course, entitled "History of World Economics: 18th Century to Present," has been specially designed for ISP students, giving the students an individualized curriculum. ISP also offers focuses in eight languages, with which students must enter the program already proficient, as determined by an oral interview and Advanced Placement or Achievement Test scores. This year's 29 students are living together in King's Court, "primarily because it's the best equipped of the dorms." This decision was intended to promote a sense of community for the students so "they can develop a greater sense of cohesion," Allen said. Students have received the program very well, citing the diverse education as their primary incentive. "I think it's a very unique program," said ISP freshman Timothy Williams. "As time goes by, conventional communications programs are becoming obsolete. This program focuses on new tactics." "I think [the program's] got great potential," said ISP freshman Lucrecia Castro. "It's a really hard course load -- I'm taking six courses now -- but we all came into the program knowing that we'd have a lot of work." Others cited the small community as a main draw for the program. "It had all the advantages of a small atmosphere, yet we get all the resources that Penn has," said ISP freshman Robert Haas. "We're getting lots of attention. There's been a lot of hype. "Although we don't have a lot of choices, we basically have an easier time getting into classes that we want," he added. "We have easier access to Dr. Ghandhi and Dr. Allen. I have made a bunch of contacts through this program." Haas also explained that compared to international programs at other schools, the University's curriculum focuses on "things that happened after the fall of communism."