Welcome to The John Belk International Program website.

	Dr. Eric Lien

It has been almost three years since I took over the position of Director of what I think is the most exciting and unique program on the Queens University of Charlotte campus.  Since that time, Mac Mayhew (the Assistant Director) and I have continued to work toward our goal of providing our students the opportunity to learn first-hand about another culture—whether through our very popular Study Tours, our Language and Cultural Immersion Programs, our Special Programs in Strasbourg and Micronesia, our exchange programs in Hong Kong, Northern Ireland and Australia, or in conjunction with the Career and Internship Office. 

The John Belk International Program offers eligible Queens students this incredible opportunity to have an international experience as a part of their regular educational program.  For a majority of the programs, the university covers the basic costs (air and ground transportation, accommodations, breakfasts, some lunches and dinners, guides' fees, and admissions to galleries and museums) so that students may participate at relatively slight additional costs to themselves.  The generosity of the Belk Foundation has allowed our continued success and development--what a wonderful gift to the university!

Pacific Islands Environmental Studies

My thanks must also go out here to the wonderful faculty who take on much work and worry in order to make the program succeed.  Simply put, the program works because of their dedication and fearlessness in taking on the challenge year after year! 

For the 2007-2008 academic year, we are again planning for nearly 180 student and faculty participants this year.  We have a GREAT selection of options for our students with Study Tours going to South Africa and Vietnam for the first time as well as to Greece, Spain, Italy, and to Central & Alpine Europe.  Our annual Pacific Islands Environmental Studies program in Micronesia is entering its sixth year and we will be sending another group of students to Strasbourg to study European Integration and Business.  Language students will head to France, Spain and Costa Rica for intensive instruction and home-stays with local families.  Of course we have the most adventurous of our students going abroad for a year or semester of study: in Hong Kong, in Northern Ireland and at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia—you can read their blogs on our website as well. 

For more information on eligibility or any of these opportunities, explore the John Belk International Program homepage or stop by the office to talk with me or Mac.

— Dr. Eric J. Lien
Director, John Belk International Program