In 2006, the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University (CSB/SJU) established the Summer Research Exchange Program (SREP) with Southwest University (SWU), People’s Republic of China. The program addressed two issues. At that time, CSB/SJU students benefited from a full study abroad program to SWU without a reciprocal exchange of SWU students to CSB/SJU. In addition, few Chemistry/Biochemistry majors could find time in their schedules to study abroad. In the first iteration of the program, 6-8 CSB/SJU students, majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics, mathematics and psychology, spent six weeks in China where they partnered with undergraduate/graduate students in labs at SWU. After six weeks, both CSB/SJU and their partner SWU students traveled to CSB/SJU for another six weeks of research. The program has changed over the last 11 years to accommodate changes at both schools, and to make it more sustainable and research productive for students and faculty. Now our students conduct 12 weeks of research at SWU while their students spend 9-10 weeks here. The development, implementation, and evolution of SREP will be discussed.

Development, implementation, and evolution of a unique and reciprocal summer research exchange program with China

254th National Meeting (2017)

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