WHY STUDY, INTERN AND TEACH IN MONGOLIA

The world countries have agreed to reach the Millennium Development Goals by 2015: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender quality and empower improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability, and develop global partnership for development. It is extremely important to ensure that young people contribute to achieving MDGs through working and volunteering worldwide, transferring their knowledge and skills to the poor and minorities, learning about other cultures and opening their minds to diversity. Academic institutions must help youth become internationally competent and culturally tolerant world leaders.

The history of Mongolia dates back 500000 years and transcends national borders. Early nomadic societies, the history of Xiong-nu confederacy and Mongol Empire, the contributions of Mongols into world history, features of the post-imperial Mongolia and the emergence of Mongolia as the second oldest Communist regime have always attracted interests of scholars.

In increasingly interdependent development and relationships of world countries, Mongolia has progressed towards a free market economy and emerged as a new and successful democracy in Asian continent. Mongolia provides an important example to countries in Asia as well as other parts of the world how to manage an economic transition within a democratic political framework.

Relatively untouched large-scale natural landscapes and rich biodiversity have always been a dream for scientists as well as tourists who enjoy camping wherever they want. Scholars and practitioners now question how Mongolia’s growth could be sustained without damage to the environment, cultural values, heritages and traditions.

STUDY IN MONGOLIA

Interdisciplinary Summer Program in Mongolian Studies

The primary goals of the program are to strengthen network of scholars of East Asian Studies, enhance students’ global perspective and ability to work for multinational corporations, international NGOs and organizations and contribute to students’ learning of tolerance to cultures and openness to diversity. Within these broader goals, the program aims to:

• Facilitate development of a broadened view of East Asia as a whole;
• Introduce students to the history, culture and contemporary political and socio-economic life of Mongolia and its democracy-building process in Asian context; 
• Build students’ capability in Mongolian language.

Duration of the Program

The duration of the program is 3-6 weeks. The program is a combination of classes, workshops, extracurricular activities and internship. The Mongolian Studies Program is an interdisciplinary program and there will be a number of cross-listed courses to be offered by various departments:  lobalreachmongolia.org
• Mongolian language;
• History;
• Anthropology and archaeology;
• Contemporary Mongolian Society; and
• Mongolia-East Asia Relations.

In total, 30 hours of Mongolian language classes and 2-day workshop will be held. The workshop will take a place in Ulaanbaatar and in the countryside.

Credits

Upon successful completion of the course, students earn three credits.

Language of Instruction

Mongolian language classes will be held in Mongolian, however, English will be used for explaining grammars and some specific aspects of the language itself. The workshop is in English.

Extracurricular Activities

History and Culture Related Sightseeing

• National Museum of History
• Bogd Khan Museum
• Gandan Temple
• Naadam Festival* (Naadam Festival is 11-13 July)

Tours

• Tour of Ulaanbaatar: Downtown, modern districts, ger districts and black market.
 Discussion: Growth of the city, ethnic changes and urban problems

• Sand Dune Elsen Tasarkhai/Orkhon Valley World Cultural Heritage site Visit Khar Khorin, Erdenezuu temple, numerous sacred sites, deer stone and rock  art sites.
 Discussion: Mongolia and its role in world history, Buddhism/Shamanism, nomadic civilisation, rural development and  environmental issues.

• Terelj National Park
• Hustai Nuruu National Park
 Discussion: Tourism Growth and Local Community Development

Site Visits

• Parliament House of Mongolia
• Constitutional Court and Supreme Court
• Gobi Cashmere Company
• Zorig Foundation and Civil Movement Party
• Media organizations, International/local NGOs
• Small & Medium Enterprises

Summer Field School in Anthropology and Archaeology at School of Social Sciences

Introduction

The Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, School of Social Sciences offers a special opportunity for foreign undergraduates, graduates, continuing students, and volunteers to actively participate in the field research in anthropology and archaeology.
Its principal aim is to broaden the understanding of culture and tradition of Mongolians through the study of historical and pre-historical sites and archeological excavation in Central and Eastern Mongolia. It also seeks to promote international exchange and collaboration on a variety of research in anthropology and archaeology and educational outreach projects related to the understanding of culture and history of Mongolia.
Students will learn not only techniques of scientific investigation, but experience immersion in a foreign culture by living for a month in the traditional community of Mongolia. A month in the countryside of Mongolia will be an intense experience of an exotic culture and a new environment through the anthropological perspective.

Course Objectives and Goals

The objectives of the field school course are to promote an in-depth awareness of cultural traditions of Mongolians; and introduce to basic archaeological field methods and techniques such as survey, excavation, and data recording through participation in the field projects.

At the end of the course students should be able to demonstrate:
• An essential theoretical and practical knowledge of anthropological and archaeological research methods;
• A general knowledge of Mongolian prehistory, history, culture and tradition; and
• A specific understanding of burial ritual and settlement patterns of ancient nomads.

The training includes lectures that focus on the process and theory of anthropological and archaeological research and the prehistory of Mongolia. Lectures are given by professors from the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology and other departments of National University of Mongolia and leading scholars in Anthropology and Archaeology of Mongolia.

Course Structure

Courses are organized in a logical progression of four stage activities, enabling you to obtain primary Mongolian language knowledge, understanding of the host culture and field research skills.

During the first stage, two-day orientation program is organized by the Office for International Affairs and the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, School of Social Sciences. Students get introduced to the city of Ulaanbaatar and the National University of Mongolia. Students will have a chance to do some shopping and visit museums.

The second stage (4 days) consists of a basic communicative Mongolian language course and lectures on Mongolian history, archeology, ethnography and anthropology.

The topics of lectures are as follows:

• History: prehistory and history of Mongolians, natural and historical geography, history of great Khans, contributions of Mongolian to world cultures;
• Ethnic studies: origins and politics of ethnography, history of Mongolian ethnic groups, current geography of ethnic groups of Mongolia, cultural preservation and the traditional arts, sculpture, painting, music, dancing, folklore;
• Physical anthropology: environmental issues and physical adaptability of Mongolians, anthropology of ancient and modern Mongolian population;
• Cultural anthropology: social customs and hierarchies, gender roles, religious beliefs and traditions (Buddhism, shamanism), traditional healing practices of Mongols; and
• Archaeology: research methods and techniques in archaeology, Archaeology of ancient nomads in Mongolia, Siberia, Central and Southeast Asia, ancient settlements in the territory of Mongolia, Archaeological monuments of Paleolithic, Neolithic, bronze, Hunnu, Mongolian empire periods of Mongolian history.

On the third stage (10 days) of the program students have an opportunity of learning cultures from field experience. Students will work as a team at the key sites in Eastern and Central Mongolia. Students will be divided into survey, site evaluation, and oral history teams and switch to different teams after 2 to 3 days. This will give students the opportunity to participate in different data collection procedures.

Students learn anthropological and archaeological research methods and techniques. This includes cross-cultural adaptation and skills building; field study ethics, developing contacts and finding resources; developing skills in observation and interviewing, gathering, organizing and communicating data and maintaining a work journal.

Students will also participate in field operations such as quadrant surveys, site recordating and excavations. The land surveys, site specific studies, and local family research will provide students with the opportunity to learn more about the social and natural environment of Mongols. During this stage students select a research theme to conduct specific studies.

On the final stage (5 days) students prepare a research paper and present it at the workshop.

Accommodation and Work Environment

Students must be prepared and willing to live and work in a field camp, sleep in tents, share camp chores and maintenance, and engage in strenuous outdoor activities. The chores will include cooking, clean-up, and general maintenance of the field facilities. Outdoor activities will include hiking to survey quads and archaeological site locations. Students should be ready to excavate, carry heavy loads, and process field collections.

Personal Supplies

Students in the course should arrive prepared for fieldwork and camping. Critical items include a tent, a good sleeping bag, rain gear, hiking boots, grubby clothes, toiletries, a hat, and a camera (optional). Your field equipment kit should contain a watch, compass, protractor, pencils and pens, and you should have your personal backpack, a portable water container, toilet paper, sunblock cream, first aid kit, insect repellant.
The program will provide cooking gear, food, equipment, and transportation while in the field. A complete list of personal supplies will be furnished upon registering for the program.

Summer Program “Biodiversity of Natural Zones in Mongolia” at Faculty of Biology

Introduction

The Faculty of Biology of the NUM focuses on conservation of large-scale natural landscapes untouched by human being. These large areas of wilderness of global importance within the boreal region constitute a unique reference for the study of biodiversity in natural landscapes with pale arctic species.

The International Program “Biodiversity of Natural Zones in Mongolia” aims to introduce students with biological diversity of Mongolia: wildlife diversity and landscape diversity. The wildlife field study investigates Mongolian animals while landscape diversity field study focuses on different ecosystems of Mongolia,

Wildlife diversity (Plants, animals and rare animals)
• Mammals;
• Birds;
• Reptiles;
• Amphibians;
• Fishes;
• Insects; and
• Rare animals: wild camel, wild ass, and birds such as ground jay, houbaru, bustard, great bustard, demoiyelle cranes, raptors (steppe and golden eagles and lammargier), giffon vulture, black vu.
Landscape diversity:
• Taiga forest;
• Forest steppe;
• Mountainous steppe;
• Desert steppe;
• Dry steppe;
• Gobi desert; and
• Fresh water lakes and rivers.

The Dendro-Ecology Summer Program at Faculty of Biology

The Dendro-Ecology Summer Program is designed for undergraduate and graduate students and young research fellows who want to learn dendro-chronology and dendro-ecology research methods for ecological research. The school is jointly organized by the Department of Forestry at the Faculty of Biology and Dendro-Chronology Laboratory of the University of Columbia, USA. Students are divided into 2-3 groups. After completing an orientation program, each group goes to the fieldwork to collect samples and is engaged in processing samples and preparing presentations.

Exposure Program 2007

Internship

International students may want to intern in Mongolia. Generally, students who want to specialize in Mongolian Studies, take internships in two streams: cultural anthropology and archaeology. Students join Mongolian/international team of scholars and students who are working in archaeological sites, conducting ethnic research or go to ive with a nomadic family.

Those, who plan to intern in organizations in Ulaanbaatar, will be assigned two mentors: one from the university and, http://www.globalreachmongolia.org/

Academic Calendar

*Program end day depends on internship duration.

How to Apply

Fill in the application and send it with a copy of a passport. Downloadable at http://www.num.edu.mn/ or globalreachmongolia.org.

INTERN AND VOLUNTEER IN MONGOLIA

Why Intern and Volunteer in Mongolia

As a developing country, Mongolia lacks expertise in many areas and you, as an international volunteer and internee, will be a valuable member of an organization
and a local community. You will make a meaningful contribution by engaging in community-driven initiatives and working side-by-side with local people.
You will experience another culture like never before and really get to know its people. Your experience will enrich your CV and you will be prepared to become an international expert.

Program Flexibility and Variety

We understand that every internee and volunteer is an individual with unique experience and skills and special needs. You let us know where to work, for how long and when you want to come and return. We customize our program and placement to suit your needs.
Internees and volunteers work in local projects and organizations that are resource poor or lack capacities. In the past, students had internships in the fields of Mongolian history and related disciplines, politics and law, public health, media, SMEs, education, tourism and hospitality, agriculture, environment and local community development.

Duration

The duration is 3-12 weeks.

Accommodation

In the city, students stay in the dormitory of the NUM. In rural areas, students live in Mongolian ger or own tent. If they want to live with a Mongolian rural family, they are expected to pay about $ 100 a month for meals. Mongolian traditional food is dairy products, cookies and meals with lots of meat or dried meat. other from the internship site. While the university mentor reviews a student project, helps him/her meet people and get relevant data, the mentor from the internship site introduces the student to the organization, finds a space and facilities to use during internship period, assigns work duties and helps him/her conduct research.

TEACH, TRAVEL AND LEARN

Why Travel to Mongolia to Teach

Teaching in Mongolia gives you wide opportunities:
• Give you new skills to boost your future career and learn how to become a leader of tomorrow;
• Allow you to see Mongolia in a short time while working, meet the people and make friends and connections for life;
• Support Mongolian community and make a positive impact on the lives of local families and children;
• Immerse yourself in a foreign culture and share cultural exchanges; and
• Learn loads of life skills and safety tools;
• So “Travel to Teach” is a great way to increase your chances of success in your career.

Who Can Apply

Professional TEFL teachers, elementary school teachers and teachers of social sciences and natural sciences in middle and high schools are encouraged to apply. We also support undergraduate and graduate students specializing in education.

Duration

There are three options:
• Summer Teaching: One or two months between June and August.
• Semester Teaching: 
        Fall semester: September 1-December 25 
        Spring: January 2-May 31.
• Year-Round Teaching: September 1-June 1 next year.

Orientation

The orientation familiarizes with local culture and lifestyle, neighborhood and an assigned organization.

Placements

Teachers and students will teach at secondary and high schools of Ulaanbaatar. Teachers of social sciences and natural sciences will teach students from English schools or students who possess upper intermediate level of English. TEFL teachers will have students with varying English language abilities from basic to upper intermediate.

Classroom and Facilities

Copy and printing facilities are mostly available. TEFL teachers will have tape recorders, TVs and VCRs.

Textbooks and Educational Materials

Mongolian schools have very limited textbooks and educational materials. Therefore, we ask you to bring useful resources for teaching.

Teaching Workload

On average, teachers teach 20 hours a week from Monday to Friday. Some schools have morning and afternoon shifts. Therefore, teachers who come for academic semester or year, should be prepared to work either in one or two shifts. Normally, morning shift is 8.0 a.m-1.0 p.m and afternoon shift is 1.0 p.m-6.0 p.m. One academic hour is 45 minutes.

Salary and Wage

• Students: You should understand that local salary is low and moderate to cover living expenses. On average, students get $100 a month.
• Professional Teachers: The salary of professional teachers ranges between $300 and $600.

Accommodation

Teachers are provided with a room in the dormitory of the National University of Mongolia. Rooms have basic furniture, common bathroom and kitchen. We do not charge teachers for accommodation.
http://www.num.edu.mn/, http://www.globalreachmongolia.org/

How to Apply

Express your interests through email and send your CV. We will find a right place for you and offer services in invitation and work permission handling, finding placement in local schools, communication, airport pick up and orientation.

STUDY TOUR: TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE

Our study tours are small, specilialised expeditions. The study tour goes beyond sightseeing. It is a journey to lives of ordinary people, archaeological monuments, cultural sights, traditional land use, unique ecosystems and spectacular geography. Tour participants will see traditional ways of using pastureland, water and forest and develop better understanding of values of natural resources for the local community development and livelihood of rural people. The tour will give you new ideas and new initiatives that you could bring to these people, help them improve their qualify of life and preserve cultural heritages and wildlife.

Duration

The study tour is 1-2 weeks.

Accommodation

Most students live in a shared dormitory room or apartment in the city. In the field, they sleep in a tent or ger, traditional dwelling of nomads.

TUITION, FEES AND PRICES

For updated prices of all programs, please contact the Office for International Affairs, the National University of Mongolia.

Special Programs

ANNOUNCING THE INTERNATIONAL CURRICULUM
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF MONGOLIA

BIOLOGICAL FIELD STUDIES

SUMMER PROGRAM 2007

An important component of the program will be biological field work carried out during an expedition or at a research station. Students will gain hands-on experience of research and practice in field ecology and conservation biology by participating in actual sampling and analysis of data, and learn current techniques and equipment, as well as writing field journals and reports.
Dr.Clyde E.Goulden

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Lectures, discussions and field observation of current and historical issues in wildlife conservation of Mongolia designed to expose students to important techniques used in the management and conservation of wildlife. Emphasis will be placed on what makes reintroduction program successful and critical factors of sound management decisions with visits to important conservation sites in Mongolia
Dates: May 15- June 8
Instructor: N. Batsaikhan, Assistant Professor, Zoology Department, NUM

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN IN FIELD ECOLOGY

This course will be an introduction to experimental designs and statistics commonly used in field ecology. Skills gained include critical assessment of ecological literature, design and implementation of field experiments and analysis/presentation of data relevant to studies of climate change and human impacts on Mongolia’s almost pristine environment.
Dates: August 15-September 1
Instructor: B. Boldgiv, Ph.D. (Univ. Pennsylvania) Assistant Professor,Ecology Department, NUM

STEPPE PLANT ECOLOGY

Study of the physical characteristics of steppe plant communities, plant taxa and dominance, patterns of regional and local distribution of Hovsgol National Park flora via field trips’  This course will emphasize concepts and experimental testing of factors affecting steppe plant communities and the impacts of grazing by nomad’s livestock. 
Dates: June 15- July 15
Instructor: L. Ariuntsetseg, Lecturer, Ecology Department, NUM

EXPERIMENTAL HERPETOLOGY

The course will encompass use of field-collecting technique and laboratory methods for monitoring the behavioral and physiological ecology of amphibians and reptiles in desert (Gobi) and semi-desert areas of Mongolia. Field identification and collections also will be used for understanding the regional herpeto-faunal diversity and biogeography.
Dates:
Instructor: Michael Sears, Assistant Professor, Southern Illinois University, USA  Kh. Terbish, Professor, Ecology Department, NUM, Mongolia

FISH ECOLOGY
Course # 3 credit hours
Using the Lake Hovsgol region as a primary study site, this course will address the major influences on fish communities of the lake and its watersheds. Nearby tributary streams  will also be studied.  The course will also emphasize watershed influences and climate warming impacts on the physical and chemical properties of the aquatic habitats and biota, with an emphasis on fish distribution and reproduction.
Dates:
Instructors: B.Mendee, Research Scientist, Geo-Ecology Institute
 Sudeep Chandra, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Reno, Nevada

FIELD MAMMALOGY
Field trips and class projects are included to study mammals occurring in South Gobi and Hentii Mountain National Reserve Area. Emphasis will be placed on principles of mammalian ecology, biodiversity, techniques of field study and methods of collection and conservation of rare mammalian species.
Dates:
Instructor: N.Batsaikhan, Assistant Professor, Zoology Department, NUM

AQUATIC ENTOMOLOGY
Students will participate in field expedition/lectures/laboratory course for two to three weeks to learn water quality monitoring techniques; how to collect and classify benthic macro invertebrates that serve as indicators of water quality in areas where adverse impact of mining is greater.
Dates: June 15-July 10
Instructor: Jon Morse, Professor of Entomology, Clemson University, South Carolina, USA

NUM will give three credits for each course, but local acceptance of these credits will need to be decided by the home university. Special research opportunities are also available working with on-going field research programs. Alternatively, if a faculty member of a university would like to participate with a group of students, this can also be arranged.  Dates are tentative subject to change. Space is limited. Applications will be received until April 15.

Inquiries contact: Dr. Clyde E. Goulden, The Institute for Mongolian Biodiversity and Ecology Studies, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia
Telephone: 610-329-5916, e-mail: cgoulden@acnatsci.org, mtuya11@rcn.com, boldgiv@sas.upenn.edu.