WMU faculty exchange to Germany sparks new research and international collaboration
KALAMAZOO, Mich.— For Dr. Jeffrey Angles, a summer faculty exchange in Germany offered more than dedicated time for research. It provided an opportunity to build new international connections, explore unexpected scholarly collaborations and reconnect with the curiosity that first drew him to academic life.
A professor of Japanese in Western Michigan University's Department of World Languages and Literatures, Angles spent May 21 to June 14 at the University of Passau through the longstanding faculty exchange partnership between the two institutions.
The WMU–University of Passau faculty exchange, now in its third decade, promotes cross-cultural academic collaboration and scholarly exchange, says Dr. Michelle Metro-Roland, associate director of external scholarships and faculty development at WMU’s Haenicke Institute for Global Education.
The program provides an opportunity for faculty to expand their international networks, share expertise with colleagues abroad, and bring new perspectives back to WMU.
"This exchange is one of WMU’s longest-running international programs, dating back to the presidency of Dr. Diether Haenicke,” Metro-Roland says. “Over the years, these month-long visits have fostered lasting collaborations between WMU faculty and their colleagues at the University of Passau.”
Selected faculty members spend one month in residence at the University of Passau. Participants deliver one or two lectures and engage in research and scholarly exchange with Passau faculty. The program welcomes faculty from different disciplines, and German language proficiency is not required.
"My time in Passau not only gave me the space to finish ongoing projects, it also gave me new energy to think about the future," Angles wrote following the experience.
"Having this chance to step outside my routines so that I could fully participate in the professorial life of the mind helped to remind me why I chose this profession in the first place," he wrote.
An award-winning scholar, translator and expert in modern Japanese literature, Angles used his time abroad to advance several major projects. He completed a translation of Reading the Heart Sutra by acclaimed Japanese writer Ito Hiromi, finalized a book chapter on Inagaki Taruho for an upcoming MIT Press volume and prepared translation samples of contemporary Japanese novels for potential publication.
While research was a primary focus, some of the most meaningful outcomes came through conversations with colleagues across disciplines. Angles connected with scholars whose interests in migration, language and identity intersected with his own work, leading to invitations to participate in conferences and contribute to discussions on literature, multilingualism and intercultural learning.
He also shared his research on Japanese monster films, drawing on his published work about Godzilla and Mothra. Tailoring the presentation for an audience without a Japanese studies program, Angles explored the films through the lenses of cinema, Cold War history and international relations. The talk sparked discussions about future collaborations and interdisciplinary teaching opportunities.
"All in all, my time in Passau was a tremendously enriching time," says Angles. "Not only was it beneficial to step outside of my usual concerns and think about new things in fresh ways, but my time in Europe also gave me a new spark of passion that helped me finish some projects and think in fresh ways about my interests.
"I highly recommend Passau to future WMU scholars. Passau was so valuable to me that if there was an opportunity to return there for a longer period of time, I would gladly leap at the chance."
Apply for the next faculty exchange
Each year, the WMU–University of Passau Faculty Exchange provides one WMU faculty member with the opportunity to spend a month at the German university. WMU faculty interested in participating in the exchange should submit their application materials to Dr. Michelle Metro-Roland at @email by Nov. 30.
Applications must include a short curriculum vitae and a letter of interest outlining proposed lecture topics, a preliminary plan for the visit and potential contacts at the University of Passau.
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To learn more about WMU’s Japanese program or other offerings of World Languages and Literatures, contact the College of Arts and Sciences.
About the Haenicke Institute for Global Education
The Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education, established in 1998, fosters an environment that supports the global engagement of the Western community. Its offices support nearly 850 international students from 94 countries on campus and an additional 720 international students pursuing WMU degrees through unique programs abroad. Staff support admissions, immigration, student success and post-graduation job training.
The institute also facilitates short- and long-term study abroad programs for students, faculty and staff, and hosts a variety of global learning initiatives to encourage a more globally engaged Kalamazoo. This includes providing scholarship and academic opportunities; K-12 outreach; and showcasing arts, entertainment and culture from around the world. Learn more about the Haenicke Institute for Global Education.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.