The Kentucky Institute for International Studies or KIIS (keys) has a new home at WKU…relocating here from Murray State University over the summer.

In this week’s “View from the Hill”, Amy Bingham looks at what it means for this study abroad program to be hosted by Western.

The KIIS program has been around for more than thirty years…originating at Murray State University.

WKU has been involved since the beginning…but jumped at the chance to be “ home base” for this international program.

Emily Martin came away from her two study abroad experiences with a lot more than pictures.
 
“In Mexico, for example, I got to go observe in a hospital setting.”

The New Haven senior is a nursing major with a minor in Spanish.  She has been to both Spain and Mexico to get hands on training in that culture.
 
“With there being a lot of Hispanics in health care..I’m really hoping to maybe just when they come through the emergency room door we need someone to comfort them and ease them…I’m hoping I can step in.”

When Emily left for Mexico during the summer…the study abroad program was based at Murray State University…when she returned…it had relocated to  her school—WKU.
 
“The great thing about being at Western is Western’s dedication to International education.”

KIIS Executive Director Chris Beirwirth is the only staff member to make the move to Western from Murray.  Since  late June he has assembled a staff here to continue executing study abroad trips in the fall, spring and summer.
 
“I don’t think many students are yet aware of our move here but my expectation is that as awareness grows, participation will increase.”

“At Murray in dealing with them, not that they weren’t great, I just don’t think it was all quite there for them as much as Western..being a little bigger and having international theme as part of our motto.”

The first study abroad trip since WKU officially took over the Kentucky Institute for International Studies began today when eight students left for Germany.  Half of them were from Western Kentucky University.

With this week’s View from the Hill, I’m Amy Bingham.