principles-international-quality

4 ways universities are reinventing the study “abroad” experience


Successful institutions share their best practices when using technology to provide international experiences.

international-abroad-studentsAccording to a recent report from the American Council on Education (ACE), fewer than 10 percent of U.S. undergraduates currently participate in study abroad programs. But some innovative colleges and universities are aiming to change their participation rates by making the experience more accessible.

The reason why there are more than 90 percent of college students who never study abroad are numerous, claims ACE’s “Quick Hit” report. Reasons include cost, poor planning, fear, and lack of information, but also include limits places on course requirements by the student’s institution.

That’s why one of the core beliefs of ACE’s Center for Internationalization and Global Engagement (CIGE) is effective internationalization requires a “comprehensive institutional commitment delivered through the curriculum, research, faculty development, and active strategies for institutional engagement.”

It’s in this spirit of comprehensive strategizing that a handful of colleges and universities are developing unique approaches to broadening students’ access to an international experience, with many of these program specifically targeting low-income, first-generation students.

(Next page: 4 best practices in providing a successful tech-enhanced abroad experience)

1. Involve administration. The State University of New York (SUNY) frequently turns to the SUNY Center for Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) for advice on providing distance learning courses between local institutions and those abroad. Based on experiences from providing “scores” of these kinds of courses, COIL director Jon Rubin says that one of the best lessons learned is that courses and models based on professor-to-professor relationships tend to be less sustainable than partnerships between institutions that involve administrators.

2. Build on local culture. When focusing on the inclusion of underserved student populations to the abroad experience, Glenville State College (WV) recommends building on local roots to bridge connections. For example, approximately 70 percent of its students come from low- to moderate-income families, and many are first-generation. Many families also have family histories that tie to the Westhe Asturias region of Spain, and an Asturian community still exists in the state, notes the report. Building on those roots, Glenville State is piloting two tech-supported collaborative online experiences—a Spanish-language course and a West Virginia history course—with the University of Oviedo in Asturias, Spain. “We are hoping that by virtue of students having conversations with their peers in Spain, seeing pictures of them and where they are from, and getting a sense of the community they come from” will result in a positive cultural exchange, says Megan E. Gibbons, an assistant professor of Spanish at Glenville State. According to the report, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission views Glenville’s initiative as a potential model for spreading internationalization across the state system.

 3. Consider time requirements. Fayetteville State University (FSU) in North Carolina has a long-standing relationship with two universities in China, and decided to expand international opportunities for its predominantly low-income student body from small rural towns by offering general education global literacy courses. According to Jon Young, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at FSU, the University has successfully piloted several courses—in subjects as disparate as English as a second language, psychology, and business administration—in which faculty from Fayetteville and from its Chinese partner institutions “team-teach using interactive television,” describes the report. Important consideration include time zones and teacher schedules, as all courses require bridging a 12-hour time difference—13 during Daylight Savings Time (classes meet together twice a week and separately for a third weekly class). One of the most popular of these courses, Young says, is one in world religions. Young said that FSU is expanding its reach to include a partnership with a university in India, with hopes of expanding to Europe and Africa. “I think the challenge is that establishing relationships that are strong enough so that the faculty can work together takes institutional commitment,” said Young. “Both institutions must be committed to providing the technology resources needed to make this work. Establishing the partnership and getting the faculty members together to develop the courses can create some logistical challenges. But for us, it is a real priority.”

4. Understand diversity requirements. According to ACE, some colleges and universities include their international efforts with their diversity initiatives in order to recognize that, as ACE describes, “…cultural competency has become imperative as the job market globalizes and as the workforce continues to diversify.” For example, described the report, “Glenville State includes its partnership with the University of Oviedo under a broad umbrella that is exemplified in the college’s decision to bring both internationalization and diversity efforts under the aegis of one college committee.” Also, in 2008, the Division of Equity, Diversity, and Global Outreach was established at North Dakota State University (NDSU) to bring together international and multicultural offices; and at Hampshire College in Massachusetts, international student support and advising are a part of the Cultural Center, which also houses the college’s office of multicultural and international student services. Byron McCrae, dean of students, says the structure is intentional to help ensure that “multicultural affairs and international student services [partnerships] lead to organic programming and support.”

For more detailed case studies, as well as numerous resources for providing a tech-enhanced abroad experience, read the full quick hit report here.

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