A First Year Model for Study Abroad

1. A First Year Model for Study Abroad Nat Measley, FYE Graduate Assistant Martha Carothers, Associate Director Office of Undergraduate Studies University of Delaware Center for International Studies statistics provided by Lisa Chieffo Ed.D. LIFE Program statistical assistance provided by University of Delaware Office of Educational Assessment.

2. Not Studying Abroad Yet? Fear of flying. Kangaroo phobia. Severe sun burn. No prescription for homesickness. Snakes on planes.

3. Study Abroad At UD • The Past • 1923: 1 trip to Paris • 8 students • The Today • 2006: 70 programs in more than 35 countries • 1,500 total students • 70 first year students • 42 first year students in two FYE programs • Sydney, Australia and Merida, Mexico

4. LIFE Abroad Seven Components of Success First Year Students Only Faculty Mentor Small Group / Cluster Size Pre-Travel Orientation Common Courses Scholarship Support Peer Mentor LIFE: Living Integrated Freshmen Experience

5. Component #1First Year Students Only! Similar life position / experiences All first time studying abroad Same academic standing Similar impact on second study abroad hope “. . opportunity to do this as a freshman, expanding of horizons by being exposed to a culture that is similar yet so different.”

6. Component #2Small Group Size Increased interaction within the cluster Elimination of the “lost feeling” Low Faculty Mentor to student ratio Low Peer Mentor to student ratio Service learning opportunities Ease of organizing excursions

7. Component #3Common Course Load Formation of study groups “Same Boat” phenomenon Underlying themed course work Similar core curriculum requirements

8. Component #4Peer Mentor Outlet for student concern (socially/academically) Resource / facilitator for student activity Facilitator of UNIV-102 course abroad Coordinator of LIFE Project On-location orientation manager “. . .very helpful with getting adjusted to the city.” “. . .great at organizing activities for us to do.”

9. Component #5Faculty Mentor Professor of ART 129 course Resource for student-to-university affairs Mediator for student-to-student affairs Facilitator for critical thinking and cultural awareness “. . .very interested in us.” “. . .encouraged independence and chance to explore.” “. . .very accessible.” “. . .willing to deal with problems right away.”

10. Component #6Pre-Travel Orientation Classes • Boost general travel knowledge and savvy • Destination basics • Breaking the ice between group members • Cost . . .risk . . .safety • Trip specifics: courses and destination • Meet former first year study abroad students “I thought I was very prepared [for the trip]. I knew what to expect.”

11. Component #7CFIS Scholarship Support Full-time; matriculated undergraduates; academic merit; essay, recommendations; judicial review; financial need • CFIS General Scholarships • $300 - $800 • FYE Study Abroad Scholarhips (Freshman Only!) • $ 300 - $ 4,000 • STARR Study Abroad Scholarship Funds • $ 1,000 - $ 4,000

12. Go Out - Go About - Go Abroad First Year Students = Success Over Seas

13. http://international.udel.edu/studyabroad/assessment/freshmen-abroad-outcomes.pdfhttp://international.udel.edu/studyabroad/assessment/freshmen-abroad-outcomes.pdf http://international.udel.edu/studyabroad/assessment/freshmen-abroad-outcomes.pdf

14. http://international.udel.edu/studyabroad/assessment/freshmen-abroad-outcomes.pdfhttp://international.udel.edu/studyabroad/assessment/freshmen-abroad-outcomes.pdf

15. How Have You Changed from this Experience? • Sophomore First-Timers • Confidence – 18% • Adaptability – 16% • Global Awareness – 14% • Future Travel Desire – 14% • Cultural Understanding – 10% • Freshmen • Adaptability - 18% • Cultural Understanding - 18% • Language Skills - 12% http://international.udel.edu/studyabroad/assessment/freshmen-abroad-outcomes.pdf

16. http://international.udel.edu/studyabroad/assessment/freshmen-abroad-outcomes.pdfhttp://international.udel.edu/studyabroad/assessment/freshmen-abroad-outcomes.pdf

17. January 2006 • 19 First Year Students • Age • 11 Eighteen Year Olds • 8 Nineteen Year Olds • Gender • 15 Females • 4 Males • Ethnicity • 1 Indian / African American • 1 Asian • 1 Puerto Rican

18. January 2006 (Cont’d) • 19 First Year Students • Honors • 3 Honors • Tuition • 8 In-State Students - $1,242 • 11 Out-of-State Students – $3,146 • Program Cost • $5,400 • Personal Spending • $900 - $2,500 http://www.udel.edu/bill_coll/fees/06w_fees.html

19. January 2006 Pre and Post Survey Significant changes found in: Ability to compare aspects of Los Angeles and Sydney Ability to contrast aspects of Los Angeles and Sydney

20. January 2006 Pre and Post Survey “Mike Minehan was good in comparing and contrasting cultures.” “Going on excursions and meeting Australians and Aborigines helped us to get a feel of culture.” “You get more for your money [in Australia].” “A kip is a short nap.”

21. January 2006 Pre and Post Survey • Noticeable changes found in: • The course [Art 129] helping the way students view the world. • The course [Art 129] affecting students’ understanding of those different than them.

22. January 2006 Pre and Post Survey “I was most exposed to the culture by interacting with it, such as meeting locals, shopping, and going out to eat.” “Australians seem to be very relaxed, very down to earth, and friendly. Even though they speak our language there are many subtle differences.” “Everyone’s super friendly.” “Vegemite is good.”

23. January 2006 Pre and Post Survey Finish the sentence: People with cultures different than my own. . . “. . .are all the same people with different ways of living.” “. . .fascinate me, I love to explore and learn more about them.” All students answered positively.

24. January 2006 Pre and Post Survey Finish the sentence: My beliefs, morals, and values are mostly influenced by all of the following. . . “. . .family.” (15) “. . .friends.” (12) “. . .past experience.” (6) “. . .self-discovery.” (5) “. . .school or teachers.” (5)

25. January 2006 Observations • Culturally accepting group • Diversity within the group • Already traveled outside of the US • Only one student without a passport • Family likely to be travelers • Parents / guardians willing to fund study abroad