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College of Social Justice and Human Service. ISLA: International Summer Leadership Academy . College of Social Justice and Human Service. What is ISLA?. ISLA is an international travel educational experience organized for Master’s and Ph.D. students in the Higher Education Program
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College of Social Justice and Human Service ISLA: International Summer Leadership Academy
College of Social Justice and Human Service What is ISLA? • ISLA is an international travel educational experience organized for Master’s and Ph.D. students in the Higher Education Program • Each ISLA takes place in several countries and at several decision-making levels • Combines knowledge acquisition and know-how training with intercultural immersion and exchange of best practices
College of Social Justice and Human Service • Belgium • China • Netherlands • United Kingdom
College of Social Justice and Human Service • The International Summer Leadership Academy takes place over a two-week period in the summer • The Academy consists of two parts: • Module 1 • Module 2
College of Social Justice and Human Service Modules of the Academy • Module 1 - Europe/China – Summer 1 • Visit supranational/nat’l/local governing bodies of higher ed • Visit colleges and universities in different regions • Offer workshops with peers, present in seminar/conference • Network with peers • Explore cultural marks and immerse in the local customs and traditions Module 2 – The United States - Summer 2 • Visit federal/state/local governing bodies of higher ed • Visit colleges and universities in different regions • Offer workshops with peers, present in seminar/conference • Network with peers • Explore cultural marks and immerse in the local customs and traditions
College of Social Justice and Human Service • Students who participate in ISLA are able to gain up to 6 hours of class credit per summer • ISLA is a required component of the Ph.D. program, but is open to all Master’s and Ph.D. students in the Higher Education Program
College of Social Justice and Human Service Is funding available for participation in ISLA? • There are several different types of scholarships available for students participating in ISLA: • Departmental Scholarships • Travel Grant from the Center for International Studies & Programs • European Union program grant • Hanban
College of Social Justice and Human Service Why is ISLA important? • ISLA helps students learn of other cultures, educational practices, and leadership ideas • International exposure increases students’ awareness and appreciation of cultural and educational differences • It enhances students’ appreciation of their own heritage, their values, and beliefs • ISLA helps master skills and abilities higher education professionals need to be effective in a multi-cultural environment
College of Social Justice and Human Service Understanding the Influence of ISLAon Students’ Multicultural Competence
Pope and Reynolds’ Framework for Multicultural Competence (1997) “in student affairs, multicultural competence may be defined as the awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary to work effectively and ethically across cultural differences”
We collect and analyze information from: • Students’ journals • Field notes and observations • Institutional documents, audio-visual material • Discussion sessions • Workshops and conference/seminar presentations • Focus groups
Did students figure out how to: -connect with individuals from a different culture and communicate well -design initiatives that are culturally-appropriate -remain professionally in a different culture What students learned about: -how the higher education system works in each of the countries we visited -how a country’s culture is different from ours + We try to understand: + Did students become aware of: -the value of the cultural differences we experienced -their own beliefs and biases -the variety of ways to stimulate and embrace differences
For more information or questions about ISLA please contact, Dr. Snejana Slantcheva-DurstCoordinator, Higher Education Master's ProgramDepartment of School Psychology, Higher Education, and Counselor EducationHealth and Human Services 13002801 W. Bancroft StreetToledo OH 43606snejana.slantchevadurst@utoledo.edu(419) 530-5673