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Study Abroad 101 Programs, Partnerships, and Possibilities (designed for EducationUSA Advisors) Wendy Williamson, MA Areta Galat, MA Marcos Roman. Wendy Williamson, M.A. Director of Study Abroad, Eastern Illinois University Author of Study Abroad 101 Co-founder of.
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Study Abroad 101Programs, Partnerships, and Possibilities(designed for EducationUSA Advisors) Wendy Williamson, MA Areta Galat, MAMarcos Roman
Wendy Williamson, M.A.Director of Study Abroad, Eastern Illinois University Author of Study Abroad 101Co-founder of
What is Study Abroad? • Isaac Newton – Discovered gravity when an apple fell on his head. • Generic term used in the US for college travel-study opportunities • Desired outcome is to broaden and expand learning into discovery • Humanization “emergence of new ways of understanding ourselves, our peers, and the world around us” (Museum of Anthropology, Mexico) • Underlying belief – Study Abroad is a type of experiential education that subtlety and indirectly begets humanization
How is study abroad relevant to me? • Study abroad is a growing part of US Higher Ed • International students can study abroad through US Higher Ed institutions for US college credit (sometimes tuition-free or in-state rate) • Study abroad programs create more and often “custom” opportunities for your students to study in the US and/or engage with US students in their home country (dynamic relationships en lieu of recruiting) • The more you know about study abroad, the better equipped you will be to foster mutual understanding AND promote personal, professional, institutional ties (one goal of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs) between the US and your country
Current Trends • Open Doors “Fast Facts” IIE (2008 annual report) • http://opendoors.iienetwork.org • 241,791 US students studied abroad for academic credit 2006/07 • 36,339 US students (about 15%) to Latin American destinations • 5 Latin American countries in the top 20 leading destinations • Other strong percentage changes from 2005-06 to 2006-07 • Total number to Europe increased, the proportion to Europe declined
Growing Mandates • University Presidents support study abroad • Growing recognition of importance in job market. • Growing prestige in strong international education • Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act • 10 years – 1,000,000 US students from diverse backgrounds annually • There will be an “emphasis” on destinations in developing countries • Approved by the House of Representatives on June 10, 2009 and went to the Senate • Currently awaiting Senate approval
Different Programs Direct Enroll Exchange 1:1, 2:1, 1:2, 2:Full Ride Scholarships, Online Group Exchanges Abroad, Faculty Exchanges Faculty-led Field Study Language-Immersion Internship Online, then abroad (Moodle, WebCT, etc.) Hybrid
Program Durations • Academic Year • Mid-length (Semester or Quarter) • Short-term 1-8 weeks • Summer • Spring Break • Winter Break • January Term • Intersession
Trends on Duration Source: IIE Open Doors 2006/07
Program Administration • Partnership philosophy vs. Ownership approach, or Hybrid
Program Administration • Consortia vs. Third Party Provider (only in the US), or Hybrid
Program Administration Centralized vs. Decentralized campus operations, or Hybrid
Matchmaking • Good partnerships are mutually beneficial and meet real needs. Needs may be vast and varied: • Good communication is key to strong partnerships
Matchmaking • When Personal Agendas are not in the way, US Institutions are generally looking for… • Accreditation, Academic Quality • Support Services for their students • Health and Safety Protocols • Relevant Course Options (for students) • Cost-effective (more important to publics) • Housing (acceptable, affordable) • Good reputation with happy students • Manageable visa process (when they wish to outsource instruction) • Good communication is key to strong partnerships
Matchmaking If they would like to provide their own instruction, they would also be interested in renting classroom space and housing. Instruction may be shared between the institutions, which is beneficial to creating an integrated experience and a true “educational” partnership vs. merely business. One of the biggest mistakes occurs when US institutions think that they have to be in control of everything and rather than creating educational partnerships, they create commercial contracts for their Island Programs. Island programs may be useful to some extent, but they tend to cultivate commercialism more than humanization. Making it easier on students diminishes learning and lessens the chance for discovery.
Helping Local Institutions • Understand your institution…its opportunities and barriers…its benefits and detriments for US Students to come and study • Determine whether any barriers (and detriments) can be overcome, to open the doors of opportunity. • Help your institution see the long-term benefits of any additional time and resources they will likely expend. • Define what kind of education and services can be provided to US students, put it into practice, and begin your quest for the right partners. • Facultyled.com - Directory of Customized Program Providers • Host institutions (and companies) create a profile which helps US institutions looking for certain locations, courses, and services. • Abroad Scout – Study abroad programs directory for US students to search and find your institution’s programs independently.
Agreement Components • Most important component to a good partnership. • Clearly communicates expectations of both parties and addresses many issues and answers all kinds of questions up front. • Agreements (MOU) may contain: • Responsibilities of the Host & Home Institutions • Exchange balances, who pays what, discounts, what is included and not included in fees, billing protocols, credit transfer, insurance, refund policies, disabilities, etc. • Term or Length of the agreement • Indemnification & Independent Contractor Clause? • Agreement Liaisons & Appropriate Signatures to validate
Agreement Components • Customized Service Agreements should also contain: • Dates • Fee per Student • Minimum/Maximum number of students • Fee per student • Fee per Leader • What is included/not included • Health/Safety Expectations • Orientation (what should be included) • Academic Expectations • Credit • Relationship
Areta Galat - ECE FAEM.A. in TESL aretagalat@fae.edu
ECE Services • Assist with Study Abroad programs • Liaision between institutions: • Program content • Logistics • Professor involvement • Invitation letters
UNCG Program Model • Seminar • Introduction to Brazilian Culture • Portuguese Language • Business-related lectures • Brazilian economy • Marketing in Brazil • Brazilian business/corporate culture • Sustainability and social responsibility
UNCG Program Model Corporate visits: Step 1: Pre-visit briefing on the company Step 2: Post-visit debriefing with faculty; group discussions with Brazilian MBA students
FAE Support • Academic / Program Coordinator • Faculty; Education USA Advisor • Professors • Fluent in English; deliver pre-selected lectures • Graduate assistant • Fluent in English; accompanies group • Facilities • Class rooms; conference rooms; Wireless Internet
Initial Considerations • Audience • Program length • Program content • Cost estimates • Program delivery • Lodging • Extra activities • Leisure
Budget Plan • Transportation • Lodging • Meals • Tuition / classes • Materials • Entertainment • Field trips, guided tours, visits • Support staff
Pre-departure • Information letters on Brazilian culture • Cultural tips • Weather • Gifts • Medical insurance • Common Application in Portuguese • Documentation • Invitation letters • Lodging options
In Country • During Stay: • Registration assistance • Legal assistance • Credit transfer • Conflict mediation • Internship assistance Upon Arrival: • Airport pick-up • Campus visit • Introductions • Language Assessment
Follow-Up • Feedback • Assessment: Exams, projects, papers • Transfer of credits • Certificate / Declarations
SPC – Spanish and Peruvian Culture Program • A 2 week program with Luther College from Decorah, Iowa. • Undergraduate Students.
SPC Academic Program • Spanish Classes. • Lectures. • Projects.
SPC Cultural Program • In-city visits. • Historic Places’ Tours. • Other Activities.
MSP – Medical Spanish Program • A 4 week program with the University of Georgia. • Undergraduate Students.
MSP Academic Program • Internship in a local Hospital. • Classes. • Other Activities.
Some practice on… • Sutures. • Blood Tests.
CENTRO PERUANO AMERICANO “EL CULTURAL” Av. Venezuela 125. Urb. El Recreo. Trujillo, Peru. 51- 44-232512 mroman@elcultural.com.pe
Questions, Final Thoughts? Wendy Williamson, wswilliamson@eiu.edu Areta Galat, aretagalat@fae.edu Marcos Roman, mroman@elcultural.com.pe This presentation and sample agreements posted online: http://www.eiu.edu/~edabroad/portfolio/edusa Half Wendy Williamson’s book (Study Abroad 101) posted online at http://www.abroadscout.com