STUDY ABROAD Presentation to GCC Board of Trustees 2012

By Kim Foong Chong 1

History of the Program

 1990: Board formally establishes the program  1990 -1999: Offerings mostly to Europe England, Spain, France, Italy, Czech Rep. & Ireland.

 1999 – present: Truly global offerings Offerings increased to include non-European countries in South America, Pacific, Asia and Australasia. 2

Program Highlights

       Summer 2000: Bali, Indonesia Winter 2002: New Zealand-Australia-Cook Islands Summer 2005: Armenia Winter 2007: Argentina Summer 2009: Japan In 2007 over 110 students participated in 4 programs: Argentina (Winter), Paris (Spring*), Italy (Summer), Armenia (Summer) Over 25 instructors, including adjuncts have participated from disciplines including English, Music, Language Arts, Art Culinary Arts, PE, Social Science, Biology, Math 3

How Study Abroad Works

     Programs are instructor driven. Instructors submit proposals to the SA Committee.

The committee reviews proposals and chooses them based on safety, viability, cost, academic rigor and value to students.

Director works with instructors to develop itineraries, make all travel arrangements and recruit students.

Instructors teach classes abroad with same rigor as on campus adhering to Carnegie hours. Instructors are also responsible for program management “outside of the classroom.” 4

Program Costs

Students pay for ALL costs abroad  All flights for instructors and students  All accommodations for both instructors and students  All excursions for instructors and students  Students even pay for classroom space 5

Cost to GCC

 Study Abroad Director released Time (20%)  Directorship units for instructors while abroad  Study Abroad Budget 6

Study Abroad Budget

 Supplies: $206 cut to $100  Mileage: $505 cut to $200  Travel: $3398 cut to $1500  Printing and Advertising: $706  We have reduced the budget approximately 50% for coming year.

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Benefits of the Program

 Offer students an amazing learning experience they could not get in a classroom.

 Offer instructions a unique teaching experience that can enrich their in-class teaching.

 Fulfill the college mission…  Fulfill the objective of the Master Plan as outlined in the Core Competencies…  Educate our students about the global community they live in.

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GCC Mission Statement

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As part of this mission, Glendale Community College considers the following to be particularly important: …

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to provide a rich and rigorous curriculum

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to emphasize the coherence among disciplines and promotes openness to the diversity of the human experience;

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to help students develop important skills that are critical for success in the modern workplace, such as …the ability to work with others and conduct their lives with responsibility…”

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GCC Core Competencies

5) 6)

Global Awareness and Appreciation:… b) Social and Cultural Diversity e) Environmental Issues Definition: Learners recognize and analyze the interconnectedness of global, national, and local concerns, analyzing cultural, political, social and environmental issues from multiple perspectives; they recognize the interdependence of the global environment and humanity.

Personal Responsibility a) Self Management b) Self Awareness d) Study Skills Definition: Learners demonstrate an understanding of the consequences, both positive and negative, of their own actions; set personal, academic and career goals; and seek and utilize the appropriate resources to reach such goals.

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Student Responses

Student responses to, “

What valuable lessons or skills did you learn outside of the classroom and how has the program changed you as an individual

?”        “I have learned cultural sensitivity and respect.” “The most valuable lesson I have learned is how to take care of myself and be responsible for my own actions.” “My understanding of how to prioritize the things that are most important to not only me, but how these decisions to deal with my priorities will affect others.” “I’ve also realized how my fear has crippled me until now.” “I have learned how to make my own decisions.” “I’m more aware of the rapid disappearance of unique cultures in rapid globalization.” “…Balinese culture…taught me that there are many different ways of living and one is not more right than the other…” 11

Student Responses

     “I’ve learned about balance that what you do for a living to make money can be just that and it is possible to balance it with the things you love.” “That it’s OK to step outside your comfort zone and try something new.” “TIME MANAGEMENT. It’s absolutely essential to be disciplined when it comes to school work & yet flexible about sudden changes on the road.” “I am so much more open to cultures that are different from mine.” ”How to get along in a group.” 12

Why we do it?

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