Transcript Short-term Study Abroad - Merrimack College | Bachelor's

Maximizing Student Learning
through Short-term Study Abroad
MERRIMACK COLLEGE
FACULTY-LED COURSES
Benefits-Study Abroad helps students:
 develop skills and experiences not learned in a classroom
 immerse themselves in diverse cultures and learn
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different languages
gain a global perspective
acquire skills such as intercultural communication,
adaptability, and resilience
learn to establish rapport quickly with individuals in an
unfamiliar environment
build self-confidence and independence
be more competitive in the job market
U.S. Study Abroad Trends
 Study abroad by American students has more than
tripled over the past two decades
Who’s studying abroad and where are they going?
Top Fields of Study?
Access
 In an effort to increase access to study abroad, higher
education institutions and study abroad providers
have developed programs of various durations:
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Short-term (Less than 8 weeks)
Mid-length (semester)
Long-term (full-year)
Duration of Study Abroad: Short-term Study
Abroad is Most Popular among College Students
% of US students
studying abroad
2009-2010
2010-2011
Short-term
56.6%
58.1%
Mid-length
39.4%
38.0%
Long-term
3.9%
3.9%
Short-term Study Abroad Increases Access
 Short-term programs provide opportunities for
students who cannot go abroad for an entire
semester for various reasons
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Cost
Academic Major
Athletes
Confidence
The Problem:
 Many educational leaders are concerned that
students will not achieve the same intercultural
competencies in a short-term study abroad program
as they would in a semester or full-year program.
 Tourism vs. immersion
The Solution: Intensive & Focused
“Short-term programs, if well-planned, can offer a
more intensive and focused experience – and may be
the only realistic alternative in terms of the demands
of your degree studies and economic resources "
(Institute of International Education, Open Doors Report 2012)
What is Intercultural Competence?
 It is a set of cognitive, affective, and behavioral skills
and characteristics that support effective and
appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural
contexts.
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Cognitive: knowledge about cultural norms, values, behaviors,
and issues; cultural self-awareness
Affective: curiosity, flexibility, open-mindedness
Behavioral: resourcefulness, problem solving, relationship
building skills
Maximizing Intercultural Competence
 Key components of short-term study abroad courses that
maximize intercultural competency attainment
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Establishing desired learning outcomes for intercultural competence
while abroad
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Requiring pre-departure meetings/class time with students and
faculty
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Meaningful site visits that relate to coursework and
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Direct contact with the host community
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Structured & intentional reflection before, during and after the
program
Short-term programs at Merrimack
 This year, Merrimack has been offering 4 short-term study
abroad programs:
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Summer Session in San Gimignano, Italy
“Pellegrinaggio in Italia”, Italy
Summer Session in Wroxton, England (NEW!)
“Writing through War and Peace”, Dublin & Belfast, Ireland (NEW!)
Courses offered in previous years:
 “Crossing Borders”, Spain & Morocco
 “Belizean Landscapes”, Belize
 Merrimack is hoping to expand short-term program offerings;
a wider variety of short-term programs will allow more
Merrimack students the chance to go abroad
Summer Session in San Gimignano, Italy
Crossing Borders, Spain & Morocco
Types of Faculty Led Courses
 Short-term study abroad courses can be applied to
any academic discipline
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Sports Medicine – volunteer at a medical clinic abroad
Education – Intern or volunteer at a school abroad
Mathematics –Study geometric architectural patterns in
Muslim Spain
Types of Faculty Led Courses
 Course can be integrated into the Fall/Spring semester
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Course can be taught at Merrimack during the Spring semester for
Summer programs, or Fall semester for Winter programs
Conclude course with a study abroad component.
Examples:
Crossing Borders
 Dublin & Belfast, Ireland
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 Stand alone Summer courses
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Have some pre-departure class meetings but do the bulk of the
course work while abroad.
Examples:
Summer Session in San Gimignano, Italy
 Summer Session in Wroxton, England
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How to start a short-term study abroad course?
 If you have an idea make a proposal!
 Course proposals
 Accepted each year for programs like San Gimignano and
Wroxton (2 faculty per program)
 Accepted individually for new program proposals
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New programs most likely need 12-24 months lead time
 Short-term Study Abroad Faculty Handbook
 Which provides a clear outline of policies and procedures has
been developed and will soon be posted on the Provost’s and
Office of International Programs web sites.
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 Course proposals are vetted by UCC
 Must have clear goals & assessable outcomes
 4 credit courses – 15 hours per credit
 Credit hours include site visits, intentional experiential
learning activities, reflection
 Should be a balance between classroom hours and experiential
learning hours
Course should satisfy various requirements in order to maximize
student enrollment.
$100 Grand Challenge
What kind of course can you create?