Does Study Abroad Need a Makeover?

I saw the article this morning, and it’s thought provoking.  The title suggests that the study abroad experience needs a makeover.

I am ambivalent about the angle it takes. 

Here’s what I mean. 

Clearly, the most important element of the study abroad experience is learning to communicate across cultures.  Our advisors try to get this message across to students (and parents) from the time they are considering a program through “re-entry”.

On the other hand, I think the article draws on shaky evidence that international experience doesn’t impress employers.  For every survey that suggests that, we could find at least one that suggests the opposite.  I saw a study recently that says that 30% of US CEOs had studied abroad in college.  Of those, 2/3 instruct their staff to recruit people with study abroad experience.  

I am skeptical about that finding as well.  I think many professionals tend to oversell or over-promise what the study abroad experience can accomplish for a young person.

Bottom line – it is the cross-cultural element that’s key.  Study abroad is not the only way to experience that.  It is one important opportunity.  I believe what should distinguish study abroad from “backpacking across Europe” is the academic context to help students reflect on and appreciate their cross-cultural learning.

Study Abroad -- Misperceptions and Use of Alcohol

All too often, consumption of alcohol becomes a key component of study abroad programs.  Despite clear and specific discussion about alcohol as part of our orientation sessions, we see this issue negatively affecting student experience.

Alcohol can (literally and figuratively) numb the student's sensitivity to the cross-cultural richness of their program, and significantly limit their academic performance as well.

Recently, via Inside Higher Education, I saw this article in the University of Washington News.  It provides research findings, and suggests strategies to address the issues.

Social Media -- and Study Abroad

In my last post, I shared some recent readings on social media.

Jason Kinnear shared this post, called How the Internet Screwed Up Study Abroad.

This piece doesn't provide a holistic balanced view of the benefits and challenges of using social media to support study abroad programs.  However, it's worth reading and thinking about.

MU Study Abroad Fair Today

Stop by MU's Study Abroad Fair -- 11 am - 3 pm today at the Memorial Union.  Faculty members, staff, students, parents -- and all interested in dozens of incredible learning opportunities around the world are welcome. 

The fair is organized by Matt Pourney and our great study abroad staff at the International Center. 

If you're thinking about study abroad this Spring, Summer, or somewhere down the line, check out our website, and stop by the Fair (details and directions).

International students begin new year at Missouri

Today is the first day of orientation for new international students at Missouri.  The International Center is buzzing.  Our great staff and dozens of MU student volunteers are welcoming hundreds of new students from all over the world. 

It's really great to see such a warm welcome.  Thanks to everyone involved.

Summer Reading

In the dog days of summer -- I'm reading two books I can't put down.

The first, is Cognitive Surplus, by Clay Sharky.  This blurb from the publisher provides a helpful summary:

The author of the breakout hit Here Comes Everybody reveals how new technology is changing us from consumers to collaborators, unleashing a torrent of creative production that will transform our world.

This is a short, practical book, and I recommend it to anyone involved in teaching or learning.

The second, is a novel by Marlene Van Niekerk, called Agaat.  Whenever I travel, I try to read works of fiction by local writers.  I chose this book for my recent trip to South Africa.  This is a beautiful and painful story.  It offers great insight into race and gender relations -- in South Africa and through out the world.

Global Migration Outlook: Implications for Higher Education

There's a great post on Worldwise -- the Chronicle of Higher Education's blog on international issues.

This post, by Francisco Marmolejo, draws on the OECD's annual International Migration Outlook.

It's estimated that 200 million people are currently living outside their home country.  A small - but growing - proportion of these people are students pursuing their education.  These young people with "mobile talent" will be key assets in the global economy.   It's understandable why international competition to attract these students has intensified.

Marmolejo says...

A combination of factors influence the attraction of more or fewer international students by a given country, including the perceived quality and prestige of institutions and academic programs, affordability of tuition in the host country, availability of scholarships and loans for mobility in both host and home countries, language of instruction, effectiveness of outreach and marketing efforts carried on by institutions and governments, perception surrounding the degree of friendliness and openness of the country, among many others. In addition, increasingly students take into consideration how difficult and costly is the visa process, and how flexible the migratory policies are regulating their opportunities to conduct further practical training and eventually to work. According to Nafsa–Association of International Educators, talented students and skilled workers will go to the places that welcome them and offer the best opportunities. Unfortunately the U.S. has been "slow to appreciate and adjust to a paradigm shift in global mobility." The title of the policy briefing authored by Nafsa couldn’t be more eloquent: "A Visa and Immigration Policy for the Brain-Circulation Era: Adjusting to What Happened in the World While We Were Making Other Plans."

Academic Outcomes of Study Abroad

Findings from a ten-year study of academic outcomes of study abroad in the University of Georgia System were just released at last month's NAFSA conference.

Research in this area is rapidly expanding -- and much needed.  This study may be the most comprehensive available to date.

A summary of findings was published in today's Inside Higher Ed.

For more detailed information on this study abroad research project (survey instruments, data, presentations, publications, partnership, etc.) check here.

Ireland: the High Cost of Austerity

Our Ireland study abroad program was a great success. My students were dynamic and engaged. I think we all learned much from the trip -- both in and out of the class meetings.

One of the two courses -- Facing the Future: Ireland Responds to Economic Crisis -- focused on the current economic, social and political conditions of a small struggling country. I'll share more about this experience shortly.

If you're interested, this recent article in the New York Times provides a good overview of the dilemmas Irish people face.

Globalization -- and Asia's Return to Economic Supremacy

This week, our study abroad program is visiting at University College Dublin -- comparing the response to global economic crisis in Ireland and the US, and assessing the long-term effects on these two countries.



Today, we had an excellent presentation by Dr. Niamh Hardiman (of UCD's Geary Institute) entitled Liberalism in Crisis. She showed well the magnitude of economic, fiscal and political challenges European countries now face.



Tonight, I read this essay by Michael Hennigan at Finfacts.



It will take time, but I think you'll find it worth reading.

Bad Luck for the Irish Economy

I just arrived in Dublin -- to lead an MU study abroad program in Ireland/N. Ireland. (See here, here and here for more background).


I teach a course called Facing the Future: Ireland's Response to Economic Crisis. Ironically, today a friend sent this post.


It's worth reading -- including the comments.

Volcano -- More Transatlantic Flight Delays

With many MU study abroad programs starting in Europe shortly, we track the volcanic ash plume pretty closely.

See the latest report on flight delays and re-routes.

Also - for real-time information on European airspace issues, see Euro Control (The European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation)

Mexico Travel Warning - Expanded

The US State Department expanded its travel warning to several states or regions in Mexico.

If you (or your loved ones) are preparing for a trip there, please read this carefully.

Travel warnings issued by the State Department should always be taken very seriously.

For a list of current warnings, and for additional assistance, please see this page.

More on Irish housing surplus

As a quick follow up to this recent post -

Here's a piece about what it's like to live in one of Ireland's 621 newly-developed, but largely unoccupied housing subdivisions.

One in five housing units is now vacant in Ireland.

MU Study Abroad: Effects of Iceland Volcano

Here's an update on how the Iceland volcano has affected current MU students enrolled in European programs.


The update was published in the Columbia Missourian.

Update on Volcano Disruptions from US State Dept.

Here's the latest announcement from the US State Department if you're affected by the disruption in travel in/to or from Europe.

Marshall Scholar Brian Pellot - April 21

The MU International Center is delighted to co-sponsor a special campus-wide presentation by MU senior and Marshall Scholar Brian Pellot.

If you're interested an able to attend, see this announcement for details.

For more information on the prestigious Marshall Scholarships, see this site.

Our thanks to the MU Fellowships Office, the College of Arts and Sciences, its International Studies degree, the International Programs Office at the MU School of Journalism, and the Convergence Journalism program for co-sponsoring this event.

Economic Impact of Iceland Volcano

Ash from the Iceland volcano is wreaking havoc on travelers and others who depend on air flights to/from European airports.

It's too early to predict when the disruption of eruptions will end. (Check here for some amazing photographs of the volcano).

Many students and faculty members are anxious about travel required for study abroad.

This BBC article provides rough estimates of immediate and possibly long-term economic impacts.

See also this New York Times article that focuses on the response of various governments to flight disruption.

Reading: The Anxious Organization

I'm reading Jeffrey Miller's book, The Anxious Organization.  If you're studying or working at a public university right now (or hope to someday), you'll probably want to check this out.  It provides valuable insights, practical tips -- and the recommended reading list at the back is worth the effort to buy the book.

By the way -- this book works for any organizational setting.  It argues that anxiety is to be expected for organizations in a competitive environment. 

The challenge for leaders: 1) learn the causes and the systematic effects of anxiety, and 2) help people manage anxiety in ways that enhance overall organizational performance.

Minnesota Integrates Study Abroad Into the Curriculum

The Chronicle of Higher Education has this report on how the University of Minnesota integrates study abroad into its curriculum. 

Participation in study abroad there has grown steadily -- as a result of in-depth discussion between academic departments and the University's Learning Abroad Center.

Here's an excerpt from the Chronicle's piece, including an interview with Center Director Martha Johnson:

For engineering, studying in another country might be relevant because of the increasingly global nature of the profession, while for students of graphic design, the appeal could be the opportunity to explore the influence of foreign artists on their home turf.

Each department "defines in its own terms why it's important to go abroad," Ms. Johnson says.
The group then works together to pinpoint times when overseas study can best fit into the curriculum. And Ms. Johnson and her staff work to provide programmatic choices.
Over the last decade, Minnesota has added more than 50 programs to enable students in nontraditional disciplines to study abroad, says Ms. Johnson, who gets ribbed by colleagues from other colleges on visits to study-abroad sites when she asks about offerings in areas like soil sciences or volcanology. Some 200 Minnesota faculty members have also gone overseas in recent years to review programs.

Other study-abroad options include academic exchanges that grow out of professors' international research collaborations and short-term programs led by Minnesota faculty members. For example, professors affiliated with the university's health-careers center, which works with students considering jobs in medicine and other health-related careers, are planning a seminar in India, focusing on public health and primary care in tribal areas.
In all, the university has more than 300 options for students wishing to study overseas.
The common thread, Ms. Johnson says, is that all programs must be evaluated and approved by the department, not just her office.

For more information on Minnesota's approach to curriculum integration, check here.