Study Abroad: for Community College Students

1. Study Abroad: for Community College Students Your Institution Department Your Name, Title

2. Why Study Abroad? • Create Global Awareness • Promote International Security • Enhance Academic Learning • Develop Leadership Skills • Advance Your Career • Experience Personal Growth • Learn Another Language

3. Advancing Tolerance and Understanding Clearly, we need to use education to advance tolerance and understanding. Perhaps more than ever, international understanding is essential to world peace -- understanding between faiths, between nations, between cultures. Today, we know that just as no nation is immune to conflict or suffering, no nation can defend itself alone. We need each other -- as friends, as allies, as partners -- in a struggle for common values and common needs. -Kofi Annan Former U.N. Secretary-General

4. Global Competencies Individuals must acquire and demonstrate a number of skills or competencies to be able to live and work successfully in a global economy and a diverse society of people from different backgrounds, cultures and countries. These skills are often characterized as global competencies

5. Top 10 Reasons to Study Abroad 1. Studying abroad is a life-altering experience! 2. A chance to learn about yourself and be independent 3. Gain perspective on your own country and culture 4. Learn a language in a country where it is spoken 5. See the world (or at least a part of it)

6. Top 10 Reasons to Study Abroad 6. Programs can work with any major 7. Looks great on a resume 8. Unique academic structures 9. Make connections that can last a lifetime 10. International travel and study are fun and exciting!

7. Why I Studied Abroad… • Now that students have heard various reasons to study abroad, you can help to inspire them and personalize your presentation by telling them what motivated you to study abroad. You may offer a unique perspective, or what ultimately made you study abroad might be what a student needs to hear to decide to study abroad themselves.

8. Preparing For Your Future “In the 21st century, there will be only two kinds of people: Those who think globally and those who are looking for work.” - Peter F. Drucker Writer, Management Consultant and Professor

9. Community College Study Abroad Opportunities Short term, summer, winter/spring break, and semester-length courses that concentrate on foreign language instruction, as well as instruction in the humanities, arts, social sciences, natural history, and occupational fields. • Most study abroad courses are acceptable for graduation and transfer credit.

10. Coursework • As you are selecting a program, check with your academic advisor on: • How to transfer your study abroad courses • Credit requirements • How credits will be applied (GEs, major, minor, electives)

11. Study Abroad After Transfer • Students coming from community colleges are able to study abroad through the 4-year institution they transfer to. • Recent research on community college transfer performance shows that transfer students typically are academically well focused and high achievers while on programs abroad. (University of California EAP program)

12. Transfer Students say…. • “Two of the biggest misconceptions made by transfer students are that they don't have the time or the money to study abroad. As far as financial issues are concerned, my own study was funded entirely by scholarships and grants that were only available for students wishing to study abroad.” • “The time factor is another issue that regularly pops up as a reason for not studying abroad…I can only say that the year I spent abroad was the best year of my life. Why give up the best year of your life so that you can graduate a little earlier?”

13. Funding Your Study Abroad • Financial Aid • At many institutions, financial aid transfers to Study Abroad Programs • Scholarships specifically for Studying Abroad  important to do internet searches and contact Study Abroad Office so you are aware of all resources • Advance Planning and Budgeting  save money beforehand

14. Funding Your Study Abroad • The cost of living in some countries is less than in the US • Not all programs cost the same—shop around. • Air travel can be a significant portion of the expenses. Flights to countries closer to home or popular destination tend to be cheaper. Discounts are available for students and on purchases made far in advance

15. Changing Perspectives “It boils down to changing your perspective in hopes of expanding your mind. Luckily for me, I was used to changing my perspective like I changed schools. In this sense transfer students are well suited to study in other countries.” Danielle Foster, UC San DiegoUniversity of Bristol, 1997-98Transfer student, Grossmont Community CollegeUC Education Abroad website, www.eap.ucop.edu

16. Lincoln Commission Recommendations The demographics of the U.S. undergraduate student studying abroad population should be similar to that of the U.S. undergraduate student population. Efforts are to be made to expand the number of American students studying in nontraditional countries. Diversity of students, institutions, and destinations should be a hallmark of the Lincoln Study Abroad Program The proportion of study abroad students who are enrolled in community colleges, minority-serving institutions, and institutions serving large numbers of low-income students will be similar to their share of the undergraduate population.

17. Tools for Finding a Program • Home Campus Study Abroad Office/Resource Center: The best place to look for a study abroad program is your U.S. home campus study abroad office (where available). The staff can help you find programs, apply, and return home. • Reference Books: Peterson’s Study Abroad (updated annually)

18. Tools for Finding a Program • Summer Study Abroad, IIE Academic Year Abroad, and IIE Short-Term Study Abroad. They include detailed explanations and descriptions of many study abroad programs. • Websites: There are a number of websites with information about available study abroad programs. Some websites we recommend are: Studyabroad.com, Goabroad.com, IIEPassport, and Peterson’s

19. How I Found My Study Abroad Program • Students will be interested to hear what techniques worked for you when you were in the preliminary stages of studying abroad. By offering your experience on this matter, students may be more likely to use your tools for finding a program.

20. The Future of Community Colleges and International Education Community colleges have made their mark on "traditional" international education, and that impact has been deep in recent years. Community colleges represent a growth area in international education, and there is a huge potential for growth in the future. The role which community colleges will play in shaping international education and trends in U.S. higher education will be an exciting one. From The Impact of Community Colleges on International Education, Institute for International Education (IIE) Open Doors Report 2003

21. Where Can You Go?

27. I Studied In… • Community College students know that there is a big world of study abroad possibilities. However, certain locations come to mind more than others. Tell students about your experience in a certain country, and explain your motivation for going there to help them better choose a location to study abroad.

28. Reasons For Students From Diverse Backgrounds to Study Abroad • See the world and broaden your experience • Gain a new perspective on your own country • Explore your heritage • Gain new insights and outlooks through new relationships

29. Reasons For Students From Diverse Backgrounds to Study Abroad • Fight stereotypes by educating others • Dispel your own stereotypes • Take control of your future • See what influenced great leaders

30. Reasons For Students From Diverse Backgrounds to Study Abroad “Studying abroad is a great way to gain perspective and experience that will shape the rest of your life– personally and professionally.” Jenny Ming Former President Old Navy Clothing

31. Reasons For Students From Diverse Backgrounds to Study Abroad “You cannot fully understand your own life without knowing and thinking beyond your life, your own neighborhood, and even your own nation.” Dr. Johnetta Cole President of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro

32. Reasons For Students From Diverse Backgrounds to Study Abroad “As a nation we must do more to reach out to the world and bridge cultural and social understanding.” Gaddi Vasquez First Hispanic Director of the Peace Corps

33. Reasons For Students From Diverse Backgrounds to Study Abroad “As native peoples, we are very much aware of the interconnection of all things...Truly, may the rest of the world take note that even a million miles cannot separate sincere hearts.” Jerry Elliot High Eagle NASA Physicist and Designer of the First International Site for Peace