Questioning Assumptions:
Cross-Cultural Preparations' Critical Points

(Sherwood Smith, UVM; Peggy O’Neill, Champlain College)

This workshop will address key factors in the preparation of faculty, staff and students for cross-cultural experiential learning  in the forms of classes and events both domestic and international. The workshop will engage the participants in designing and assessing approaches to address these critical issues and enhance the learning of critical thinking skills.

Learning Objective:

1.   Examine different goals for cross cultural experiences

2.   Understanding keys theories and models for awareness development

3.   Explore the impact of different goals and models on participants own situations/context

Global Experiences on a Local Level/ Adding a Global Perspective to Local Engagement
(Phil Crossman, Champlain College; Nancy Cathcart, Champlain College; Lily Hamburger, Middlebury).

Not all college students have the privilege of traveling abroad, and yet the competencies of global education require an authentic cultural immersion experience. Panelists in this workshop will describe how a focus on global and cultural immersion competencies has guided their curriculum development and engagement activities.  Panelists will work with participants to articulate a set of practices and principles that practitioners can refer to when incorporating community engagement with global competencies.

Integrating Community Engagement into Study Abroad
Part 1: Methods and Models
(Nevin Brown, International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership)

As a growing number of colleges and universities in the region embrace the goals of civic engagement and global understanding for their students, it becomes increasingly important to develop effective campus-based strategies for connecting community engagement with study abroad.  Among such strategies are service-learning, community service, internships and community-based research.  While the presenter will discuss all four strategies, he will focus in particular on how service-learning can integrate them into a powerful tool both for deeper student learning and effective service to the community.  The presenter will discuss how campuses can get started in organizing themselves to pursue international and intercultural community engagement, including examples of institutions from other parts of the U.S. as well as overseas that can be models of such work. 

Integrating Community Engagement into Study Abroad
Part 2: EnsuringAcademic Rigor
(Faculty Members: Dan Baker, UVM; Rebecca Hovey, SIT/World Learning; Hector Vila, Middlebury College; Moderator - Amy McGlashan, VCC)

Ensuring academic rigor is always a component of high quality experiential education abroad.  Panelists in this workshop will describe how a focus on learning outcomes is enhanced and maintained within the context of the experiential components of their international courses and study abroad experiences.  Panelists will work with participants to articulate a set of practices and principles that practitioners can refer to when incorporating community engagement into study abroad and/or designing an international service-learning course or experience.

Using Critical Reflection to Foster Global Citizenship
(Carrie Williams Howe, UVM; Sherry Schwarz, Abroad View Magazine; Aynn Setright, School for International Training)

This workshop will explore the strategies and tools that can be used to engage students in critical reflection that encourages them to consider their roles as global citizenships.  The workshop will begin with an overview of the definitions and goals of critical reflection, offer and opportunity for participants to hear from panel members on specific strategies and tools they have found successful, and conclude with time for participants to consider when and how they might implement such tools in their own practice.  Participants will be encouraged to think about collaborative strategies that might increase effectiveness of these tools.

Assessment: Outcomes of Global Community Engagement
(Ross Lewin, University of Connecticut)

This workshop aims to help participants design study abroad programs that tangibly realize the goals of global citizenship. It will be organized around four parts. First, we will discuss higher education currents on assessment, global competence and global citizenship. Next, we will consider various assessment models currently available. Then, we will workshop one or two study abroad programs that have been developed/are being developed by the participants of the workshop. Finally, we will endeavor to design a template tool that participants can use and build upon as they design new study abroad programs.

Re-entry (Part 1):  Engagement, Programming, and Integration

 (Stacy Thebodo, Middlebury; Patricia Siplon, St. Michael’s; Heidi St. Peter, Saint Michael’s)

This session will address cross-cultural re-entry.  What are the issues students face returning back to campus after a cross-cultural experience? How can study abroad offices, service- learning/volunteer offices, and faculty work together to help students channel their new knowledge and skills, interests, and passions resulting from an experience abroad into their lives and surrounding communities in a meaningful way?  Programming ideas and challenges will be discussed in the session, and a successful model of a HIV/AIDS program involving communities in East Africa, the United States, and Vermont and  will also be presented.

Capturing the Passion: Engaging Returning Abroad Students in Local Communities
Part 2: Institution-wide Change
(Adam Weinberg, SIT/World Learning, Colgate Faculty/Staff)

As students return from transformational experiences abroad, they are eager for ways to put into action their newfound global awareness and inter-cultural understanding. In order to fully capture this passion, Universities need to consider holistic and institutional changes that weave global understanding and civic engagement into all aspects of campus life. This workshop will focus on how campus offices can work together to create long-term, institutional changes that foster global citizenship throughout students’ entire college experience.