Development and Maintenance of Quality Study Abroad Options
It is important to understand international education best practices as you make decisions about which study abroad options your office will promote, support, approve, and/or affiliate with. What are the priorities of your institution and how do those priorities fit with various study abroad options? In the same way your institution allows students to choose their major and a variety of academic avenues to earn a diploma, it is also necessary to encourage a variety of study abroad options for students. There is not one “ideal” study abroad program or type. Think of it as providing a “portfolio” of options for students to choose from. Different types of programs will produce different outcomes. Things to consider when reviewing/ promoting programs:
- Length of program
- Geographic location
- Language of host country
- Academic standards and structure
- Academic curriculum choices
- Immersion in host culture
- Interactions with locals
- Housing
- Safety and emergency services
- Orientation services
- Utilization of host country resources
- On-site staff
- Cost
Continue Reading…