STUDY ABROAD

Eddie Gillies, Darcy Gilmore, Pat Carley

Bridgewater State University, Student Affairs Counseling Education
April, 2017
AGENDA
Study Abroad at BSU
Why Study Abroad?
Best Practices
Challenges
Role of the SA Professional
Risk & Crisis Management
Trends in Study Abroad

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MISCONCEPTIONS
Activity

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MISCONCEPTIONS OF STUDY ABROAD

Unreasonably expensive
Only for certain majors
Prospective employers do not value study abroad
Restricted to third and fourth year students

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BSU STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

Travels to over 35 countries in 6 continents

Short term includes study tours, summer programs, and
affiliate programs
Long term includes exchange programs and student
teaching

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WHY STUDY ABROAD?

Opportunity to experience new parts of the world

Encourages cross-cultural communication
Improves communication skills
Fosters independence
Education is not sacrificed; it is broadened

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WHY STUDY ABROAD?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0z26bGHxhY 7
SHOULD COLLEGES REQUIRE STUDY ABROAD?
Discuss

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STUDY ABROAD FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
You are a SA professional asked to develop a study abroad
program for graduate students in SA Counseling Education.

Define some program best practices

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PROGRAM BEST PRACTICES
Ensure the health, safety and security of students
Improve study abroad marketing efforts
Study abroad planning & development
Support campus recruitment & retention efforts
Shape & inform institutional policy
Advocate for study abroad programs
Justify budget & resource allocations

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=904MJbslniw
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STUDENT & PROGRAM CHALLENGES
Culture shock
Homesickness
Language
Study habits
Meeting new people
Navigating a new place
Budgeting
Time management
Freedom
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Source: Institute of International Education Open Doors report. http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open-Doors 13
THE ROLE OF THE SA PROFESSIONAL

Coordinating with other programs

Manage crises
Work with institutions abroad
Communication with students

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STEPS OF CRISIS MANAGEMENT
Awareness
Assessment
Communication
Decision
Action
Resolution
Return to normal

Hope is not a plan - Julie Friend, 2002

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RISK MANAGEMENT
Types of Crises in Study Abroad
Sexual assault
Political upset
Natural disasters
Severe changes in mental health
Abduction
Accidents
Automobile, air travel, pedestrian,
entertainment, etc.
Illness
Death
And more.

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RESPONDING TO A CRISIS
Before a crisis happens, build a program that is always looking
ahead
Focus on recommended

Group Activity (Darcy to lead/overseas issues and/or crisis)

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TRENDS
Shorter Durations

Affordable options

Recruiting under-represented
populations

100,000 Strong in the Americas

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100,000 STRONG IN THE AMERICAS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvFGMoW8bUg
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SOURCES
Friend, Julie (2012). Learning From Recent Challenges in Education Abroad Crisis

Management. International Educator, Jan+Feb, 56-59.

Lucas, John (2005). Over Stressed, Overwhelmed, and Over Here: Resident Directors and the

Challenges of Student Mental Health Abroad. Frontiers: The Forum on Education Abroad, 187-
215.

Ritchie, Brent W. (2003). Managing Educational Tourism. Great Britain: Cromwell Press.

Ritchie, Mark A. (2002). Risk Management in Study Abroad: Lessons from the Wilderness.

Frontiers: The Forum on Education Abroad, 53-69.

Scott, Noel, Laws, Eric, & Prideaux, Bruce (2008). Tourism Crises and Marketing Recovery
Strategies. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 23(2), 1-13.

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SOURCES- CONTINUED
https://www.nafsa.org/About_Us/About_International_Education/For_Campus_Leaders/Presidents_and_Provosts_Circle/ (Retrieved )

https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2014/05/06/cinco-de-mayo-president-obama-focuses-investing-100000-strong-americas

http://www.nafsa.org/Professional_Resources/Research_and_Trends/Trends_and_Insights/Trends___Insights/

https://my.bridgew.edu/departments/StudyAbroad/Shared%20Documents/BSU%202016-
17%20Travel%20Course%20Policies%20and%20Guidelines%20.pdf

Images

https://www.google.com/search?q=images+of+study+abroad+best+practices&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjf2IGT
x6vTAhWF5YMKHTp8Cv0Q7AkIQQ&biw=1920&bih=925#imgrc=WXuiLxj4vUVf6M:

https://www.google.com/search?q=study+abroad+best+practices+images&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjf49_zyK
vTAhUi5oMKHSsKCCgQ7AkIQQ&biw=1920&bih=925#imgrc=6ZhNqkfu92wVsM:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/d4/a5/20/d4a520990e8e6bf0ae907afe4d4fcec4.jpg

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