INTRODUCTION
revised 3/19/03
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Only about one percent of WSU’s students participate in study abroad. Cost and time, of course, are major factors in dissuading students from participating in the programs. However, an oft overlooked deterrent is destination. Various cancelled programs from the past failed to attract students, not because the locations were uninteresting, but because they simply were not the right destination for a particular field of study.
For example, a program entitled “Criminal Justice in Antarctica” would probably draw little or no interest. While Antarctica may be fascinating with plenty to see and do, it simply would not attract CJ students in a way as would a program entitled “Jack the Ripper and the Criminal Justice System in the United Kingdom.”
Prior to writing a study abroad proposal, program directors should consider the following:
- This may be the student’s one and only opportunity to study during his or her educational career. Does the destination give the greatest amount of possible learning for the field(s) of study?
- What destination is most likely to attract the greatest number of students?
- Does the cost justify the location?
Designing and implementing effective study abroad programs which will be sponsored by Weber State University (WSU) requires careful planning and advanced preparation. Study abroad programs must be organized and/or sponsored by a WSU college, academic department or program for purposes that are related to a university-approved program of study. As a result, it is expected that all trip participants will be registered for the academic course(s) which are a required part of the program. Exceptions to this must be approved by the sponsoring department and college which may allow up to 25% of the trip participants to attend without registering for credit.
This manual describes "good practices" for study abroad programs which will increase the likelihood of a successful experience for the trip participants. The material is organized according to steps which should be completed prior to, during and after the completion of a program (see appendix for a check-list summary of the steps). This manual is intended to provide additional detail in support of PPM 4-11, Study Abroad Programs: http://www.weber.edu/ppm/4-11.htm For questions on this manual or PPM 4-11, contact the Study Abroad Office (801/626-7498) or the Office of Academic Affairs (801/626-6006).
In addition to this manual and PPM 4-11, helpful information on study abroad programs can be found at these web sites:
| WSU International Home Page | http://weber.edu/international/ |
| NAFSA: Association of International Educators | http://www.nafsa.org |
| Institute of International Education | http://www.iiepassport.org/ |
| Council on International Education Exchange | http://www.ciee.org/ |
| The Study Abroad Channel | http://www.petersons.com/stdyabrd/us.html |
| University of Southern California Center for Global Education | http://www.usc.edu/dept/education/globaled/ |
| University of California, Irvine, Center for International Education | http://www.cie.uci.edu/ |
| Comprehensive on-line sources for study abroad, language schools, overseas internships, international volunteer positions, teach abroad, jobs abroad, U.S. universities, eco-travel around the world | http://www.goabroad.com/ http://www.studyabroad.com/ |
Although the primary focus of this material is WSU-sponsored study abroad programs, guidelines are also included for WSU employees who wish to implement privately-sponsored study programs (those which are not WSU-sponsored) or programs which are more travel in nature (versus study programs which include an academic credit component).
WSU STUDY ABROAD - PROGRAM DIRECTOR MANUAL