Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
Expanding Your Study Abroad Staff (with Limited Resources) through Peer Advising Programs
NAFSA Conference
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
PRESENTERS
NAFSA Conference
Tasha Dev, M.A.International Exchange and Study Abroad CoordinatorCalifornia State University, Chicowww.csuchico.edu/giis/sa/[email protected]
Vidalino Raatior, M.A.Assistant Director, Study AbroadSanta Clara Universitywww.scu.edu/[email protected]
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
PARTICIPANTS?•Type: Public? Private? International?
•How many professional staff at your office?
• 1? 2-5?, 5+?
•How many paid student staff at your office?
• 10 +, 7+, 2+, 1?
•Who has organized volunteer advising programs?
•How many students study abroad at your institution in a given academic year?
• less than 100? 100-500? 500+?
NAFSA Conference
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
AGENDA•Introductions
•Program Strategies
• Overview
• Recruitment
• Compensation
• Training
• Responsibilities
• Programming
•Comparison: Lessons Learned
•Q & A
NAFSA Conference
International Service Learning
International Ambassadors
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM
California State University, Chico
NAFSA Conference
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
Santa Clara University
OVERVIEW: Institution• A Catholic, Jesuit institution
• 4,000 undergrads (40-60% Juniors study abroad)
• Reports to Provost Office
• 106 approved program locations in 50 countries
• 100 % financial aid applies
• Ranked #1 Masters Institutions with mid-length programs; #9 among Top 40 Masters Institutions (Open Doors 2007-08)
The Jesuit University in Silicon Valley
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
International Programs
OVERVIEW: Staffing• 2 full-time, 2 part-time
• No Administrative Assistant
• 1 advisor for 400-600 students
www.scu.edu/studyabroad
TERRY SHOUPExecutive Director
(Institutional relations, minors)
VIDALINO RAATIORAssistant Director,
Study Abroad
(student advising)
BARBARA COLYAR
Director of Study Abroad
(faculty, exchanges,
assessment)
LORI JOHNSONBusiness Manager
(budget, billing)
International Education Month,
Advising, Application,
Pre-departure Orientation Day,
Diversity, Workshop Series,
Study Abroad Week
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
International Programs
OVERVIEW: Peer Advisors• 4 paid Peer Advisors; up to 20 hrs/wk
• Hired from International Ambassadors ONLY
• Trained on student advising procedures
• Coordinate specific responsibilities
www.scu.edu/studyabroad
CLAIRE SMITH
Exchange Student
Coordinator
SARAH ALLBRITTEN
SCU Programs Coordinator
LAURA FLANAGAN Workshop
Series Coordinator
LAURA O’BRIENSpecial Projects
Coordinator
POSITION SUSPENDED
Marketing Coordinator
NEW 2011-2012
Solidarity Programs
Coordinator
International Programswww.scu.edu/studyabroad
OVERVIEW: International Ambassadors• 60 – 70 unpaid volunteers
• Directly supervised by Peer Advisors
• To offer student perspectives on specific programs.
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
WHICH TYPE OF STUDENTS JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADOR
PROGRAM?
I need a job!
This looks good on my resume!
Pick me! Pick me!
I wish I was abroad again!
Dang, I look good in this shirt!
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
International Ambassadors
RECRUITMENT• Public acknowledgment at Pre-Departure Orientation
• “Personal email invitations” before they return
• Put profiles, photos, perspectives on website
• Identify & recruit paid Peer Advisors only from I-Ambassadors
• Global Research Fellows are bloggers from abroad
• Complete online application form before returning
Santa Clara University
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
International Ambassadors
RECRUITMENTOnline Application Questions (use for online profiles)
• Why do you want to serve as an International Ambassador?
• What were the deciding factors for choosing your program?
• Describe a defining moment abroad in your abroad experience?
• What advise & recommendations do you have for prospective study abroad students?
Santa Clara University
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
International AmbassadorsSanta Clara University
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
International AmbassadorsSanta Clara University
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
International AmbassadorsSanta Clara University
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
International Ambassadors
COMPENSATION• What do students get out of it?
• Share experience
• Professional development
• Enter Photo Contest
• Ability to apply for paid Peer Advisor positions
• Social activities (BBQ, pizza)
• Graduation sash
Santa Clara University
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
International Ambassadors
TRAINING• Re-Entry Day: Reconnect! Reflect! Relax!
• Partnership with Counseling Center staff
• Small groups facilitated by Peer Advisors & Graduate Interns
• Five hour-long training sessions
Santa Clara University
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
Peer Advisors
TRAINING• Peer Advisor Training Day – all day
• Weekly Team Meetings – mandatory
• Use a Training Manual
Santa Clara University
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
International Ambassadors
RESPONSIBILITIES• Study Abroad Bloggers• Community Outreach Efforts• International Club Leadership Team• Program Outreach Team• Pre-Departure Orientation Team• Workshop Series Team• International Student Mentor Program• Marketing Team
Santa Clara University
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
International Ambassadors
PROGRAMMING• Lead group meetings at Pre-Departure
Orientation
• Create location-specific Tips Sheets
• Interact with parents & prospective students during Preview Days, Open House, Parents Weekend
• Information Sessions during International Education Month
• Student Forums during Study Abroad Week
Santa Clara University
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
LESSONS LEARNED
A Comparison of Challenges & Strategies
(Handout is also available to download from nafsa.org)
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
LESSONS LEARNED: Recruitment
Start at Pre-Departure Orientation
Study abroad experience required
Personalized email invitation to apply
Marketable position titles
Profiles & Photos on website
Students apply before returning to campus
CSU Chico
X X X X X X
Santa Clara
X X X X X X
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
LESSONS LEARNED: Compensation
Offer academic credit to interns
Professional development opportunities
Give free T-shirts to volunteers
Option to apply for paid positions
Hourly paid Peer Advisors
Subsidize graduation sash
CSU Chico
X X X X X
Santa Clara
X X X X X
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
LESSONS LEARNED: Training
Required full day training session
Intensive training for interns
Re-Entry Day for volunteers
Weekly training sessions / meetings
Use of a training manual for Peer Advisors
CSU Chico
X X X
Santa Clara
X X X X X
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
LESSONS LEARNED: Roles
Marketing Coordinator
Special Events / Projects Coordinator
International Internship Coordinator
Exchange Students Coordinator
Solidarity Programs Coordinator
Workshop Series / Outreach Coordinator
CSU Chico
X X X X
Santa Clara
X X X X X
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
LESSONS LEARNED: Programming
Panelists for Parent Weekend
Serve on campus int’l committees
Lead pre-departure orientation meetings
Mentors for int’l exchange students
International Club leadership
Marketing campaigns for Study Abroad Week
CSU Chico
X X X X X
Santa Clara
X X X X X
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
LESSONS LEARNED: Miscellaneous
Professional development is primary objective
Collaborate with Counseling Center for Re-Entry Day
Hire Work Study Students
CSU Chico
X
Santa Clara
X X X
Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience
CONTACT US
Any Questions?
Tasha Dev, M.A.International Exchange and Study Abroad Coordinatorwww.csuchico.edu/giis/sa/[email protected]
Vid Raatior, M.A.Assistant Director, Study Abroadwww.scu.edu/[email protected]