International Perspectives on Higher Education Program
USC Faculty & Staff Study Abroad Program
San Sebastián/Bilbao, Spain and Pau, France
Spring Break – 2013
Program Leaders:Jennifer Engel, Director of Study Abroad)
Jimmie Gahagan, Director of Student Engagement
Travel Dates: Saturday, March 9 through Saturday, March 16, 2013
Anticipated Number of Participants: 15-20
Increasing the University of South Carolina’s global competitiveness is a high priority in the University’s strategic plan known as Focus Carolina. The plan calls for doubling the number of students who participate in education abroad programs by 2015. A student’s decision to study abroad is rarely made alone but rather is encouraged and supported by friends and family, along with USC faculty, staff, and academic advisors.
USC Connect, the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan, emphasizes global learning and the integration of beyond the classroom experiences, like study abroad, into students’ academic careers. Faculty, staff, and academic advisors are essential to helping students integrate their in-class and beyond the classroom experiences.
Yet, it is essential that USC faculty, staff and advisors have their own international experiences that they can draw from when helping students foster connections between their coursework, international experiences, and future careers.
Program & Outcomes: The International Perspectives on Higher Education professional development program will provide participants with a study abroad experience of their own in order to develop in them a deeper understanding of the value of international experiences for the students they work with. The ripple effect of their experiences also has the potential to impact the Carolina culture via their follow-on projects.
The program will provide participants with: 1) the ability to observe three typical study abroad sites in two countries, each with integrated intern, teach, and service learning opportunities; 2) the opportunity to live the student study abroad experience while participating in a faculty-led study abroad program, gaining exposure to French and Spanish culture; and 3) a theoretical understanding of the differences between the higher education systems of the United States and Europe via a comparative, reflective approach.
Follow-on Project: Following completion of this program, faculty/staff participants would be responsible for two or more of the following:
- Exploring the process for developing a study abroad course that compliments their specific discipline or area of expertise.
- Developing a plan, specific to their departments/offices, to encourage students to participate in study abroad and/or other global learning experiences.
- Conducting a presentation(s) on their experience abroad (and the outcomes of that experience) for colleagues on campus. Alternatives may include writing a newsletter article, producing a short video, etc.
- Becoming advocates for USC Connect/Global Learning/Integrative Learning/Education Abroad at USC.
- Reflecting on their experience abroad to connect their learning beyond the classroom with their work at the University of South Carolina.
- Proposing a project that would connect their overseas experiences specifically to their departments/job functions.
Participant Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible to participate in the program, an applicant must:
- Be a faculty member or staff member currently employed by USC.
- Have received the support of their supervisor/dean/department chair, to be confirmed as part of the application
- Submit completed application materials to the Study Abroad Office by the posted deadline
- Staff and faculty who have never been outside of the U.S., or have very limited experience out of the country.
- Faculty who may be interested in developing a Global Classroom program.
- Staff from student affairs or academic units whose work directly supports Focus Carolina/USC Connect.
- Faculty from academic departments that are underrepresented in education abroad at USC (see current statistics report for information on departmental representation).
To Apply:
A complete application will include:
1) Online application (with confirmation email submitted to the Study Abroad Office);
2) Statement of interest with confirmation of departmental support (e.g. signature of supervisor/dean/department chair)
3) $350 non-refundable deposit (check or money order only made payable to USC)
The statement of interest should clearly convey the applicant’s: 1) motivations for participating in the program; 2) their goals for the program; and 3) how participation in this program will enhance their work on campus.
Completed applications must be submitted to the Study Abroad Office no later than 5:00 pm on November 1.
To Access the Online Application:
- Log on to https://sc-horizons.symplicity.com and create an account.
- Go to APPLY FOR PROGRAM and search for the program.
- Select “USC – University of South Carolina” as Provider and “Spring Break” for Term. Apply Search.
- Choose “Jennifer Engel and Jimmie Gahagan – International Perspectives on Higher Education Program," then click on "Apply."
- Please note that (given the nature of the on-line system) some fields will not be applicable to you as a staff or faculty member. Please leave blank or type in N/A.
- Please note that on-line pre-departure is not required, though if you would like to see what the students do feel free to complete all or part of it.
- Complete and submit the program application online. Print the submission confirmation email and submit it to the Study Abroad Office along with statement of interest and program deposit. Your application will not be complete until all three components have been turned in.
