Globally
Engaging
Students: best
practices and
challenges
Safia Swimelar
Associate Professor, Political Science
Coordinator, International Studies
Elon University, North Carolina
Study abroad and
Residential Living & Learning
Global Engagement / Internationalization
1.
Global knowledge and perspective
2.
Global civic commitment
3.
Critical thinking toward local and global
issues and their impact (know ‘us’ first?)
4.
Inter-cultural Communication
5.
Collaboration and exchange with
individuals and institutions abroad
6.
Global curriculum
Best practices for global
engagement
 Infusion
throughout the university
 Structured and intentional
 Strong leadership and support
 Faculty investment and training
 Constructing a global “culture”/visibility
 Building global and local partnerships
 Quality over quantity-key for liberal arts
 Student advising strengths of liberal arts
Internationalization at Elon
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Strategic Plan – Strong commitment from Elon
leadership
Infused into curriculum through Core – first
year seminars, diversity Winter Terms
100% study abroad access, 72% current
Faculty led study abroad – winter term and 4
international “centers”
Models to enhance pre/post study and
reflection
Study USA/Away potential
Civic engagement and service learning
The new Global Neighborhood (GEC)
Promoting global engagement
through study abroad – short-term
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Winter Term: 40+ programs / courses
Australia - eco-tourism
Belize – field biology
China – history, culture, international
Costa Rica – community conservation
Ghana – performing arts
Europe – Holocaust
India – public health
Greece, Turkey, Dubai – business, culture
Arizona – immigration
NYC – wealth and poverty
US South – culture, history(for int’l students)
Elon- rise of study abroad
Winter term strengths/challenges
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Strengths: Faculty led and buy-in; Tied to fall
tuition; theme/location breadth; WT culture
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Challenges: trip mentality? Faculty commitment to
deep engagement? Reflection/ rigor? Schedule?
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Initial assessment shows some benefit to postreflection
Best practices:
1.
Course/faculty preparation / networking
2.
Ensure integration with local communityexperiential component
3.
Take advantage of local expertise and culture
4.
Ongoing and post-course reflection – individual
and group; possible final project
Case study: Multicultural London
-Pre-departure course on concepts, theoretical issues, politics/history
-Student pairs working daily in 4 diverse London communities
-Student empowerment and freedom – find interlocutors, organizations,
themes, visual symbols
-Student reflection: field notes, group
discussion, one-on-one, book production
-Diverse cultural events support theme
-Two days in Birmingham
International street art on Brick Lane,
East End, London
Hebdo attacks memorial,
Trafalgar Square, London
Other short term study ideas?
 Embedded
Travel during regular course
(fall or spring break)
 Service
experiences
(alternative break):
Ex: Jamaica, Nicaragua,
Costa Rica, Morocco,
Appalachia, Florida
 How
can Sewanee take advantage of
greater short term study abroad interest?
 Would
a similar short term model work
here? Advantages/disadvantages?
Longer term study abroad
 Strong
breadth and diversity of programsinternships/research opportunities
 Elon
international centers: London,
Florence, San Juan (CR), Shanghai
--Faculty investment and coordination
--Ways to avoid the island bubble and
“trip” image?
 Dual-degree
2-year business
programs/exchanges: France and
Germany
Reflecting on and deepening
learning upon return
 French
and Spanish study abroad
programs-4 credit pre, during, post
“course”
 Core seminar upon return: “Impact of
Studying Abroad”
 Global Ambassadors Program
 One credit courses on professional
development, “Going Global”
 International Studies Senior Sem: Culture,
Identity, Globalization, and the Visual
 How
is Sewanee supporting and
deepening study abroad?
 What
pre/post opportunities exist or could
you envision for your students and
faculty?
An Integrated Living-Learning Environment:
Elon University’s Global Neighborhood
Elon’s Residential Campus Initiative
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7 neighborhoods: different themes & foci
Goal: to fully integrate student life & academic life
Link to Elon’s Strategic Plan: an unprecedented
commitment to diversity and global engagement
Link to intellectual climate
Link to an inclusive campus
community
Teacher-Scholar in residence
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ENHANCE students’
intellectual
engagement in the
residential
neighborhood
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CONNECT students’
academic, social and
personal development
through programs,
events, advising
Infused academic themes
 Connected
to first year Global seminars,
other linked courses, faculty expertise, the
Global Dinners, Film Series, and other
events
 Year 1: Religion and Conflict
 Year 2: Gender and Sexuality across
Cultures
 Year 3: Food: the Culture, Ethics, and
Politics of Eating
Living & Learning Tues. Events
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House Dinners
Global Film Series
Academic Affiliations (Coffee
Hour)
Student Mentor Events
India: The World Before (2012)
The Neighborhood Association:
A Collaborative Structure
 Faculty,
staff, and students
 Academic and Residence Life
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Faculty Director and Assistant
Director of Residence Life
 Subcommittees
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Tuesday Events
 House
Dinners, Film Series,
Coffee Hours
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Linked Courses
Student Programming Council
Service Partnership and Other
Activities
The Global Commons
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Residence Life Area Office
Faculty Director’s Office
Elon Core Curriculum Fac
Isabella Cannon
Global Education Center
International Student,
Scholar, and Faculty Services
 Study Abroad
 Study USA
 Faculty Fellow
 International Career Fellow
 Associate Registrar
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 Would
something like a “global
neighborhood” or global residential
building be desirable or feasible at
Sewanee?
 What
are your specific goals (as faculty or
administrator) and perceived student
goals related to global engagement?
 Are
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there overlap in these goals?
Let’s brainstorm what new or deepened
activity, project, assignment, experience,
institutional change, etc. could help you
achieve one of these goals?