November 5 - 6, 2009
PASSHE Women’s Consortium Annual Meeting
West Chester University of PA
Program Title:
Creative Ways to Incorporate a Women’s Studies Perspective
into Study Abroad: A Panel Discussion for Students and
Faculty
Presenter(s):
Symposium Moderator:
Lauri Hyers, Associate Professor of Psychology, Psychology
Department, WCU
Faculty Panelists:
Maria Van Liew, Associate Professor of Spanish Literature
and Culture, Spanish and Spanish Studies Program
Summer Travel in Mexico and Spain
Margarete Landwehr, Associate Professor of Languages,
German and German Studies Program
Summer Travel in Germany
Linda Stevenson, Associate Professor Department of Political
Science
Eleanor Ter Horst, Associate Professor of German,
Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, Clarion
University
International Studies Panelists:
Angela Howard, Assistant Director of International Studies,
WCU
Kathleen Ellwood, Senior Regional Consultant, CEA, Global
Education Solutions
In this panel, we discussed ways students and faculty can
create life changing study abroad experiences that
complement the educational curriculum of women’s studies
programs in the PASSHE system. We also discussed
considerations for travelers with a feminist consciousness.
In this symposium, we discussed ways students and faculty can create life changing study abroad
experiences that complement the educational curriculum of women’s studies programs in the
PASSHE system. Our faculty panelists have designed and directed study abroad courses (including
feminist study abroad courses) for West Chester University (WCU) and Clarion University. Our
International Studies panelists have worked with students traveling through national study abroad
programs.
Whether they are participating in a single course abroad or an extended international exchange
program, international education can be a powerful experience for faculty and students. Our
panelists have put much energy into making study abroad opportunities possible for students in the
PASSHE system. They shared their own experiences with study abroad and discussed the various
opportunities for international study. For students of Women’s Studies, study abroad can provide
a chance to explore global feminism and connect with international women’s rights efforts.
Study abroad helps one appreciate cultural differences as well as commonalities. Interestingly,
women are more likely than men to participating in Study Abroad programs. In view of this, we see
this as an opportunity to encourage solidarity for women traveling abroad and to recognize women
students' adventurous spirit and willingness to "sacrifice" the comforts of home to see what lies
beyond--despite the disparities in women's rights from culture to culture. Given the feminist
consciousness of students and faculty in Women’s Studies, travel abroad represents exciting
opportunities but also interesting challenges.
Some considerations for travelers with a feminist consciousness, including:
*How to take advantage of international opportunities to make alliances
*Developing awareness of the tremendous variations in the global rights of women
*How to interact with people of other cultures in a way that is not exploitive and developing an
awareness of privilege
*Developing service learning activities to give back to communities instead of merely “touring”
In addition, practical issues for women who travel abroad include:
*How to approach the varied roles of women across cultures and view these differences through
the lens of global feminism in order to advance women's rights
*Safety issues that women may consider (or are expected by others to consider) in travel
*Stereotypes of the female traveler and historic restrictions on women traveling