The Institutional Culture and Commitment of
Educating Global Citizens:
The Institutionalization of Internationalization at Elon
University
ANAC Summer Institute 2007
Elon University
Laurence A. Basirico Dean of International Programs
Steven D. House
Dean of Elon College,
The College of Arts and Sciences
Elon University
• Private liberal arts university in Elon, NC
between Greensboro and Chapel Hill
• Opened 1889
• Affiliated with United Church of Christ
• Approximately 4800 undergraduate students
• 50 undergraduate majors
• Graduate programs in business, education,
physical therapy, law
Elon’s Mission Statement
Rooted in the historic tradition of the United
Church of Christ, Elon University embraces its
founders’ vision of an academic community that
transforms mind, body and spirit, and encourages
freedom of thought and liberty of conscience. To
fulfill this vision, Elon University acts upon these
commitments:
Elon’s Mission Statement
• We nurture a rich intellectual community characterized
by active student engagement with a faculty dedicated to
excellent teaching and scholarly accomplishment.
• We provide a dynamic and challenging undergraduate
curriculum grounded in the traditional liberal arts and
sciences and complemented by distinctive professional and
graduate programs.
Elon’s Mission Statement
• We integrate learning across the disciplines and put
knowledge into practice, thus preparing students to be
global citizens and informed leaders motivated by concern
for the common good.
• We foster respect for human differences, passion for a
life of learning, personal integrity and an ethic of work and
service.
Key Elements of Elon’s Culture
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Academic excellence
Community oriented
Emphasis on teacher-scholar
Student engagement - NSSE
“Elon Experiences”
Fellows programs
Internationalization Defined
American Council on Education (from NAFSA workshop on Campus
Internationalization and Institutional Review):
“…the process for integrating international/intercultural
content into the teaching, research and service
functions of the institution”
Internationalization Defined
Elon University’s Internationalization of the Campus
Plan:
The overall goal is to create a culture of internationalization
that permeates every aspect of life at the University: the
academic curriculum, faculty research and art, residence life,
financial aid and scholarship, admissions, the library, teaching
and learning, the Career Center (job placements and
internships), the Development Office, the physical plant, and
more.
Institutionalizing Internationalization
Institutionalization defined:
“Institutionalization occurs whenever there is a reciprocal
typification of habitualized actions by types of actors.”
- Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann, The Social Construction of Reality:
A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge. Doubleday-Anchor. 1966, p. 54.
Elon’s Internationalization of the
Campus Plan: Goals
• Enroll more qualified students from other countries
• Provide increased opportunities for direct contact with
other cultures.
• Offer courses of study with increased international
content.
• Provide increased support for faculty engagement in
international activities.
Elon’s Internationalization of the
Campus Plan: Goals (cont.)
• Encourage development of international perspective.
• Broaden the range of intercultural / international
programs.
• Create a campus environment friendly to international
students and staff.
• Provide incentives to faculty and staff for participation
in international activities.
Elon’s Internationalization of the
Campus Plan: Goals (cont.)
• Maintain a well-informed campus.
• Enable the campus to benefit from students and
faculty with international experience.
• Enhance the physical environment to reflect an
international setting.
Internationalization of the Campus
as University Priorities
• Academic Affairs Priority
• Institutional Priority
Components of International Education at Elon
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Study abroad
International studies major
Visiting international scholars
International students
Isabella Cannon Centre for International Studies
Cultural programs
Study Abroad at Elon
Brief History of Growth of Study Abroad Program
• 1969-70 1 winter term program (London)
• 1985-86 1 semester program (London)
• 2006-07
26 winter term programs
32 affiliate or exchange semester
programs
2 “island” (branch) semester
programs
7 summer programs
% of graduating seniors who have studied abroad at Elon
1992-93
22%
1993-94
28%
1994-95
33%
1995-96
37%
1996-97
40%
1997-98
42%
1998-99
46%
1999-00
50%
2000-01
54%
2001-02
58%
2002-03
62%
2003-04
63%
2004-05
63%
2005-06
64%
2006-07
71%
Average U.S. graduating
cohort participation
rate is 9% to 12%.
% of FTE Studying Abroad 1994 - 2006
Year
# FTE Semester Winter
1994-95
3101
2.03%
7.48%
295
9.51%
1995-96
3087
3.08%
8.07%
344
11.14%
1996-97
3186
2.76%
8.82%
369
11.58%
1997-98
3412
3.58%
10.64%
485
14.21%
1998-99
3554
2.87%
11.62%
515
14.49%
1999-00
3618
3.21%
11.28%
.03%
525
14.51%
2000-01
3848
4.24%
14.92%
.08%
740
19.23%
2001-02
4060
3.47%
12.36%
.02%
644
15.86%
2002-03
4119
4.05%
14.13%
.51%
770
18.69%
2003-04
4300
4.37%
14.42%
.53%
831
19.33%
2004-05
4501
4.33%
15.95%
1.2%
967
21.48%
2005-06
4591
6.51%
15.83%
1.22%
1082
23.57%
Summer Total #
% FTE
Average annual participation rate for U.S. college students is 1% to 3%
Types of Study Abroad Programs at Elon
• Semester
– “island” or satellite programs (“Elon in…”)
– affiliate programs and exchange
– non-affiliate programs
• Short Term
– Winter term (22-26 days)
– Summer term (5 weeks)
• Travel Embedded
– Not to exceed 40% of the course
Elements of a Short Term Study Abroad
Course Proposal
• Course description
• Course objectives:
- Academic content
- Cultural awareness
- Personal growth
• Proposed geographic location and rationale
• Tentative itinerary
• Course syllabus
Winter Term Study Abroad
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Aboriginal Studies in Australia
Conducting Business in the Pacific Rim: Australia and the Philippines
Australian Ecotourism
Barbados: Post-Colonial Culture and Society
Peru Field Biology
Brazil in the Third Millennium
Cathedral: An Introduction to Structures of Power
China: The Flying Dragon
Costa Rica Language, Culture and Ecotourism
European Union: Peace at Last, Peace to Last
Ghana: West African History and Culture
The Culture of the Great War
Service & Learning with Elders in Guam
Guatemala Service and Culture
Winter Term Study Abroad
Note that these are considered “courses” rather than simply “locations”
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Mexico: Advanced Spanish & Mayan Worlds
Hawaii Multicultural Heritage
Ireland: Literature, Culture and History
Italy Fine Arts
Italy Heritage
Winter Term in London
Astronomy in Mexico: Maya to Modern
The Business and Culture of New Zealand
New Zealand's Diverse Environment
The Living Heritage of the Andes: Language, Society and
Environment in Peru
World War II in Europe: On the Ground
The Call of South Africa
Sri Lanka: Science Education & Development
Spain: Lessons from the Past: Christianity, Islam & Judaism
Summer term study abroad
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Brazil, Service Learning
Heidelburg
London Internship Program
France, Language and Culture
Italy, Language and Culture
University of Sussex
Queens University Program at Herstmonceux Castle, East Sussex,
England
Semester Programs
• Island Programs
– Elon University in Costa Rica
– Elon University in London
• Affiliate Programs
– 31 affiliate programs, including 7 exchange programs
– Students enroll in credit bearing courses in an affiliate/exchange
university each location
– Credit comes back as pre-approved Elon credits, with grades
typically 4 hours
• Non-Elon Affiliate programs
- students given transfer credit based upon contact hours assessed by
Elon’s Office of the Registrar, but no grades
Reasons for High Participation rates
• Structure of General Degree Requirements
• 4 - 1 - 4 curriculum (fall, winter, spring)
• Winter term tuition included as part of fall tuition
• Arts and Science general degree requirements
– 8 credits in each: Expression, Civilization, Society,
Science
– Most short term study abroad courses are GST
(interdisciplinary) and thus can count as one of the general
degree requirements
Science
and
lab
First
Society
Year Core
GST 110
ENG 110
MTH 112
HED 111
ELON101
Civilization
Expression
Reasons for High Participation Rates (continued)
• Strong faculty involvement
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Propose and design study abroad courses
over 50 per year lead short term courses
work directly with International Studies Centre
help with student recruitment
head pre-departure orientations
Faculty standing committee (Study Abroad Committee) approves
short term study abroad
• Oversight by Curriculum Committee
– insures that all majors can study abroad
Reasons for High Participation Rates (continued)
• Language proficiency requirement
– satisfied by study abroad in an appropriate level language program
• Study abroad requirement in 2 majors
– Language (semester required)
– International Studies
• ICCIS office devoted to SA
International Studies Office
The Isabella Cannon Centre for International Studies
• Dean of International Programs
• Assistant Dean of International Programs
• Assistant Director of Study Abroad and Publicity
Coordinator
• Director of International Student and Faculty
Scholar Services
• International student advisors (2)
• Centre administrative and program assistants (2)
• International Pavilion
• El Centro de Espanol
Isabella Cannon Centre for International Studies