Michigan State University Study Abroad

It’s not a matter of if, but when

Study Abroad Overview Over 200 programs Over 60 countries worldwide (+ Antarctica) 2137 MSU Undergrads studied abroad in 04-05 2265 enrolled for 05-06 Most occur May - August

Top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Curriculum Integration is about the “How”

CIP Began in October 2003 To contribute to overall “internationalizing”

of the curriculum. To increase enrollment in the science and

professional programs. To increase number of options for these

students. To increase the transparency of options to

all audiences. To bring extra value to one’s degree.

College of Natural Science

The College of Natural Science is the largest partner with 5 CNS majors and the entire School of Lyman Briggs.

At MSU, Science students were studying abroad at lower rates than students in other colleges with similar curricular constraints (such as Business).

Vet Med Program in León, Mexico

College of Natural Science Most Science students that

did study abroad participated in short-term summer, faculty led programs.

The Project to Promote Preprofessional Study Abroad (P3SA) is part of a larger program to expand study abroad opportunities for underrepresented majors.Zoology

students on Safari in Kenya

To understand why more of these students weren’t going abroad…

via a “roundtable” discussions

we sought multiple perspectives

which led to new understandings about this population

“Rainforests and Reality” Program, Spring Break in

Nicaragua 2006

We leaned that… Administrative inquiries led study abroad

staff to an understanding of real barriers. Advisors want to help interested students,

but don’t have enough time or useful resources.

Professors really influence student decisions. These students share characteristics: less

time/money, risk-averse, highly stressed.

Science Professors’ Views

In general faculty think study abroad is great, but unless they lead programs, they don’t know what recommendations to give about other options.

Some have antiquated notions about how study abroad works. Environmental Science

Students in The Swiss Alps

Science Professors’ Views

Don’t think it “fits” into the curriculum

Assume AY only or that Ss need fluency in foreign language

Some need convincing that science study abroad is as good as an experience abroad at home

Kigio Wildlife Conservatory, Kenya

The Key for Success at MSUMSU Professor Jerry Urquhart

with his students in the Pipeline

National Rainforest, Nicaragua

MSU Professor Paul Roberts with his students in Chichén Itzá,

Mexico

Happy Partnerships

Strategy for Breaking Down Barriers • Determine shared goals• Set realistic targets• Investigate all claims AND opportunities• Accept what you cannot change• Invite cooperative change where you can• Create friends/partners/colleagues• Offer kudos• Exercise patience• Arrange site visits• Publish and/or present • Stay in touch• Continue forward momentum

Led to EIGHT steps

1. Find willing collaborators2. Study, listen and learn3. Spend some money4. Enact strategic program development5. Re-vamp advising6. Be more specific7. Seek administrative remedies8. Share (in mutually beneficial ways)

Step One: Find Collaborators Faculty interested in

international issues, but are not already involved in SA

Faculty that lead short-term programs

Advisors interested in knowing more about the world

Deans/Chairs interested in increasing participation

ADMIN MUST SUPPORT TIME NEEDED TO WORK ON NEW INITATIVESThe Coral Sea,

Australia

Step Two: Study, Listen & Learn

• Learn about the Curriculum (and the Ss)– Understand the pre-reqs, the schedule, etc.– Ask what barriers students fact to completing

certain requirements.• e.g. Math/Chemistry language requirements.

– Inquire what students in these majors aspire to (besides medical school).

– Find out about on-campus courses that fill up.

Approach various departments to consider reviewing and revising the “four-year plan” in order to accommodate a study abroad experience in the sophomore or fall semester of the

junior year (How this is done is absolutely KEY).

Step Two, cont.

Also inquire about flexibility/capacity.

Is this the only plan, the recommended plan, the best plan?

“Pokhara, Nepal

Step Three: Spend Some Money

Send faculty, chairs, deans, advisors abroad Preprof: Monterrey Tec (ITESM)

& Guadalajara (Mexico) Math: 4 institutions in Australia Zoology/LBS Chair: Panama Biology: University of Tasmania Chemistry & Physics: University

Surrey and Lancaster University Science & Technology Studies:

University of Kwazulu Natal “Rainforests and Reality” Program, Spring Break in

Nicaragua

Step Four: Enact Strategic Program Development

Pursue program development in countries where the cost of living in generally low. (Remember, these students are already looking at a very pricy graduate education). Mexico, Costa Rica South Africa, Senegal Thailand, India

Better inform faculty, students, and advisors of existing programs that already meet requirements.

Lyman Briggs School of Science

http://www.lymanbriggs.msu.edu/academics/studyabroad.html

Include home stays where possible.

Sydney, Australia

Step Five: Re-vamp Advising/Scheduling

Encourage students to plan to fulfill upper-level science credits abroad in subjects not readily available here, as well as suggesting the save social science credits for complementary courses available abroad.

Create GENERAL written guidelines. http://studyabroad.msu.edu/currintegration/project.html#advising

Step Six: Be More Specific

Design advising materials for students that illustrate how study abroad fits into the curriculum, including detailed guidelines on what to take where, when to go, when to stay, etc.

http://studyabroad.msu.edu/currintegration/project.html#advising

Hiking in Poland

Step Seven: Seek Administrative Remedies

• Seek course equivalencies/approvals for upper level science electives (especially courses not taught on campus).

– Oceanography– Infectious Diseases (in humans, plants or animals)– Tropical Medicine/Illnesses

• Seek course equivalencies/approvals for general education requirements in subjects related to science, or pre-med, including specialized language courses like:

– Medical Spanish (Spanish Credit)– Traditional and Contemporary Healthcare Systems in Mexico (Philosophy

Credit)– Human Formation and Social Commitment (Sociology Credit)– Sociocultural Values and development in Mexico (ISS Credit)– Intercultural Communication (IAH or Spanish Credit)– Medical Anthropology (Anthropology)– Health Care Delivery Systems (Philosophy)

Step Eight: Share

• Share outcome and process with campus colleagues

• Encourage new int’l relationships

• Provide lavish praise• Present at conferences• Write articles• Contribute to Listserv

discussions

“Rainforests and

Reality” Program,

Spring Break in

Nicaragua

Never Give Up

Abbey Road,

London

http://studyabroad.msu.edu/currintegration/project.html