Creating CSUDH Study Abroad Classes

Developing Study Abroad Programs

Study Abroad Program Purpose

The purpose of California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) Study Abroad programs is to provide an international learning experience to students that cannot be taught on campus, and to complement the various curricula at CSUDH. A CSUDH study abroad program may be a group travel program offered for CSUDH academic credits or it may be offered by arrangement with a foreign academic institution/organization with credit transferred to CSUDH. Faculty and course content must be approved by the department offering the academic units. The Office of International Education is responsible for providing the administrative infrastructure for the program and for assuring that the program meets the academic and financial requirements of the University.

A Pedagogical Rationale

In the “cultural context” of a country different from one’s homeland, the interaction of information learned during previous formal learning and observations made in the new cultural context contribute to a rich medium within which an international experience becomes valuable.

Study Abroad Program Proposal

Purpose:
Every study abroad program requires a course approval by the department and college. In addition, there are marketing, financial and logistical arrangements unique to off- campus programs which require consistency throughout the University. The proposal form assures students and colleges and Universities that the study abroad program meets the financial accountability requirements of the University and is of the same quality of instruction as a course taught on campus.

Content:
A proposal must include a full course description with signatures from the department chair, college dean, Office of International Education, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee.

• Proposed lecture topics
• Sites to visited
• Group Activities

Goal:
To make students culturally literate and to reinforce language patterns, i.e., short sentences and everyday vocabulary.  Make students functional in the real-life situation of being in direct, not academic, contact with the target language and culture.

The goal is reached if the student is able to speak effectively to another individual, can write factual material clearly and can read with comprehension and speed.  Additional benefits may include openness to foreign cultures, to new conditions/ideas, to cultural differences and the awareness of a global perspective.

Credits:

Judgement as to how many units should be given is made by the curriculum committee of the proposing college based on NCA guidelines (15 contact hours/Semester unit). For each semester credit there needs to be the equivalent of at least 15 hours of instruction. The typical offering is 2.5 hours per day for five days per each graduate unit; however, compressed courses are also possible.

Method:

• Reading material tailored to areas visited: 
• Historical overview, as well as specifics 
• Language orientation, introduction to dialects 
• Descriptions of cities 
• Orientation about means of transport (subway, bus, etc.) 
• Culturally significant landmarks 
• Museum/art gallery offerings, with short descriptions of important artists/important exhibitions or holdings 
• Opera and concert program and notes about artists/works

Proposals should be submitted a minimum of 6 months in advance for Short-term Study Abroad programs (spring and summer programs)

Travel Arrangements

Travel arrangements can be arranged by the Office of International Education, program provider or participants can purchase airline tickets as a group.

Itinerary Considerations:

• category of lodging (I.E, hotels, guest houses)
• special location requests
• proximity to public transportation
• expected group size
• who will make the contacts for field visits? faculty? CEE? Others?
• is there a logical order for the visits?
• holiday or weekend closures
• opportunities for meeting residents
• balancing free time with structured time

Sample Study Abroad Itinerary  Name of Program
Program Dates

Sample Budget
Based on group of 20 students (2 Weeks program)

Please note* above figures are not actual, program cost will vary

Marketing

How to market a study program?

The most effective advertising and the key to good enrollment, is the faculty director. Announcing the program in your classroom and requesting your departmental colleagues to do the same will help to spread the word. Consider making personal class visits to colleagues’ classrooms. The CEIE staff will make visits to classes as well.

The Office of International Education will help by:

• prepare a descriptive brochure, posters and website.
• posting on bulletin boards around campus and our web site
• sending email announcements regularly
• mailing information to relevant departments at other schools
• working with you to target a specific group
• setting up “Informational” meetings

A successful study abroad program can only occur with an adequate number of students enrolling. The primary responsibility lies with the faculty involved.

Guidelines:

• It is never too early to start.
• You can never do too much.
• Keep track of interested people.
• Follow-up on inquiries and keep the Office of International Education aware so staff can also encourage students.

The Office of International Education offers support for a variety of programs. For more information, please contact Ormond Rucker, Visa and Immigration International Coordinator at orucker@csudh.edu or (310) 243-3734.