Learning Goals

Authenticity Abroad

The New York Times recently published a great essay on one student s reflection on what it means to have an authentic study abroad experience: Was My Study Abroad Experience Authentic Enough? Searching for authenticity in another country has always struck
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Preparation for Racism Abroad

A recent opinion piece in the New York Times Travel section titled My Very Personal Taste of Racism Abroad offers a valuable way to open a discussion about racial attitudes in other countries. Because students of color are still a
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Second Languages: Skills or Cross-Cultural Learning?

A task force at Princeton University has put forward an interesting proposal to change its general education requirements: all students would have to take at least one or two semesters of a foreign language, regardless of previous study. No-one could
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To include or not to include?: focusing on academics in short-term programs

I spent some time this winter traveling with some of our faculty-led programs. It was quite interesting to experience the programs on-site after spending time planning them on paper. I learned a lot about many aspects of the programs, but
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Ethical Service-Learning: Are you practicing it?

Last week, I attended an interesting session at the NAFSA Region IV conference in Des Moines, Iowa, on the subject of ethical service-learning abroad. Service-learning is such a trend at the moment. We have inculcated the current generation of students
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Volunteering Abroad: Relationships Matter

Volunteering abroad, particularly volunteering on a short-term basis, has long been a subject of discussion in the study abroad community.   The practice is on the increase yet questions and controversy abound. It is helpful to the organizations and people on-site?
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Best Practices for Faculty-led Courses NAFSA s International Educator Weighs In

NAFSA s new issue of International Educator includes an article on Best Practices for Short-Term Faculty-Led Programs Abroad. It s a well-done, comprehensive article touching on all aspects of developing and administering faculty-led programs. After years of being part of a consortium for
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