Course Description
Critical Issues in International Education is a year-long course broken into two, 3 credit (CR/NC) courses and a practicum in the International Studies Office. The field of international education and education abroad is rapidly changing. While once viewed as an experience for the white female elite, education abroad in the United States has evolved into a more accessible and diverse experience. Institutions of higher education and third party program providers offer many different program models and programs of different duration. Professionals in the field, faculty, higher education administrators and policy makers are paying increasing attention to defining and measuring education abroad learning outcomes, as well as to finding coherent ways of integrating education abroad into the curricula – both at the undergraduate and graduate/professional level.  Students will use the course component to learn about the history, current status, trends, demographics, and challenges of  study abroad, while gaining first-hand exposure to the nuances of working in an education abroad office through their practicum hours. Both components will bring into focus skills needed to pursue global workforce opportunities and enhance their job-related qualifications with an international perspective and intercultural knowledge.

Practicum Description
Students will serve as peer advisors to other UVA students about education abroad by sharing and reflecting on their personal experiences. Informed by the knowledge about international education they acquire through the classes, Peer Advisors will provide support for Education Abroad Advisors and assist with events, activities, and projects while gaining experience in a professional office. Peer Advisors will be required to attend a training workshop at the beginning of the semester.

Responsibilities and Expectations
Peer Advisors will be expected to attend 2 hours of class every other week (approximately) on Fridays from 1-2:50pm (Schedule is below) and attend 3 Cultural Orientation, Reflection and Engagement (CORE) seminars. The CORE seminars focus on cross-cultural issues pertinent to a sojourn abroad and provide students with conceptual tools for future studies abroad and/or further reflection upon return. Choose from the following:

CORE Seminars Fall 2014 Schedule TBD (http://www.virginia.edu/iso/CORE.html)

Additionally, Peer Advisors will complete 4 practicum hours per week through a combination of activities and events listed below.

• Library Hours: Each Intern will be responsible for holding 2-3 office hours in the education abroad library for peer advising. When there is no student traffic, students will work on regular tasks listed below:

  • Marketing and outreach (e.g., drafting and updating marketing pieces for the Activities Calendar, Hooview, flyers, Connections, Table Tents, Social Media, etc.)

  • Projects as assigned by the Advisors and Marketing Coordinator

• Event Support: Some practicum hours will be completed through event support, both in preparation and during the event. Students will receive a calendar of activities for which they can sign up.

• Presentations: Students will be asked to help develop, carry out and/or support advisors in presentations around grounds including but not limited to: classroom visits, academic year council events, student groups, etc.

Goals and Objectives
Students will:

1. Develop a broad understanding of the field of education abroad and its evolving place in higher education,   

2. Become familiar with the history and current state of the field: trends, program types, demographics, etc.

3. Become familiar with the major issues facing the field of education abroad, 

4. Understand UVA policies, processes, and administrative cycles of education abroad.

5. Students will gain practical experience working in an international studies office.

Assessment
The grading for this course is Credit/No Credit (CR/NC). Students are expected to attend and participate in each seminar lecture, participate in practicum hours, and to complete all assignments. Receiving credit is based on participation in the International Studies Office practicum (50%), final project (25%), and seminar attendance, participation and in class-assignments (25%). 

Critical Issues in International Education is a year-long course broken into two, 3 credit (CR/NC) courses and a practicum in the International Studies Office. The field of international education and education abroad is rapidly changing. While once viewed as an experience for the white female elite, education abroad in the United States has evolved into a more accessible and diverse experience. Institutions of higher education and third party program providers offer many different program models and programs of different duration. Professionals in the field, faculty, higher education administrators and policy makers are paying increasing attention to defining and measuring education abroad learning outcomes, as well as to finding coherent ways of integrating education abroad into the curricula – both at the undergraduate and graduate/professional level.  Students will use the course component to learn about the history, current status, trends, demographics, and challenges of  study abroad, while gaining first-hand exposure to the nuances of working in an education abroad office through their practicum hours. Both components will bring into focus skills needed to pursue global workforce opportunities and enhance their job-related qualifications with an international perspective and intercultural knowledge.