NAFSA 2011 - International Ambassadors Session - SCU

Study Abroad 101: Planning a Successful Study Abroad Experience

Expanding Your Study Abroad Staff (with Limited Resources) through Peer Advising Programs

NAFSA Conference


PRESENTERS

NAFSA Conference

Tasha Dev, M.A.International Exchange and Study Abroad CoordinatorCalifornia State University, Chicowww.csuchico.edu/giis/sa/[email protected]

Vidalino Raatior, M.A.Assistant Director, Study AbroadSanta Clara Universitywww.scu.edu/[email protected]


PARTICIPANTS?•Type: Public? Private? International?

•How many professional staff at your office?

• 1? 2-5?, 5+?

•How many paid student staff at your office?

• 10 +, 7+, 2+, 1?

•Who has organized volunteer advising programs?

•How many students study abroad at your institution in a given academic year?

• less than 100? 100-500? 500+?

NAFSA Conference


AGENDA•Introductions

•Program Strategies

• Overview

• Recruitment

• Compensation

• Training

• Responsibilities

• Programming

•Comparison: Lessons Learned

•Q & A

NAFSA Conference

International Service Learning

International Ambassadors


INTERNATIONAL SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM

California State University, Chico

NAFSA Conference


Santa Clara University

OVERVIEW: Institution• A Catholic, Jesuit institution

• 4,000 undergrads (40-60% Juniors study abroad)

• Reports to Provost Office

• 106 approved program locations in 50 countries

• 100 % financial aid applies

• Ranked #1 Masters Institutions with mid-length programs; #9 among Top 40 Masters Institutions (Open Doors 2007-08)

The Jesuit University in Silicon Valley


International Programs

OVERVIEW: Staffing• 2 full-time, 2 part-time

• No Administrative Assistant

• 1 advisor for 400-600 students

www.scu.edu/studyabroad

TERRY SHOUPExecutive Director

(Institutional relations, minors)

VIDALINO RAATIORAssistant Director,

Study Abroad

(student advising)

BARBARA COLYAR

Director of Study Abroad

(faculty, exchanges,

assessment)

LORI JOHNSONBusiness Manager

(budget, billing)

International Education Month,

Advising, Application,

Pre-departure Orientation Day,

Diversity, Workshop Series,

Study Abroad Week


International Programs

OVERVIEW: Peer Advisors• 4 paid Peer Advisors; up to 20 hrs/wk

• Hired from International Ambassadors ONLY

• Trained on student advising procedures

• Coordinate specific responsibilities

www.scu.edu/studyabroad

CLAIRE SMITH

Exchange Student

Coordinator

SARAH ALLBRITTEN

SCU Programs Coordinator

LAURA FLANAGAN Workshop

Series Coordinator

LAURA O’BRIENSpecial Projects

Coordinator

POSITION SUSPENDED

Marketing Coordinator

NEW 2011-2012

Solidarity Programs

Coordinator

International Programswww.scu.edu/studyabroad

OVERVIEW: International Ambassadors• 60 – 70 unpaid volunteers

• Directly supervised by Peer Advisors

• To offer student perspectives on specific programs.


WHICH TYPE OF STUDENTS JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADOR

PROGRAM?

I need a job!

This looks good on my resume!

Pick me! Pick me!

I wish I was abroad again!

Dang, I look good in this shirt!



RECRUITMENT• Public acknowledgment at Pre-Departure Orientation

• “Personal email invitations” before they return

• Put profiles, photos, perspectives on website

• Identify & recruit paid Peer Advisors only from I-Ambassadors

• Global Research Fellows are bloggers from abroad

• Complete online application form before returning




RECRUITMENTOnline Application Questions (use for online profiles)

• Why do you want to serve as an International Ambassador?

• What were the deciding factors for choosing your program?

• Describe a defining moment abroad in your abroad experience?

• What advise & recommendations do you have for prospective study abroad students?



International AmbassadorsSanta Clara University



COMPENSATION• What do students get out of it?

• Share experience

• Professional development

• Enter Photo Contest

• Ability to apply for paid Peer Advisor positions

• Social activities (BBQ, pizza)

• Graduation sash




TRAINING• Re-Entry Day: Reconnect! Reflect! Relax!

• Partnership with Counseling Center staff

• Small groups facilitated by Peer Advisors & Graduate Interns

• Five hour-long training sessions



Peer Advisors

TRAINING• Peer Advisor Training Day – all day

• Weekly Team Meetings – mandatory

• Use a Training Manual




RESPONSIBILITIES• Study Abroad Bloggers• Community Outreach Efforts• International Club Leadership Team• Program Outreach Team• Pre-Departure Orientation Team• Workshop Series Team• International Student Mentor Program• Marketing Team




PROGRAMMING• Lead group meetings at Pre-Departure

Orientation

• Create location-specific Tips Sheets

• Interact with parents & prospective students during Preview Days, Open House, Parents Weekend

• Information Sessions during International Education Month

• Student Forums during Study Abroad Week



LESSONS LEARNED

A Comparison of Challenges & Strategies

(Handout is also available to download from nafsa.org)


LESSONS LEARNED: Recruitment

Start at Pre-Departure Orientation

Study abroad experience required

Personalized email invitation to apply

Marketable position titles

Profiles & Photos on website

Students apply before returning to campus

CSU Chico

X X X X X X

Santa Clara

X X X X X X


LESSONS LEARNED: Compensation

Offer academic credit to interns

Professional development opportunities

Give free T-shirts to volunteers

Option to apply for paid positions

Hourly paid Peer Advisors

Subsidize graduation sash

CSU Chico

X X X X X

Santa Clara

X X X X X


LESSONS LEARNED: Training

Required full day training session

Intensive training for interns

Re-Entry Day for volunteers

Weekly training sessions / meetings

Use of a training manual for Peer Advisors

CSU Chico

X X X

Santa Clara

X X X X X


LESSONS LEARNED: Roles

Marketing Coordinator

Special Events / Projects Coordinator

International Internship Coordinator

Exchange Students Coordinator

Solidarity Programs Coordinator

Workshop Series / Outreach Coordinator

CSU Chico

X X X X

Santa Clara

X X X X X


LESSONS LEARNED: Programming

Panelists for Parent Weekend

Serve on campus int’l committees

Lead pre-departure orientation meetings

Mentors for int’l exchange students

International Club leadership

Marketing campaigns for Study Abroad Week

CSU Chico

X X X X X

Santa Clara

X X X X X


LESSONS LEARNED: Miscellaneous

Professional development is primary objective

Collaborate with Counseling Center for Re-Entry Day

Hire Work Study Students

CSU Chico

X

Santa Clara

X X X


CONTACT US

Any Questions?

Tasha Dev, M.A.International Exchange and Study Abroad Coordinatorwww.csuchico.edu/giis/sa/[email protected]

Vid Raatior, M.A.Assistant Director, Study Abroadwww.scu.edu/[email protected]

NAFSA 2011 - International Ambassadors Session - SCU

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