A First Year Model for Study Abroad

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A First Year Model for Study Abroad
Nat Measley, FYE Graduate Assistant Martha
Carothers, Associate Director Office of
Undergraduate Studies
University of Delaware Center for International
Studies statistics provided by Lisa Chieffo
Ed.D. LIFE Program statistical assistance
provided by University of Delaware Office of
Educational Assessment.
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Not Studying Abroad Yet?
Fear of flying. Kangaroo phobia. Severe sun
burn. No prescription for homesickness. Snakes on
planes.
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Study Abroad At UD
The Past 1923 1 trip to Paris 8 students The
Today 2006 70 programs in more than 35
countries 1,500 total students 70 first year
students 42 first year students in two FYE
programs Sydney, Australia and Merida, Mexico
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LIFE Abroad
Seven Components of Success
First Year Students Only
Faculty Mentor
Small Group / Cluster Size
Pre-Travel Orientation
Common Courses
Scholarship Support
Peer Mentor
LIFE Living Integrated Freshmen Experience
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Component 1First Year Students Only!
Similar life position / experiences All first
time studying abroad Same academic
standing Similar impact on second study abroad
hope
. . opportunity to do this as a freshman,
expanding of horizons by being exposed to a
culture that is similar yet so different.
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Component 2Small Group Size
Increased interaction within the
cluster Elimination of the lost feeling Low
Faculty Mentor to student ratio Low Peer Mentor
to student ratio Service learning
opportunities Ease of organizing excursions
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Component 3Common Course Load
Formation of study groups Same Boat
phenomenon Underlying themed course
work Similar core curriculum requirements
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Component 4Peer Mentor
Outlet for student concern (socially/academically
) Resource / facilitator for student
activity Facilitator of UNIV-102 course
abroad Coordinator of LIFE Project On-location
orientation manager
. . .very helpful with getting adjusted to the
city. . . .great at organizing activities for
us to do.
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Component 5Faculty Mentor
Professor of ART 129 course Resource for
student-to-university affairs Mediator for
student-to-student affairs Facilitator for
critical thinking and cultural awareness
. . .very interested in us. . . .encouraged
independence and chance to explore. . . .very
accessible. . . .willing to deal with problems
right away.
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Component 6Pre-Travel Orientation Classes

• Boost general travel knowledge and savvy
• Destination basics
• Breaking the ice between group members
• Cost . . .risk . . .safety
• Trip specifics courses and destination
• Meet former first year study abroad students

I thought I was very prepared for the trip. I
knew what to expect.
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Component 7CFIS Scholarship Support
Full-time matriculated undergraduates academic
merit essay, recommendations judicial review
financial need
CFIS General Scholarships 300 - 800 FYE Study
Abroad Scholarhips (Freshman Only!) 300 -
4,000 STARR Study Abroad Scholarship Funds
1,000 - 4,000
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Go Out - Go About - Go Abroad
First Year Students Success Over Seas
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http//international.udel.edu/studyabroad/assessme
nt/freshmen-abroad-outcomes.pdf
http//international.udel.edu/studyabroad/assessme
nt/freshmen-abroad-outcomes.pdf
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http//international.udel.edu/studyabroad/assessme
nt/freshmen-abroad-outcomes.pdf
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How Have You Changed from this Experience?

• Sophomore First-Timers
• Confidence 18
• Adaptability 16
• Global Awareness 14
• Future Travel Desire 14
• Cultural Understanding 10

• Freshmen
• Adaptability - 18
• Cultural Understanding - 18
• Language Skills - 12

http//international.udel.edu/studyabroad/assessme
nt/freshmen-abroad-outcomes.pdf
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http//international.udel.edu/studyabroad/assessme
nt/freshmen-abroad-outcomes.pdf
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January 2006

• 19 First Year Students
• Age
• 11 Eighteen Year Olds
• 8 Nineteen Year Olds
• Gender
• 15 Females
• 4 Males
• Ethnicity
• 1 Indian / African American
• 1 Asian
• 1 Puerto Rican

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January 2006 (Contd)
19 First Year Students Honors 3 Honors Tuition 8
In-State Students - 1,242 11 Out-of-State
Students 3,146 Program Cost 5,400 Personal
Spending 900 - 2,500
http//www.udel.edu/bill_coll/fees/06w_fees.html
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January 2006 Pre and Post Survey
Significant changes found in Ability to
compare aspects of Los Angeles and
Sydney Ability to contrast aspects of Los
Angeles and Sydney
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January 2006 Pre and Post Survey
Mike Minehan was good in comparing and
contrasting cultures. Going on excursions and
meeting Australians and Aborigines helped us to
get a feel of culture. You get more for your
money in Australia. A kip is a short nap.
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January 2006 Pre and Post Survey

• Noticeable changes found in
• The course Art 129 helping the way students
  view the world.
• The course Art 129 affecting students
  understanding of those different than them.

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January 2006 Pre and Post Survey
I was most exposed to the culture by interacting
with it, such as meeting locals, shopping, and
going out to eat. Australians seem to be very
relaxed, very down to earth, and friendly. Even
though they speak our language there are many
subtle differences. Everyones super
friendly. Vegemite is good.
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January 2006 Pre and Post Survey
Finish the sentence People with cultures
different than my own. . . . . .are all the
same people with different ways of living. . .
.fascinate me, I love to explore and learn more
about them. All students answered positively.
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January 2006 Pre and Post Survey
Finish the sentence My beliefs, morals, and
values are mostly influenced by all of the
following. . . . . .family. (15) . .
.friends. (12) . . .past experience.
(6) . . .self-discovery. (5) . . .school or
teachers. (5)
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January 2006 Observations
Culturally accepting group Diversity within the
group Already traveled outside of the US Only
one student without a passport Family likely to
be travelers Parents / guardians willing to fund
study abroad