Maya Dafinova – 2006 Professional Advising Leadership (PAL) Report

Executive Summary

• Project Description: This PAL project focused on Study Abroad and Exchange Programs as an innovative way of involvement for EducationUSA Advising Centers

• Title: Study Abroad and Exchange Programs
• Objectives:

1. Research all types of existing programs: study-abroad (with or without a professional internship), short term student exchanges, articulation agreements, double degrees, scholar exchanges, and others as appropriate.
2. Investigate the ways of setting up such programs in Chilean universities and increasing the exchange of students between Chile and the U.S. on the undergraduate level. The research would involve gathering specific information relative to developing proposals for study abroad/exchange programs such as:
• selecting a good match for the interested institution,
• assisting in the negotiation process between both universities,
• creating a budget for the program,
• selecting the students to participate in the study-abroad program,
• organizing the details around their educational experience (courses, professional internship for credit, credit transfers between Chile and the US, extra-curricular activities and trips), as well as
• housing arrangements (e.g. host families or other), and
• final evaluations.
I would like to intern in the International Education/Study Abroad departments of U.S. institutions to observe their operation and receive training from the staff in charge of those programs.

3. Establish contacts with specific universities in the U. S. that are interested and would be likely to develop study-abroad programs in Chile in the near future.
4. Learn about the functions of large international study-abroad organizations.
Preferably, complete a short internship at one of these organizations, receiving training on specific issues related to study-abroad programs.

• Activities/Appointments:

1. Orientation: College Board Office, 2 days;
2. International Student Exchange Program (ISEP): a two and a half day internship;
3. Meetings with the following Universities: Georgetown University (Office of International Programs), Boston College (Center for International Partnerships and Programs), Suffolk University (Center for International Education), The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (Office of International Programs), Macalester College (International Center).
4. Closure: wrap-in in the College Board office.

• Findings: There is great variety of exchange programs, even though the direct swap, one-way or paid exchange models are the most common. Many universities are in need of help in finding the right institution to partner with overseas, or need complementary services to their already established programs. EducationUSA advisers should get involved in their local study-abroad network to provide help where necessary.
• Acknowledgements: I would like to thank ECA and the College Board for making this possible, and to all the campus hosts who received me and provided valuable information on their programs.
• Follow-up/Next Steps:

1. Follow-up: Organize a national workshop with the network of Chilean advisers and local university administrators on how to internationalize Chilean campuses (date to be scheduled according to budget plans)
2. Next Steps: The next EducationUSA adviser interested in expanding the knowledge on this topic could research the establishment of double degrees between local and US universities.

Click here to download extended version of the report.

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