Learning Goals for International Education
Study abroad programs should foster participant development in the following areas:
Knowledge
- understands the concept of "globalization";
- demonstrates knowledge of current world events;
- demonstrates knowledge of world history;
- understands one's culture within a global and comparative context (student recognizes that his/her culture is one of many diverse cultures and that alternate perceptions and behaviors may be based in cultural differences);
- demonstrates knowledge of global issues, processes, trends, and systems (economic and political interdependency among nations, environmental-cultural interaction, global governance bodies and nongovernmental organizations);
- demonstrates knowledge of other cultures (including beliefs, values, perspectives, practices, and products);
- demonstrates knowledge of one's own culture (including beliefs, values, perspectives, practices, and products);
- understands how his/her intended academic/professional field is viewed and practiced in different cultural contexts;
- demonstrates knowledge of world geography and conditions;
- understands how historical forces have shaped current world systems;
- understands intercultural communication concepts;
- understands the nature of language and how it reflects diverse cultural perspectives (the way a language organizes information and reflects culture).
Skills
- successfully participates on project oriented academic or vocational experience with people from other cultures and traditions;
- able to assess intercultural performance in social or business settings;
- able to identify cultural differences in order to compete globally;
- able to collaborate across cultures;
- able to participate effectively in social and business settings anywhere in the world;
- uses knowledge, diverse cultural frames of reference, and alternate perspectives to think critically and solve problems;
- communicates and connects with people in other language communities in a range of settings for a variety of purposes, developing skills in each of the four modalities: speaking (productive), listening (receptive), reading (receptive), and writing (productive).
- uses foreign language skills and/or knowledge of other cultures to extend access to information, experiences, and understanding.
- uses knowledge, diverse cultural frames of reference, and alternate perspectives to think critically and solve problems.
- uses a foreign language to communicate - that is, may be able to perform one or more of the following skills: speaks in a language other than his/her first language, listens in a language other than his/her first language, reads in a language other than his/her first language, writes in a language other than his/her first language
- identifies and uses information from other languages and/or other countries - that is, may demonstrate one or more of the skills listed below: uses language skills to enhance learning in other academic areas, uses the study of a foreign language as a window to cultural understanding, uses learning in other academic areas to enhance language and cultural knowledge, can name ways to maintain or improve his/her language skills over time;
- uses technology to participate in global exchange of ideas and information;
- demonstrates coping and resiliency skills in unfamiliar and challenging situations;
- interprets issues and situations from more than one cultural perspective;
- is engaged in global issues; plays an active role in community organizations within and beyond campus;
- mediates cross-cultural interactions - that is, facilitates intercultural relations for and between others.
Attitudes
- willing to step outside of one's own culture and experience life as "the other";
- willing to take risks in pursuit of cross-cultural learning and personal development;
- open to new experiences, including those that could be emotionally challenging;
- copes with different cultures and attitudes;
- reacts nonjudgmentally to cultural difference;
- celebrates diversity;
- accepts cultural differences and tolerates cultural ambiguity;
- demonstrates an ongoing willingness to seek out international or intercultural opportunities;
- willing to learn from others who are culturally different from him/her;
- willing to engage in diverse cultural situations;
- demonstrates movement from being sympathetic to being empathetic toward people from other cultures;
- demonstrates resistance to cultural stereotyping;
- demonstrates an ongoing willingness to seek out international or intercultural opportunities;
- displays curiosity about global issues and cultural differences;
- demonstrates an interest in learning or further refining communication skills in a language other than his/her first language;
- flexible, open to change, and seeks personal growth.
*Adapted from work by the American Council on Education (www.acenet.edu) and William Hunter (International Educator, May/June 2006).
