scholarly journals CREATING A VIRTUAL STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE TO RUSSIA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Woodward ◽  
◽  
Michelle Kwok ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Global Education ◽  
Classroom Interaction ◽  
International Travel ◽  
Russian Orthodox ◽  
Russian Orthodox Church ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Virtual Experiences ◽  
Bolshoi Ballet ◽  
Study Abroad Program

COVID-19 has drastically altered our world. Though travel is halted, global education does not have to stop. We used this time to reconceive the notion of study abroad and designed a study abroad program that could be facilitated virtually and enhanced with face-to-face classroom interaction. We were inspired to embark on this journey for several reasons. First, the realities of the pandemic create risks associated with international travel. Second, international experiences need to be more accessible–more students should be able to participate in global education, even if they do not have the means or ability to do so. We present our design considerations in building and implementing this virtual study abroad program. As part of the design, we partnered with VEXA (Virtual Experiences Abroad), a Moscow-based company that built the online interface and facilitated the interactions between our students and Russian citizens, including visits to a Russian Orthodox Church, the Bolshoi Ballet theater, and elementary and middle schools. We also brought elements of Russian culture to life through face-to-face experiences including a live cooking session with a Russian chef, discussions with a Russian Orthodox priest, and a ballet lesson with a company member of the Bolshoi theatre. These types of experiences facilitated group discussions and social interaction opportunities, crucial for establishing relationships. Overall, our main goal was to reconceive the traditional notion of study abroad while garnering results that would match the transformational gains that global education provides.

Students’ motivations, perceived benefits and constraints towards study abroad and other international education opportunities

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamilla Curtis ◽  
John R. Ledgerwood
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
International Education ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
International Travel ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Study Abroad Programs ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Campuses ◽  
Study Abroad Program

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify students’ motivations and perceived benefits of engaging in study abroad programs, as well as challenges and missed opportunities. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was sent to random samples of students on two university campuses. Descriptive statistics and frequency analyses were conducted with the use of the SPSS data management software package. Findings Despite the majority of students having previous international travel experience and understanding the benefits of study abroad programs, most of them will not pursue the possibility to enroll in the study abroad programs. Contrary, most of respondents did express an interest to participate in international co-op/internship opportunities while attending the university. The study identified motivations, perceived benefits and constraints for students to enroll in study abroad programs. Research limitations/implications Further research using samples from different universities and colleges would present a more comprehensive picture of motivations, expectations and constraints. Practical implications Educators should promote study abroad program benefits and clearly identify the link between international experiences and future students’ employability. Study abroad programs can serve as important tool for increasing overall students’ retention and recruitment. Social implications In higher education, study abroad programs can serve as important tool for increasing overall students’ retention and recruitment. Originality/value This research uncovers students’ study abroad intent, interests, motivations, perceived personal and professional benefits and desired structure for the program. The findings provide insights into how administrators can enhance the value of the summer study abroad program offered by higher educational institutions.

scholarly journals Short-Term Study Abroad: The Students' Perspective on London 2019

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 269-274
Author(s):  
Ellen K. Payne ◽  
Heather Chapman ◽  
April Daly ◽  
Samantha Darby ◽  
Margaret Heft
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
International Travel ◽  
Athletic Training Students ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Study Abroad Programs ◽  
Term Study ◽  
Short Term Study ◽  
Study Abroad Program

Context Many study abroad experiences are difficult for athletic training students to attend because of the prescriptive nature of the athletic training curriculum. Short-term study abroad programs allow students to participate in an international educational experience without the time commitment of semester-long or yearlong programs. Objective To report the students' perspective of a short-term study abroad experience. Background In January 2019 a short-term study abroad program was offered for athletic training students. The program included attendance at a sports medicine conference, networking opportunities, and cultural activities. Synthesis Through a group debriefing session and guided reflection questions, four athletic training students who attended the short-term study abroad program in London reflected on their preparations for the international travel and their experiences while abroad. Recommendation(s) Continued research should be conducted to objectively assess how short-term study abroad programs influence students' cultural awareness and cultural competency upon return. Conclusion(s) Short-term study abroad programs are one way for students to increase cultural awareness while staying on track with their athletic training curriculum. From the students' perspective, once they overcame the perceived barriers to international travel, the experience was positive, and they would recommend it to other athletic training students.

The value of a study abroad program for graduate students in psychology

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Halawani Montes ◽  
Mike Karakashian ◽  
Chrisann Schiro-Geist ◽  
Emer Broadbent ◽  
Jennifer A. Drabowicz
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
Study Abroad Program

Christian unity: the search for ways to achieve

2001 ◽  
pp. 91-100
Author(s):  
Yu. Ye. Reshetnikov
Keyword(s):  
Catholic Church ◽  
Russian Orthodox ◽  
Orthodox Church ◽  
Turn Of The Millennium ◽  
Russian Orthodox Church ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Christian Churches ◽  
The Press ◽  
Christian Unity ◽  
Future Policy

Last year, the anniversary of all Christianity, witnessed a number of significant events caused by a new interest in understanding the problem of the unity of the Christian Church on the turn of the millennium. Due to the confidentiality of Ukraine, some of these events have or will have an immediate impact on Christianity in Ukraine and on the whole Ukrainian society as a whole. Undoubtedly, the main event, or more enlightened in the press, is a new impetus to the unification of the UOC-KP and the UAOC. But we would like to focus on two documents relating to the problem of Christian unity, the emergence of which was almost unnoticed by the wider public. But at the same time, these documents are too important as they outline the future policy of other Christian denominations by two influential Ukrainian christian churches - the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. These are the "Basic Principles of the attitude of the Russian Orthodox Church to the" I ", adopted by the Anniversary Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Concept of the Ecumenical Position of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, adopted by the Synod of the Bishops of the UGCC. It is clear that the theme of the second document is wider, but at the same time, ecumenism, unification is impossible without solving the problem of relations with others, which makes it possible to compare the approaches laid down in the mentioned documents to the building of relations with other Christian confessions.

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