Together with Assoc. Profs. Tonia Gray (University of Western Sydney) and Jan Gothard (Murdoch University), we produced a model curriculum for integrating international experience into campus internationalisation.
All of the teaching materials are available at the permanent repository of the project at Murdoch University here. These include instructors’ guide books, student readings and materials, slides (in PowerPoint, Keynote and Prezi formats), and an overarching guide to instructors wishing to use the materials (link goes to PDF of user’s guide). The materials are all offered through a Creative Commons licence so that they can be adopted, adapted, and deployed in any way that makes sense in your program.
The curriculum includes ten modules, that can be used together or individually, to enhance your study abroad curriculum (or, if you’re a student, to reflect on whichever issues are key to you): Exploration, Reflection, Stereotypes, Cultural relativism, Communication, Adaptation and coping, Transformation, Globalisation and Cosmopolitanism, Education and culture, and Professionalisation.
The project website also has videos of students talking about their overseas experiences (which may be appropriate to show students prior to their departure for study abroad as a way of provoking discussion). We also have video examples of pre-departure and re-entry workshops conducted at Murdoch University and the University of Wollongong.
From the project descriptio
n:
The project focused on the learning opportunities for Australian students inherent in the three different phases in the study abroad and exchange experience, namely pre-departure, in-country and re-entry. The project team also analysed the demographic and cultural profile of Australian students undertaking exchange. The project team sought to generate learning outcomes for the exchange process and to support the attainment of these outcomes. Based on these learning goals, the team produced learning and teaching materials appropriate to Australian students which could be adapted for presentation on all Australian campuses. The team especially sought to integrate student reflection on their learning experiences into refining project goals and producing appropriate teaching and learning materials.
In the words of the International Office director of one Australian University:
I saw skill development and awareness of the cultural insights students were gaining through exchange as of fundamental importance to offering an opportunity of long-term worth and significance to students, and this project puts necessary building blocks in place for students to have such an experience (3 February 2012)
Greg Downey 