Term Selection

 

For this initial announcement, all programs must occur in Summer 2007. In the future, additional times will be selected.

 

 

Definition of Target Audience

 

Study Abroad and Domestic Study Travel Programs must be self-supporting and enroll at least 12-14 participants. In developing your program, be sure to consider if the program is relevant and popular. Can it attract enough participants to meet the minimum numbers required?

 

How will you recruit? The Center staff will post the announcements of selected programs on the web, in the schedule of classes and in the Workforce and Community Development Center (Pathways). The staff can assist in making flyers and handouts. Once selected, the faculty member must identify a variety of ways to reach students and encourage them to enroll.

 

 

Group Size/Capacity

 

As Study Abroad and Domestic Study Travel Programs will be coordinated with the Workforce and Community Development Center, there will be minimum enrollments. The programs must be financially feasible. As stated above, to be self-supporting each program must enroll 12-14 participants. Community members who are non-students will be invited to enroll.

 

Please consider how many students your host location can handle. Do housing arrangements have any limitations? How many students can you handle? The answer will be determined in part by the capacity of the host site; mode of transport; your support system at the site; your comfort level with the site; and your ability to handle multiple student issues. If selected, you may wish to set a limit to the number of participants at 14-20.

 

 

Consideration of Various Program Models

 

There are three types of Study Abroad and Domestic Study Travel Programs. They are 1.) travel programs; 2.) home-base; and 3.) hybrid.

 

The travel program continuously moves around to various sites. While it may stay two or three nights in one location, there is no fixed home base. While this type of program allows participants to see many different places, it is organizationally very challenging. Students may also have limited interaction with the people of the host country.

 

In the home-base model, participants stay in a fixed location such as a university dormitory or a apartment style hotel. Excursions take place from the home base, usually utilizing public transportation. The advantage of such a program is that it allows maximum immersion at the program site.

 

In the hybrid model, there is a home base, but participants have excursions usually at the beginning or the end of the program.

 

When considering excursions, decide what makes sense from a cultural as well as an academic standpoint. Remember that Study Abroad and Domestic Study Travel are not vacation tours. One of the selling points of these programs is that they engage participants in learning that they would not seek out by themselves.

 

Think about what excursions will be the most beneficial. Consider distance, time, and expense. Is it worth the investment of time and limited funds? Can a particular destination be a "selling point" for the program?

 

 

Financial Considerations

 

Remember that Study Abroad and Domestic Study Travel will be coordinated with the Workforce and Community Development Center and participants must pay a fee. Community members who are non-students will be invited to participate. In developing the budget, the cost of the program must be reasonable. Special consideration will be given to proposals that find innovative ways of reducing costs such as securing host families, finding business sponsorships within the host country, identifying dormitory and dining hall facilities, and promoting group or club fund raisers. The Center staff will help secure the lowest possible airfare by using consolidators, if applicable. The Center staff is experienced in putting together study travel program budgets and can offer valuable assistance. Based on past experience, it is best to include as much as possible in study travel package and not expect participants to pay "hidden costs" such as admissions and ground transportation in addition to their fee.

 

If a Study Abroad or Domestic Study Travel Program does not meet the minimum numbers required, it will be canceled. It will then be re-assessed and re-evaluated to see what can be done to strengthen promotional efforts so it can be offered at a future time.