BOONE–Appalachian State University has received a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to implement a two-year project designed to enhance the capacity of the university’s international partner institutions to host Appalachian and other U.S. students who are studying abroad for academic credit.

Appalachian’s was one of seven projects selected for funding. Appalachian will help its partner institutions in Egypt, India, South Africa and Taiwan develop their capacity for hosting Appalachian and other U.S. students. In addition, institutions in India and South Africa have been targeted as strategic locations for service-learning and community-based research opportunities.

“Appalachian has established institutional partnerships in Egypt, India, South Africa and Taiwan in the past two years in an effort to diversify and completely change the destinations and nature of its study abroad programs,” said Dr. Jesse Lutabingwa, associate vice chancellor for international education and development at Appalachian.

The program will be directed by Lutabingwa; Nancy Wells, director of student exchange and study abroad; and Shari Galiardi, director of service-learning.

“It’s exciting to serve as mentors to our new partners abroad as they expand their ability to host Appalachian and other U.S. students.  One of the challenges with new institutional partnerships is the blending of different procedures of different institutions. This grant gives us the opportunity to create institutional exchanges that operate smoothly from the start,” Wells said.

According to Wells, “There is no substitute for on-the ground, face-to-face experience with partners to allow us to thoroughly understand each others’ institutions and therefore advise students appropriately. This grant provides resources for us to have those experiences with these selected partners and bring our partners here to Appalachian. There is no better way to ensure successful exchange relationships.”

Appalachian will implement the project in three phases.  In Phase I, Appalachian will send groups of faculty and staff for two-week visits to the partner institutions in Egypt, India, South Africa and Taiwan.  They will consult and work with the partner institutions to develop their capacities to host Appalachian and other U.S. students.

In Phase II, faculty and staff from partner institutions in Egypt, India, South Africa and Taiwan will visit Appalachian for two weeks of an internship-type experience based in the Office of International Education and Development.

While at Appalachian, these representatives will review policies and procedures for international student exchanges; observe the process of receiving and registering international exchange students for classes; participate in international student orientation program; observe student organizations and how they help international students acclimate to Appalachian and the local community and how they encourage Appalachian students to study abroad; and, observe the types of services provided for international students.  Additionally, the international representatives will attend selected academic classes and participate in discussions with faculty members.

In the third phase of the project, Appalachian faculty and staff will visit partner institutions in Egypt, India, South Africa and Taiwan for a mix of summer and semester-long visits.

According to Lutabingwa, “Appalachian seeks to establish a good balance between short-term and long-term study abroad participation in its programs.  Additionally, Appalachian wants to encourage students to go abroad for service-learning, research, internships and student teaching.”

“We have a great deal to learn from universities and non-governmental organizations abroad as we build sustainable partnerships focused on engaging faculty and students in international service-learning and community-based research.  This grant provides the funds needed to add both breadth and depth to these developing partnerships,” Galiardi said.

Mirroring the national trend, 79.3 percent of Appalachian students who study abroad choose short-term, faculty led programs, mostly in the summer.  Only 21 percent of those who study abroad go for a semester or a year.

“I am pleased that Appalachian was selected to implement this program,” Lutabingwa said. “Appalachian’s selection is a recognition and confirmation by federal agencies that the university has the capability and expertise to implement international development projects.”

For more information, contact Lutabingwa in the Office of International Education and Development at 828- 262-2046 or lutabingwajl@appstate.edu.

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