Growth in Study Abroad Capacity at the University of Georgia

1
Growth in Study Abroad Capacity at the University
of Georgia

• NASULGC
• Chicago, Illinois - November 2008
• Updated November 2009
• Dr. Judith Shaw, Associate Provost for
  International Education
• Dr. Kasee Laster, Director of Study Abroad

2
UGA the institution

• Americas first state-chartered university (1785)
• Georgias flagship institution
• Three-part mission to teach, to serve and to
  inquire into the nature of things"
• Carnegie Classification Research Universities
  (very high research activity) 
• 16 schools colleges

3
UGA the students

• Enrollment
• Fall 08 34,180
• Graduate 8,713
• Undergraduate 25,467
• In-state 79 international 6.3 out-of-state
  14.7

4
UGA study abroad numbers, 2007-08

• 2,000 UGA students participate for credit each
  year.
• 100 faculty-led programs (75-80 of
  participants).
• Three international residential centers (UK,
  Italy, Costa Rica).
• 47 exchange partners (4 of participants).
• Ranked 9th in Open Doors for number of
  participants.
• 30 of students study abroad by graduation.
• Location statistics match national trends
  approximately half to Western Europe, 15 to
  Latin America Asia is fastest-growing region.
• Three-quarters study abroad in the summer, rest a
  semester or full year.

5
UGA history of expansion

• The number of students studying abroad has
  tripled over a dozen years.

6
UGA history of expansion, cont.
Much growth has come in summer and short
programs.
7
UGA role of leadership

• Three institutional strategic goals
• Building the new learning environment
• Investing in research
• Competing in a global economy
• I am convinced that no single experience has a
  greater impact on a student than long-term
  residential study abroad. President Michael
  F. Adams, May 20th, 2008
• Dr. Adams initiative led to the establishment of
  three residential centers abroad, which now host
  one-quarter of participants in UGA programs.

8
UGA administrative model

• Faculty
• Initiate new program proposals.
• Make all logistical arrangements, hire, and pay
  faculty.
• Recruit select students.
• Create a budget programs must break even
  financially.
• File enrollment lists itineraries with OIE.
• Office of International Education
• Strategic Planning Committee assesses 6-15 new
  proposals each year for a). strategic fit with
  existing offerings, b). risk management, c).
  budgetary viability, and d). academic rigor.
• Provides risk management budgetary training
  reviews budgets.
• Provides opportunities for recruitment.
• Conducts student advising and outreach.
• Coordinates several scholarships, serves as
  central information clearinghouse for others.

9
UGA entrepreneurial financial model

• Two Types of Revenue
• Tuition return students pay tuition to the
  Bursars Office, which is returned to the
  programs.
• Tuition return must cover instructional expenses
  summer salaries foreign speakers faculty
  airfare, room, and board facilities equipment
  costs abroad course-related entrance fees.
• Program fee charged directly to students by the
  program and covers everything else student
  travel and room and board insurance sometimes
  visas, student air travel, and/or ground
  transportation cultural and recreational
  entrance fees.
• Until recent budget difficulties in Georgia, OIE
  had a 100,000 fund to seed new programs.

10
UGA - financial model, cont.

• Role of HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils
  Educationally)
• Lottery-funded scholarship for in-state students
  with a B average or better.
• Almost every in-state freshman at UGA is on HOPE
  most keep it until graduation.
• HOPE covers all tuition at public universities
  and a portion at in-state private institutions.
• Covers the tuition portion for UGA study abroad
  programs students going on external programs
  receive an amount based on credit hours.
• Due to HOPE, many families do not pay tuition for
  any part of college thus additional resources
  are freed up for study abroad.
• Out-of-state students do not receive HOPE, but
  pay in-state tuition rates for study abroad.

11
UGA types of study abroad programs

• Faculty-led (short-term, Maymester, summer, and
  semester)
• Non-traditional (individual internships
  research placements)
• Exchange
• External

12
UGA recent program models contributing to
expansion

• Cambodia gerontology and intergenerational
  studies summer
• Vietnam public health Maymester
• Antarctica natural resources, winter break
• Athletic Training - Taiwan
• IT/MIS Dalian, China
• Conflict Resolution Ireland (Social Work) and
  Ecuador (Public and International Affairs)
• Reacting Abroad (historical re-enactment
  pedagogy) Classics, Greece
• Genetics of Invasive Species (NSF grant)
  Nanjing, China
• Viticulture Italy, College of Agriculture
• Avian Biology Costa Rica, College of
  Agriculture

13
UGA advantages of the entrepreneurial,
faculty-driven model

• Strong faculty buy-in.
• Allows for expansion even in tough budget times.
• Critical mass of students studying abroad fuels
  growth via word of mouth.
• Expanded marketing base (over 200 faculty and
  staff on campus work with study abroad in some
  aspect)
• Faculty reach students directly.
• Diversity of programs disciplines.
• Quick response to disciplinary needs trends,
  underserved student populations and disciplines.

14
UGA future directions

• Task Force for International Education (2006-07)
  goal 40 participation in study abroad by
  graduation.
• Residential centers in Africa, Asia, a
  German-speaking location, and a French-speaking
  location.
• More students studying abroad for a semester or
  longer.
• Increased diversity in locations, student
  demographics, and disciplines.