Global Partners Project Proposal
for 2002-2003

Institutions: Monmouth College and Coe College

Title: Collaboration in Orientation /Reorientation and Expansion of International Exchange Programming

Statement of Need

Monmouth and Coe acknowledged in the original proposal that a weak aspect of the exchange programs offered through both campuses had been the orientation and re-entry program.  When students participate in programs sponsored by ACM, they attend structured orientation programs that involve students from the various institutions.  Although an effort had been made on both the Monmouth and Coe campuses to help students to transition into and out of college-sponsored international exchange experiences, the results had been neither consistent nor comprehensive.  Effective orientation/reorientation is difficult with only a small number of students.  The purpose of the original proposal was to develop more structure and consistency in the orientation/re-orientation process and increase the number of students participating so as to maximize the effectiveness of activities and discussions.  In the first year great progress was made and we respectfully request continued funding from the Global Partners Project so as to continue to develop and solidify the programming. 

Additionally, both Colleges are interested in adding more college-based exchange programs to the existing opportunities on each campus.  Each school has an exchange program that is of interest to the other.  Each school is also open to exploring an opportunity new to each campus.  Along with continuing to build and strengthen our orientation/re-entry programming for exchange students, Monmouth and Coe Colleges would like some funding towards travel to an existing site one of the Colleges currently offers, or to a site that would be new to both and might offer a new academic emphasis in international study experiences.

Project Description

Project Goal:             Monmouth and Coe Colleges will continue to build and strengthen college-sponsored exchange opportunities through collaborative orientation/reorientation experiences for students preparing for and returning from international off-campus study exchange programs and for international students on exchanges at Monmouth and Coe Colleges .

Objective 1:  To continue the work of the joint Exchange Program Acclimation Committee (EPAC) comprised of faculty/staff members from Monmouth and Coe Colleges that plan, oversee, and evaluate orientation and reorientation activities for exchange students (The term exchange student is used for Monmouth and Coe students who study abroad on exchange programs and for international students who come to our campuses as exchange students.)

1.1             The Committee members will maintain regular contact via phone and e-mail throughout the planning process.

1.2             The Committee will refine the written agenda addressing the articulated objectives for the orientation/reorientation program and identify the individuals who will be responsible for organizing and leading the various activities.

1.3             The Committee will discuss various strategies for helping the program students adjust to their exchange schools and communities, and work with appropriate personnel to ensure a smoother transition.

1.4             Using information from the Feedback Form (developed and used for the fall 2001 and spring 2002 programs) along with anecdotal information from facilitators/presenters, the Committee will evaluate the effectiveness of the program and make any necessary changes for the 2002-03 programs.

1.5             Activities 1.1 through 1.4 will be repeated in the spring for the orientation/reorientation program for exchange students going abroad fall semester of 2003.

1.6             After the second orientation/reorientation program, the Committee will assess the overall effectiveness of the collaboration between Monmouth and Coe Colleges .

1.7             The Committee will formulate a final report to the Global Partners Project outlining the project objectives and how effectively they were met through the activities supported with a Partners Project Grant.

Objective 2:  To hold two orientation/reorientation programs, one in the fall and one in the spring, for exchange students

2.1             Members of the EPAC will set dates for two one-day orientation/reorientation programs during the 2002-2003 academic year. 

2.2             A one-day program for exchange students will be hosted during the fall semester on the campus of Monmouth College and on the Coe College campus during the spring semester.

2.3             International students and other personnel from both campuses will participate as resource persons in the programs.

2.4             Students who participated in an exchange program the previous semester will attend the program as resource persons and as part of their reorientation process.

2.5             Monmouth and Coe Colleges will invite representatives from Knox and Cornell Colleges to observe either program.

Objective 3:  To investigate the development of an exchange program new to one or both of the campuses.

3.1             Monmouth and Coe will collaborate on planning a visit to either an existing exchange program site for one of the Colleges or to a potentially new site for both of the Colleges.

3.2             A team of two, comprised of one representative from each college, will visit a potential site for one or both of the schools.

3.3             The team will report back to the administration of each Monmouth and Coe on the findings of the visit and make a recommendation as to whether or not to add the site to existing opportunities through the college.

Budget  

Dissemination of Project Information

An explanation of the orientation/reorientation program will be posted to each College’s international study web site as part of the description of college-sponsored exchange programs. More information will be added after orientation/reorientation programs are completed in the fall and spring. (http://department.monm.edu/offcampus/default.htm  and http://www.coe.edu/VitalStats/OffStudy.html)

A final report to the Global Partners Project Task Force will be submitted prior to August 1, 2003 .  It is expected that Partners Project reports will be added to the Global Partners Project website and made available to all participating Colleges and to other institutions wanting to investigate effective practices in international study programming.  Members of the Exchange Program Acclimation Committee will agree, schedules permitting, to make presentations to representatives of peer institutions and to participate in panel discussions on the topic of building exchange programs and strengthening orientation and re-entry activities.  

Conclusion

The scope of college-sponsored exchange programs through Monmouth and Coe is quite modest in comparison to those of other institutions in the ACM, GLCA, and ACS.  However, both schools are intent on conscientiously growing their respective programs. Monmouth and Coe are very eager to continue to work together to improve each college’s preparation and re-entry practices for students who participate in international exchange programs.  With funding from a Partners Project follow-up grant we will be able to establish a new collaboration between the Colleges through the investigation of new exchange sites for one or both of the Colleges.  We will continue to pool faculty and student resources and to formalize a process of international study experience orientation/reorientation that can be built upon as exchange program participation grows on each campus.  We hope that the continuation of this project and expansion of the objectives will enable a long-term collaboration between the institutions in international study.