International Study

International study programs are a valuable part of the college experience

International Education and Global Competence

We live in an era of globalization. Like all other social institutions, this process is transforming higher education as well. The American Council on Education (ACE), in its 1997 report entitled "Education for Global Competence," strongly encouraged students "to study languages to a higher degree of proficiency and to become more knowledgeable about other cultures through study and internships abroad." (ACE 1997, 11) In a global era flows of human labor and capital are transnational in scope. Students undertaking international study can acquire the kind of competencies that will better enable them to succeed in the emerging global economy. Moreover, their enhanced knowledge of other cultures enables them to function more effectively with diverse colleagues in the workplace wherever that might be.

International study programs are especially appropriate for Religious Studies students

For students majoring in Religious Studies, the traditional post-baccalaureate routes were graduate or professional school, or some area of ministry. As the importance of a solid grounding in the academic study of religion becomes ever more recognized, new areas of application for persons with such training likewise continue to grow. For example, students acquiring a high degree of linguistic competence in languages critical to the national security of the United States will enhance their prospects for work in various branches of the federal government. Whatever the ultimate application, Religious Studies students would especially benefit from participation in a study-abroad program. They can gain first-hand knowledge of a foreign culture(s) that will better prepare them to deal with the diverse constituencies they are sure to encounter in their professional lives.

How to select the international study opportunity that is best for me?

Study-abroad programs can take one to virtually any corner of the globe. Programs vary widely in duration lasting from one month to an entire academic year. Most programs are designed with specific objectives in mind, e.g. predominantly academic, service-learning or development oriented. One should seek a program that most closely fits one’s interests. That said, key factors in choosing a program are: (a) area of academic interest; (b) future career plans; (c) level of personal maturity and adaptability to the unique challenges posed by international study. More specifically:

1. Students interested in a particular religion and/or cultural region, e.g. Islam and Islamic culture, would typically seek out an international study program destined for one of the several regions of the world in which this religious and cultural system is widespread.
2. Timely planning within a long-range framework is a crucial factor. Students majoring in Religious Studies and/or other disciplines will ideally select a study-abroad program as one component of a long-term vision. Elements of this vision are a clearly defined academic interest and selection of a program that complements the student’s future professional goals. Your advisor(s) and/or interested faculty can help you to define such a vision and provide critical advice about how to achieve it.
3. The opportunity to study abroad can be the most memorable and rewarding experience of a student's undergraduate years. It does, however, require a high level of maturity and flexibility in order to be navigated successfully. For these reasons, the junior year is often a preferred time for students to undertake such study. Check with your advisors and the specifics of individual programs for precise requirements associated with each.

How can I learn more?  Who should I contact to discuss my options?

The Center for International Education (CIE) is the main clearinghouse on campus for further information and materials pertaining to international study. The Institute for International Education (IIE) is the nation's premier institute dedicated to fostering international education and exchange. Links to undergraduate study and scholarship programs administered by the IIE also follow below.

CIE Office: 4141 East Avenue (take the walkway from parking lot C)
Website: www.naz.edu/dept/cie
Phone: (585) 389-2371
E-mail: global@naz.edu

Benjamin Gilman Scholarship Program for Undergraduates: www.iie.org/gilman/

IIE Passport: www.iiepassport.org

The following faculty in Religious Studies can also provide students with information about additional study-abroad opportunities:

Dr. Susan Nowak, SSJ (Religious Studies Chair; Campus Director, March of Remembrance and Hope), Office: G-303, Ph. (585) 389-2731, E-mail: snowak8@naz.edu

Dr. Joseph Schaller (Director, Asian Studies Program), Office: G-301, Ph. (585) 389-2764, E-mail: jschall8@naz.edu

References

American Council on Education, Commission on International Education. 1997. Educating for Global Competence: America's Passport to the Future. Washington, DC: American Council on Education.