Restructured Model
Regional International Semester

STRENGTHS Continuity of experience and learning Integration of learning between theory and practice (foreign language; environmental studies; political science) More cost effective than a full semester travel component Shorter abroad experience is less disruptive to student lives Financial aid availability Longer than spring-break model Availability of modular courses already established Academic solidity – antidote to ‘Cancun’ syndrome Frees up stay- at-home faculty to do research, etc. Collaboration with other faculty Potential for visibility to other students Potential for team teaching Intensive orientation Home institution tuition, etc.  Focused, intensive study

WEAKNESSES Modular nature of model; does not fit well into traditional semester Students must complete entire program; not as flexible Institutions must make modules interchangeable Faculty course load and coverage Accountability; faculty who do prep work and don’t travel miss opportunity to learn from experience and follow-through with academic goals Motivation to teach is diminished if faculty does not travel with group Additional costs of 4-week abroad component vs. 2-week Faculty availability Model only works with full-time students Employment schedules of students Recruitment issues Coping

OPPORTUNITIES Four week model provides enhanced professional development more so than two week Establishing linkages abroad (sister cities, other cities) Opportunity to further strengthen international programs at each institution Lead to more developed consortial infrastructure Recruitment of potential students Faculty availability is greater in summer; opportunities for faculty participation are greater in summer (student availability?) Opportunities to develop scholarships/funding specifically to support consortial efforts

THREATS Administratively labor intensive; high cost Under enrollment Lack of model for VTRIP consortium within VTC Application screening through course enrollment Acceptance of consortial agreement by institutions Fees at host institution/fee structure Lack of institutionalization

Other solutions:

• Solve summer financial aid problem
  
• Institutionalize existing or more traditional short-term programs
  
• Empower campus study abroad officials
  
• Encourage institutions to reconceptualize with internationalization as a goal
  
• Reconsider one program, every-one-can-apply model
  
• Eight-week, six credit summer semester using same model as regional international semester
  
  • Extended pre-departure
    
  • Cross-cultural
    
  • Post-experience follow-up
    
  • Faculty are available
    
  • Works with community colleges
    
  • Longer than current summer programs
    
  • Financial aid (NSEP, Gilman, institutional aid/loans) may be available/limited
    
  • Abroad portion of model could vary from 2-4 weeks; flexible depending on availability of host institution/faculty/students
    
  • Possibility of adding students to travel portion, under separate cohort and separate leadership in order to lower costs, increase revenue (fee)
    
  • Short-term visa