CCIS Exhibits at the NAFSA Conference:
Several CCIS sponsoring and host institutions joined CCIS at its booth in Kansas City May 31-June 5, 2010.
The exhibit schedule allowed time for five CCIS institutions to share the CCIS booth so that they could highlight their programs. A number of NAFSA attendees spoke positively about the opportunity to personally meet and chat with our members who administer CCIS study abroad programs.
The College of Staten Island/City University of New York, Edge Hill University, Kingston University, Montana State University, and Truman State University were among those institutions showcasing their programs.
The CCIS member participants included Ann Helm, Chris Tingue, Jason Keeling, Jennifer Sloan, Cath Morris, Alci Arias, Rosa Mendez, and Patrick Lecaque.
CCIS is planning to exhibit at the NAFSA Conference next year in Vancouver, Canada. Please contact me if you would like to reserve a space at the CCIS booth next year.
Harlan
CCIS Announcements:
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CCIS Board and Committee members, mark your calendars. The next board and committee meetings will be held at the Academy for Educational Development in Washington, D.C. on August 26th and 27th, 2010.
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CCIS is interested in obtaining photos from students who have studied abroad on a CCIS program. If you have student photos, please send them to Jim Richardson at jim@ccisabroad.org. Each photo should be accompanied by a brief student statement.
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CCIS is now on Facebook. Take a moment to stop by and visit the College Consortium for International Studies at Facebook.com
CCIS 21st Annual Conference held March 10-12, 2010 in Jersey City, NJ
While the pre-conference workshops introduced the CCIS consortial model and re-affirmed the organizations’ commitment to safety and responsibility in study abroad, the conference theme, “Hard Times and New Opportunities” allowed participants to explore lessons learned from the past at the “Pioneers” opening plenary. This discussion was enhanced during the conference welcome by Dr. Tomás D. Morales, President of the College of Staten Island (CSI/CUNY). He detailed the role CSI/CUNY has played in the history of CCIS and of CSI’s on-going support for international educational exchange.
The sessions over the next two days continued the conference theme beginning with a discussion of several ways to open lines of communication and avenues of networking on individual campuses. The value of this topic was then magnified during the next panel as students described the paths they followed as they considered their sojourns abroad.
Since these students had been enrolled in community colleges, many of their concerns were highlighted during the following session, which focused on potential academic and economic barriers faced by students in two-year institutions. A lack of financial resources was noted; thus, the last panel of the day focused on the Gilman and Boren Scholarships, available to students from both two and four year institutions.
The following day, access to information for advisors and students was addressed on the panel devoted to technology and study abroad. This session was so well received that attendees asked that it be presented at future CCIS conferences.
A new study on the relationship between foreign language learning and home stays attracted the attention of many CCIS program sponsors and of study abroad advisors. The assumptions, the research, and the “surprises” resulted in a lively discussion.
The final conference session placed “Hard Times and New Opportunities” within the context of integrating the CCIS model into overall international strategies. The focus was on the impact of academic, economic, and political challenges facing U.S. campuses today.
Conference Donors
Each year CCIS honors its event donors during an All-Conference Luncheon & Awards ceremony. This year award recipients were The American University of Rome, Broward College, The College of Staten Island/CUNY, Cultural Insurance Services International, Lorenzo de Medici, Massey University, Montana State University, Nanjing University, St. Bonaventure University, StudyAbroad.com, Truman State University, The University of Cantebury, The University of Indianapolis, The University of Rhode Island, and The University of Waikato.
Scholarships:
CCIS provides scholarship opportunities to CCIS member study abroad candidates. The latest scholarship information is listed below. For more information, please contact the CCIS office at 202-223-0330 or jim@ccisabroad.org.
April 14, 2010
Summer CCIS Scholarship Application Deadline
May 3, 2010
Fall CCIS Scholarship Application Deadline
May 6, 2010
Summer CCIS Scholarship Notification Date
May 24, 2010
Fall CCIS Scholarship Notification Date
CCIS Board/Committee Announcements:
A program proposal by Broward College and Niagara University for the University of San Ignacia De Loyola: Lima and Cusco, Peru was approved at the March 2010 board/committee meetings.
All CCIS programs are subject to review by the organization’s Program Review Subcommittee (PRS). Thus, CCIS is seeking qualified program reviewers. If you are interested in applying for the upcoming year, watch for the “call for reviewers” announcement in April 2010. The step-by-step guidelines and the Program Review Process are located on the CCIS website at http://www.ccisstudyabroad.org/program_review_guidelines.htm
Student Feedback from their Study Abroad Experiences
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COSTA RICA
Getting off the plane at the San Jose, airport in Costa Rica, I really did not know what to expect whether good or bad. I just knew that I would be spending five weeks of summer in one of the most beautiful places on earth. I have been to quite a few countries but my study abroad experience in Costa Rica is one that I will always remember. I can wholeheartedly say that I never had a “bad day” while studying abroad. My tica family welcomed me into their home with open arms. I was one of three students living with the family and we all bonded together as if we were all a part of their family. I attended Universidad Veritas, in San Jose, Costa Rica where I took an intercultural communication class and a Spanish class . The ticas and ticos of Costa Rica have a rich culture that draws in each and everyone who have visited their country. My program was not solely surrounded by school work but we were able to visit different parts of Costa Rica every weekend; from the sunny beach of Tamarindo, the reggae filled Puerto Viejo to canopying through the rainforest of Monteverde. It was the best two for one experience of my life. My greatest disappointment was that rainy Sunday morning when I had to board my flight back to my American home.
Shanalee Gallimore,
Graduate Student
Florida A&M University
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BELIZE
The best place to learn is out of the classroom, and that's exactly what I did, and out of it I got the most incredible experience of meeting new people, learning a new culture as well as learning about myself.
Jessica Ness
University of Indianapolis
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ARGENTINA
Study abroad is AMAAAAZING! But honestly, if you want to learn more about yourself and your home country, study outside the United States. It will change your life and your view on life...
Hannah Snyder
University of Indianapolis
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CCIS would like to share the stories of our 2008 Summer Scholarship Recipients!
PLEASE RHEAD THE EXPERIENCES OF FIVE OF OUR STUDENTS WHO HAD AN AMAZING TIME, AND DON'T FORGET TO RECOMMEND YOUR STUDENTS FOR FUTURE CCIS SCOLARSHIPS.
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Chambery is a quaint little town that I very much enjoyed living in. Since I was born and raised in Miami, it was especially nice to live in a small city and get the feel for their way of life. As for the bad reputation of the French here in the states, I have made it my personal mission to correct it. Everywhere I went people were very kind, considerate, and incredibly helpful. School itself was a pleasure to attend. The chateau where schooling took place was located on a beautiful park, which consisted of several rose gardens. After class I loved sitting in the park and taking in the scenery. The school also offered a variety of excursions throughout the week that made assimilating much easier. In five weeks, I took approximately 800 pictures and have made friends around the world during this once in a lifetime experience!
Priscilla Carolyn Schmidt
Miami-Dade College
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I spent a month in Morocco as part of an intensive Arabic program, and it was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. One weekend a small group of us went to explore the Old Medina of Fes, which is basically a gigantic, maze-like bazaar that seemingly never ends. Around lunch time, an Arab man offered to bring us to his restaurant and we gladly followed. Fifteen minutes later, and after walking into more and more desolate areas, we finally arrived at the restaurant equally terrified and relieved. The restaurant/home had the most beautiful tile work I have ever seen, the food was delicious, and the service was incomparable. After our meal we looked through the guest book and came upon one of the few English passages that read: “If you are an American and you were brought here the same route that we were, you are probably feeling very scared. Relax and don’t worry. Sometimes you just have to trust people.” This story summarizes what I learned while abroad. Even though you may be scared and very unfamiliar with a different culture, people are the same no matter where you go. And when people of two different places and cultures can both share an amazing day in the Medina, that is the beauty of travel and one of the joys of partaking on a journey abroad.
Ashia Wehbe
Montana State University |
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This past summer, I studied abroad at the American University of Rome. It was truly an experience of a lifetime. While there, I studied Italian language, culture, and art, but also learned much more. This experience taught me so much about the world, others, and myself. I stepped out of the comfort zone I know and tried new things. From figuring out the Roman bus system, to interacting with the people of Italy, to exploring the glorious city of Rome, each day brought new excitement and new challenges. I am so glad I had the chance to study abroad. It is an experience I will never forget.
Genna Randazzo
Central Michigan University
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This past summer I was fortunate enough to study abroad in Florence, Italy; and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life thus far. I loved walking around the city being immersed in the culture and eating all the amazing pasta and gelato I could get! I also thoroughly enjoyed the class I took while I was there. It was a history course focusing on the civilization and culture during the Italian Renaissance. Before I took this class, I knew of the painters and sculptors of the Italian Renaissance, but I had no idea about the politics going on at that time. I learned all about the Medici family, and their significance during the Italian Renaissance. Even though my class was three hours long Monday through Thursday, I enjoyed every second of it. I had a wonderful professor who kept my attention and always had funny stories to tell about his childhood in Florence or his world famous moped. I knew study abroad was a great opportunity, but I never knew it would be so life changing!
Angela Mendoza
Saint Xavier University |
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My study abroad experience was by far the best experience of my life. Overall, it has enabled me to grow as an individual and has opened my eyes to the world. Studying abroad taught me how to adapt to the different cultures in aspects such as language, food, and body language as a way of life. Basically, I had to adjust certain things in my life to fit into their culture. For instance, Italy has a time called "siesta," where they close everything down to go home and take a nap, or eat lunch, and relax with family. Studying abroad also allows you to meet lots of new people. I met some of my best friends on this study abroad trip, and we still talk and see each other even though some of them live half way across the country. Everyday is a new learning adventure and what I have learned and experienced is knowledge that will last for a lifetime. For all of those students that are concerned about finances, I was in the same situation. But given what I know today, I wouldn't trade my experience for a million dollars.
Anthony Tisi
College of Staten Island/CUNY |
