I NS I DE C E A S T U DY A B R O A D P R O G R A M S
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ceaStudyAbroad.com 877.449.2775
CONTENTS
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CEA’s Mission
2
Our Approach
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Internships, Volunteerism & Service Learning
6
Collaboration & Customization
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Experiential Learning
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Student & Program Support
“When I was interviewing for post college jobs last spring, I spoke about my experiences abroad and highlighted the different skills I gained: communicating with people of different backgrounds, problem solving on the fly (Italy is notorious for train strikes), and keeping a cool head and a smile in uncomfortable situations … Studying abroad gave me … an amazing job out of undergrad.”
Julia Pasek | Florence, Italy | 2011
MORE THAN LEARNING, AN EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE.
There is a growing demand for graduates with a well-rounded understanding of international affairs and world cultures. Employers have figured out what CEA has known all along: candidates with study abroad experience are better prepared to meet the challenges of any profession, and of life. CEA provides students with a learning experience that transcends the classroom. Living in a different culture exposes them to the beliefs, languages, and economic systems that exist outside their comfort zone. Studying abroad instills confidence, promotes adaptability, and fosters respect for different perspectives. Think of it as a way to help your students get their intercultural competency credit.
“Study abroad not only contributes to higher graduation and retention rates, it improves language competence, cultural understanding, and the independence and maturity of our students.” Jim Galvin | Director of Opportunities Abroad and Faculty-Led Programs | UC San Diego
P R O G R A M S T H AT B R O A D E N H O R I Z O N S . PEOPLE WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE.
Since 1997, CEA has been providing insightful, accredited, academic programs that allow students to be more than merely visitors—they become active participants in the culture of their host communities. Our advising staff specialists make the entire process seamless, assisting with every aspect, from comprehensive pre-departure planning through a safe return home. To ensure that our study abroad programs are an enriching experience for students, universities, and professors, CEA is continually adapting our offerings and expanding our worldwide network. Every year we listen to our university partners and work to create coursework that is interesting and diverse. It’s an ever-changing process designed to provide the very best educational experience. 1
CEA MAKES THE EXPERIENCE SEAMLESS.
“The excursions were always
It takes a special kind of student to leave behind familiar surroundings
perfect; our CEA resident staff
and study abroad. That’s why we take so much care to ensure a smooth
advisor helped out with any
transition from life as it’s always been to a semester or year of new
problem we may have had while still giving us breathing room to adventure on our own.”
Kathrin Oakes Valley City State University
experiences and adventures.
By building trusted relationships with students and getting them involved in the culture and daily life of their host communities, our onsite faculty and staff work to ensure a life-changing educational experience where problems are minimized and opportunities for personal growth and intellectual stimulation are fostered.
French Alps, France | 2012 Universities, parents, and students count on CEA for safe, rewarding, and worry-free programs that enrich and expand the educational experience, and we take that responsibility seriously.
T H E C E A A D V A N TA G E .
CEA’s philosophy and approach to program development is built on a foundation of open collaboration with our university partners, exceptional student experiences and a keen understanding of the special responsibilities universities, parents, and students entrust to us. We understand that every school, student, destination, and program is unique, and we pride ourselves on our flexibility, responsiveness, and ability to adapt to and address our university partners’ needs. Students studying abroad have many questions, and we have the answers. Our entire team works to provide the best solutions in every possible situation. We’re mindful of our responsibility to support our students and to help them make the best decisions possible during their time abroad. From initial inquiry and individual student course and activity selection, to onsite assistance, CEA experts in the U.S. and abroad work together to build trusting relationships with every student. A careful balance of supervision and guidance allows students to gain confidence and return 2
home safely with extraordinary educational and life experiences.
“Kindness and communication are key to making sure that our students adapt to a foreign environment and feel that they matter. Knowing the students, making them feel unique, and giving them a sense of belonging is one of the most important jobs that every staff member fulfills.” José B. Alvarez, Ph.D. | Vice President for Program Management & Development
EXPERIENCE IS LIFE’S EYE-OPENER.
A CEA educational experience expands the boundaries of the classroom, making everything from the living environment to the food and surrounding culture part of the learning process. To help students enhance their study abroad experience through creativity, Patrick Foley, Program Director in Grenoble, France, developed the Food, Art, Conversation, and Expression (FACE) program in 2007. As part of FACE, students are encouraged to try new foods, make music, participate in group art projects, and keep sketchbooks to help retain lasting impressions of their experiences. Guest speakers, including artists, professors, community leaders, and businesspeople introduce students to new ideas while challenging their current ways of thinking. This program has been pivotal in helping students see themselves in a new and original light and evaluate the direction they want to take.
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C H A N G E T H E E N V I R O N M E N T, A N D T H E W AY S T U D E N T S L E A R N .
Our programs challenge the mind, stimulate the senses, and develop real-world communication and problem-solving skills that open the doors of discovery and adventure. By creatively balancing the academic and the practical, students can explore every aspect of their chosen location.
In addition to excursions, co-curricular activities, and social gatherings, we provide students with unique opportunities to deepen their connections with their host communities. These include:
PROFESSIONAL
SERVICE
VOLUNTEER
CAREER
INTERNSHIPS
LEARNING
PROGRAMS
DEVELOPMENT
Students work in professional
Students participate in
Students create meaningful
Students develop career skills
settings under the guidance
community service activities
change in their host commu-
and learn to articulate how
of a supervisor to develop
and relate their experience
nity that has a lasting effect —
the study abroad experience
valuable skills and strengthen
to their coursework.
internally and externally.
makes them superior job
their resumes.
G A I N I N G A CO M P E T I T I V E E D G E I N S PA I N .
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candidates.
A N AWA R D W I N N I N G P R O G R A M .
Tasked with establishing an intensive language and culture program in Italy, Margherita Heyer-Caput, Ph.D., Professor of Italian Studies at the University of California, Davis, chose to partner with CEA’s Florence Center.
“I liked their experiential learning teaching philosophy, academic qualifications, and the quality and variety of courses,” she explains. “The volunteering aspect of CEA also played an important role in my decision. The CEA C’è (CEA Is There) program defined them as an ideal partner institution for UC Davis, which has traditionally supported internships as an integral part of its experience and philosophy.”
“I didn’t know I’d be the only American among 400 Italian students, but making so many Italian friends really helped me immerse myself into the culture,” says Dana Bartone of her experience with the Model United Nations program in Rome. “While other American
In 2013, CEA C’è and UC Davis received the prestigious NASPA Best Practices in Education Award for Student Philanthropy. “Given the strong interest in the program, we’re thinking about creating a project-based internship track in addition to the intensive language and culture track,” says Dr. Heyer-Caput. “We look forward to continuing our fruitful collaboration with CEA.”
students went to dinner with each other, I went to aperitivo with my Italian friends!”
While attending the International Business Program at the
“One of my best experiences was a marketing internship I got
University of Alicante, Spain, Jennifer Plazek found that
with a local software company. I made great professional
valuable life lessons came as part of the course. “My adventures
connections, learned what the working world is like in Spain,
taught me how to be independent and think on my feet,” she
and further honed my language and interpersonal skills by
recalls, “whether it was from trying to decipher the public
completing market research and translating documents,” she
transportation system or interacting with local businesses.”
says. “CEA helped me gain a real-life experience that expands my resume and gives me a competitive edge.” 5
O N E O F A K I N D S T U DY P R O G R A M S F O R ONE OF A KIND STUDENTS.
We offer universities a variety of customizable program options. Since 2009, CEA has created programs in disciplines as diverse as Chemistry, Criminal Justice, Engineering, and Public Health. To help accommodate your specific requirements, faculty may choose to: • Lead a program and teach their own courses • Take advantage of our existing curricula • Combine the best of both options and create a hybrid program No matter what you decide, working with CEA gives you an established international component to add to your curriculum, complete with relevant, active learning activities that ensure a high-quality and engaging study abroad experience.
University study abroad advisors on a familiarization trip in Prague.
C U S T O M I Z AT I O N I N A C T I O N .
In 2010, CEA approached Providence College about establishing a joint venture in Rome that would focus on theological and religious education. The school immediately recognized the niche it could fill, and the potential to set itself apart from other American Catholic universities. “Living in the eternal city,” says Aurelie A. Hagstrom, Doctor of Sacred Theology, Providence College’s Rome Faculty Resident Director in 2013–2014, “gives students the opportunity to witness first-hand the relationship between the Church and the modern world.” 6
T H I S E X P E R I E N C E C H A N G E S YO U .
“It would be a flat-out lie to say that I’m the same person who landed here four months ago,” recalled Kenneth Wallach, two days before leaving Barcelona to return home. “The way I transformed—the way I grew—is going to lay the foundation for the rest of my life. It’s the most valuable thing I’m taking away from my time with CEA.” “I never thought that at age 20 I’d be navigating through foreign cities, cooking my own meals, balancing my own finances, and, by some miracle, keeping up my health. I’ve also learned [a huge amount] about who I am and who I want to be. I found potential in me that I never knew existed, [and realized you] don’t truly understand the sacrifices your
“Cultural enrichment is vital in personal
parents make to take care of you until you discover how hard it is to simply take care of yourself.” Kenneth Wallach | University of Delaware Barcelona, Spain | 2012
development and essential in understanding the world that we live in. The study abroad experience that CEA offered me has truly changed my life for the better, and for that I will always be grateful.”
Chris Hieb | DePaul University London, England | 2013
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LE AR N BY DOI NG . G ROW BY E XPE R I E NCI NG .
CEA creates an unbeatable learning experience by combining a discipline-based academic program with full immersion into the culture of the place being visited. Active learning engages students more deeply and has been shown to have a profound impact on a student’s personal growth.
“CEA had everything I wanted in a study abroad program. In Viña del Mar, Chile, I learned how to adapt and view things from different perspectives. I deepened my desire to understand global relationships and help people from different cultures work together toward common goals.” Emily Shaw | Colgate University | Viña del Mar, Chile | 2013
W H AT M A K E S A N E D U C AT I O N O U T S TA N D I N G ?
The National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE) named CEA’s Academic Integrated Cultural Activities Program (AICAP) the Outstanding Experiential Education Program of 2013 at its Barcelona Center. Ana Martinez, Ph.D., Assistant Academic Dean, created and implemented this innovative program in 2012 to emphasize experiential learning, diversity, and intentional reflection. It’s now being used as a template for our other Study Abroad Centers worldwide. “Student participation changed from a passive role to active engagement —they started doing, interacting, feeling, and reflecting,” Dr. Martinez says. “AICAP participants achieve a more complex understanding of the cultural context, historical background and/or the current social/economic/ political debates that are topics in their courses.” 8
FROM SOUTH CAROLINA TO SHANGHAI.
“Living and studying in Shanghai helped me grow my self-
As an Alumni Ambassador for his school, Kendall plans to
confidence and communication skills,” says Kendall Brice,
share his study abroad experiences by giving presentations
Computer Science Major, South Carolina State University.
about his experience and being present at promotional events
“One of my best experiences was being asked to play a djembe
on campus. “South Carolina State University is a predominately
drum in front of a local crowd. I had never played one before,
African-American institution and not many students at my
but I was able to overcome my nerves [and] had a blast
school are choosing to study abroad,” he says. “I want to be
performing with a new friend.”
able to motivate and spark their interest in exploring the world.”
“My studies abroad have also opened up a huge array of new job opportunities,” Kendall continues. “My networking skills improved from being in a place where there was a language barrier, and my experience has made me realize and appreciate just how diverse the world really is. I traveled to China alone, but by the end of my program I had made lifelong friends from all across the world.”
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G I V E YO U R S T U D E N T S A WO R L D O F O P P O R T U N I T Y W I T H C E A . CEA has been helping universities across the U.S. achieve their study abroad goals through faculty-led program development, customized academic curricula, cooperative marketing, financial aid, and ongoing assessment and collaboration. This, in addition to our professional partnerships with universities across the globe, allows CEA to provide an educational—and personal—experience that’s second to none. You want the best for your students, and so do we. CEA takes the worry out of the study abroad experience. Our expert staff works together to ensure a smooth transition to a new country and handles daily details as they come up, so students can focus on having a rewarding, healthy, and safe experience that will shape their futures for years to come. CEA is committed to providing quality programs and experiential learning opportunities rooted in:
C O M P R E H E N S I V E H E A LT H A N D S A F E T Y
Student well-being plays a key role in every aspect of a CEA international experience, from classroom sites to cultural excursions. Students receive comprehensive health and safety advising in the pre-departure planning process and during in-country orientation. They’re also automatically enrolled in a medical insurance plan—at no extra cost—including 24-hour emergency assistance and evacuation services. Students, parents, and U.S. universities also receive access to a dedicated 24-hour emergency line. CEA has retained the services of several experts in risk management, psychology, and mental health to develop an effective response to emergency situations and train staff around the world. CEA staff members receive regular training on a comprehensive Emergency Response & Preparedness Plan (ERPP) that outlines professional responsibilities, communication protocols, and actions in different situations. M E A S U R E M E N T A N D I M P R OV E M E N T
CEA continuously evaluates its programs and student successes. Student, staff, and university feedback is highly encouraged. This input allows us to regularly update and improve our programs to ensure the highest academic quality and relevance. C R E D I B I L I T Y A N D A C C O U N TA B I L I T Y
The University of New Haven (UNH) in West Haven, Connecticut serves as School of Record for all the CEA Study Abroad Centers. UNH provides oversight for CEA faculty and courses and establishes CEA’s academic policies. The School of Record’s objectivity enables CEA to maintain high standards.
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W I T H YO U E V E R Y S T E P O F T H E WAY.
From the moment you decide to partner with CEA, we are here to make the process seamless and successful. T R AV E L F O R U N I V E R S I T Y FAC U LT Y:
Once your first customized program meets its minimum enrollment, CEA will contribute toward an economy class, round trip ticket for a faculty or staff member to visit the chosen Study Abroad Center. FA M I L I A R I Z AT I O N T R I P S :
We facilitate group site visits so you can evaluate and assess CEA’s academic offerings, staff, and facilities first hand. Let us show you how we turn the host city into a living classroom. SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS: S TAY I N G A H E A D O F T H E C U R V E .
Through leadership roles in professional organizations and active involvement with annual conferences, research journals, professional development, and certification workshops, CEA continually updates its programs with the latest best practices. CEA staff members participate in the following organizations:
• Forum on Education Abroad
• NAFSA: Association of International Educators
• National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE)
CEA provides more than $1.5 million in scholarships and grants each year, as well as flexible payment plans, to provide greater access to study abroad programs for more students. CEA Academic Affiliation Students are eligible to receive additional affiliate scholarship opportunities. M A R K E T I N G A S S I STA N C E :
CEA will work with you to develop promotional materials, and help identify on-campus recruitment opportunities.
• European Association for International Education (EAIE) • Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) 11
To learn how CEA can help your students develop intercultural competency, we encourage you to join CEA for an organized familiarization trip or schedule an independent site visit.
Visit ceaStudyAbroad.com or call 877.449.2775.
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