CIEE believes that students learn most effectively abroad when they pursue specific learning goals, when
they are able to reflect on their own learning, and when they can develop the skills to interact effectively
and appropriately in a culture different from their own. We also understand that students are much
more likely to learn in these ways when CIEE resident staff proactively support and encourage
their learning.
Recent research results reinforce our own experience with students abroad: when left to their own
devices, too many do not learn as effectively as we believe they should.
To that end, CIEE has developed a pilot course, the Seminar on Living and Learning Abroad. This learner-
centered and interactive course provides ongoing orientation through intercultural theory, activities,
discussion, and analytic reflection and writing.
Topics include: values and culture; educational culture, stereotypes and generalizations; intercultural
communication; global and self-awareness; empathy; perspective-shifting; and articulating their newfound
knowledge and skills. Discussions center on how students are engaging with the local culture on a daily
basis. Written assignments offer opportunities to apply the concepts they have learned, and to analyze
their own responses to and interactions in the host culture.
CIEE provides extensive preparation to instructors of this course, most of whom are Resident Directors at
our Study Centers. Training includes courses on intercultural studies, workshops on learner-centered
pedagogy, and other opportunities for professional development. CIEE also provides an online curriculum,
on-site and telephone-based coaching, and a process for gathering and analyzing feedback.
CIEE anticipates that all Study Centers will be involved in the Seminar on Living and Learning pilot by the end of the
2010-2011 school year. The following CIEE Study Centers currently offer the Seminar on Living and Learning Abroad:
- Buenos Aires , Argentina: Liberal Arts
- Perth, Australia: Arts and Sciences
- Sao Paulo, Brazil, Liberal Arts Valparaiso, Chile: Liberal Arts
- Shanghai, China: all programs (except summer)
- Prague, Czech Republic: Central European Studies
- Santiago, Dominican Republic: Liberal Arts; Service Learning
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic : Liberal Arts
- Paris, France: Contemporary French Studies
- Rennes, France: Liberal Arts
- Budapest, Hungary: Central European Studies
- Dublin, Ireland: Arts and Sciences
- Lima, Peru: Language and Culture
- Dakar, Senegal: Liberal Arts
- Cape Town, South Africa: Arts and Sciences
- Stellenbosch, South Africa: Arts and Sciences
- Alicante, Spain: Liberal Arts
- Seville, Spain: Liberal Arts
- Seville, Spain: Language and Culture
For more information, please contact Mick Vande Berg at mvandeberg@ciee.org