CIEE Work and Volunteer Abroad Programs
In 2006, CIEE will restructure its experiential program offerings and will no longer offer the Work Abroad or Volunteer Abroad programs. For Work, this includes Work in Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. For Volunteer, this includes Conservation Australia, Global Volunteer Projects, and VolunTeach China. This will take effect January 1, 2006.
CIEE remains committed to the principles of experiential education, and for many years we have been integrating service, volunteer, and training experiences into our study abroad programs. Two new programs, Service-Learning in Cape Town, South Africa and Tropical Marine Ecology and Conservation in Bonaire, are just a couple of the examples. We will devote our full resources and efforts to expanding experiential opportunities at our Study Centers around the world.
If you have any questions, please contact us at 1.800.40.STUDY or info@ciee.org.
Study Center News
Many of you receive wonderful updates from our resident staff overseas, informing you of happenings onsite at each Study Center. We think they’re great too, and we’ve posted them to our website so that future students can also learn what they’ll be doing during their study abroad experience.
Click here to read the first update from the CIEE Study Center in Santiago, Dominican Republic this fall. If you’d like to read more, just visit the Study Center News section of each program on our website.
CIEE Welcomes Dr. Elsa van Huyssteen
Born and educated in South Africa, Dr. Elsa van Huyssteen joins CIEE as Academic Director for the Cape Town Service-Learning program. Dr. van Huyssteen is a Sociologist whose teaching, research, and advocacy have focused on human rights, democracy, and transformation. With numerous publications and research reports to her credit, Dr. van Huyssteen contributes a deep understanding of South Africa’s transition from Apartheid to the present day. She is an active member in both the South African and International Sociological Associations where she has served in leadership positions.
Dr. van Huyssteen was instrumental in developing and teaching within the International Human Rights Exchange program and has been extensively involved in the development of student capacity, including curriculum counseling and administrative management.
AWAY: A World Awaits You
Mobility International USA and the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE), with whom CIEE are affiliated, released its first online issue of A World Awaits You (AWAY), a web-based journal describing the successful experiences of individuals with disabilities in volunteer, internship, cultural, and educational programs abroad. AWAY stories answer frequently asked questions and share the benefits of participating in international exchange programs. Read the issue here.
For people with disabilities, accessibility and the availability of disability-related resources and services overseas can be a concern. One article includes tips from exchange alumni with disabilities, and their perspective in looking back on their experiences. Readers are sure to gain insight into how to creatively manage access issues abroad and locate resources for a successful exchange so as to not miss out on amazing experiences.
Please be sure to encourage your students to read AWAY.
A Student Perspective
We always like to hear of success in study abroad. Read on and learn why Joseph De La Cruz has chosen to stay at the CIEE Study Center in Ferrara for the entire academic year, not just the fall semester as he originally intended:
My decision to stay for the academic year in Ferrara was reached by several different factors. I immediately fell in love with the city, the slow and easy pace of life, the amount of bikes outnumbering the cars. We have gone on several trips outside of Ferrara each of which has been better than the ones before. But I know I’m home when I ride my bike home next to 70-year-old ladies with their groceries in their bicycle baskets.
I chose to stay because the Liberal Arts program will offer me classes in Italian, a wonderful way to improve my Italian and return home with my goal of being fluent. Unlike other programs in Italy, the Ferrara program is small; I know every person personally. Resident staff are helpful, and now good friends. I love Ferrara and I am happy that I will be able to stay for the entire year.
- Joseph De La Cruz, University of Colorado at Boulder