In today’s world of study abroad, there are many challenges. At professional meetings and in a variety of settings, a good deal of the agenda is often devoted to academic issues; curriculum integration, academic rigor, course development, and more. Similarly, there is often a good deal of discussion about maximizing the many benefits of study abroad through a variety of pedagogical approaches.
However, in our experience, there is often less discussion of the many management issues that confront today’s study abroad leaders; people management, financial systems and controls, and the myriad of legal and operational problems that are very much a part of the study abroad landscape. Many study abroad managers were trained in the humanities and social sciences; accounting, organizational behavior, finance, marketing, business strategy, and similar courses were not part of their studies. While this knowledge and skill base can certainly be acquired on the job, there is an increasing demand in the field of study abroad for more formal instructional material in these important areas.
Towards this end, in 2006, CIEE launched the CIEE Management Institute. Our goal is to support the field of study abroad by providing educational opportunities related to the business side of the study abroad management challenge. During the last year, we’ve run several seminars. We’re also working to develop materials in this area and will continue to do so over the coming years. These booklets are part of that effort. The cases contained herein are based on actual situations, though the details have been carefully disguised. Our commentators have each provided—from their perspective and experience—their take on how to handle these situations.
There is no right or wrong in management. It truly is an art form. But as with any art form, practice, dialogue, and discussion of alternative approaches to management challenges leads to greater insight and skill in confronting the problems that all managers inevitably face. We hope you find the case studies and commentaries a useful way for you to hone your skills.
Dr. Stevan Trooboff
President and CEO
CIEE