Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs Office of International Exchange Programs AUS Main Building MG50 Tel +971 6 515 4027 or +971 6 515 4018 ixo@aus.edu
Table of Contents I. Why Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs? 2 II. Testimonial from a Faculty Member 3 III. Testimonial from a Student Participant 4 IV. Program Providers 5 V. Africa 8 VI. Asia 9 VII. Europe 11 VIII. South America 14 IX. North America 15 X. Oceania 16 Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs IXO 1
Why Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs? Dear AUS Faculty, I would like to invite you to consider taking a group of students along for a Faculty-led Study Tour over one of the upcoming breaks during the upcoming academic year, or possibly in the summer International faculty-led study tours can really enrich the academic experience, immerse students in another culture, internationalize your curriculum and offer students an opportunity to test their interest in study abroad experiences. Since January 2010, AUS faculty have led a total of 81 study tours involving 1,070 students to 23 countries, including Austria, Cambodia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, UK, USA and Vietnam These study tours have sometimes only lasted for a few days, sometimes for a summer term, and other times for an entire academic semester. The Office of International Exchange Programs (IXO) can guide you through the policies and preparations. We have prepared this advising booklet to help you locate third-party providers who can help you to make arrangements on the ground in the host country. We have developed a standardized approval process (please visit www.aus.edu/info/200176/international_study_and_exchange/554/go_abroad/4), along with an ilearn-based system that allows chaperones and students to upload all the necessary documents. We invite you to contact us in the Office of International Exchange Programs (Main Building, Ground Floor, MG50, ixo@aus.edu) to explore your options, and hope you will consider taking a group of students abroad! Thank you, and best wishes, Linda Dr. Linda C. Angell Director Office of International Exchange Programs American University of Sharjah Tel +971 6 515 4008 M +971 50 632 8633 Fax +971 6 515 4010 PO Box 26666, Sharjah United Arab Emirates www.aus.edu langell@aus.edu Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs IXO 2
Testimonial from a Faculty Member This is my trip report form for Study Tour 118 to the Jessup International Rounds in Washington, DC, April 7-17, 2017. I led this study tour with Shahed Abdul-Dayem, Jamil Hassan and Hassan Salman as the UAE National Team in the competition. Three AUS students participated with granted permission from professors and guardians to miss classes and other university activities The Jessup is a moot court competition founded at Harvard University and now sponsored by White & Case and the International Law Students Association. It has a history of more than 100 years with more than a thousand participants each year. Nearly 100 countries including Afghanistan, Palestine and Iran are represented by national teams. Our three students viewed the competition as a capstone of their undergraduate careers. The competition is also rewarding for the faculty coaches (and judges) because it affords so many interesting opportunities for research and networking. The main participants of the Jessup are the students but participants also include coaches and judges drawn from the benches of the International Court of Justice and other international courts; arbitrators from the Iran-US Claims Tribunal; partners of the top law firms in the US, UK and Canada; attorneys of the US Department of Justice; staffers from the US Senate; and faculty from respected law schools and other departments from around the world. A large number of competition, educational and networking events were scheduled between April 9 and 15 between the hours of 9 a.m. and sometimes past midnight at the Hyatt Regency and a few other locations in Washington, DC. From April 12-14, the Jessup overlapped with at the Annual Conference of the American Society of International Law (ASIL) at the Hyatt Regency. The team s written submissions to the competition scored #38 in the world, tied with the law school of Washington University in St. Louis, and narrowly beating that of the University College London. Our team performed well in oral competition rounds against teams from Brazil, Dominican Republic, India and Romania on April 10, 11 and 12. We attended semifinals and finals rounds on April 13, 14 and 15. Students attended events on pathways to careers in international law, discussions with authors of the competition materials, and receptions to introduce Jessup competitors to attendees to practicing lawyers, judges and law professors. They also attended ASIL panels and keynote addresses. Three recent AUS alumni who now work in in law and politics in London, New York and Washington joined us. All had previously competed in the Jessup and traveled to the competition because they enjoyed it so much in years past. We were also joined by AUS Professor Kevin Gray, who was one of many judges at the competition. Travel, accommodation and other essentials were covered and reimbursed by AUS, ensuring that the trip ran smoothly for students and faculty. Barry Hashimoto Assistant Professor Department of International Studies American University of Sharjah Tel +971 56 913 3553 bhashimoto@aus.edu Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs IXO 3
Testimonial from a Student Participant From March 30 to April 7, 2017, a group of seven AUS Executive MBA students participated in the US Business & Culture Tour. The destination was Washington and then New York City. The primary focus of the AUS EMBA US Business & Culture Tour 2017 was to have our executives learn more about American culture and business practices. The participating students are all business leaders with experience and responsible positions in their respective industries. During their stay, the group held meetings with business executives to learn about the challenges faced by their counterparts in America and to better understand the strategic perspectives of American business executives. The visits included renowned institutions that have local and international impact in their respective industries, such as the International Finance Corporation, IBM, AT&T, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, the United Nations Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD); a lecture at Georgetown University; and a dinner with officials from the UAE Consulate in New York. In addition to that, our executives had the pleasure of participating in many cultural and sightseeing events. The emphasis of our EMBA program is on helping business leaders in the UAE develop a better sense of the impact of globalization and preparing them to lead enterprises that are able to compete internationally. We believe that developing an understanding of America and creating business connections in the USA will make an important contribution to their education. AUS student participant Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs IXO 4
Program Providers ACCENT International ACCENT International Consortium for Academic Programs Abroad is the number-one provider of custom-made study abroad programs to Europe. With more than 25 years of experience, we give colleges and universities innovative ideas for enhancing and expanding academic experiences overseas while delivering seamless logistical support. (http://accentintl.com/) Academic Experiences Abroad (AEA) is a full service, educational program provider specializing in customized, faculty-led programs. We have been operating since 2005 and have sent more than 2,500 students and faculty abroad on highly specialized, yet affordable, faculty-led programs lasting between seven days and three months. From Anime to Service Learning and Business to Language Immersion, with variety in between, we make sure your program is complete, safe and unique. We promise to give you excellent, personal service, and we will work hard to meet your expectations as well as your budget. (http://www.aeastudyabroad.com/) AIFS pioneered customized, faculty-led programs, which are formal arrangements between educational institutions and AIFS in which AIFS provides logistical support, student services, classrooms, housing facilities and cultural activities at a location abroad, plus student medical and fee refund insurance and over US $50 million of liability insurance for the US college/university. This enables institutions to conduct their own academic programs abroad at minimal expense. (https://www.aifscustomized.com/) The mission is to improve the relations and ties between countries and to create a new generation of ambassadors who represent their homelands in a safe academic setting. It is our goal that each student can speak freely about modern and historical issues on each of our trips so that students will be able to better evaluate the region and culture they visit. The major aim of is to help individuals increase their understanding and tolerance of other cultures, engaging in international interactions through an educational context, and broadening their social horizons. (http://aramfo.org/) Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs IXO 5
Cultural Experience Abroad (CEA) Since 1997, CEA has maintained one simple philosophy: to provide high-quality international academic programs and services. For you, that means support through each step of your study abroad experience, from the moment you apply to the day you return home again. Along the way, you ll learn to adapt and communicate across cultures. You ll earn credits toward graduation while gaining skills that enhance your employability. And you ll discover more about yourself than you ever thought possible. (http://www.ceastudyabroad.com/) Our mission is to develop and deliver education abroad programs with strong academic and cultural components in close partnership with faculty leaders and administrators at colleges and universities. We create custom designed study abroad programs that are based on the learning objectives unique to each course to reach those goals. Through our expert knowledge of the destinations, close connections to local communities and cultures, as well as years of experience in university-level study abroad programming, we offer highquality short and long-term programs. (https://www.cepa-abroad.org/) At CIEE, we create opportunities that help bring people together. We foster the development of understanding and mutual respect between communities and nations by promoting the exchange of ideas and experiences. We help give students, teachers and young professionals from across the world skills that make them active and responsible global citizens. (https://www.ciee.org/) At, we are experts in facilitating educational travel in Africa for your group, school, university or college. Based in Africa, we are African, and our passion for our people and unique environment becomes visible in each carefully planned tour. (http://www.edutoursafrica.com/) Global Vision International (GVI) Global Vision International (GVI) is multi-award winning social enterprise that runs high-impact volunteer and international education programs. For more than 15 years GVI has helped thousands of people make a real difference to the world they live in while also gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to live and work in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. (http://www.gviworld.com/) With over 50 years of combined experience in international education, ISA and GlobaLinks Learning Abroad have joined together to provide the most extensive range of study abroad programs, custom program support, service-learning and internship programs, and full degree abroad options available through a single trusted partner. (http://studiesabroad.com/) Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs IXO 6
Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) IES Abroad creates a journey an exhilarating challenge of academics and cultural immersion an unmatched global educational experience. Our world-class faculty and demanding, relevant courses engage and inspire students as they discover unexpected ways of learning both inside and outside the classroom. (https://www.iesabroad.org/) INLEX/CA We identify areas of need and projects that would benefit from the input of great individuals willing to give a little of their time to help others. Central America is a place where your time as a volunteer is much needed and appreciated. Our faculty-led trips are designed to meet the academic needs of teachers and the expectations of students alike. Taking the class outside of the classroom while keeping students happy, motivated and constantly learning throughout the whole process. This type of program can include Spanish lessons, community service and leisure trips. All of this as requested by the faculty. (http://www.inlexca.org/) Minds Abroad Minds Abroad offers study abroad, student travel and gap year programs in Asia, especially in China and India Because of the way our programs integrate our students into the local communities of their host countries, we were recently recognized as a Top 10 Program in Citizen Diplomacy. This award was conferred to us by the Center for Citizen Diplomacy in partnership with the US State Department. (http://www.mindsabroad.com/) Student Exchange Vietnam SE Vietnam has been working closely with foreign universities to organize short-term study abroad programs in Vietnam for their students. That not only helps internationalize their campuses but also creates opportunities for future leaders with cultural understanding and a more global mindset to arise. With a large network of partner institutions and service providers across Vietnam, we are confident to collaborate and provide foreign universities and colleges with rich customized programs that will inspire their students as well as meet their academic and other institutional goals and needs. (http://studentexchange.vn) We plan and execute innovative itineraries and arrange for exceptional accommodation to satisfy the needs of our clients. As our valued customers can attest, our unique understanding of the regional travel market and business education industry ensures that participants will derive the maximum benefit from their travel experiences with us. By working closely with clients and being responsive to their particular needs, the Vesna team aims to make their experience smooth and anxiety free from the moment they step off the plane. (http://vesnatours.com/) Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs IXO 7
Africa Benin, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Swaziland & Togo Botswana Egypt Ghana Kenya EOS Visions Morocco Mozambique Namibia Rwanda EOS Visions South Africa Global Vision International (GVI) Tanzania EOS Visions Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs IXO 8
Uganda EOS Visions Zambia Zimbabwe Asia Afghanistan, Armenia, Bahrain, Brunei, Cyprus, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Uzbekistan & Yemen Bangladesh Bhutan Cambodia China Minds Abroad India Minds Abroad Global Vision International (GVI) Indonesia Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs IXO 9
Japan Jordan Malaysia Nepal Global Vision International (GVI) Singapore Sri Lanka South Korea Thailand Global Vision International (GVI) Turkey United Arab Emirates Vietnam Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs IXO 10
Europe Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Romania, Slovakia & Vatican City Albania Austria Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia Czech Republic Finland France ACCENT International Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs IXO 11
Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy ACCENT International Netherlands Norway Poland Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs IXO 12
Portugal Russia Scotland Serbia Slovenia Spain ACCENT International Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom ACCENT International Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs IXO 13
South America Bolivia & Paraguay Argentina Brazil Chile Colombia Ecuador Guyana Peru Uruguay Venezuela Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs IXO 14
North America Barbados, Belize, Dominica, El Salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama & Trinidad and Tobago Canada Costa Rica Cuba INLEX/CA Global Vision International (GVI) Dominican Republic Guatemala Mexico Nicaragua INLEX/CA Global Vision International (GVI) INLEX/CA United States of America Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs IXO 15
Oceania Papua New Guinea & Samoa Australia Fiji New Zealand Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs IXO 16