The ultra high-tech facilities of the Fed Ex Institute located on the campus of the University of Memphis greeted this year’s conference goers.
The opening address welcomed participants and encouraged them to focus on the “Essential Building Blocks for International Education” during the two-day, information-packed event. The first plenary session on “Maximizing Safety in Study Abroad” started off day one. The session introduced conference participants to the many legal issues involved in study abroad programs, how crises can and often do occur, and how to handle them.
Breakout sessions on Tuesday gave everyone a chance to attend presentations on topics ranging from faculty and students abroad to internationalizing the curriculum. Ms. Naomi Tutu gave the keynote address and addressed the question, “Where in the World Is Higher Education in Tennessee?”
Her simple yet profound answer was “right smack dab in the middle.” Her address to Tennessee Higher Education providers acknowledged our position as an important contributor to the global education of our citizens and foreign students and challenged us to provide opportunities for understanding and recognition of our interconnectedness in the world.
Wednesday’s activities kicked off to a great start with the 2nd Plenary Session, “In Their Own Words: An International Exchange of Students’ Experiences Abroad.” This real time video conference exchange between a panel of American students with study abroad experiences and a panel of students from Ireland and France currently studying at the Tipperary Institute in Thurles, Ireland gave conference participants a personal look at student experiences abroad.
The student panel reflected thoughtfully on their past experiences, providing the audience an opportunity to laugh at their cultural faux pas and shudder at the health scare one student experienced in a Chinese hospital. However, the cultural understanding that the students gained from their time abroad was obvious. Their world view was broadened, and they had all been clearly changed by their experiences. The French students, with the most limited language ability, provided the audience with an interesting perspective on diplomacy when discussing political issues as well as how much missing your own country’s food can affect your experience abroad. The plenary proved to be a great reminder of the benefits of study abroad and an energizing way to start the second day of the conference.
Break out sessions on Tuesday provided models for organizing and administering international programs, as well as how to bring co-curricular international programs to your campus. The discussion on internationalization of the curriculum continued. The conference wrapped up over lunch, and participants submitted an evaluation of the event prior to their departure. Participants’ comments were positive, and many are looking forward to the next TnCIS Conference, which is planned for Central Tennessee in February 2009.
Conference Resources
| Presenter | Institution | Presentation Title | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Edward J. Kelly | East Tennessee State University | Maximizing Safety in Study Abroad | Legal Aspects of Crisis in International Education - Microsoft Powerpoint |
| Ms. Rebecca Laumann | University of Memphis | Strategies in Finding and Promoting Study Abroad Programs | Strategies Finding Promoting Study Abroad Programs - Microsoft Powerpoint |
| Dr. Ben Kedia | Memphis CIBER | Globalization and Education in the 21st Century | Globalization And Education In The 21st Century - Microsoft Powerpoint |
| Dr. Anne Sloan | Middle Tennessee State University | Getting Students to Think about Their Role in an International Way in the Approaches We Use in the Classroom | Internationalizing the Curriculum - Microsoft Powerpoint |
| Dr. C. P. Bagley | Tennessee Tech University | Orienting Students for Travel Abroad to Mexico | Orienting Students for Travel Abroad in Mexico - Microsoft Powerpoint |
| Dr. J. Milton Grimes | Tennessee Consortium for International Studies | TnCIS Programs: Proposing, Directing, Teaching and How It All Works on Campus | Tennessee Consortium for International Studies - Microsoft Powerpoint |
| Ms. Jennifer Campbell | Middle Tennessee State University | How TBR Schools Afford International Education | How TBR Schools Afford Study Abroad? - Microsoft Powerpoint MTSU Undergraduate Course Substitution Form - Adobe PDF MTSU Study Abroad Scholarship Faculty Recommendation Form - Microsoft Word Financial Aid Options - Microsoft Word Liability Release Form - Microsoft Word Obtaining A US Passport - Microsoft Word Personal Insurance Confirmation Form - Microsoft Word Study Abroad Conduct Contract - Microsoft Word Student Registration Form - Microsoft Word Study Abroad Fee Payment Form - Microsoft Word MTSU Study Abroad Scholarship - Microsoft Word Checklist For TnCIS Applicants - Microsoft Word |
| Dr. Galen Spencer Hull | Tennessee State University | Partnership between Tennessee State University and Tianjin Polytechnic University in China | Best Practices in Establishing a New Study Abroad Program - Microsoft Powerpoint |
| Ms. Tracey Bradley | Pellissippi State Technical Community College | I Have a Dream! The Road to becoming a New Study Abroad Program Director | I Have a Dream: The Road to Becoming a New Program Director - Microsoft Powerpoint |
| Dr. Scott Henson | Maryville College | World Courses: Integrating International Experiential Learning into the Classroom Curriculum | World Courses: Integrating International Experiential Learning into Classroom Curriculum - Microsoft Powerpoint |
| Ms. Uli Leibrecht | CEPA Europe | Support Organizations and What They Do | Customized Educational Programs Abroad |
| Dr. Mary Anne Grant | International Student Exchange Program | Support Organizations and What They Do | International Student Exchange Program |
| Dr. William Greene | College Consortium for International Studies | Support Organizations and What They Do | College Consortium for International Studies |
| Dr. Rhona Hurwitz and Dr. Rosalind R. Gann | East Tennessee State University | Partnership in Pedagogy: Introducing Chinese Academics to American Language and Pedagogy | Partnership in Pedagogy - Microsoft Powerpoint |
| Dr. Adolf King | Roane State Community Colleges | Roane State’s Model for Creating an International Education Program | Model for creating an International Program - Microsoft Powerpoint |
| Dr. MaryLou Apple | Motlow State Community College | Improving Student Learning Through Internationalization | Legal Aspects of Crisis in International Education Internationalizing the Curriculum - Microsoft Word |
| Dr. Robin Roach | University of Memphis | Alternative Approaches to International Nutrition Education in an Urban University in the US | Internationalizing the Curriculum - Microsoft Powerpoint |
| Dr. Jaime Sanchez | Volunteer State Community College | Involving Faculty in the Internationalization of the Curriculum | Involving Faculty in the Internationalization of the Curriculum - Microsoft Word |
| Dr. Darleana McHenry | St. Carrie’s Center Mound Bayou, MS | Assimilation, Acculturation, Culture Shock and Plain Homesickness: How to Take Care of Yourself While Studying Abroad | Assimilation, Acculturation, Culture Shock And Plain Homesickness - Microsoft Powerpoint |