The Value of the Student Site Visit: A Presidential Initiative to Promote Study Abroad

The Value of the Student Site Visit: A Presidential Initiative to Promote Study Abroad

Like many other land-grant universities, South Dakota State University (SDSU) has traditionally focused on agricultural, engineering, nursing and pharmacy programs. To augment these educational programs, the university's international activities have been historically supported and long-rooted in the culture of the institution. The activities have, however, been mainly focused on research and faculty exchanges. In the past fifteen years, SDSU has made strong efforts to include study abroad, study uswith its focus on students, as a major component of the university's internationalization efforts. An Office of International Programs (now International Affairs) was created in 1989, with a full-time director's position established in 2002.

In Fall 2003, the effort to promote study abroad received significant support from SDSU President Peggy Gordon Miller, who offered to financially support a small group of student leaders to visit one or more of the university's international partners during the course of an approximately 10-day trip. The purpose of such a venture was to expose the students to potential study abroad sites with the intention that, upon their return to campus, they would be instrumental in sharing their experiences with their peers. study us During the course of the trip, students had opportunities to visit partner campuses, experience the local culture, and gain practical knowledge of international travel.

Selection of Students: Characteristics and Process

For each trip, it was determined that a mixture of student leaders, college representation, and gender balance was optimal. The group always included the SDSU Students' Association (student government) president and vice-president, along with one or more student senators, admissions ambassadors, and orientation leaders. This mix of students ensured the widest exposure in terms of student leadership and enabled the institution to draw upon the students for different purposes post-trip, such as helping acquaint current, new, or potential students of the study abroad opportunities SDSU offers. Important to this decision-making process was that at least half of the students have one or more years left of study at SDSU, so that they can act as resources for the future.

As Vice President for Student Affairs, the primary author managed the student selection process and determined which student senators, admissions ambassadors, or orientation leaders would be best suited for a given trip, with recommendations from the Office of Admissions and Department of Student Activities. Final approval of the student group came from President Miller herself. In addition to student leaders, the delegations have always been jointly led by Dr. Rames, representing Student Affairs, and Dr. Schmidt, representing Academic Affairs.

Description of the Trips

The first journey undertaken was a 10-day trip in January 2004 to visit partner universities in the United Kingdom and Sweden. SDSU has three partners in these countries: Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK, study usand both Jnkping University and Vxj University in Sweden. The delegation included six students, including three men and three women. The students served as leaders on the Students' Association and University Program Council and were also active with New Student Orientation and the Admissions Office. Time was divided evenly between the three universities and corresponding cities. Each site visit included time spent with officials responsible for study abroad at each institution, a thorough campus tour (including housing and food service), and meetings with local students. One day in each location was devoted to a city tour. We avoided tourist-oriented tours, and included much walking, so that the students would have a good sense of what the respective cities are like from a study abroad perspective. Upon return to the UK, a final day was spent in London visiting major cultural sites, such as the British Museum. We faced some time constraints on this trip due to the fact that we had only 10 days in which to visit three universities in two different countries, but a great deal was accomplished in a short period of time. The students got a well-rounded experience that included various forms of transportation, including planes and trains, something that few students in the U.S. ever experience.

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