European Institute

This workshop will review current trends in mental health support for traditional college-aged students, with specific focus on  

• Understanding high-risk behaviors,  
• Identifying stress induced behaviors,  
• Discussing concerns related to legal and practical responses to mental health crisis, 
• Providing models for pre-departure mental health screening,  
• Introducing strategies for managing mental health concerns when they occur.  

This is an interactive workshop that engages participants in discussion of case studies, role analysis, and application of The Standards of Good Practice. 

Learning Outcomes: 

• Understand the unique mental health concerns related to the current generation of students on education abroad programs; 
• Learn strategies for preparing for and responding to common mental health issues; 
• Knowledge of The Standards of Good Practice and how The Standards can inform program development, policy, and student preparation on education abroad programs.  

Facilitator

Mark Barneche, Pepperdine University Switzerland Lausanne Program

This workshop will be co-facilitated with a clinical psychology or social worker.

 Who Should Participate: 

• Education abroad administrators 
• Faculty who lead education abroad programs 
• Onsite resident directors and staff 
• Risk managers 
• Mental health professionals who work closely with traditional college-aged students  
• Community members such as internship or volunteer supervisors or home stay families 

Students come to education abroad with diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and perspectives. Often, they have been taught in various “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) theories to reflect on those. However, this current US-American set of theories around DEI is born out of a very specific history which differs from the history and historical lessons learned in other countries in the world – sometimes by nuances, sometimes wildly. Thus, in order to make those theories and positive aims fruitful elsewhere, they need to be reflected, criticized and, if necessary, adapted to a different context. The need to “examine one’s own lens” applies to US-American ideas just like to anyone else’s ideological predisposition. Reflection about individual and cultural behaviors must include reflection on one’s own theoretical approach and lens as well. Therefore, educators need to support and guide students in how to reconcile their approaches to DEI issues with the local cultural and historical context. This will build a bridge for our students and help them to be open-minded and able to step out of their comfort zone. Eventually, they will gain insights and learn to reflect on a higher level.

This issue is not confined to Europe alone, obviously. Any theory and practice of diversity, equity, and inclusion needs to include diverse approaches itself, especially when applied to any other regions of the world. Approaches to DEI, even the understanding or definition of the termini and concepts itself, vary in different regions world-wide according to specific historical, cultural, and societal traditions. Europe, and at some points Germany as a special case study, is chosen here as but one exemplary region to demonstrate and unpack the complexities of such a critical dialogue in a way that includes regional specificities. After all, cross-cultural communication and intercultural awareness is at the heart of what we do. So, this critical examination is understood as a continuation of the very ideas and practices of intercultural understanding, such as the “Describe, Interpret, Evaluate” exercises (DIE, Bennett and Bennett 1977).

This workshop will first thoroughly present and explain the body of various theories in the DEI spectrum to European colleagues who might not be fully familiar with them yet. Then, we engage participants in critical reflection, dialogue through case studies, and present resources and strategies to create more inclusive policies and programs to support student engagement and learning on education abroad.

Learning outcomes:

This workshop features an opportunity to interact with professionals who advocate and support various student populations with a focus on supporting successful education abroad experiences. Participants will have opportunities to reflect on their own practices, review case studies, and incorporate the knowledge gained for immediate action. They will also have a chance to bring in their own experiences and expertise to complement and enhance the US perspective, thereby building bridges between both cultural regions.

• Continuing to build a culture of belonging: creating an inclusive learning environment
• Familiarity with the 6^th edition of The Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad and with current US-American DEI theories
• Understanding the host institution’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and access issues and unpacking the complexities of trying to apply them to different societies and cultural contexts

Facilitator

Janine Ludwig – Academic Director of the William G. and Elke Durden Dickinson in Bremen Program and Contributing Faculty Member of the German Department at Dickinson College

This workshop will be co-facilitated by a member of The Forum on Education Abroad staff.

Who Should Participate

The concepts presented will benefit learners from a variety of industries. This workshop is designed to be most beneficial for participants current and rising professionals in higher education and education abroad.

• Education Abroad Advisors
• On-site Education Abroad Program Directors and Coordinators
• Faculty leading short-term education abroad programs and courses
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging professionals
• Individuals that support equity, diversity, and inclusion resources at institutions of higher education

Format

Attendees will be given a comprehensive overview and then participate in small group discussions, case study analysis, and guided reflection activities.

European education abroad programs host tens of thousands of visiting students annually, the vast majority of whom fly to and from the host sites and engage in significant independent travel while on-site.  All of this flying, plus the associated program activities and infrastructure, results in a significant climate impact from education abroad.  While we do not advocate for a reduction in education abroad activities, we as international educators should use the abroad time as an opportunity to embed sustainability and climate action into our curriculum, extracurricular activities and program operations. This session will help onsite programs to understand the issue of climate change, to calculate their climate impact, develop a climate action plan, and advocate for education abroad programs to integrate climate focused measures into all aspects of education abroad programming.  

The education abroad community has a responsibility to take urgent action to combat climate change.  This session includes the Forum’s Guidelines for Advancing the UN SDGs through Education Abroad and SDG13, Climate Action, and also provides you with concrete action steps that can be implemented at your program site to improve your efforts on climate change mitigation.  Most of all, this workshop represents a call to action for our sector.

 Facilitator

Stephen Robinson, Champlain College Dublin

This workshop will be co-facilitated by a member of The Forum on Education Abroad staff.

Learning outcomes: 

• Understanding climate change, and the impact that education abroad makes to our climate.
• Understanding actions that can be undertaken by European on-site programs to reduce their climate impact and educate students on climate action and sustainability.
• Understanding UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG13), Climate Action, and its related targets and indicators. 
• Learning how The Standards of Good Practice in Education Abroad and Code of Ethics in Education Abroad can inform climate focused decision-making and program development.

Who Should Participate

• Onsite resident directors and staff
• Faculty who lead education abroad programs 
• Education abroad administrators 
• Sustainability directors or officers 
• Community engaged learning program managers

Special rates  have been secured for participants of the European Institute

From 15 to 18 November 2023 – 3 nights

More details on how to request the discounted rate in the confirmation email when you register to the European Institute. 

Please note:

• 35 rooms have been set aside for institute participants
• Bank card will be required as a guarantee of the reservation
• Cancellation will be possible up to 3 days prior
• Buffet breakfast is included
• THE HOLDS EXPIRE JULY 28