Overcoming the Disincentives to Study Abroad. The RCC Israel Program: A Model.
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| Title: | Overcoming the Disincentives to Study Abroad. The RCC Israel Program: A Model. |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Beiner, Stephen, Commanday, Sue, Rockland Community Coll., Suffern, NY. |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 15 |
| Publication Date: | 1981 |
| Document Type: | Opinion Papers Reports - Descriptive |
| Descriptors: | Community Colleges, Educational Benefits, Foreign Countries, Influences, Intercollegiate Cooperation, Program Descriptions, Student Participation, Study Abroad, Two Year Colleges |
| Geographic Terms: | Israel |
| Abstract: | While there is general support for international and intercultural education, a number of obstacles inhibit student participation in study abroad programs, especially those in Israel. These disincentives include the following: (1) U.S. colleges are reluctant to accept credits from institutions over which there is no American academic supervision; (2) students have limited access to information about study opportunities in Israel, and they are hesitant to engage in study without prior assurance that credits earned abroad will be accepted in the U.S.; (3) students perceive study abroad as disruptive of their academic progress and irrelevant to their career goals; and (4) it is increasingly difficult for students to finance a year of study in Israel. Rockland Community College's (RCC's) Israel program was designed specifically to overcome these disincentives. Its model has two unique elements. First, students enroll in a U.S. institution, which issues credits and transcripts, actively recruits participants, provides financial assistance, and monitors academic standards. Second, through a process of academic brokering, the student is helped to find a university, college, or one of several other learning environments appropriate to his/her talents and interests. The success of the model is evidenced in the consistently high level of student enrollment in the program, the participation of students from over 30 colleges, and increased community consciousness of Israel and support of the program. (AYC) |
| Entry Date: | 1983 |
| Accession Number: | ED225634 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | While there is general support for international and intercultural education, a number of obstacles inhibit student participation in study abroad programs, especially those in Israel. These disincentives include the following: (1) U.S. colleges are reluctant to accept credits from institutions over which there is no American academic supervision; (2) students have limited access to information about study opportunities in Israel, and they are hesitant to engage in study without prior assurance that credits earned abroad will be accepted in the U.S.; (3) students perceive study abroad as disruptive of their academic progress and irrelevant to their career goals; and (4) it is increasingly difficult for students to finance a year of study in Israel. Rockland Community College's (RCC's) Israel program was designed specifically to overcome these disincentives. Its model has two unique elements. First, students enroll in a U.S. institution, which issues credits and transcripts, actively recruits participants, provides financial assistance, and monitors academic standards. Second, through a process of academic brokering, the student is helped to find a university, college, or one of several other learning environments appropriate to his/her talents and interests. The success of the model is evidenced in the consistently high level of student enrollment in the program, the participation of students from over 30 colleges, and increased community consciousness of Israel and support of the program. (AYC) |
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