Mission
The Office of Study Abroad at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock encourages students to expand their educational experiences and intellectual perspectives by participating in a Study Abroad experience. Through study abroad programs, students actively participate in new cultures and experience critical, first-hand engagement with global challenges, which in turn, help them become effective and influential leaders in our global society. UA Little Rock Study Abroad seeks to engage the diverse UA Little Rock student population to become intentional learners who have a heightened sense of global awareness.
Summary Narrative
1) Enhance recruitment and retention efforts to increase enrollment
- Seventy-nine students participated in an international education experience from summer 2018 through spring 2019. UA Little Rock still has a high percentage of students who participate in faculty-led embedded trips, which is comparable with the national trend of students participating in short-term study abroad experiences.
- NAFSA: Association of International Educators reports that students who study abroad retain and graduate at higher rates than students who don’t have that experience, and also have higher grade point averages.
2) Strengthen student-friendly operations and customer service
- Study Abroad worked with three students in the computer science department to process map the study abroad application process to clarify the necessary steps for students to study abroad.
- Study Abroad began offering walk-in hours twice weekly during the academic year. 179 walk-in appointments took place during these hours during the fall and spring semesters.
3) Improve diversity and inclusion efforts to provide a safe and inclusive environment for students
- The Office of Study Abroad works diligently with scholarship programs and departments on campus to ensure that the information about studying abroad is being shared to the entire UA Little Rock student population. Staff regularly do presentations with the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps, PEAW, CWDSA, and Orientation, and also lead International Programming Efforts on campus.
- The Director of Study Abroad co-presented at the NAFSA Region 3 conference on “Supporting Underrepresented Students in Study Abroad.”
4) Align financial and human resources to operate more effectively and efficiently
- The Director of Study Abroad continues to be active in NAFSA and the Forum on Education Abroad. In October 2018, the NAFSA Region 3 conference was held in Little Rock, and the Director presented twice at the conference. In April 2019, the Director and Administrative Assistant co-presented at the NAFSA State Meeting.
5) Promote student development, engagement, and leadership
- Financial assistance is the largest barrier keeping UA Little Rock students from studying abroad at a higher rate. The Office of Study Abroad will continue to offer the Trojan Travels Scholarship, which awards $7,500 annually to UA Little Rock students to study abroad. Fifteen UA Little Rock students were awarded the Trojan Travels Scholarship this year.
- The office will continue to offer scholarship workshops and information sessions to share information on the abundant external financial assistance available for students interested in studying abroad.
- During the 2018-2019 academic year, three students were awarded Gilman Scholarships.
- Makayla Ealy ($2,500) declined her award due to a Department Chair not granting credit for her experience abroad.
- Nicole Ursin ($1,100) interned abroad in Prague.
- Erica Olsen ($2,500) studied Spanish Language in Granada, Spain.
- The Office of Study Abroad will continue to work with programs like the Gilman Scholarship Fund for Education Abroad, Freeman-Asia Scholarship, and other external scholarship programs to educate UA Little Rock students on the external scholarship dollars that are available for study abroad experiences.
- In Spring 2019, the Director of Study Abroad served as a reader for the Gilman/Critical Language Scholarship. This helped tremendously to advise and mentor students as they apply for these external scholarships.
6) Other
- The Director of Study Abroad was invited to co-present a session on faculty-led study abroad at the Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence (ATLE) during the spring 2019 semester.
- The Director of Study Abroad is an active member on the Institutional Effectiveness Committee, was trained to be a Title IX Investigator, led successful searches for the Director of Campus Living and Coordinator for Student Orientation and Transition, served as a judge at the Research and Creative Works Expo, provided guidance and leadership for Orientation and AskUA Little Rock during a time of division need, and served on the PEAW textbook editing committee.
At A Glance
- 79 students studied abroad from summer 2018-spring 2019.
- 3 UA Little Rock students were awarded Gilman Scholarships in 2018-2019.
- A UA Little Rock Student was the first in the state to be awarded a Fund for Education Abroad scholarship ($3,750).
- Study Abroad Staff presented at the Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence, the NAFSA Arkansas State Meeting, and the NAFSA Region 3 Conference.
- The Office of Study Abroad participated in 58 outreach, recruitment, and informational events throughout the 2018-2019 academic year.
- From August 2018-June 2019, study abroad staff had 265 advising appointments with students intending to study abroad.
- Study Abroad hosted two practicum students in Summer 2018 and a Young Leaders of the Americas Intern during Fall 2018.
- Study Abroad Staff volunteered 65 times to assist with Admissions and Enrollment activities, including covering for Ask UA Little Rock, serving as a backup admissions processor, providing customer service support, and supporting Discover and Fastlane Registration events, which totaled approximately 200 hours.
Assessment 1
Type of assessment (learning outcome or operational)
Operational
Activity or experience being assessed
Comprehensive marketing plan to increase international education activities at UA Little Rock
Assessment artifacts
Number of Students who studied abroad Summer 2018-Spring 2019
Time period assessment was done
July 2018-June 2019
Results
82 Students studied abroad in 2017-2018, and only 79 students studied abroad from 2018-2019. The decrease in participation can be attributed to a drop in enrollment and student engagement on the UA Little Rock Campus, the cost of studying abroad, the student body characteristics, or the general fear of traveling internationally.
Continuous improvement process
We have updated our strategic marketing plan to find gaps in potential outreach opportunities and found new strategies for connecting with the UA Little Rock student population for the upcoming academic year.
For 2019-2020, we are adding new information sessions and resources online to meet the diverse needs of the students studying abroad. We are partnering with the Multicultural Center and Campus Living to host programs about studying abroad.
WHEN: July 2019-June 2020
Stakeholder involvement / Communication plan
Study Abroad staff have presented on the Strategic Marketing Plan at the Arkansas State NAFSA Meeting and the NAFSA Region Three Conference. Study Abroad Participation Numbers are reported annually in the Study Abroad annual report and other times as requested by the VCSA or AVCEM.
Assessment 2
Type of assessment (learning outcome or operational)
Operational
Activity or experience being assessed
Work with study abroad advisory committee to establish policies to manage all types of study abroad experiences (semester, embedded courses, research, and internships)
Assessment artifacts
Policies developed
Time period assessment was done
July 2018-June 2019
Results
Two policies were submitted to the VCSA for initial review and approval. One on study abroad trips traveling to countries under State Department Advisories Level 3 or 4 and one on establishing international exchange agreements.
Continuous improvement process
Once the policies have been fully approved, this will streamline and allow for more efficient management of all International Agreements on campus.
Once the policies have been fully approved, this will put a safeguard in place to ensure that all UA Little Rock study abroad programs are operating in countries deemed safest by the US State Department.
WHEN: Once policies are approved, we hope in 2019-20
Stakeholder involvement / Communication plan
Study Abroad will add a policy page to their website
Assessment 3
Type of assessment (learning outcome or operational)
Student learning outcome 4A
Activity or experience being assessed
Pre-departure orientation
Assessment artifacts
Survey of students who studied abroad in summer 2019
Time period assessment was done
May 2019
Results
27 Students completed a five question survey at pre-departure orientation in May 2019. The questions asked were:
- How did you find out about the Office of Study Abroad?
- Did you utilize walk-in hours during the fall 2018 or spring 2019 semester?
- What is one thing you are nervous/anxious about before your trip?
- What is one thing you are most excited about before your trip?
- Please give one example of something Study Abroad could do better to support you, and future students who wish to study abroad.
For question 1, of the 27 students surveyed, the results for question 1 varied from Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, UA Little Rock website, friends, instructor/faculty member, class presentations, and the study abroad fair.
Question 2 surveyed the need for Study Abroad to continue walk-in hours for the upcoming academic year, the majority (20/27) of students indicated that the walk-in hours were useful, while only 7 students reported that the hours were not utilized.
Question 3 was utilized to build future pre-departure orientation curriculum as well as resources and information sessions aimed to break down barriers for future study abroad students. Answers for question three included: paying for their experience, flying/being in an airport for the first time, concern about language skills in the country, being homesick, differing education systems/assessments, acclimating with their host family, using technology abroad, and returning home.
Question 4 was utilized to build future information sessions and marketing topics that would connect with potential study abroad students. Answers for question four ranged from: traveling outside of their study abroad program, flying/navigating the airport, language and cultural immersion, gaining hands on experience in their intended career field, meeting new people, preparing for their experience, and several students (15/27) noted they were excited about “everything.”
Question 5 was utilized to gain insight on how Study Abroad can support students better. Answers ranged from clearer communication, more information on visa regulations, clearer due dates on program applications, help students communicate with study abroad providers, providing a comprehensive checklist, working with students on cultural adjustment, and offer more scholarships. 8 students did not provide an answer for this question, and 8 made statements about the positive impact the Office of Study Abroad made (quotes can be provided if needed).
Continuous improvement process
Answers from the first question gave us data on where to provide the most information to students. Students heavily indicated that the online presence of study abroad and scholarship programs/faculty members were two of the highest contact points for learning about study abroad. This will allow us to better provide information sessions and resources in areas that will meet the students where they are. We already have presentation and program requests out with Campus Living, Multicultural Center, the World Languages Lab, and the University Writing Center for 2019-2020.
Study Abroad Staff will take the feedback from question 5 to find areas of professional development and growth. For 2019-2020, we are assembling a holistic checklist for students going abroad, a budget sheet to help students understand the full financial responsibility of studying abroad, and changing from the current application management system to another in Spring 2020 to streamline communication and applications.
WHEN: July 2019-June 2020
Stakeholder involvement / Communication plan
Study Abroad will promote all events across campus through the proper channels and will work with study abroad stakeholders as we shift to the new application management system.
Priorities for Next Year
- Increase student participation in international education experiences by 3% in 2019-20.
- This goal is in the UA Little Rock Strategic Plan and will always be a top priority for the Office of Study Abroad.
- Restructure and enhance strategic marketing plan to recruit and enroll students into a study abroad experience.
- In Summer 2019, study abroad staff have updated and enhanced the strategic marketing plan based on nominal data and student feedback. We are adding programs in student friendly spaces (Multicultural Center, Campus Living, World Languages Lab, and Office of Admissions) to increase visibility.
- Work with key study abroad stakeholders to establish policies on study abroad.
- In Summer 2019, study abroad staff wrote Standard Operating Procedures for the office. This highlighted areas where potential policies are needed. During 2019-2020, staff will work with key stakeholders (Records, Financial Aid, Student Accounts) to write policies that are deemed appropriate, and include procedures in the Standard Operating Procedures Manual.
