“Studying abroad” can mean a lot of things. There are third-party programs, university partnerships, faculty-led programs, or a student can choose to study abroad independently. In this article we will take a look at why faculty-led programs are a great choice for study abroad office partnerships.

Faculty-led programs are a great way to enhance student learning before, during, and after education abroad. While with a third-party program, there is often a disconnect between the student’s semester abroad and their time on campus, a faculty member can be involved in the entire process and serve as a integrative reference for the students. For example, the professor can give classes and workshops before and after the program to incorporate certain components or themes that were/will be introduced during the educational trip. Pre-departure can include academic groundwork, understanding the political climate, cultural competence and logistical preparation. The professor is present during the academic and cultural activities on the trip, and therefore is able to assist the students in making connections to what they have already learned and discussed beforehand. The re-entry process involves how to apply what you have seen and learned in the classroom environment. A student will be much more engaged and focused when studying Spanish history and culture if he or she has had the chance to see Diego Velasquez’ works of art at the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain.

Relationships are strengthened during a faculty-led program. Students are able to connect with their teacher and get to know them on a more personal level, while still participating in fun and engaging academic and cultural activities. If a student has developed a deeper relationship with their professor, they will be more engaged in their classes upon returning from their travel program. Additionally, this relationship will foster more growth during the actual study abroad program because the professor is present, holding students accountable and encouraging them to make the most of their academic programs and cultural immersion.

A faculty-led program is a solution to students’ hesitations about studying abroad. Many students end up choosing not to study abroad due to several factors, including financial restraints, relationships, credit problems, housing issues, or worried parents. Since faculty-led programs are short-term, usually between 1-3 weeks during spring or fall break, summer, or winter break, this takes care of a lot of issues. Short term programs are much less expensive than studying abroad for a semester or year. Students are much more inclined to leave their boyfriend or girlfriend for two weeks as opposed to four months, and they don’t have to find a subleaser for their apartment or house. Parents are more comfortable with the idea of a student traveling with a known and trusted professor, and the more timid students will often be more comfortable with the idea of traveling with a group of students from their school. If a student has waited until junior year to start planning their study abroad experience, it’s probable that they will have upper-level course requirements that are only offered during spring or fall, restricting them from being able to leave campus for an entire semester. If this is the case, a short-term faculty led program during summer or winter is the solution, and they will be able to earn extra credits as well.

This type of program also provides complete academic freedom for the professor. The faculty member that leads the group is typically able to customize and design their own program based on their academic interests and what they feel would be the most beneficial for their students. If a literature professor has always wanted to visit Pablo Neruda’s houses, he can plan their trip to Chile and visit Santiago, Valparaiso and Isla Negra - then incorporate Neruda’s poetry into his curriculum and lesson plans. It’s also a way for professors to travel for free and see their students apply their language skills or historical knowledge on a global scale beyond the classroom.

Offering faculty-led travel courses for credit is a fresh way to diversify your array of options for study abroad programs, and provides benefits for your university’s professors and students.

ARAMFO Educational Foundation collaborates with university study abroad offices and professors to design customized short-term, faculty-led study abroad programs in 60 host countries.