Faculty, Staff and Education Abroad
There are myriad ways for faculty and professional staff on campus to be a part of study abroad, from leading short-term programs to applying for grants from our partners to participate in study abroad themselves. We encourage you to contact our staff to discuss ways to get involved.
Why a Short-Term Program?
A faculty-led program provides an international living and learning experience for students that can be one of the most enriching and inspiring opportunities they have as an undergraduate. Short-term programs often allow students who could not otherwise study abroad the opportunity to gain international exposure and understanding, and the vast majority of faculty who lead such programs are equally energized by this unique experience.
Creating a Short-Term Program
Education Abroad welcomes proposals for short-term, faculty-led study abroad programs during winter, spring break or summer.
Proposing a short-term program can be simpler than many faculty might imagine. In addition to support and guidance from EA staff, we have an extensive array of international contacts and partners abroad with whom we can collaborate and share resources. In addition, there is no financial obligation to a department sponsoring a course. A departmental fee can be included in the budget to help offset some administrative costs, and course profits are shared with Education Abroad and the sponsoring department. Browse our resource list for study abroad related literature.
Here are some simple steps to initiate the process:
Contact Søren Peterson, 301-405-7158, Coordinator of Short-Term Programs for Education Abroad, with an idea, even if you are not clear on how you would implement it. Again, that is where we can provide support and assistance with logistics and planning.
Submit a Short-Term Study Abroad Course Proposal by
- April 1 for Winter programs
- October 1 for Spring Break programs
- November 1 for Summer programs
Apply for a Study Abroad Course Development Grant for support in developing a new short-term study abroad course.
If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, proposals will be due the next business day. Departmental (and in some cases, college/school) approvals are required to ensure that all parties are aware of, and support, your endeavor. Timely submission is important so that Education Abroad has adequate time to review proposals and then to create (or update) marketing materials and program budgets before opening applications. Proposals received after this deadline may not necessarily be reviewed (we reserve the right to consider late submissions on a case-by-case basis).
Some Things to Consider:
Academic Course: The course abroad should be of comparable rigor to one offered on campus and support the curriculum in your department. You should assign an adequate amount of reading materials to support your course and assess the students in such a way that holds them accountable for the required work.
Course Number and Listing: Cross-listed courses and General Education courses will interest students and allow you to draw from a larger pool of applicants. It is the responsibility of faculty to submit a study abroad course for CORE review to his/her department. We can assist you with making contacts in other departments or campus units for cross listing your course.
Audience: You want to have a course that both targets a specific population and is broad enough to appeal to a larger group. Most programs have a minimum enrollment of 10 students but can accommodate more, especially if another colleague assists with the course. Decide whether you want to open your course to non-UMD students and/or graduate students.
Location: Consider what places would be most attractive to students. Keep in mind the weather, the tourists, and any festivals or events that might take place.
Want ideas, examples, or inspiration? Explore our website to see some of the innovative short-term programs we offer.