Acadenics

International education

T. Meyers, Associate Academic Dean and Director of International Education

Introduction

Goshen College offers several types of international education. First is the Study-Service Term (SST), either international or domestic (Section I). Second is a United States culture package for international students (Section II). Students who wish to pursue an alternative study-abroad program and students who come to Goshen College with broad experience in both North American and international cultures should discuss their options with the director of international education.

In addition to SST, a minor in international studies (Section III) and a variety of other overseas educational opportunities are available through Goshen College or other organizations with whom we cooperate (Sections IV and V).

For contacts and related information, visit the Study-Service Term Web site at www.goshen.edu/sst.

I. The Study-Service Term (SST)

Program description

SST is a program designed to immerse students in a culture significantly different from dominant United States culture. Its goals for each student are to grow in one's own identity in relationship to multiple communities, to develop intercultural openness, to acquire language and cross-cultural communication skills to interact effectively with people from diverse communities, and to create partnerships with people across difference to learn from one another and work toward equity. Students who grew up with a combination of international and North American cultural experiences should consult with the director of international education about their options.

International SST units are one-semester immersion experiences. Spanish units are offered in Central and South America. Currently, other international SST units operate in Cambodia, China, Egypt, Senegal and Tanzania. A new domestic Spanish SST focuses on Latino studies in northern Indiana and neighboring states. Domestic SST is available in a one-semester immersion experience and, beginning in 2012-13, also in alternative formats spread over one or two years. Transfer students in 2011-12 who cannot participate in a one-semester immersion experience should refer to option II. B. in the 2010-11 catalog.

Students choose a language area and location for SST in consultation with their academic adviser. See Planning and Advising Notes for individual majors to determine the best timing for SST. Students are urged to plan and sign up early for international SST. They may pre-register for two units at a time. About half of all students participate in SST during their sophomore year. Others participate in their junior or senior year.

At each location, Goshen faculty leaders arrange the academic program and give personal counsel to a group of up to 23 students. For one-semester immersion units, the first six weeks of the term are spent studying the language and culture of the host country or community. The faculty leader uses local resources to support a largely experience-based learning program: host family relationships, lectures, discussion, field trips, journal writing, readings, special projects and examinations. Library resources, although somewhat limited, are available at each unit. During the last six weeks of the term, students work in a field/service-learning assignment, usually in a rural area, and complete a major project to present during the last week of the term. Students in international SST live in homes of the host country throughout the term and eat at least two meals daily with their “families.” Domestic SST students relate to a host family, but do not live with them.

Participation in international SST is an educational privilege for those whose recent performance suggests that they are ready for the special challenge of living and studying abroad. A screening process reviews the health and the academic and behavioral performance of all SST applicants throughout the preparation process until departure. Minimum GPA requirement is 2.0 to participate in international SST. On location, all SSTers are expected to follow both the standards of the college and the guidelines more specific to the norms of the host culture and host family.

Student fees in Central America, including travel costs, are the same as for a semester’s tuition, room and board on campus. Domestic SST costs are also the same as for on campus study. Units in other locations involve extra cost.

SST locations for 2011-2014 (tentative)

2011-12 Fall semester Spring semester Summer semester
2012-13 Fall semester Spring semester Summer semester
2013-14 Fall semester Spring semester Summer semester

Credit hours and evaluation for International SST

Domestic SST Schedule Options

One semester immersion

Prerequisite: Span 101, 102

2011-12 Fall semester Spring semester May/Summer
2012-13 Fall semester Spring semester May/Summer
One-Year Plan

Prerequisite: Span 101, 102

2012-13 Fall semester

INTL 252, History/Culture of Latinos in US (3);
Spanish language study (4)

 Spring semester

INTL 256, Arts/Lit of Latinos in US (3);
INTL 250, Service Learning (3) (1st option)

 May term

INTL 250, Service Learning (2nd option)
Two-Year Plan

Prerequisite: Span 101, 102

2012-13 Fall semester

INTL 252, History/Culture of Latinos in US (3)

 Spring semester

INTL 256, Arts/Lit of Latinos in US (3)

 May term
2013-14 Fall semester

Spanish language study (4)

 Spring semester

INTL 250, Service Learning (3) (1st option)

 May term

INTL 250, Service Learning (2nd option)

Credit Hours and Evaluation for Domestic SST

Students will receive a letter grade for each program component.

Prerequisites for SST

Students are responsible for completing these essential prerequisites prior to SST. The director of international education must approve any exceptions

  1. Students participating in French, Arabic or Spanish units need to establish 102-level competency (by course or on-campus test) in the language of the country.
  2. Students participating in any other foreign language unit will complete one elementary course in that language, offered on campus especially for that SST group prior to departure, and either 101-level competency in a third language, a course selected from a third language, or one course from the following list. Whenever possible, students should elect a course from the specific region of their SST unit.

Alternative language prerequisite courses

II. United States Culture Studies for International Students

International students will complete 12 credit hours, the equivalent of one semester, studying U.S. culture, including a local service component.

Credit hours and evaluation

Students will receive a letter grade for each program component.

III. Minor in international studies

Program director and adviser: T. Meyers, Associate Academic Dean

9-17 credit hours, in addition to a semester of international SST

Additional course options for the international studies minor

Planning and advising notes

This minor is available only to students who have had SST or an equivalent semester of study abroad. The course work is recommended for after SST, but courses taken before SST do apply. The three international studies courses selected for this minor may not overlap with requirements in any major or any other minor.

International studies in an Interdisciplinary major

If international studies is selected as one of the three areas of study in an interdisciplinary major, 15 credit hours of courses must be selected from the two lists of courses above to complete that area of study.

IV. Other study abroad options with Goshen College

During the May term or summer, Goshen College may offer special courses abroad. Locations vary, but recent courses have operated in England, Spain, Morocco, Greece, Italy, and Mexico. Credits may be earned in several areas, among them art, business, history, language, literature, music, theater, religion and peace studies. Some credits may apply toward the international studies minor.

V. Study abroad with other international programs

Study abroad is available at colleges or universities in many different countries. Special application must be made on forms available from the international education office. Goshen College students have access to approved study-abroad programs through affiliation with the following organizations:

Goshen College students in these affiliated programs will be registered as students at Goshen College in absentia. Credit may count for international education requirements only with the approval of the director of international education. Approval for credit equivalency does not mean that Goshen College financial aid will apply, but sources of financial aid outside of Goshen College are available.

Financial aid policies

For the list of affiliated international study programs in the previous paragraph, sources of student financial aid and scholarships are limited to funding outside of Goshen College such as Pell Grants, state grants, outside scholarships, church aid and Guaranteed Student Loans.

Only when the international program is required by the student's major and there is no alternative available on campus may Goshen College scholarships and financial aid be used. An application must be submitted and the major must be declared by spring advising days prior to the year of off-campus study. Contact the director of student financial aid for more information.

Programs which are not on the approved list above may be eligible for credit transfer, but students who choose to enroll in programs that have no affiliation with Goshen College cannot apply for any sort of financial aid through Goshen College.

International Studies Course Descriptions

INTL 250/350, Intercultural Service Learning 3 (1-6)
A field assignment in an intercultural setting through an approved agency or placement site. Arranged by the student with the international education director or LSST director.

INTL 253, History and Culture of Latinos in the U.S. 3
An overview of past and contemporary experiences of different U.S. Latino subgroups, with an emphasis on the experience of Latinos in the Midwest and Northern Indiana. Exploration of topics such as Latino culture, history, politics, economics, and other social issues through classroom teaching, interaction with members of the Latino community, and field trips to Latino communities.

INTL 257, Arts and Literature of Latinos in the U.S 3
Issues of identity and social justice in contemporary U.S. Latino/a Literature and Arts. Examines how writers and artists express and enact what it means to be an American and a Latino in our contemporary culture. Students will explore the historical context of Latino art and literature as well as the influence of Latino traditions, experiences, and immigration stories.