Office of Global Opportunities announces updated strategy and procedures for study abroad and study away programming
To better align with Ohio University’s BRICKS initiative, the Office of Global Opportunities (OGO) is launching a new mobility strategy. The BRICKS framework for general education places heightened focus on experiential learning, diversity and equity, and also provides an opportunity for OGO to better align with those focus areas.
“We are thrilled to see OHIO’s emphasis on these important areas and look forward to leveraging this momentum in OHIO’s international programming,” said Catherine Marshall, director of the Office of Global Opportunities.
To capitalize on OHIO’s strengths, OGO worked to refine its approach to study abroad and study away programming in consultation with the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, Deans’ Council, Experiential Learning and the Global Mobility Committee, among others. The strategy has two main tenets:
- Focus faculty-led programming on content and academic terms unique to Ohio University.
- Collaborate with academic units and the Center for Advising, Career and Experiential Learning to identify and integrate partner study abroad programs that complement student goals as outlined in their graduation plans.
“We are proud to have supported OHIO’s long tradition of high-quality, academically rigorous faculty-led programs, and to have worked with so many dedicated study abroad and away program directors. We look forward to continuing this tradition in the years to come,” Marshall said. “The ultimate goal of this new strategy is to continue our work together to increase student engagement in study away experiential learning opportunities, and we’ll do that by listening to the students and the data.”
OHIO will focus support on faculty-led study abroad and study away programming options offered during dates unique to OHIO’s calendar (e.g., winter break, spring break, short experiences during the academic year) making the programs accessible to as many students as possible. Summer programs that support students’ progress towards graduation while offering experiences unique to OHIO also will be encouraged.
“For several years now, OHIO student interest and participation in break and short-term programming have been on a steady increase,” said Keely Davin, associate director for OGO. “This new strategy capitalizes on this growing interest.”
Students will still have many options for semester and full summer study abroad programs through OHIO exchange programs, such as those with Hong Kong Baptist University, Musashi University in Japan, and Swansea University in Wales, or offerings through trusted study abroad partner organizations.
For more information about how the program selection process will be managed, visit OGO’s website. The proposal deadline for credit-bearing study abroad and away programs designed to take place during the winter break, spring break and spring semester of the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years is Dec. 1, 2022.