Study Abroad

Established more than 20 years ago under the direction of Dr. Robert Yien, former SVSU Vice President for Academic Affairs, this exchange program is designed to provide one Shikoku University faculty member and one SVSU faculty member per year with an international exchange experience. SVSU sends one faculty member to Shikoku University (usually from April 1 to August 31, reflecting the Shikoku semester schedule) to teach courses in English (and typically a course on American Culture to members of the Shikoku campus community). During a U.S. academic semester, Shikoku University sends one faculty member to teach at SVSU. These arrangements may also involve research assignments, in addition to the teaching, if approved by the host institution.

SVSU faculty who have completed their first and second year evaluations are eligible to apply. Applications sent out each fall by the OGE through the Deans. Applications must include a recommendation from the appropriate Dean and final selection is made by the Provost/VPAA’s Office. The SVSU faculty member receives a stipend for the equivalent pay of $15,000 U.S. dollars and SVSU benefits are not interrupted, though some coordination with the SVSU Human Resources Office is necessary. SVSU will pay for round-trip international airfare up to $2,000. This amount may change and the Provost/VPAA's Office will provide updated information to prospective SVSU faculty candidates as available. For questions regarding this program, please contact the Study Abroad Office (studyabroad@svsu.edu).

Each summer SVSU sends a contingent of faculty and students from the College of Health and Human Services to visit Jinan University in Guangzhou, China. This program operates as an exchange for one or two nurses from Jinan University who stay at SVSU during the Fall and Winter semesters. SVSU faculty and students typically spend time at the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University and present at a regional nursing conference. Faculty and students are selected by the Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, although Jinan University may request faculty with specializations that compliment the annual nursing conference. For questions regarding this program, please contact the Study Abroad Office (studyabroad@svsu.edu).

The SVSU Art Department sends one faculty member and two students to Shenyang Aerospace University each summer to teach and assist with teaching a workshop in the area of graphic design or art. Selection of the faculty member and students is made by the Art Department in consultation with the OGE. This program typically lasts three weeks and takes place during June. For questions regarding this program, please contact the Study Abroad Office (studyabroad@svsu.edu).

On an ad-hoc basis, SVSU sends faculty to do workshops and presentations around the world at various university partners. These opportunities can vary widely in type and availability on a year to year basis. If you are interested in representing SVSU by visiting one of our university partners, please schedule an appointment with the Director of International and Advanced Studies (jbbriggs@svsu.edu).

• Begin researching similar trips and thinking about the appropriate course to offer
• Consider programmatic linkages as well as reasons to offer the course as a study abroad course
• Contact the Study Abroad Coordinator to discuss trip planning
• Consider applying to OIAS for funding for a site visit
• Request proposals from study abroad providers
• Download the trip proposal form and review the trip proposal process

• Submit a trip proposal along with supporting documents.
• Wait for review by department chairs, deans, and the associate provost

After the program has been approved:

• Market!  Talk to students!  Attend the Study Abroad Fair!  Talk to the Study Abroad Coordinator about how to get the word out about your trip!

After at least 10 students who have applied and been accepted and paid the program deposit:

• Confirm the final roster of students with the Study Abroad Coordinator.
• It may be a good time to reach out to the students and introduce yourself, if you have not already.  Work with the Study Abroad Coordinator to inform students of any visa or immunization requirements.
• Request that you be assigned to one of the travel agents for plane ticket booking (if you are not purchasing tickets through your study abroad provider).  Once you have been assigned a travel agent for booking tickets, you cannot change without permission from the Study Abroad Office.
• Contact your travel agent and your study abroad provider to inform them of the number of students and trip leaders on the trip.
• Schedule a meeting with the Study Abroad Coordinator to review booking and payment process as well as any changes to the initial proposal or budget.
• Once you have identified a flight schedule, email the Study Abroad Office who will review, confirm with the travel agency, and begin payment.
• Once you have a final itinerary and cost for the study abroad provider, send this to the Study Abroad Office who will review, confirm with the study abroad provider, and begin payment.
• DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING.  FINAL APPROVAL FOR ALL FLIGHT AND PROGRAM ITINERARIES MUST GO THROUGH THE STUDY ABROAD OFFICE.
• Attend the orientation put on by the Study Abroad Office.  Schedule a meeting with the students.

• Schedule a meeting with the Study Abroad Office to review final schedule and any changes to the itinerary or budget.

• Have a great trip!
• Upon return, schedule a meeting with the Study Abroad Coordinator to debrief how the trip went.

For questions, please contact:

Brian Thomas                                                                                               

Acting Director for Strategic Partnerships                                                                                                

bjthoma1@svsu.edu                                                                                                    

989-964-7320         

Aileen Ash

Study Abroad Coordinator

amash@svsu.edu

989-964-7360