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ERIC Number: ED231228
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1983-May
Pages: 8
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Study Abroad in Third World Countries: Issues and Opportunities.
Sommer, John G.
Perspectives on studying abroad in third world countries are presented. Fewer than 5% of Americans who study abroad do so in Third World Countries, although economically and politically the United States and these countries are interdependent. In addition, many employers are seeking individuals with cross-cultural training and sensitivity. The reason relatively few Americans study in Third World countries is linked to the commonalities among European and U.S. education systems and backgrounds, and the fact that living in Third World countries is more problematic and inconvenient. Although there may be unreliable transportation and communications, inadequate standards of food and health care, different educational priorities, and political instability in these countries, there are some ways of dealing with these situations. In addition to selecting countries where the potential for such problems is relatively less, it is advisable to work with well-established institutions. One program approach is to organize the semester's activities and to send an experienced and sensitive academic director with each group. Placing students directly into host country universities has advantages but also lessens control and presents the risk of program disruption in case of local disturbances or university strikes or closings. An important step is predeparture orientation, which introduces the participants, outlines the semester program abroad, and provides general background on the cross-cultural issues. Specific responsibilities of the academic director are noted. (SW)
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Guides - Non-Classroom
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Association for Foreign Student Affairs (35th, Cincinnati, OH, May 24-27, 1983).