ERIC Number: ED321833
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1989-Dec
Pages: 4
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Internationalizing the Community College: Examples of Success. ERIC Digest.
Quimbita, Grace
With the growing technological, economic and political interdependence between nations, the word "community" has come to have international implications. In order to alleviate American ignorance about other nations and global issues, community colleges must institutionalize international perspectives into their curricula. More than 50% of all foreign undergraduate students are enrolled at community colleges, and these students are an untapped resource for promoting cultural awareness on campus and in the surrounding community. Rockland Community College (RCC) and Brevard Community College encourage foreign students to offer tutoring in their native languages and advice on travel to their homelands. Community college curricula can be internationalized through specifically designed courses or through the incorporation of lectures or assignments on global themes into existing courses. The nursing department at RCC, for example, has added a cross-cultural perspective to its curriculum by exposing students to local immigrant populations and the health issues affecting them. Some colleges bring an international flavor into their curricula through foreign language courses or study abroad programs. Work-study abroad programs offer career-oriented students a chance to gain employment experience and contacts while exploring another country. Another important aspect of an international curriculum is broadening the outlook of faculty and staff. This can be accomplished through travel study programs, faculty exchanges, and college consortia. The soundest advice for colleges attempting to internationalize their curricula is to relate new international ventures to the existing resources, programs, and mission of the college. (JMC)
Publication Type: Opinion Papers; ERIC Publications; ERIC Digests in Full Text
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: ERIC Clearinghouse for Junior Colleges, Los Angeles, CA.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A