Defines an ecostudent as one who focuses on understanding the natural environment and protecting fragile ecosystems in different regions of the world. Discusses the differences between ecostudents and ecotourists and emphasizes the importance of ecotourism. Explains how the attributes of the ecotourist may benefit the experiences of students…

Discusses the advantages of international service learning programs in developing students' language and cross-cultural communication skills, as well as their concept of the world as an interdependent system. Notes characteristics and outcomes of successful international service learning programs, such as the program at the University of North…

Predicated on the idea that students traveling and studying abroad must learn ways to cope with the loss of cultural symbols familiar to them, this paper uses a college student's personal travel experiences to examine what coping strategies helped and how the lessons learned could help others in the same situation. After pointing out that the…

A guide for students of all ages anticipating a period of study abroad contains useful information about its benefits, the value of establishing purposes and setting goals, and other matters that would be of concern to the first-time student abroad. Topics discussed are: considerations in the selection of programs for study abroad, ways of gaining…

This handbook, designed to assist foreign language teachers in planning and executing a language immersion/homestay program for their students, is based on a successful program in Switzerland undertaken by Northport (New York) High School French teachers in 1980. The material is presented in three parts: (1) preparation of the exchange, including…

Discusses the use of ethnological techniques to immerse teachers of French as a second language in the culture of a village in France as a means of making their observations of the culture more meaningful. The objectives, activities, and further use of the teachers' observations and experiences are also discussed. (MSE)

This guide was written for study abroad program professionals to assist in facilitating students' culture and language learning before, during, and after their time abroad, providing students with tools that will enable them to best navigate, interpret, and learn from their own cross-cultural encounters. Eight sections focus on the following: (1)…

In this article, the author discusses the necessity of challenging the widely-held belief that students inevitably make second language progress through studying abroad. Through administering a series of pre- and post-tests, quantitative and qualitative, to students enrolled in three different programs of varying lengths in Spain, the author…

A summer program to provide American teachers of French opportunities for interaction with French people and culture is described. It is a contract program which unites curriculum development procedures with cultural experiences in France, language practice, and purposeful travel. (SW)

The author, who over the years has taken many students abroad on study tours, shares some conclusions that he has reached. His thoughts, which include many practical tips on how to organize foreign travel, should be helpful to educators planning on undertaking such a venture. (RM)

Offers insights and advice for anyone contemplating a director's position in an overseas study program. In addition to stressing that the goals of the program be well-defined and well-planned, the importance of offering the exchange students a complete, integrated exposure to the language and culture of the host country is stressed. (SL)

Using interviews with primary school teachers from France who are living and working in Portugal as examples, this article argues that the informal, in-depth interview process helps the interviewee develop a new understanding of the experiences in focus. The idea is discussed of introducing this function of the interview into inservice training…

Argues for centrality of living the ethnographic life for any cultural studies students spending a period of time abroad, as this approach is based on a methodology in which data and concepts illuminate each other. Language is no longer separated from social and cultural knowledge but "lived" and developed within a community in which the student…

Shows how participation in a program that emphasizes international economics and culture and thus study abroad and double majors has strengthened the language department at one university. Author/VWL)

American undergraduates are often enticed to study abroad by the promise that they will have the experience of a lifetime and the experience of the world. For example, one American university attracts participants by claiming that "studying abroad promotes cross-cultural understanding," broadens your worldview, and prepares you for your…