OUR VISION

The Office for Education Abroad provides high-quality learning abroad programs and excellent services to cultivate globally-engaged citizen leaders who are ready to change the world.

OUR MISSION

Our global educator mindset combines with campus and international partnerships to position learning abroad as a high impact practice that fosters student success.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

For the Office for Education Abroad (EA)

Institutional Framework and Values

• EA services are supported by funding practices that prioritize student access to learning and development abroad
• EA options are designed and approved with concern for affordability and accessibility
• The EA experience is at every stage underpinned by the inclusive excellence principles of diversity, equity and inclusion
• EA practices throughout adhere to MSU policies

Recruitment, Application and Admissions

• Students are recruited for EA through ethical practices
• Timely and accurate EA program information is shared with students, to inform program selection and planning
• Transparent information is provided to students, to support their sound financial decisions
• Information on EA programs in every major area of study is made available to students
• Advice on alternative program options is shared with students when their programs of preference are unavailable
• Clear, reasonable and consistently applied eligibility criteria and defined selection processes are used to consider students for EA participation
• Timely communications on the status of their EA applications are provided to students, to inform their decision-making and planning
• Timely and knowledgeable guidance on EA course approvals is given to students, to aid planning for credit transfer and degree completion

Program Quality

• Program directors and personnel are qualified and prepared for their programs
• EA programs are developed with clearly articulated academic, professional and intercultural learning outcomes, enabling student decision-making based on alignment with their academic, professional and personal development goals
• EA programs respect host cultures and maximize their situation within/draw on the unique learning opportunities of the host cultures
• Program content and design attend to the inextricable concepts of language and culture
• High quality program design and effective program delivery is ensured through consistent program reviews

Student Success

• Health, safety and security program protocols are robust, and students are prepared and supported on-site through systems based on location and type of learning experience
• Students are prepared for the EA experience based on program location, type of learning experience, and their individual needs
• Specific advice on how to be academically successful within the context of their host cultures and educational systems is given to students
• Students receive ongoing support from MSU during their EA experiences
• EA programs and services are continually strengthened through assessment of student learning
• Intentionally designed opportunities upon return from EA are made available to students, which include critical reflection, articulation of acquired knowledge, skills and perspectives through demonstration to community, and integration of learning