Education Abroad program leaders have identified the following elements as those that make for the most rewarding and successful education abroad program:

Academics

• Select instructional methods conducive to your programs' learning goals and the onsite environment/context
• Balance class time and field trips
• Consider co-teaching with local partners
• Develop assessments to capture various kinds of student learning, such as, for example, intercultural learning
• Be aware that education abroad provides opportunities for more contact and interaction between students and faculty than is usually possible on campus. This creates new possibilities and challenges for all involved!

Cost

• Set realistic enrollment targets when creating the program budget
• Work with your Education Abroad program coordinator to set a program fee that won't make your program cost-prohibitive to students

Location

• Avoid simply duplicating courses taught in East Lansing. Relate subject matter directly to the host country and your specific location(s) within the country.
• Utilize the personnel, facilities, and cultural resources of the host country as much as possible, with the aim of providing students with opportunities for an intercultural experience. A high quality education abroad program will maximize the use of the people and resources available in the host country. Students want an experience that they cannot obtain in Michigan.

Travel Logistics

• Give attention to detail during all aspects of preparation.
• Prepare in advance for potential difficulties, behavioral issues, and emergencies. Review the Office of International Health and Safety's website, and attend a Critical Incident Management Seminar.
• Be prepared to handle on-site logistics and finances.

Student Recruitment and Enrollment

• Familiarize yourself with the application process and the Education Abroad Student Handbook.
• Order the Education Abroad sections of your courses following the usual on-campus course section scheduling process.
• Monitor your enrollments throughout the enrollment period.
• Recruitment: Put effort and creativity into promoting your education abroad program.
• Keep in mind that the following critical elements will impact whether or not students choose to participate in your program: course selection and fit with academic program requirements, cost, location, and program dates.

Orientation

• Communicate regularly with students through orientation sessions, informal gatherings, email, social media, and phone to provide information and build group cohesiveness.
• Be proactive in addressing your expectations and the group's hopes, fears, and expectations for the program during pre-departure and on-site orientation.
• Encourage your students to complete the required Education Abroad online orientation on D2L.

Follow-Up

• Provide feedback to Education Abroad. The only way we can make program improvements is through feedback from you and your students. Upon completing your program, promptly submit a program report to the Education Abroad Associate Director, your college's representative on the Advisory Council on Education Abroad (ACEA), and your department chair, and encourage students to respond when they receive their online evaluation.
• Consider enhancing students' learning by including post-travel programming to debrief and reflect upon return to campus, such as a reunion get-together, and/or an "unpacking" workshop.