Current Programs
The compelling need for U.S. institutions and citizens to develop expertise in foreign languages and international studies has become increasingly critical in order for the country to maintain a strong presence in the global economy, strengthen diplomatic relationships with other nations, and enhance national security. The events of September 11, 2001, the subsequent war on terror, and other international situations have heightened awareness that U.S. institutions and citizens do not fully possess global competence. African-American students represent 12% of the undergraduate population but only 3% of students who study abroad. In addition, the lack of strong area studies programs in many secondary schools means that fewer students possess the educational foundation necessary to complete area and international studies courses at the college level. A Research Project to Enhance the Internationalization of Historically and Predominantly Black Colleges and Universities described below begins to fill this void.
Did you know that you could become fluent in Swahili at Savannah State? Or that students at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania can study Japanese at the KCP Language Institute in Tokyo? According to preliminary results from NAFEO's survey on foreign languages, international studies, and study abroad opportunities at historically and predominately black colleges and universities, HBCUs and PBIs offer a diverse range of foreign language courses as well as study abroad opportunities on six continents.
Although many institutions currently offer an internationalized curriculum, there many schools that would like to improve international education opportunities for their students. There are many ways for institutions to increase their foreign language and study abroad capacity. Based on the survey responses, some of the most popular include hiring adjunct instructors to teach less commonly taught languages and participating in consortia to provide students at smaller institutions with more study abroad options. The purpose of NAFEO's survey is to determine the current status and capacity of member institutions in these areas and to develop specific strategies for improving programs.
In September 2005, NAFEO received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education for a two-year research initiative to complete a survey on foreign language, international studies, and study abroad opportunities at historically and predominantly black institutions. The survey was mailed to presidents, administrators, and faculty at all 120 member institutions in October. A total of 53 institutions responded. Examples of some of the survey questions included, "From your perspective, what factors influence student participation in foreign language programs," "Does your institution's mission statement describe a commitment to internationalizing its curriculum," and "In your own words, what is required to improve your institution's international/area/ethnic studies programs?"
In the spring, Spelman College, Savannah State University, and Chicago State University participated in on-campus focus groups, where they discussed the challenges and successes of designing study abroad programs at HBCUs and PBIs. Data collection and analysis was completed in September 2006. The final report will be written and released in 2007, and each NAFEO institution will receive a copy. The results of the survey will be used to help member institutions improve their students' global competence at a time when an increasing number of government agencies, corporations, and organizations are recruiting more job candidates with international and foreign language experience.
Please contact Ms. LaNitra Walker, Research Associate, at 202 - 552 - 3303 for more information about the survey or NAFEO's international education activities.
In 2005, the United States Senate voted unanimously to declare 2006 the "Year of Study Abroad." The passage of the resolution was designed to coincide with the release of the Abraham Lincoln Commission for Study Abroad Fellowships Commission's final report. The Lincoln Commission is a bipartisan, congressionally mandated commission charged with developing a fellowship program to encourage more undergraduate students to study abroad. Some of its goals include sending 1 million students on study abroad programs by 2016 and increasing the number of minority students who study abroad.
NAFEO is partnering with the Lincoln Commission to promote the importance of studying abroad on HBCU campuses. According to the Institute of International Education's Open Doors 2005 report, African-American students are only 3% of the study abroad population even though they represent 12% of the total undergraduate student population. NAFEO is committed to determining ways to significantly increase the number of students at HBCUs who study abroad by improving the capacity of its institutions in foreign languages, international studies, and study abroad programs.
At its 31st annual conference "Saving Our Schools, Revitalizing Our Communities, Meeting Our International Needs" held in New Orleans this year, NAFEO organized several events to kick off its own celebration of 2006 as the "Year of Study Abroad" at HBCUs. Dr. William B. DeLauder, Executive Director of the Lincoln Commission and President Emeritus of Delaware State University, led a series of capacity-building workshops on "Global Competence and National Needs" for presidents, provosts, academic deans, and financial aid officers. The workshops targeted specific issues that administrators face when developing and implementing effective study abroad programs, including curriculum integration, program design, and preparing financial aid packages. Several NAFEO-member presidents participated in the workshops, including Dr. Oswald P. Bronson, Sr., from Edward Waters College and Dr. Thelma Thompson from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, who noted that a globalized curriculum helps students to overcome their cultural differences and to "think of the world as one human race."
The following evening, conference attendees dined on international cuisine and danced to international music at a celebration entitled, "Beyond Borders: Cultural Diplomacy Through Study Abroad." Ambassador Charles Baquet, Director of International and Intercultural Programs at Xavier University delivered the keynote address before an audience that included members of the U.S. State Department and the Ambassador Corps. In his address, Ambassador Baquet eloquently described the necessity for HBCUs to send more students abroad by comparing a study abroad experience to a "flashing red light" on a resume, signifying a student's ability to speak a foreign language and to adapt quickly to new situations to potential employers. The evening celebration included a performance by the New Orleans Latin-fusion Fredy Omar Band and brought together representatives from the higher education, civil rights, philanthropic, and corporate communities.
NAFEO strongly encourages more African-American students to learn foreign languages and study abroad and is working with its member institutions to build capacity in this important area. Study abroad fosters foreign language proficiency, deeper cultural awareness, and enhanced business and political acuity, qualities that increase student competitiveness in the global economy. We look forward to working with all member institutions to build capacity in this important area.
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