Study Abroad Nurtures Global Citizenship, Study Says
The Umbra Institute has long promoted study abroad not only as a fun-filled adventure in exploring another country’s culture, but also as a way to become a better global citizen. Today’s world, for better or for worse, does not revolve solely around national politics: whether we like it or not, we are part of an increasingly interconnected world. A recent study confirms the important role of study abroad in the development of a global citizen.
Professor Michael Tarrant from the University of Georgia demonstrates how designing specific outcomes for study abroad programs–not simply linguistic but also cultural competencies–can be tested empirically and shown to be crucial for developing a body of future scholars and leaders equipped to work in a global environment.” This only confirms the need for a serious, well-structured study abroad curriculum, complemented by co-curricular field trips and extracurricular activities geared towards helping students integrate in the local community–in other words, the Umbra model.
Tarrant, M. 2010. A Conceptual Framework for Exploring the Role of Studies Abroad in Nurturing Global Citizenship. Journal of Studies in International Education 14 (5):433-451.