BSc Global Development with International Study / Course details

The unit aims to equip with the knowledge and skills needed to understand, reflect on and make the most of their year studying abroad. The unit will begin prior to departure by introducing students to research on the benefits and challenges of international study in international development studies. Students will also be asked to set objectives and goals for their year away. Next, the unit will guide students in understanding, dealing with and developing competencies for overcoming challenges associated with living and studying abroad, such as culture shock, diverse methods of teaching and learning, coping and adjusting, and cross-cultural communication. During this part of the unit, students will be asked to think critically about their host country and their own identity. Finally, students will be supported in reflecting on their time abroad, and using this experience to enhance their future prospects, including postgraduate study and employability.

• Introduce students to academic research on experiential learning and international study, with an emphasis on ethical challenges associated with such programmes for students in international development studies;
• Guide students in documenting, researching and critically reflecting on their international study experience;
• Prepare students to understand, deal with and develop competencies overcoming challenges associated with living abroad, such as culture shock, diverse methods of teaching and learning, coping and adjusting, and cross-cultural communication;
• Support students in using their experience abroad to enhance their future prospects, including postgraduate study and employability.

This course unit will be delivered through three parts:

Part I: Preparing for Departure: Preparing to leave; logistics and planning; setting objectives and understanding expectations

Part II: Upon Arrival: Coping and adjusting to culture change; dealing with challenges; stereotypes; immersion

Part III: Your Return: Reflecting on your experience; applying and making the most of your experience; transitioning back to UoM

As students will be out of the country during their international study year, this unit will be primarily delivered using e-learning. Delivery will be asynchronous using Blackboard. Students will be able to interact with the course unit convenor and other students on the course through discussion forums. Asynchronous e-learning will support flexible learning, which is important as students will be enrolled at other universities, have busy schedules and spread across different time zones. Asynchronous e-learning ensure they can complete this course unit at their own time and pace.

There will be two in-person sessions at the start and end of the unit. The first in-person session at the start of the unit will be a lecture, where students are introduced to the unit and how it is run. The second in-person session at the end of the unit will be a symposium, where students present and reflect on their time abroad. More details are provided about this under the ‘Assessment’ heading.

The Blackboard course page and in-person sessions will signpost for students contact methods for additional support. Students will also be able to sign up virtual meetings during the course unit convenors’ weekly office hours.

• Discuss academic research on the value and challenges of experiential learning and international development studies
• Critically reflect on academic literature on culture, race, positionality and international development work
• Explain stages of cultural adaptation

• Use academic literature on experiential learning and international development studies to critically reflect on their own experiences abroad
• Describe culture’s role in shaping beliefs, practices and perceptions

• Communicate digitally using different methods of communication

• Communicate about and across cultural differences
• Reflect on the what it means to live, study and/or work internationally in a way that is social responsible, and respectful of cultural and social differences
   

Annotated photo essay or story map: Students will create a reflective photo essay or story map (using the next written in their formative assessments), which includes images and reflections on their international study experience with reference to relevant academic literature on international study and international development and/or culture, race, positionality and international development work

Symposium presentation: Students will present their annotated photo essay or story map during a symposium open to all BSc Global Development Students.

The purpose of this assessment is to allow students the opportunity to reflect on what they learned abroad and how this experience has informed their future aspirations.  

This presentation can be delivered in-person or the student can chose to play a pre-recorded presentation during the symposium. 

Within 15 working days of submission

Epprecht, M. (2004). Work-international study courses in international development studies: Some ethical and pedagogical issues. Canadian Journal of Development Studies/Revue canadienne d'études du développement, 25(4), 687-706.

Tiessen, R., & Kumar, P. (2013). Ethical challenges encountered on learning/volunteer abroad programmes for students in international development studies in Canada: Youth perspectives and educator insights. Canadian Journal of Development Studies/Revue canadienne d'études du développement, 34(3), 416-430.

Tiessen, R., & Huish, R. (Eds.). (2014). Globetrotting or global citizenship?: Perils and potential of international experiential learning. University of Toronto Press.