100K Strong in the Americas grants fund study abroad collaboration
Contact: Nicol Tinsley
VCU Global Education Office
(804) 828-6463
nctinsley@vcu.edu
Richmond, VA (June 8, 2022) — VCU’s Global Education Office and the School of Education, in collaboration with Universidad de Guadalajara in Mexico and Universidad el Bosque in Colombia, were awarded two 100K Strong in Americas Innovation Fund grants to conduct a multi-faceted virtual and in-person study abroad program this summer. The program focuses on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) in education along with English language support. A total of 24 students are currently enrolled in the virtual component of the program that will end on June 24.
This project is a collaboration coordinated by Jill Blondin, Ph.D., executive director of VCU’s Global Education Office, Moe Greene, Ph.D., associate director of VCU’s English Language Program, Yaoying Xu, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Counseling and Special Education, as well as partners at Universidad de Guadalajara and Universidad el Bosque.
The program combines STEM exploration, language study and study abroad, providing a special opportunity for students. “The program offers an exciting and enriching opportunity for the students to develop personally and academically through experiential learning and peer interactions across cultures and contexts,” stated Greene. “The students will engage in in-depth discussion and exploration of STEM concepts across three countries, which is unique,” he stated. “I am excited about the possibilities the program will bring to the students.”
According to Blondin, "This innovative program provides rich intercultural learning opportunities virtually and by studying abroad."
The program has two main phases, giving students a variety of experiences. In the first phase, six VCU students will study abroad at the Universidad el Bosque, and six students at the Universidad de Guadalajara. Six students from Universidad el Bosque, and six students from Universidad de Guadalajara will travel to VCU for in-person programming from June 27-July 1. These visits will entail STEM instruction and cultural immersion experiences to local cultural and historical sites in each location. The 24 participating students will engage in collaborative projects remotely in preparation for symposium presentations and information sharing from July 18 - August 9.
Xu believes the combination of the STEM program and language instruction provided in the program is necessary for meaningful and effective learning. “I always believe that language instruction should be embedded in related content areas instead of isolated language skills,” she stated. “I believe language instruction facilitates the STEM program with support, assistance and resources in culturally relevant contexts.”
The program was not only targeted at students studying STEM subjects but other majors as well. Xu believes skills learned when studying STEM subjects can be used by anyone, which adds to the value of the program.
“STEM knowledge and skills are relevant to everybody, regardless of their career path,” she stated. “Participating students in our 100K grant program are diverse in terms of racial/ethnic background, languages, as well as academic programs.”
Xu states the overarching goal of the program is “to empower students with STEM knowledge and skills, particularly underrepresented minority teacher candidates in STEM education; and to increase participants’ intercultural competencies through collaborative and innovative approaches to engagement in culturally relevant contexts.”
As goals to increase global learning opportunities for students at VCU continue, the program provides an avenue to accomplish these goals.
“The program is aligned with GEO's global learning goals as it expands students' global engagement,” Greene stated. “GEO plays a big role at the university as a connector between students, faculty and international partners. This program contributes to GEO's mission of offering robust and high-impact programs that serve the university community.”