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| Vol. 18, No. 5 | Oct. 1, 1998 |
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| Vol. 18, No. 5 | Oct. 1, 1998 |
Lisa Chieffo and Richard Zipser
The University is generally credited with being the first school to sponsor a study abroad program in 1923 under the leadership of Raymond Kirkbride, a UD professor of French. This tradition has been continued in a modern format for today's language students by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures for the past 11 years.
This summer, in recognition of the department's successful programs abroad, Richard Zipser, foreign languages and literatures, was invited to give a presentation for foreign language administrators from the all over the U.S. and Canada at the Association of Departments of Foreign Languages summer seminar at the University of Victoria, British Columbia.
In his presentation about the department's program, Zipser said the underlying goal is "to provide some unique learning opportunities for our undergraduates and in the process help internationalize the campus." He pointed out that "carefully designed off-campus programs, when combined with on-campus programs that integrate the coursework done abroad, can provide powerful incentives for students...to continue their language study" at more advanced levels.
In a recent interview, Zipser said that study abroad programs start students on their way to becoming global citizens. While studying abroad, students have more incentive to develop their language skills and learn about another culture.
An important factor is that the programs abroad are organized so students automatically receive credit from the University, and that the courses are integrated with the curriculum on campus.
Lisa Chieffo, who has bachelor's and master's degrees from UD and is now working on her doctorate in educational leadership, coordinates the programs, working within the department and in conjunction with the Office of International Programs and Special Sessions. "International Programs has been helpful in promoting our study abroad offerings through their publications and web pages, and also handling flight and contractual arrangements," she said.
An enthusiastic promoter of the programs, she has experienced study abroad on all levels, as an undergraduate and graduate student and as a faculty director in Bayreuth, Germany.
Her background is a plus as she recruits, advises and enrolls students in foreign language programs abroad. "I know what it's like studying in a foreign country and living with a family speaking a different language, because I've done it, and I can draw on my own experiences to prepare students. It's an enriching, educational and also enjoyable opportunity that I wish every student could have," she said.
The department sponsors a total of 14 programs a year. In the last academic year, more than 340 students participated in the foreign language programs abroad, Zipser said.
Seven programs, targeted for beginning language students-those who have taken elementary or intermediate language courses at UD or the equivalent in high school-are offered during Winter Session in Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, France, Martinique, Italy and Germany, with three in the summer in France, Spain and Japan.
The other side of the coin is that faculty benefit from the overseas programs. Serving as directors, they accompany and teach UD students in the short-term programs. According to Zipser, over the past 11 years, 48 faculty from the department have gone abroad. It's a win-win program, according to Zipser. International study programs provide an exceptional learning experience for undergraduates resulting in increased enrollments and better prepared students in advanced language courses. Other benefits are faculty development, increased internationalization of the UD campus and productive interaction with other academic units and the Office of International Programs and Special Sessions.
The deadline for Winter Session is Oct. 9, and Oct. 16 for the spring semester. For information, call 831-6458 or e-mail <lisa.chieffo@ mvs.udel.edu>.
-Sue Swyers Moncure
Photo by Robert Cohen
