The International Studies Certificate: Redefining the Identity of a College and its Students

Santa Fes adoption of an International StudiesCertificate launched a campus-wide debate as to whatis international education. It drew faculty andadministration into a creative process and encouragedthe College to rethink its curriculum and, ultimately, itsmission. Santa Fe College has developed a programfrom top-to-bottom incorporating curricular andextracurricular elements and culminating in apersonalized ePortfolio which forces students to thinkabout themselves in a broader global context.

A collaboration among all corners of the College

Events are announced

through a dedicated

website, weekly

newsletters, and social

media.

Author: Paloma Rodriguez, ABD, Coordinator of International Education

Events organized by Academic departments & Students Affairs: International Film Festival International Lecture Series Global Photography Exhibit Multicultural activities and

events Student field trips

Courses by Department

Enrollment Information

International Certificate (IC) courses 57

IC courses with over 50% international content

60%

Social & Behavioral

Sciences

Humanities & Foreign Languages

Other (English, Biology, Business)

40% 40%

20%

Course Information

Introduction Student ePortfolios

Marketing & Implementation

External Support

Destinations: Brazil China Costa Rica Ecuador France Ghana India Italy Sweden Ukraine

Memoranda of Understanding BUU Beijing Union

University, China , 2010 UNESP Sao Paulo State

University, Brazil, 2013

Title VIA Grant Opening Doors to

Asia 2013-2015

Through bi-monthly meetings of faculty, administrators, and staff, the International Education Committee coordinates a host of initiatives ranging from international lectures and events, faculty professional development, and student studyabroad programs.

Fulbright Visiting Scholars Eric Wu,

China, 2008 Regiani Zacarias,

Brazil, 2013 Stefani Nugroho,

Indonesia, 2014

Interactions

Badges allow students to recognize IC events and keep

track of the points they accrue.

Study Abroad

International Education Committee

ePortfolios & campus internationalization

Academic

Foundations ESL/

EAP

Honors

Program

International

Education

Office

Academic

Departments

Marketing

Department

Office of

Diversity

Multicultural

Student

Center

Student Affairs

Disability

Resource

Center

Grants /

Foundation

Administration

Library

Student

Life

By making international education programs visible and intelligible to external

audiences, ePortfolios have effectively contributed to advance campus

internationalization. They have helped a variety of stakeholders understand how

the International Studies Certificate is aligned with the mission and values of the

institution, and have made International Education more relevant campus-wide.

Their holistic and integrative nature has become an engine for collaboration. In the

process of supporting the development of these student projects, the Office of

International Education has successfully partnered with numerous departments

across the institution.

Students are required to record and reflect on theirinternational experiences by building an electronicportfolio.

Students portfolios link academics and career

development. Through the use of ePortfolios

international education initiatives such as study abroad

are easily redefined as an essential academic activity

with important career applications. ePortfolios also

allow students to make a meaningful and empowering

use of technology.

Career Development

ePortfolios force students to undergo an exercise of self-

authorship. They reflect on their role in constructing

reality, their goals, their learning journey, and ultimately

on their place in the world.

Identity Development

ePortfolios are a reflective and integrative tool thatallows students to make connections across and beyondthe curriculum. While working on their projects,students take ownership of their own learning andengage in self-assessment. Through this exercise theydevelop the metacognitive skills that will transform theminto lifelong learners.

Reflection and Ownership

ePortfolios capture students global learning allowingSanta Fe to assess the effectiveness of the IC program.

Assessment

Students can access discussion boards, rubrics, and step by step instructions through our learning management system.

Participation in study abroad programs is rewarded with 60 points towards the IC.