Southeast Community College

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GLOBAL EDUCATION

Welcome

|  Travel /Study Abroad  | Travel Tips  | Faculty / Student exchange  | Activities |

Why is global education important to your future? 

• Your employer may have international markets, locations, or investments
• You will live and work with an increasingly diverse population 
• Inter-cultural understanding is vital to peace and progress
• Electronic communication has removed many traditional time and place barriers, bringing increased   opportunities for global interaction 
• Global economic interdependence is a fact of life.
http://studentsabroad.state.gov/

SCC wants its students to be well prepared for a changing world of work.

In 2003, the Global Education Committee composed and presented a position paper to the SCC Board of Governors, supporting the practice of infusing global perspectives into instruction and providing other educational opportunities for students and staff. The Board of Governors responded to this proposal with a resolution affirming support of the global education initiative. The Global Education Committee then developed a Global Education Plan for 2005-2007.  Many of the goals of that plan have been undertaken or completed.  The plan is being updated for 2008 and future years.  Meetings of the Global Education Committee are held quarterly. 
Meeting Minutes - (Documents pending)
 

Memberships

The College holds an institutional membership in the Midwest Institute for International Intercultural Education.   http://orgs.kvcc.edu/midwest/ This organization is a consortium of two-year colleges in the Midwest and supports curriculum and professional development.
 
The college is also a member of Community Colleges for International Development

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Travel and Study Abroad

Upcoming Trips

• 2009 Trip to France  (Info coming soon)
• Previous Trips  - (coming soon)
• Student Scholarship Application

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Packing and Other Travel Tips

 

| General Tips | Clothing | Documents| Money | Toiletries | Medications |  Misc | Additional |

General Tips

Pack lightly.  You will have to carry whatever you pack…up stairs, or mountain sides…you never know.  When packing, lay out everything you want to take, and then only pack half that amount. Planes, trains, and buses will help, but you will be walking a lot of the time. Carrying your luggage will be difficult if you pack too much.

Make sure you have at least one complete change of clothing in your carry-on luggage, and a complete set of toiletries, in case your stowed luggage does not make the trip.
For more information:  http://www.state.gov/travelandbusiness/

Clothing

Do not fill your bag with sweaters and jackets. Layering is essential. Pick one lightweight jacket and sweater. Bring only clothes that are machine washable (or sink-washable). Select dark clothes.  Dark clothes will lessen your need to do wash (sounds dirty but you will learn). Avoid clothing that identifies you as American, i.e., American flags, Old Navy/Gap, American Eagle, US Sports Teams etc. (You may have national pride, but it is not a good time to show it).

Pack one nice outfit :

• Females--comfortable slacks or dress/skirt
• Males—button down shirt and slacks 
• For visits to cathedrals or churches it is crucial to honor the traditions of the country and not appear to be unsophisticated.

Pack plenty of socks, underwear and t-shirts (and other unmentionables) Check the weather http://www.worldweather.org for guidance on clothes selection.  Or you can consult with a travel agent or guidebook to check the temperature and weather conditions for your destination and time of year. 

Essential documents

Passport (and visa if required)  Make three copies of your picture/data sheet. Leave one with your family in the US, give one to the group leader, and pack the last in another part of your luggage. Your actual passport must be carried on your person at all times. Travel stores sell various neck-strap wallets, travel belts to use. Do not carry items in a back or breast pocket. Pick-pockets are a reality when traveling.

Airline tickets and photo I.D. and Insurance information  (Same three copy rule as with the passports)Study abroad journal – Remember, one of the paper assignments is to write an experiential paper. Keep the journal while in country. Save coasters, postcards, tickets stubs etc.

Money

Cash, traveler's checks, credit cards, ATM card, money belt or neck wallet (invaluable for carrying money and important documents) 

NO FANNYPACKS!   They are easily removed and mark you as an American tourist.  

Toiletries and Miscellaneous

Remember the air travel requirements of 3oz. containers in a single one quart ziplock bag are all that you can carry on. However, you can stow a larger size in larger piece of luggage.  In most countries, you will be able to purchase extra toiletries while abroad.

• Eye glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses and cleaning solution.  \
• Bring prescriptions
• Razor blades
• Sunscreen and moisturizers
•  Tissue packets (not every bathroom has toilet paper, or the quality we are used to)
• Sanitary napkins/tampons
• Condoms/birth control
• Phone Card (available but more expensive abroad)
• Address book
• Adapter and voltage converter  (Europeans use a different electric currency than we do. Your electrical appliances will not work. It is not recommended to bring electrical appliances, but if you must, also bring a converter.)
• Alarm clock (battery operated)
• Bath towel and shower shoes
• Batteries
• Camera and film
• Day pack
• Flashlight
• Guide books (Let's Go, Lonely Planet, Fodor's) and maps
• Luggage
• Lock and tags (Label absolutely everything with a permanent marker)
• Baby wipes, anti-bacterial hand lotion
• Pocket calculator (to translate local prices into dollars)
• Sewing kit
• Walking shoes (good, sturdy, comfortable, worn-in)
• Rain jacket and/or umbrella
• Ziplock bags (great for keeping things dry, like money belt etc.)

 Communications: Make advance arrangements

When are you expected to call and check in with family and/or friends?  Phone cards are available for about $.50 a minute.  Email is available in internet cafés for about $1.50 a half-hour.

Health Medications

Remember to take a supply of prescription medicines in original bottles in your carry-on luggage. Work with the pharmacist to get smaller bottles with the dosage printed on them. Pharmacists are familiar with the new travel requirements too. This includes birth control/contraceptives.
Prescription medicines and written prescription. Keep written prescriptions in your stowed luggage.
First aid kit (including: motion sickness medications, laxatives, anti-diarrhea medicine, antacids, pain relievers, decongestants, antiseptics, and bandages) Inoculations or immunizations are not necessary in EU member nations, but you may prefer to have a flu shot and MMR before departure.

Additional Advice

Take advantage of new things.
Don't hang out only with Americans; visit with host nation citizens when possible. 
Count your change after you buy things.
Take advantage of cultural events.
Always play it safe and follow your instincts.
HAVE FUN!!!  

Student Organizations

MESO – Multi Ethnic Student Organization – This club provides opportunities for students to become more culturally sensitive to and aware of multicultural and human relations issues.  The organization provides an avenue for students to gain skills to set and meet goals, improve their coping skills, increase their knowledge and skills on how to make the system work, and to experience greater involvement in the College.  Contact Margarita Feyerherm, Multicultural Recruitment and Retention Specialist, for information on this organization mfeyerhe@southeast.edu or 402-228-3468 extension 1351 or 1-800-233-5027 extension 1351.

CultureGrams

The Affirmative Action/Equity/Diversity Office provides access to a database, "CultureGrams” which offers reports on countries and territories; each report includes 25 categories such as land and climate, history, personal appearance, greetings, gestures, family, diet, holidays, economy, education, health, and events and trends.  
Link:  http://online.culturegrams.com/

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Faculty and Student Exchange

Active Exchange Programs

Fulbright Exchange Programs.  Several scholarship or grant programs are available through the U.S. Department of State, including teacher and administrator exchanges and visiting specialists.
Link:  http://www.fulbrightexchanges.org/
 
International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) – SCC receives international students through the Eurasian Undergraduate Exchange Program administered through the Department of State by the IREX Board.  This program provides opportunities for first, second, and third-year undergraduate students for one year of full-time, non-degree study in the United States. 
Link:  http://www.irex.org/

SCC IREX exchanges have included students from Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Georgia, Moldova, Kazakhstan and Belarus.  

Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program – This is a scholarship program sponsored by the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag.  Each year approximately 75 young German professionals study at over 70 colleges in states throughout the nation.  Each participant is expected to live with a host, study at a local college, and complete a six-month paid internship in their career field.  Hosts receive some compensation, part of which comes directly from the participant’s earnings. 
Link:  http://exchanges.state.gov/education/citizens/students/programs/cbyx.htm

Community College Initiative for Egypt – SCC will begin receiving students under this program in 2009. Community College Initiative for Egypt is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by CCID. Under this initiative, approximately 175 underserved Egyptian students will study in the United States for 8-21 months during the 2008 cycle of the grant project. Students will also participate in a "Freedom and Democracy" educational series while attending college full-time. They will be paired with a local mentor family to give them a taste of family life in the U.S. and will also participate in campus life.

Contact for information on this program: Contact the Global Education Committee Chair for more information.  (Tom Cardwell, Dean, Student Services-Beatrice Campus and Area Student Support  Services, 402-228-1220 or 1-800-233-5027, extension 1220.  E-mail:  tcardwel@southeast.edu)

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Activities

Events and Activities

International Education Week  - “International Education Week is a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of State in order to promote and celebrate multiculturalism and international education. First established in the year 2000 by the Clinton Administration, campuses, embassies and communities are encouraged to hold activities celebrating international education and diversity.”
Link: http://iew.state.gov/