Curriculum Integration
Introduction
In the context of study abroad, curriculum integration refers to the steps higher education institutions carry out in order to seamlessly integrate study abroad into the academic offerings of a campus. This goal is accomplished through the efficient collaboration between study abroad personnel, faculty, and academic advisors.
The curriculum integration effort at the University of Minnesota is commonly cited as a successful model for other institutions to follow. According to the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center, the Minnesota Model of study abroad curriculum integration is founded on partnerships among academic units forged to meet institutional goals to internationalize the curriculum. Thus, ownership for international education was spread throughout the institution instead of falling on just the study abroad office. Faculty, academic advisors and study abroad personnel partner to encourage participation in study abroad.
NAFSA: Association of International Educators has collected examples of Curriculum Integration Best Practices and provides some cases where the college curriculum has been integrated into study abroad. They are meant to be resources for other campuses who are attempting to more effectively bring together the study abroad experience with the traditional campus-based curriculum.
