International educators association recognizes University of Richmond’s unique Faculty Seminar Abroad
December 1, 2006
NAFSA: The Association of International Educators has recognized University of Richmond’s Faculty Seminar Abroad as an exemplary program for increasing international perspective among college students.
The NAFSA report “Internationalizing the Campus 2006” spotlights the university’s biennial summer program that sends groups of professors to countries infrequently visited by Americans. The faculty members spend several weeks touring, visiting counterparts at campuses, and meeting with artists, government officials and business leaders.
The report notes the seminar’s benefits, particularly encouraging dialogue among Richmond faculty of various fields. It said the travel and interdisciplinary discussions promote the creation of new courses and research, while motivating college students to study abroad in less-visited countries.
“It became clear that if one wanted to approach internationalization broadly across the disciplines, what we needed to do was start with the faculty,” said Uliana Gabara, dean and Carole M. Weinstein Chair of international education at Richmond and NAFSA president.
The seminars began in 1989, funded entirely by the university. More than a third of Richmond’s faculty has visited 26 countries on six continents since the program’s inception.
NAFSA was founded as the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors in 1948 to help international students adjust to life at American universities. Today, it promotes international education and exchanges and provides global workforce development opportunities.