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*Note:  If the word “shit” offends you, please do not continue to read this post.

A few weeks ago, I googled “shit study abroad students say” after seeing the brilliant “Shit New Yorkers Say” video sensation.  I was hoping someone would do a version of this for study abroad – and today, in my inbox, it magically appeared!

(Side note: The students who made this video did call it “Stuff Study Abroad Students Say.” I am honoring the “Shit People Say” series by renaming this video with the appropriate “bad” word.)

Now watch this clever video! Laugh. Roll your eyes. Be sad. Smile.  Do whatever feels right for you.  Then read the rest of this post:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Did you enjoy that? Was it hard to watch? Did any of this sound familiar?

It sure did to me.  Four colleges under my belt and I cannot begin to tell you how many times I’ve heard these statements. They come from the young voices of (US) Americans from an incredibly ethnocentric country (see this previous Melibee post), one that is slapping together study abroad programs faster than many would like to admit.  Many are revenue driven and poorly designed, leading to students belting out statements like the ones in the video.  (Please don’t get me wrong – there are plenty of schools and 3rd party providers that put great care into study abroad program design and learning outcomes.  But many – let’s face it – don’t. )

The timing of this video really struck me. Yesterday I had the honor of facilitating an online workshop with Dr. Eric Hartman on Global Service Learning: Design/Reflection/Connection – and it couldn’t have been more timely.  Dr. Hartman spoke of the importance of partnership, culture, careful learning outcomes, mutual respect, addressing our ethnocentricity prior to departure., etc.  The gap between great global service learning program delivery and the “run of the mill” study abroad experience is clear.  These students, in my opinion, did a remarkable job of capturing that delta in this video.

This video will serve as a beautiful new resource for pre-departure, orientation, re-entry programs, classroom discussions and academic programs (international education administration/intercultural studies.)  It has so many applications!

What are your thoughts about this video?  How might you envision it being utilized? What did you appreciate about it? What frustrated you about it?  Let’s get some dialogue going about this subject.

Let me close by extending my heartfelt thanks to the Amizade students for creating not only this video, but the opportunity for all of us to reflect on how we contribute to the statements you have highlighted.  Once again, students are providing teaching opportunities.  Does it get any better than that?

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Edward T. Hall

Edward T. Hall was simply the guru of culture.  This man’s life work is the foundation of many international education and intercultural programs today – and deservedly so.

“An Anthropology of an Every Day Life” was written by Hall to document the first fifty years of his remarkable life.  It is a fascinating read in that we get to observe an anthropologist in the making -  commenting, through his unique lens, about his own journey and why he turned out the way he did.

Facts about his life are revealed in the early chapters. Did you know that Hall was essentially abandoned by his parents at a very young age and sent off to be cared by others? Before most of us are old enough to leave home, Hall had lived in France, Germany New Mexico, Missouri and on Native American reservations in the southwest,  a part of the US that he loved deeply.

His work with the State Department under President Truman involved training Americans who were serving abroad in the foreign service. His life in Washington DC was full of interesting friends, including a psychologist who deeply influenced his work.  Interestingly, he writes about his own need for therapy as to better understand his depression that stemmed from being abandoned at boarding schools at an early age.

His research, focused on perceptions of time, space and relationships, was quite controversial at the time that it was published. Today, his writing is core to our work today and required reading for Peace Corps volunteers!

I cannot recommend this book enough – it is an easy read in that Hall simply shares stories of his life and his observations.  It gives us rare insight into the life and measured thinking processes of one of the most brilliant interculturalists of our time.

Anthropology of Everyday Life, An (Hardcover) By (author) Edward T. Hall List Price: $24.50 USD New From: $19.94 In Stock Used from: $1.30 In Stock Release date February 4, 1992.

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Hilary Corna

I have to give Hilary Corna, the author of “One White Face”, a pat on the back.  Or perhaps I’d bow to her.  Or shake her hand.  It would really depend where in the world we would be – as this book documents her work and travels around Asia.  Regardless, she deserves a nod for her her first book.

“One White Face” tells her story about graduating from college, at the age of twenty-two, and flying to Singapore on a hope and a dream.  Corna went with the goal of landing a job, despite having no business contacts or work experience. She gave herself two months to find a gig or return home.

That’s gutsy.  Reminds me that, if we’re paying attention, we will often learn a lot from the young people around us.

Corna’s book details how she lands a job at Toyota, navigates life as an expat, makes plenty of mistakes, finds her place, travels extensively and in a very frank manner, addresses the challenges of dating in Singapore. She writes about why she needed to take this leap of faith on the other side of the world, despite her family and the man everyone expects her to marry not understanding it fully. She must follow her dream to work in Asia.  It is something that she cannot suppress or deny;  she must follow her bliss.

The beauty of Corna’s writing is that it is incredible honest – innocently and refreshingly so.  Her book contains the kind of candor that you find in a diary. Think “Bridget Jones” meets Guy Kawasaki.  It is the kind of authenticity that is more common of a blooming “twenty-something” – and that is what makes this read unique.  Most students will find her style relatable and it will inspire them to pick up and take a chance.  For me, that is the biggest take away from this read:  You have to take the leap and hope for the net.

Corna does a very good job of describing the pace of her work and the relationships that she forms with her bosses and co-workers.  She attempts to explain Kaizen, the Japanese philosophy of ongoing improvement in the workplace. (For me, the main focus as a reader was less about Kaizen and more about her journey as a young expat.)

Columbus, Ohio was wise enough to have Corna participate in the TEDx event.  I encourage you to take a few minutes to listen in to the words of Hilary Corna.  Her message – DARE – is one we all need to hear, regardless of age. If you like this video, then I’d encourage you to read “One White Face.”  It is worth noting that Corna is on a book tour at US universities through the spring – and based on my conversation with her by phone, would be well worth checking out.  More information is available at her website, One White Face.  If you’d like to buy the book, click here and be sure to get a 25% discount using this coupon code: P554X5B4

Click here to view the embedded video.

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After many months of reflecting, research, planning and writing, MelibeeU is launching this month!

Why? Because it is about being you.  (The “beeU“ is intentional!)

Being you = Trained. Informed. Inspired. Creative. Effective. Joyful.

MelibeeU is the new training space for Melibee Global.  It will officially launch next week, but I am so excited about it, I just have to share a tad with you!

MelibeeU will provide training/professional development opportunities that are:

• Unique:  If they’re taught through MelibeeU, they’re original. Period.
• Forward thinking:  We’re trying out new ideas here.  Innovation. Inspiring. Introspective. You won’t find it approached quite this way anywhere else.
• Affordable: We realize how expensive some organizations’ professional development opportunities can be, especially for those of you who are students.  We will be addressing this through our pricing model, making it more affordable to learn, participate, contribute and grow.
• Designed to help you approach your work with more confidence and joy: We have an obligation to uplift you so that you can continue to care for your employer(s), students and clients  - and YOURSELF - every day!

We’ll launch with TWO workshops (one in January, another in February.)  I promise, they’ll be worth waiting a tad longer to hear about!

If you have any ideas about training topics or guest presenters, please email info@melibeeglobal.com with them. We sincerely value your input!  After all MelibeeU is about U (you!)

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Melibee speaker, Chris Bashinelli, at the United Nations

I was recently asked about why I put together the Melibee Global speaker roster – a very good question indeed!

When I worked at colleges, I often found that my colleagues relied on their routine “go to” individuals when they needed a speaker.  As a result, unless the person was particularly popular with students, the attendance was often underwhelming.  While the “go to” presenters had much to offer, they didn’t offer the element of surprise – simply put, they weren’t something new.

I thought back to the many incredible people that I’ve met on my journey and started to make some phone calls to inquire  whether my “dream team” had an in interest in speaking publicly.  With each phone call, I learned more about what each speaker had to offer beyond what I already knew, which was already impressive. I was incredibly inspired.

The current roster of global education speakers touch on everything from global citizenship, service learning, sustainability, faith, and study abroad to the simple reminder that sometimes we need to take a big leap and trust that the net will be there to catch us.  Each presenter is what I call “smart phone worthy,” meaning that you and your students will put down your smart phones because you are so engaged by their stories, lessons and insights.

How can a speaker contribute to your organization?  Here are some ideas:

1) Keynote presentation: Offer it to your campus, organization and your community too.

2) Classroom presentation:  Many Melibee speakers can spend an entire day on campus presenting in classrooms, over lunch/dinner and with small groups of student leaders (vs. only offering a presentation.)

3) Staff training: This is a great opportunity to treat your staff to a customized and inspiring training on a subject in the field.

4) Conference presentation: Instead of another presentation by another government officer presenting at your conference bring in a fresh face with an inspiring message, toolkit and/or book.

5) Workshop:Several speakers can present half and full day workshops.

Melibee Speaker Katie Krueger, author of "Give With Gratitude"

6) Human Resources/Multicultural Affairs: Melibee presenters offer a great opportunity to encourage dialogue about diversity.

7) Honors Program: Bring in a speaker to enhance your honors program.

8 ) Guest lecturer: Invite a speaker to co-teach a class.

9) Re-entry:  Several speakers can provide real world stories/create dialogue at re-entry conferences and workshops through specific exercises and activities. This applies to both international students and study abroad students.

10) Study Abroad Fairs:  There is no better way to get students to think seriously about study abroad than to hear from a seasoned traveler who has much to say about the impact of the experience.

11) Create a common read/activity at your organization or campus:  Three Melibee speakers have written books (Katie Krueger, Carrie Wagner and Ibrahim Abdul-Matin), one has a film (Crossing Borders by Arnd Wachter,) while another has a documentary being edited (30 Mosques). One has an assessment tool – the BEVI (Beliefs, Events, Values inventory). Your campus (including faculty and staff) could opt in to take the BEVI and then have Dr. Shealy come to campus to explain the tool and why we believe what we believe!  Another speaker has an online global ed TV show. You could have your campus watch the “Bridge the Gap TV series” online and then bring Chris Bashinelli, the founder, to campus to talk about his work on this project with Ben and Jerry’s corporation.  Include the local community in these events too!

Needless to say, there are many ways to incorporate a Melibee speaker into your organization’s programming.

I am often asked about how to fund a speaker.  I find that people are often afraid to inquire about speakers because they assume the cost will be out of their financial league.  Here are some examples of how schools and organizations have funded speakers:

Melibee speaker Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, author of "Green Deen: What Islam Teaches About Protecting the Planet"

1) Partnering with others:  One college brought in Ibrahim Abdul-Matin to speak, attend a dinner and conduct a book signing.  The student group didn’t think they had the funds, but were able to partner with several other clubs to pool monies together. They also asked their local mayor’s office to contribute (and they did.) Another school is reaching out to the local police department for funds to bring Steve Moore to campus. Partnering with others is the fastest way to find funds for an excellent speaker.

2) Ask your campus’ Foundation for support:  The Foundation is the hot spot for hidden money.  Ask and you often will receive!

3) Campus PR Office: They are always looking for ways to publicize the campus.  Visibility is their middle name!  When you bring someone like Aman Ali or Bassam Tariq from the 30 mosques project to campus, the press will come out to report on in. That is usually worth a donation from your PR office.

4) Create a fundraiser around each event:  Some schools will use book sales for several Melibee speakers as fundraisers for the event.

5) The President’s Office: The President always has some money socked away.  Ask him or her to contribute and to introduce your guest speaker!

6) Find a sponsor:  You work with many 3rd party for profit companies, right?  You give them a lot of business!  Ask them to donate toward a campus event that supports students who FUND their business!  If you don’t ask, you won’t know, right?

7) Visit your Grants Office:  Perhaps there is a grant that would support a global ed speaker coming to your campus or organization?

8 ) When all else fails, charge a $1: Everyone can afford a dollar to be inspired.  Remind them about other things they’d spend a dollar on without thinking twice such as a 16 ounce bottle of soda, a bag of chips or a candy bar.  This will put the request for a dollar in perspective.

What other ideas do you have for speakers and for funding?  Please feel free to comment below!

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Are you anxious for professional development?  Are you so ridiculously busy that you can’t read all of your email?

STOP for one minute and hear me loud and clear:

You must schedule The Global Ed Collaborative Conference into your busy calendar.  MUST!

The 2011 Global Education Conference will be held November 14 – 18,  during international education week – and it is online and free. Sessions will take place in multiple time zones and multiple languages over the five days. The 2010 Global Education Conference had 15,028 unique logins and presentations from 62 countries.  Isn’t that incredible!

Educators from around the world will present on topics from global water issues, K-12 digital literacy, internationalizing the curriculum, connecting the global STEM classroom, service learning and more!

And Melibee’s own, Carrie Wagner, is one of the global keynote speakers! Carrie has had a phenominal career carrying forward what she learned during her six years in Africa.  (By the way, Carrie is helping Melibee Global kick off International Ed Week by being my guest on a free, online book club discussion on November 10th.  You can get more details here.)

International Education Week 2011 is going to be chock full of learning tools and inspiration!  I cannot wait to hear what you all glean from these wonderful free events!  Please be sure to share with Melibee readers, ok?

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Eric Hartman

Today’s guest post is by Eric Hartman, PhD.  I met Eric several years ago at a global service learning conference and have great respect for his work.  Eric and I are designing a webinar series that will launch in January 2012 – more information will be available soon.  Meanwhile, please enjoy Eric’s piece, which was his “spot on” response to our conversation about the need to do a lot more than journal once home.  

As educators, as students, or as travelers, when we return from experiences abroad everything around us suggests that it’s time to return to “normal living,” life as it is, and by extension life as it should be. The mismatch between these strong environmental pressures to return to normal and our own deeply felt changes can lead to varying degrees of reverse culture shock.

This process is experienced and felt viscerally. It is often gut- and heart-wrenching. My colleague Richard Kiely documented this thoroughly with his articulation of the chameleon complex. In the Michigan Journal of Community Service-Learning, Kiely describes how returning travelers look the same to their friends and family members, but very frequently feel so fundamentally changed that they are surprised that others cannot see their new identity. While returning travelers are typically not conscious of this contrast in such explicit terms, struggle with the process of returning is common.

Struggle is common, but thoughtful processes and resources to support that struggle are rare. Others have noticed the extraordinary potential in learning from this uncomfortable experience. In a Forum article on innovative international experiential education programs, Chip Peterson asserted international educators too frequently treat reverse culture shock “as a sort of temporary pathology that we must help students work through, rather than one of the most pregnant learning moments students” ever experience.

Indeed, what is frequently missed in dialogue about re-entry and reverse culture shock is that travelers (whether old or young) struggle because they have learned that the world as they understood it was incomplete at best, inaccurate at worst. In the global service-learning programs I have frequently worked with, these new insights have often come in the context of severe injustices.

Travelers return and desperately wish that their friends and loved ones would understand that they met wonderful and kind people in (for example) Tanzania. They wish others could know that many of those people work as hard and dream as beautifully as we do, and that – due to circumstances beyond their control – they nonetheless have far fewer options than we do. And they wish people knew that the situation can change with relatively small, carefully targeted, accountable investments in people’s lives.

Even in programs that do not have social justice at the center of the inquiry and experience, travelers commonly experience surprising growth and realize unpredicted insights. They change. And in all likelihood that change reflects a more complicated, complex, nuanced, and therefore accurate view of the world. When friends, family, and even educators suggest that returning travelers should get “back to normal” they’re asking budding lifelong learners to deny new insights. Several assignments and activities, however, can systematically target and support this important learning. Here are just a few suggestions.

Ideally these activities will come in the context of ongoing thoughtful, targeted reflective experiences before, during, and after intercultural immersion experiences. The key near the time of return, in any case, is to focus on communication capacity. Assignments that foster communication capabilities include:

1. The Elevator Speech: Ask travelers to prepare a 30 second response to the question, “How was your trip?” Prepare them for this important moment. Actually practice the speeches. This activity serves multiple purposes. It develops individuals’ communication capabilities and strengthens a skill necessary in the nonprofit and private sectors, while also supporting individuals in their efforts to reconnect upon return home. Crafting and sharing an elevator speech forces travelers to consider what was most important about their learning and what they most want to share with others. Ideally, the speech inspires listeners’ curiosity and leads to more conversation.
2. The Letter to a (Skeptical) Loved One: “Why are you going over there?” Almost everyone has at least one skeptic in their life: the person who does not understand why travel is appealing or (even more frequently) why someone would do volunteer service “with those people over there.” This letter does not need to be sent (and that should certainly not be a requirement), but a good exercise to foster and improve communication skills is asking travelers to craft a letter to the skeptic in their lives. They should be encouraged to consider the values they share in common with that person, the good and positive values that person holds, and how their travel or international service relates to those values. Then they should practice communicating in the context of those values. Almost everyone ultimately has a values basis that suggests common human dignity – the importance is often finding the right way to communicate about how international travel is in itself supporting and advancing an important process of peace by pieces.
3. The (Explicitly Public) Presentation: “What have you learned?” This is a question faculty members frequently want to ask students at the end of courses. And this is precisely the right question to ask after a study abroad immersion experience. Part of the assignment, however, should be to arrange a venue where the presentation will be shared with six or more people. This can be done by using online tools, developing a video, and posting it on Facebook or Twitter. Or it can be achieved by (still more common) organizing a group of six or more friends (on the dorm floor), family members, faith institution members, etc. Students thus have to engage in the civic act of organizing an audience as they develop an opportunity to share their learning with members of their community who are important to them. I have listed an example of what this assignment looks like in my syllabi.

These assignments are three among many opportunities for advancing individual learning and development before, during, and after international experiences. I am working with Missy Gluckmann at Melibee Global on some upcoming webinars that expand this conversation to:

• Global Service-Learning by Design
• Integrating Critical Reflection
• Advancing Common Human Dignity (aka Global Citizenship)

________________________________________________________________________________________

Sample Assignment:

Capstone Presentation: Prepare a presentation for a group in which you are involved. This could be a club or organization, a church, a class that you know you have access to or a media outlet you follow. If you’d prefer, make a YouTube video and get at least six of your friends and family members to watch it. Synthesize your own experiences and what you’ve learned in a format that is memorable and accessible and helps others see what opportunities may exist for them. The presentation should be at least 10 minutes long. You will do the presentation in the final class meeting, but you should prepare in light of the audience to whom you will eventually present it at home.

Presentation Grading Rubric

___/10             Presentation is at least 10 minutes long

___/10             Visual presentation is crisp, professional, engaging, and without error

___/10             Clearly identifies country, location, concise history, language(s)

___/30            Clearly addresses your individual experience, what you have learned, why it should be important to others, and what you and your audience can do about the social issues involved

___/30             Clearly provides the audience with next steps for addressing pressing social issues and/or learning about other cultures

___/10             Capably and professionally responds to questions

About the Author: Eric Hartman wonders about justice – and works to advance its realization. He has supported community-driven development projects around the world, ensuring the completion of classrooms in Bolivia, improving water access and women’s rights in Tanzania, and developing literacy and numeracy tutoring programs for refugees in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All of his work came through university-community engagement and service-learning, where he continuously challenges students and faculty to act and reflect with a simultaneity that permits clear community outcomes and reflective consideration of how to work together to build a better world. He has served as Executive Director of Amizade Global Service-Learning, Lecturer in Global Studies at Arizona State University, and taught community-engaged courses in more than seven different departments at five universities. He is completing a book (with R. Kiely, J. Friedrichs, and C. Boettcher, Kumarian Press) titled “Building a Better World: The Pedagogy and Practice of Global Service-Learning.” He also contributes to popular blogs and media, including Melibee Global, Good Intentions are Not Enough, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, International Educator, and Transitions Abroad, as well as academic journals and texts, such as Community Works Journal, Public Administration Review, and several edited volumes on service-learning. He blogs regularly and is on twitter @emhartman.

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Melibee Global is launching its first, FREE, online book club, on November 10th at 3 pm EST. Our first book will be Carrie Wagner’s “Village Wisdom: Immersed in Uganda, Inspired by Job, Changed for Life.”

There are 3 easy steps to participate:

1) Purchase the “Village Wisdom” book and read it before November 10th.  The book has a lot of beautiful photos, so it is a faster read than you may think. Carrie is kindly offering a 30% discount off the book (PDF and ebook versions.) Use the discount code: “Melibee.” If you individually purchase the hard copy (vs. the ebook), Carrie will autograph the book for you too! (Note: Melibee does not receive any revenue from book sales.)

2) If you work at a high school, college/university or other organization, book a meeting room and make this a public event. You’ll simply need a computer, internet access, screen and someone who can type questions and comments into the chat room.  Announce this event as part of International Education Week and be sure to open it up to the local community too! High schools and colleges should feel free to partner together on this also.

3) On November 10th, just prior to 3pm, open up this webpage.  (Please note, we are using “Livestream” which means that an ad will play when you visit this website. This helps to keep this event FREE, so thanks for your understanding.  I have no control over the ads, which include a pop up ad at the bottom of the screen which you can close, but it shouldn’t be too intrusive.) Then sign into the chat space (on that same page, just right of the video) so that you can discuss the book amongst yourselves and so that you can ask Carrie questions too!

Here is a trailer for the book!  We look forward to talking with you on November 10th!

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Steve Moore

Safety planning cannot be compromised due to budget cuts or lack of funding for an entire study abroad office.  Today’s interview is with Steve Moore, Melibee’s safety and emergency planning expert.  Steve provides three tips that are absolutely necessary for your program abroad, regardless of the size or location.

If you are interested in learning more about safety and emergency consulting or Steve’s presentations, please click here or email me at info@melibeeglobal.com.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Here are Melibee’s top tips for an innovative International Education Week for 2011:

1)  Join a FREE online international book club event:  Melibee will be hosting a FREE, LIVE video book club event just prior to the start of IEW 2011! We will be reading Carrie Wagner’s “Village Wisdom.” This wonderful book documents her experience in Uganda with International Habitat for Humanity and her return to the country with her young sons many years later.  Carrie will be LIVE with us on November 10, 2011 at 3 pm to share her story and to answer questions that viewers can submit on an internet backchannel.  Schools can simply set up an internet connection with a screen in a large room and have a phone with a speaker to listen into the discussion. Meanwhile, Carrie has kindly agreed to offer a 30% discount on the book to anyone participating in this event.  The discount code is Melibee. Carrie will sign any books that are purchased through her website also! Purchase the book and we hope you’ll join us for a lively discussion about Uganda, global citizenship, service abroad and more!  Click here for more information about this event!

2) Teach peace despite pain:  This year, I would recommend “Killing in the Name.” This short documentary was nominated for an Oscar. It tells the story of a couple’s wedding that was devastated by a terrorist bombing. Despite the death of his immediate family members and friends, Ashraf Al-Khaled chose to reach out to terrorists to educate them about what they are doing “in the name.”  His journey teaches us that peace and education are the better option, despite the tragedy and pain caused by violence.

Click here to view the embedded video.

3) Play an international board game:  Have an international board game like Carrom set up in your student union!  Teach students this popular board game, which is a mix of air hockey and pool, that is commonly see in India. You can order a Carrom board here.  Here is a tutorial:

Click here to view the embedded video.

4) Language lessons:  Offer 15 minute language lessons.  Bring your international students and returned study abroad students in to teach the basics and to wow students with new slang, sounds and vocabulary!  Find the most unique languages that are not taught on your campus and set up the lessons in rooms on the same hallway, so students can pop from one room into the next. This was a HUGELY popular suggestion from the Melibee IEW 2010 post – so give it a try!

5) International Speakers: Consider a Melibee global ed speaker! They have personally inspired me and I promise, they will have your audience putting down their smart phones while they present (the true sign of “engaging”!)  Melibee speakers present on global citizenship, diversity, the environment, Africa, service abroad, social entrepreneurship, life in the FBI, safety abroad, crossing cultures and more!  It is not too late to inquire about a speaker – there are still several dates open for bookings!  You won’t know unless you ask – and you’ll be surprised how relatively affordable they can be!  Some also offer book signings and some will speak in classrooms for free if you book them. 

6) Teach meditation: I recently attended a local Korean Buddhist temple and really enjoyed the meditation.  Meditation helps to focus and center you, and to make you more open.  Contact your local Buddhist temple and ask them to teach a meditation session on your campus during IEW.  Here is a directory of global Buddhist temples.

7) Global eats:  Ask your food service provider to offer a few cooking lessons from different regions of the world during IEW 2011.  In this tight economy, this is an excellent way to share culture and the international language of food!