Currently viewing the tag: "Missy Gluckmann"

Short Term Study Abroad Teleclass (Free)

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Missy Gluckmann, Melibee Global Ed Consulting

Cate Brubaker, PhD from Small Planet Studio

Please join me and Cate Brubaker, PhD (from www.smallplanetstudio.com) for a free teleclass on “The Top 5 Missteps in Short-Term Study Abroad Programming.” Cate is a talented cross-cultural trainer that I have been working with over the past few months – she, too, is a big believer in collaboration.  Please be sure to poke around her website – it has some great resources!

Here is the information from Cate’s website:

“This teleclass is the third in a year-long series of free classes for intercultural educators. Each class is hosted by Small Planet Studio in collaboration with SIETAR-USA (Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research) and will feature a guest speaker. I’m thrilled that Missy Gluckmann of MelibeeGlobal.com is joining us this month to talk about short-term study abroad.”

According to the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors Report for 2008/09, nearly 55% of study abroad programs were short-term. Although this number decreased ever so slightly from 07/08, short-term study abroad has been, for many years, the fastest growing model of program delivery.

Creating an effective and appropriate short-term program requires a great deal of planning. Unfortunately, the level of attention required often does not take place, resulting in the program not reaching enrollment goals and/or the student, faculty, staff and institution failing to work efficiently, wasting funds and experiencing disappointment.

In this teleclass, Missy will discuss the top 5 missteps in short-term program planning and how they impact faculty, staff, students and institutions, and the reputation and sustainability of short-term program development.

In this 60-minute teleclass, Missy will:

  • Frame the discussion to illustrate the unique challenges of short-term study abroad program planning.
  • Discuss the top 5 missteps that occur and their implications.
  • Offer suggestions for improvement in short-term program development.

This free 60-minute teleclass will take place on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 3 pm Eastern/2 pm Central/1 pm Mountain/12 pm Pacific.

All you need to participate in the live class is a phone.

We hope you’ll join the live session, but since we know some people can’t (time zones, schedules, and all that), a recording of the teleclass (plus a handout + bonus resources) will be posted on the class web page a few days after the live call.

In Summary:

What: 60-minute teleclass + handout + call recording

When: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 3 pm Eastern/2 pm Central/1 pm Mountain/12 pm Pacific

Where: On our teleconference line

CLICK here to register for the TELECLASS!

CLICK HERE for details on the professional development seminar in NY that Melibee Global and Purchase College (SUNY) are hosting in June.

 





Podcast: Confronting Religious and Cultural Hatred

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Missy Gluckmann, Founder of Melibee Global and Arnd Wachter, Founder of Crossing Borders Education

I had the pleasure of participating in a radio interview with Arnd Wächter (Crossing Borders Film) and Dr. David Owusu-Ansah (Professor of African Studies, James Madison University) on Tom Graham’s “Virginia Insight” show on WMRA.

You can listen to the recording here.

(If you would like to consider Arnd Wächter for a film screening or speaking event, please click here.)




Demystifying the Other: Tools for International Educators

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I had the pleasure of presenting at NCAIE this past week with Carrie Wagner, Author of Village Wisdom and Bonnie Parker, Study Abroad Director from UNCA.

We crafted a session that was meant to be more interactive and less power point driven, as we all have had near death experiences caused by “too much powerpoint”!

Our session was described as follows:  “Muslim”, “Israeli”, “African”, and “American” – the labels that we use to describe others come with heavy baggage and a tremendous burden. This session will provide resources that can be used in community programming and/or as part of the curriculum to create dialogue that will aid in demystifying and humanizing “the other.”

Note: The “other” in our training meant a person or culture that one did not have first hand experience with, or one that generated stereotypes due to limited first hand experience. It was meant to acknowledge that we each have limited understanding of certain people, places and cultures in this world, and as a result, we often relate to them through stereotypes. These stereotypes create a disconnect between us and “them.

That’s a lot to tackle in 75 minutes, right?  Here was our approach:

Icebreaker: This was designed to create dialogue about “the other” and to help identify our own “others” or that of our students/community. We talked about the importance of setting up a trusting environment before doing this exercise. We had four different photos and asked people to go to the one that intrigued them.  Participants were then asked to write down words that came to mind as a result of viewing the image and to discuss the image and the words. For example, a photo of two young people sitting on the side of a street with a musical instrument garnered words such as “poor” and “talented.”  Then we briefly heard from each group – why did they choose those words?

1st Exercise: We worked in small groups and each read a specific section from Carrie Wagner’s book “Village Wisdom.” The groups each identified which phase of the cultural adjustment the section of the book related to and then discussed how that particular phase contributed to how the sojourner perceived “the other.”

2nd Exercise: We watched a 12 minute clip from the film “Crossing Borders.” In this scene, the students (American and Moroccan) visit the Sidi Moumen slum and met with local Moroccan youth who live there. The film clip illustrated the several layers of “the other” – the Americans experiencing a Muslim country for the first time and a slum for the first time, the Moroccan students meeting their fellow countrymen who live in a slum, which was a new experience for them as locals.  We discussed how “the other” can be people in our own society or people half way around the world, and that often changes over time.

We also spoke about how these two educational tools can be used in schools – for example:

- Instead of a common read, have a common film experience and weave it into the curriculum.  Assess the change in world view as a result of this experience, using a tool like the BEVI.

- Use these tools in orientation, pre-departure and re-entry meetings.

- Weave these tools into an interdisciplinary course.  Push the boundaries of what the items on the list were originally intended for!

- Use these tools for STAFF training and retreats.  We need to be inspired too!

- Create a book/film club and invite students and larger community to participate.

Bonnie, Carrie and I prepared a “toolkit” that is meant to be a living document that we can always update.  What resources would you want to share for those interested in exploring “the other” further?  How can the resource be used?

Free Download: Demystifying the Other Toolkit (PDF, 53.5kb)

Training at NCAIE was very rewarding.  I love to interact with my colleagues and I always learn from each group. I hope that this little training module will inspire you to demystify “the other” on your campus and in your community.




Interview with Missy Gluckmann, Melibee’s Founder

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I was interviewed recently by Julia V., a vivacious university student who has studied abroad several times. She asked me about gap year vs. study abroad, global citizenship, the Melibee speakers series, what inspires me to write my blog and more. Please enjoy our conversation:

Part 1:

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Part 2:

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Part 3:

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(Please note that the photo that she used was from my website. The hand gesture, in the US, is a symbol of peace. I note this because I realize that it is not a peaceful gesture is some countries! My apologies for anyone who is thrown off by this! The photo was actually taken on September 11, 2010 when I was photographing the annual blue lights memorial at Ground Zero in New York City.)

 




Weeping Alongside Rep. Keith Ellison Today

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Today marks the start of the House’s Homeland Security Committee’s “hearings” intended to investigate the radicalization of Muslim-Americans. Representative Keith Ellison, the US’s first Muslim American elected to Congress, wept today as he shared the story of Mohammed Salman Habdani, a young Muslim-American who died at the World Trade Center on 9/11.  I wept along:

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Ellison said, “Ascribing the evil acts of a few individuals to an entire community is wrong; it is ineffective; and it risks making our country less secure.”  I could not agree more. He went on to say, “Throughout human history, individuals from all communities and faiths have used religion and political ideology to justify violence.   Let’s think about the KKK, America’s oldest terrorist organization; the Oklahoma City bombing; the shooting at the Holocaust Museum by James von Brunn; and bombings at Planned Parenthood clinics.  Did Congress focus on the ethnic group and religion of these agents of violence as a matter of public policy?  The answer is no.” (Ellison’s entire speech can be read here.)

When this happens, this is the outcome – fearful people directing their misinformation and anger toward the WRONG people, such as CHILDREN and legal citizens who have been born and raised in this country, who have done nothing wrong.  And lets be really clear here – it is NOT ok to call children TERRORISTS.   Take a moment to watch this recent horrific “protest” of Muslim Americans in California.  If you cannot watch the entire thing, I understand. It is sickening:

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How can we combat this hatred in our country and this need by many to create a culture of fear?

1) reach out to your Muslim friends, neighbors and colleagues.  Tell them you support them.

2) reach out to your faith community and ask them to facilitate interfaith dialogue opportunities and to share a message of support with the local mosque(s).

3) reach out to your schools.   Ask them to address this issue by developing programming that will challenge the message of fear and hatred.

4) visit a local mosque.  Ask to have a same gender member show you around the mosque.  (If you are a woman,  be sure to bring a scarf to cover your hair and to wear pants or a skirt that reach the floor, and cover your arms. This is a sign of respect in that faith.)

5) write to your local government and ask for their support in educating the community about every day Islam in the US.

6) Melibee offers a couple of different presentations by Muslim speakers.  Contact me for more information at info@melibeeglobal.com if interested.

7) Attend the April 4th screening of the film “Crossing Borders” and participate in the follow up panel discussion afterward. (Here is more information – and I’ll be there so be sure to say hello!)




Islam and the West: Clashing Beliefs or Common Values?

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Mark your calendar! On Monday, April 4th, 2011 from 5 – 8 pm, the International Beliefs and Values Institute (IBAVI) and the Spencer Center for Civic and Global Engagement will be presenting “Islam and the West Clashing Beliefs or Common Values?” in the Francis Auditorium at Mary Baldwin College (Staunton, Virginia, USA).  I am humbled to be part of the panel discussion after the screening of “Crossing Borders”, along with Nihad Awad (Executive Director and co-founder of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Dr. David Owusu-Ansah, Professor of African Studies at James Madison University and Arnd Wächter, Director of the film “Crossing Borders.”

Many thanks to Nusayba Hammad, Mary Baldwin College class of 2013, for writing up this excellent description of the event:

“Islam and the West: Clashing Beliefs or Common Values?” seeks to deconstruct both the Middle East’s and America’s conceptions of the “Other” by finding common ground to stand on. Samuel Huntington’s theory of the clash of civilizations has dominated our perceptions of the other side of the world, but we must ask ourselves, is it with good reason? Crossing Borders uses the shared experiences of four American and four Moroccan students to bridge the supposedly vast gap between the Muslim world and the West. During their journey through Morocco, these students find that they are not so different after all.

In this age of globalization, understanding the commonalities and differences between Islam and the West is crucial. World politics, and especially the United States’ role in the Middle East, are proving to be increasingly portrayed as “us (the West) versus them (the Middle East/Islam).” But is it fair to pit Islam and the West against each other, implying that they are incapable of coexistence? Delving into the archives of American history, we find this not to be the case. For instance, Morocco was the first nation to recognize the newly formed United States of America, and the two countries have had bilateral relations ever since. The first Muslims to arrive to America did so in the 17th century, against their will and on slave ships from Africa. There are accounts of Muslims serving in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, and today, there are over 10 million Muslims in the U.S. Islam is not detached and separate from America, and Muslims are not outsiders but an integral part of our society and nation.

History therefore begs a question: Is the perceived conflict between Islam and the West one that can be traced back to irreconcilable differences found in the essence of each, or is it simply the result of the way in which world politics have played out in the last century?

Crossing Borders will be introduced by Arnd Wächter, the film’s director. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Nihad Awad, Dr. David Owusu-Ansah, and Missy Gluckmann. Each will share his or her perspective on the issues presented in the film, framed by unique experiences and expertise in the field.


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The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order (Paperback)

By (author) Samuel P. Huntington

List Price: $16.99 USD
New From: $2.05 In Stock
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“Vlog” Video Blog 1: Feedback on Colby College in China

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This past week, I received several emails about the Colby College incident in China and therefore want to share the dialogue that took place ‘behind the scenes’ at Melibee.

This is the first time I’m “vlogging,” so please let me know if this format should be used periodically. Apologizes for the “extreme close up” also! When I filmed it, there was a lot more space around my head. (Ah, technology – I am learning, slowly but surely!)

UPDATE/CORRECTION (February 17, 2011):  Per Brian Whalen, the Forum’s Incident Database Project would capture incidents of significance of this type, but none have been reported so far. The Forum will issue an annual report at the end of the summer, but they are in the process of collecting monthly data and continue to sign up institutions and programs that are reporting.  The report will be issued on an annual basis.




Wish List – Melibee Needs Your Input

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I have received many email messages of gratitude about specific posts – and I sincerely thank you for taking the time to write to me with such humbling words.

In an effort to share information that is most useful to you, I’d like your input.  Please take a moment to comment on your Melibee wish list?  Is there a book that you’ve read that you want highlighted?  Do you want more ESL tools?  Who would you like me to interview next? Do you need more tools for students who are exploring study abroad? Repatriation advice?  Travel tips?

Is there something you want LESS of?

Your wish is my command – so please take a moment to comment (simply by hitting the comment on the upper right of this post) or email me directly if that is more comfortable.

Before I wrap for the weekend, there are 3 more updates for Melibee readers:

1) I will soon be interviewing the author of an exquisite book, 15 years in the making, about her experience in Uganda.  I’ve got a few other surprises on upcoming speakers series and a new, innovative conference idea that I hope to announce soon.

2) Melibee is offering an advertising rate special for December and January. If you know of anyone who would like to reach a very niche market of educators, advisers, students and travelers, please have them contact me.

3) The biggest complement that you can give to Melibee is to share our posts on Facebook, Twitter or email it to friends and colleagues.  I greatly appreciate your support.




Interview with Melibee Global’s Founder, Missy Gluckmann, featured on Wandering Educators

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WanderingEducators.com - the photo is from a flight that I took from San Jose to Quepos (Costa Rica).

While I’m the one who is usually looking for people to interview for my blog, I was humbled to be asked to be interviewed by Dr. Jessie Voigts from Wandering Educators.

Wandering Educators is an international community of traveling educators. It serves as a resource for discovering extraordinary travel destinations, fascinating people, and global artists and photographers, among our many published articles.  As the largest source of travel guide reviews on the internet, it is a place site you’ll want to bookmark! With more than 35 editors, they represent nations around the world and a plethora of intercultural and travel-related areas. Their audience is diverse – travelers who are K-12 teachers (US system), homeschoolers,  students, higher education professors and administrators, as well as life long learners.

After being interviewed by Dr. Voigts and learning about her inspiring background, I asked her to write a guest post for Melibee Global in the near future.  I look forward to sharing her piece with you in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, here is her interview about Melibee Global.  Please let me know what you think!

And let me add how grateful I am to have been recognized by such a valuable resource in the field. It is certainly a very humbling experience.




Video Interview with Arnd Wächter, Director of “Crossing Borders” Film

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Missy Gluckmann, Founder of Melibee Global with Arnd Wächter, Founder of Crossing Borders Education

I had the pleasure of crossing paths with Arnd Wächter while at a recent meeting at the Institute of International Education.  You may recall that I had arranged for Arnd to screen his film, “Crossing Borders“, in early April at Western Connecticut State University (WCSU). While in the U.S., Arnd traveled to Washington DC for several meetings to discuss the film with organizations and schools.

His meeting at IIE, on his final day in the U.S., conveniently coincided with a training that I was attending.  I managed to steal him for a few minutes to hear more about his vision for Crossing Borders. I was particularly inspired to do so after seeing the response of students at WCSU. Several students who attended the screening wrote “extra credit” papers for one of the Political Science classes.  The professor of the course felt it was important to share them with me as the students commented very candidly on their own stereotypes of the Muslim world. One wrote about how ashamed he felt after seeing this film because he realized that he made assumptions about these people without any facts.

As you have read in my other postings, “Crossing Borders” is a must see film.  To learn more about the film and Arnd Wächter, please enjoy this 10 minute interview (and many thanks to Digital Strategy Works for shooting and editing this interview on such short notice)