| Title | Development and Piloting of UBC Student ExchangeNet |
|---|---|
| Faculty/College/Unit | VP Students |
| Status | Completed |
| Duration | 1 Year |
| Initiation | 04/01/2001 |
| Completion | 03/31/2002 |
| Project Summary | UBC Student ExchangeNet will provide:
Rationale: TREK targets a 15% increase in UBC students leaving on exchange each year for the next five years. We need to find new efficient ways to support the success of these experiences. We know that information and support increase the likelihood of a successful transition to the partner culture and school which is key to exchange success. Students tell us that peer information is readily received and acted upon. Peer support has assisted former students working through challenging exchange experiences. ExchangeNet will significantly increase UBC exchange students' access to each other for information and support as they study across six continents. Many of the global citizenship skills developed on exchange mature and grow in the year that students return home. Reflection, distance from the actual experience and a return to "normal" conditions contribute to this increased learning output. The discussion forums within ExchangeNet will be lead by returned exchange students with the leadership of student moderators. These roles will enable returned students to hone their ability to help others interpret cultural differences and function effectively in international or multicultural situations. This "soft" skill is increasingly sought by employers (Arthur Anderson 2000, Kealey 1997, Wilson 1998). ExchangeNet will add significant citizenship, leadership and workplace value to UBC students' exchange experience. "ExchangeNet" will also allow SEP to maximize staff resource in providing and updating information on partner schools, systems and returned student reports. One electronic site (instead of paper resources), easily accessed by students both at UBC and on exchange, will minimize repetition and error. In addition, the use of the web will increase access by UBC Faculties to the exchange experience of UBC students at partner institutions. |
| Funding Details | |
| Year 1: Project Year | Year 1 |
| Year 1: Funding Year | 2001/2002 |
| Year 1: Project Type | Small TLEF |
| Year 1: Principal Investigator | Katherine Beaumont |
| Year 1: Funded Amount | 45,000 |
| Year 1: Team Members | Katherine Beaumont, International Student Services, Student Services |