Department Service/Learning Outcomes:

Increase the number of students studying abroad by expanding number of programs offered, recruitment efforts, and university support.

Annual Report

1. Learning or Service Outcome (WHAT did we measure? Description of what the assessment program evaluated this year. What outcome did we want to see from our program?)

• Review and continued development of resources for students interested in studying abroad.
• Academic support for study abroad
• Effectiveness of education abroad brochure
• Utilization of study abroad returnees to provide peer support for study abroad.
• Number of students studying abroad

2. Assessment Methods (HOW did we measure the outcomes? What kinds of measures {surveys, testing, evaluations} did we use to determine if we accomplished the intended outcomes?)

• Informational sessions presented by EA staff provided evaluations for participants
• Credit granted for study abroad through international perspective general education requirement
• Solicited feedback from Peer Advisor Program
• Voluntary feedback from students abroad
• Solicited feedback re: education abroad brochure from students
• Ongoing SWOT analysis created involving self-assessment

3. Inferences from Assessments: (WHAT did we find out from our assessments? What inferences can we make, what conclusions can we draw from our data? Did students/clients/customers learn what we had hoped or did we provide service as intended, or did things turn out differently than we had hoped?)

• Increased number of students reached through info sessions
• Utilization of returnees through peer advisor program, at info sessions helpful to interested students
• Peer Advisor program successful in reaching students
• Resources and Tools: Educationabroad.bgsu.edu was redesigned as a resource for all students interested in studying, working, or volunteering abroad.
• Concise brochure continuing to highlight opportunities abroad and BGSU students.
• Semesterly newsletter for students abroad created
• Growing recognition of importance of study abroad from university community.
• Growing number of students studying abroad.
• Increasing number of education abroad programs offered.

4. Action Taken/Program Improvement (WHAT actions might we take to improve our program based on what we found out? Should we continue what we have been doing, or should we make changes to our program in order to accomplish our intended outcomes?)

• EA web site will continue to grow to offer information to faculty and administrators, and to keep current with new information.
• Brochure update periodically to keep look current.
• Peer Advisor program will continue with expanded efforts to reach the student population.
• Study abroad returnees will continue to be utilized in campus programming.
• Chairs, directors, deans, and faculty need to be engaged in EA efforts to encourage study abroad among students, and expand programs.