Palo Alto students have the whole world available to them thanks to the College’s International Studies program.
International Education opportunities for students at Palo Alto include Study Abroad opportunities and an International Studies Certificate.

“The more we educate students on international issues, the better chance we have for peace in the world,” said Joan Osborne, Instructor of Economics.

Karen Mahaffy, Elsa Anaya and Joan Osborne are leading a Maymester Study Abroad trip to China. This is just one of many Spring Break, Maymester and Summer School opportunities that will be available this year.

“With Study Abroad, the country we are in is our laboratory,” said Karen Marcotte, Professor of History and Humanities, who is co-leading a Maymester group to Eastern Europe with Dr. Mary-Ellen Jacobs. Marcotte said the benefits of these classes are that the students can receive course credit, but still get the international aspect by being immersed in the culture with the classes they are taking.

Community colleges offer many more Study Abroad classes than most people think, according to Marcotte. The Alamo Community College District offers many Study Abroad opportunities. However, out of all ACCD colleges, Palo Alto has the most Study Abroad programs.

Rather than offering entire years or semesters abroad, Palo Alto offers shorter sessions. This Spring Break, there will be a trip to Palestine and Israel. For information on this trip, contact Patty Parma at pparma@accd.edu. This Maymester, there will be trips to China and Eastern Europe. For information on the China trip, contact Joan Osborne at joosborn@accd.edu. For information on the Eastern Europe trip, contact Dr. Mary-Ellen Jacobs at mjacobs@accd.edu or Karen Marcotte at kmarcott@accd.edu. During the summer, trips to Oaxaca, Mexico, and Spain will be offered. For information on the Oaxaca trip, contact Dr. Denise Barkis Richter at dbarkisr@accd.edu. For information on the trip to Spain, contact Mark Hogensen at mhogense@accd.edu.

“This opens the opportunity to more students who otherwise wouldn’t be able to leave behind responsibilities for such a long period of time,” explained Dr. Thomas Baynum, Vice President of Academic Affairs.

The International Studies program also presents students with the opportunity to earn an International Studies Certificate while working toward their chosen major.
Students may choose from a list of courses that have an “internationalized” curriculum. All of the courses are core courses needed for their degree. In addition, they also take a gateway course, HUMA 1302: World Cultures and Global Issues as an introduction to the program.

The completion of the certificate requires a total of twelve hours or four courses. During the coursework for the International Studies Certificate, students compile an ePortfolio, where they include work samples from their International Studies classes. These works include papers, photos and reflections, among other things. Portfolios from the Spring 2005 semester may be found at http://www.accd.edu/pac/htm/Current/academics/eportfolio.

One benefit of the ePortfolios is that they are something that can be added to throughout the students’ educational careers; also, they can be quite beneficial as resources to provide future employers, according to Alba De Leon, Associate Professor of Art and the College’s International Education Liaison.

“The faculty is key in International Studies being successful,” said De Leon. Vice President Baynum also agreed on the importance of faculty in the program. Without faculty participation in internationalizing the curriculum, the program would not exist.

The faculty at Palo Alto is willing to organize many Study Abroad opportunities for students, and many faculty are internationalizing or have internationalized their courses.
Beyond faculty participation, administrative support is key in the success of any program.

“It never would work without the support of our president, and the support of ACCD,” said Baynum.

De Leon and Osborne both agreed on the importance of the support of Dr. Ana “Cha” Guzmán, President of Palo Alto College. Internationalization is fast becoming an important part of a college student’s education. Marcotte sees the benefits in her students who have experienced Study Abroad.

“Students are more aware of geography. They are also more aware of what it means to be a citizen of the United States,” said Marcotte. “They are able to look at it as a comparison-contrast to other countries.” Internationalization is an integral part of a student’s education and awareness of other cultures.

“From my personal perspective as a counselor and educator interested in social justice and human rights, understanding, respect and dignity are priorities,” said Patty Parma, Counselor and Associat Professor. “Internationalization of the campus is a perfect fit.”

For more information on the International Studies Certificate and the various Study Abroad opportunities at Palo Alto College, contact Alba De Leon, International Education campus liaison, at adeleon@mail.accd.edu.