The Umbra Institute has long promoted study abroad not only as a fun-filled adventure in exploring another country's culture, but also as a way to become a better global citizen. Today's world, for better or for worse, does not revolve solely around national politics: whether we like it or not, we are part of an increasingly interconnected world. A recent study confirms the important role of study abroad in the development of a global citizen.
Professor Michael Tarrant from the University of Georgia demonstrates how designing specific outcomes for study abroad programs--not simply linguistic but also cultural competencies--can be tested empirically and shown to be crucial for developing a body of future scholars and leaders equipped to work in a global environment." This only confirms the need for a serious, well-structured study abroad curriculum, complemented by co-curricular field trips and extracurricular activities geared towards helping students integrate in the local community--in other words, the Umbra model.
Tarrant, M. 2010. A Conceptual Framework for Exploring the Role of Studies Abroad in Nurturing Global Citizenship. Journal of Studies in International Education 14 (5):433-451.
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