Today’s guest blogger is Peter Kerrigan.  I’m delighted that he has taken time to share his reflections on the GLBT scholarship with Melibee readers. It is a very important contribution to the work that we do and his words remind me of how much of an impact we make in the lives of students simply by finding a few extra dollars to support them on the path of self discovery.  

Do you ever have those days where you think why do I do what I do? The alarm goes off at some unforgiving hour of the morning, usually on a Monday in the throes of a cold winter. You have just been jolted out of some confusing, but meaningful dream and are struggling to get up. After the “five minutes more” plea which nobody can ultimately grant, the “why” question then pops up. Why? Why? Why? Well, this year on one January morning (not a cold one) in Washington DC, I had an experience which once again showed me why I do what I do – and why we do what we do in the field of international education.  I served on the selection committee for the Rainbow Scholarship hosted by the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA).

The Rainbow scholarship is a new one – several years in the making. It is (and will be) awarded to a deserving GLBT student who aims to participate in a high-quality, rigorous education abroad program and meets the general FEA scholarship eligibility requirements and preferences.  The Rainbow Scholarship is the brainchild of a group of international education professionals who are committed to advocating on behalf of GLBT students. These professionals see what an impact a stay abroad can have on any student, but in particular those dealing with issues of identity and sexuality. They counsel international and study abroad GLBT students and support their GLBT colleagues in the field. Many of these educators have come together through groups created with the support of NAFSA, CIEE and The Forum on Education Abroad.

Serving on the selection committee was reaffirming to say the least. It is the first year of the scholarship, which by nature of its very young life is still shaping its own identity.  Reading those applications reminded me how important it is what we do in the field and what we do to reach the GLBT students.  There were many strong applications and deserving applicants. I wish I could have written a check to support them all. Not only is that financially impossible, but it would also defeat the purpose of the scholarship. Most of the testimonials were compelling; the goals admirable; and the dreams and hopes palpable.  After much fruitful discussion the selection committee chose its top three. Once the winner has been notified, FEA will be able to announce it publicly. Suffice to say the top three candidates are amazing and truly embody the spirit of study abroad and our goals of diversifying international education. The FEA has provided such a welcoming home to the scholarship!

Here is where you come in. Yes, the readers of this blog. We need your help. To publicize the scholarship. To create visibility. To solicit donations (and lots of them).  Funds have to be raised (a) to provide the minimum of one $5,000 scholarship per year and (b) to create an endowment. So please use whatever marketing instrument, social media outlet or PR vehicle you can to spread the word.  Tweat. Share. Post. Email. Network. Whatever it takes. We need to galvanize the public to really get this scholarship off the ground.  So please do what you can! Mark Lenhart and Kate McPhail of FEA can provide you with any text you might need.  You can start here (see the bottom of the page for scholarship info and a link to their contact page).

I look forward to hearing back from the recipient of the scholarship – to see how his/her life has changed. To see what new direction will be taken as a result. What insights have been gained. This is why we do what we do.

About the Author:  Peter Kerrigan is the Deputy Director of the German Academic Exchange Service’s (DAAD) New York office and Director of Marketing and Development for DAAD in North America. He is responsible for all areas of marketing of German higher education and research and the DAAD’s scholarship programs in the U.S. and Canada. Peter served as Vice President of Membership Development and Services at The Forum on Education Abroad; Assistant Director of the Higher Education Resource Group at the Institute of International Education (IIE); and Senior Program Coordinator in the Work Abroad Division of the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE). He is the Co-Chair of EAIE’s Professional Development. He is a member of the Standards Committee of The Forum on Education Abroad and runs their task force on foreign language acquisition and immersion. He is also on the Advisory Board of NAFSA Rainbow Special Interest Group. Peter has also completed a manuscript about the loss of a twin. He was awarded an M.A. in Political Science by the Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany and a B.A. in Political Science and German by Bates College, Maine, USA. He can be reached at kerrigan@daad.org.

With that in mind, we have added several new workshops to MelibeeU! Please keep in mind that our most recent workshop sold out, so please consider registering sooner than later!

1) International Educators Coping with Stress – Striking a Balance:  Need we say more?  In all seriousness, we know that 90% of us are working too hard and having a hard time saying no.  This creates a lot of stress – and we address this head on!  Through interactive exercises and “real talk,” we are going to transform how you look at your work and your life.  One participant from this workshop said: “This was my first webinar and while the overwhelmingly positive experience I had makes me want to participate in so many more, it will be difficult for future ones to live up to this one!  Very much exceeded my expectations.”  We hope you’ll agree.  Please join us for this event on March 14th.

2) Career: International Student Advising:  This March 21st workshop is designed for anyone who is curious about this career path.  Perhaps you already work in international education but would like to focus on the non-immigrant population.  In typical MelibeeU style, we’re going to be really candid about the work and strategies to enter the field. We’ll have plenty of time for Q&A too. The session will be recorded, in case you can’t join us on that date.

3) Advising Students on Volunteer and Work Abroad with author Zahara Heckscher:  This two part series is designed to build your confidence as you advise on these two “hot” international opportunities.  Zahara will walk you through the advising process and lead us through case studies and worksheets. This will be an interactive session – using our chat, hand raising and phone features, we look forward to hearty dialogue.  If you can’t make the live sessions on March 23 and March 27th, not to worry – we’ll be recording each session.

4)  30 Mosques in 30 Days: An American Adventure with Aman Ali and Bassam Tariq:  The inspiring story of Aman and Bassam’s road trip across the United States will teach you about the diversity of this incredible country.  These two young men visited 30 states in 30 days, breaking fast at a different mosque each day. They share the story of the people that they met through photos and storytelling – and I assure you, your life will be forever changed through their work.  You’ll never look at this country the same way again.  This session will also be recorded if you cannot make the live event.

Don’t forget to explore the other workshops on offer! The MelibeeU family is really grateful for your ideas, feedback and for taking a chance to try something new along with us.  Thank you!

P.S.  Did I mention that we have special rates for full time students for most of our workshops? Email me at info@melibeeglobal.com for the coupon code!

Today’s guest post is by Dr. Sam Turner.  I asked him to reflect upon a piece in the Wall Street Journal entitled “What’s wrong with the teenage mind?” referenced below.  I hope you enjoy his reflection on this subject as much as I did!

Teenagers have notoriously done “bad” things. They congregate in public places; they stay up late at night texting friends and chatting on IM; they have car accidents and tell lies; and they struggle to find their place in life. They come into our lives and leave so quickly.

One of the best documented cases is the actress Lindsay Lohan. On top of posing nude in this month’s issue of Playboy magazine, her record includes two drunken-driving arrests, five jail sentences, and five rehab stints. Despite her fame and wealth, she has demonstrated perpetual reckless and self-defeating behaviors.

In a recent essay in the Wall Street Journal, UC Berkeley psychology professor Alison Gopnik asked the question, “What’s wrong with the teenage mind?”  According to Dr. Gopnik, even good kids make inconsistent mistakes—committing actions that they had previously suggested were wrong. This includes the child who rejects drinking and driving, only to end up in a drunken accident or a daughter who knows about birth control, only to become pregnant with a guy she doesn’t even like.

So, given all these risks, who would even fathom sending their child abroad? Clearly, the freedom to sunbathe on the topless beaches of the French Riviera or the temptation to hitch hike through the Swiss Alps combined with budding pubescence, must be a recipe for disaster.

The mysteries of teen behaviors are further complicated by the variety of teens and their behaviors. John Hughes’s 1985 portrayal of teens in the movie the Breakfast Club included five different kids representing many of the common stereotypes—the popular girl, Claire; the study geek, Brian; the alternative goth-like character, Allison; the jock, Andrew; and the thug, John. The common theme among these characters was generalizable to many teens—uncertainty, ambiguity, and struggling to find the future.

Increasingly, neuroscience, medicine, and psychology are starting to fill in some of the gaps we have in understanding the development of adolescents and have contributed to cracking the mystery of inconsistent teen behavior. Between the ages of 10 and 18, our bodies undergo a variety of physical, cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial transitions. These changes lead teens to favor risky behavior, prone to emotionality, and sensitive to rewards, novelty, and stimulation.

Since the mid to late 19^th century, researchers have observed an earlier onset of physical development (e.g., menarche) in the Western world while we postpone starting careers, getting married, and having children. This means we have an increasing lag between our physical development and the acceptance of adult roles. Yet, adolescents crave new experiences, greater freedom and independence, and responsibility. Teens score higher on sensation seeking than adults, exhibit more impulsiveness, and suffer from a striking inability to delay rewards for personal gain.

The intuitive response to teenage weirdness is a lack of worldly experience. And indeed, this is partially true. But in addition, neuroscientists have discovered dramatic changes in gross morphology in the brain—reductions in gray matter, growth in white matter, and myelination in the frontal areas associated with executive function, planning, and self-control.

The impact of the volatility at this age is clear. The question then naturally presents itself, what is the ideal thing for teens to be doing during this time period of growth to satisfy their need for independence and exploration while they await the rewards of adulthood? Can you hear the interculturalist in the room raising their hand wildly while exclaiming, “Oh, I know! I know!”

The case for study abroad

Studying abroad involves prolonged periods away from home and the comforts of a well worn social network. Sometimes it involves second language acquisition; and almost always exposure to cultural differences that challenge, yet broaden the repertoire of knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of a budding adolescent.

Satiating the intellectual growth, I would propose, is the beauty of studying abroad. This allows the freedom of easy travel without the burden of house payments or job commitments and capitalizes on a teenager’s yearning to know the world and its curiosities. “Cosmophiles”, a term coined by Park in the 1920s captures the essence of multiculturalism that results from studying abroad. People are wiser from their experiences and the challenges to the closely held cultural paradigms they grow up with.

Students living abroad develop dual reference points that help them interpret rich cultural symbols that their fellow students who opt not to study abroad wouldn’t necessarily develop. In fact, this extracultural cognition, a fancy term researchers use to denote this cultural problem-solving, doesn’t come from just travel—rather digesting the day-to-day issues associated with learning the norms, values, and customs of a new culture.

The question should then be, why are there not more teenagers studying abroad?

About the author: Dr. Sam Turner is a social psychologist specializing in organizational, leadership, talent development, organizational change, team-building, executive coaching, and cultural consulting. His talents are built on ten years of entrepreneurial experience from managing a family-owned business, study and extensive travel abroad, and advanced degrees in psychology. He has taught a number of undergraduate courses, including group dynamics and interpersonal processes as well as social psychology. As an executive coach, Sam develops a plan that capitalizes on strengths and works on weaknesses. He has an unwavering commitment to developing the best employee and organization. Sam has lived abroad and has traveled to more than twenty countries. Feel free to visit his website, Piedmont Leadership, LLC.

A few weeks ago, I googled “shit study abroad students say” after seeing the brilliant “Shit New Yorkers Say” video sensation.  I was hoping someone would do a version of this for study abroad – and today, in my inbox, it magically appeared!

(Side note: The students who made this video did call it “Stuff Study Abroad Students Say.” I am honoring the “Shit People Say” series by renaming this video with the appropriate “bad” word.)

Now watch this clever video! Laugh. Roll your eyes. Be sad. Smile.  Do whatever feels right for you.  Then read the rest of this post:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Did you enjoy that? Was it hard to watch? Did any of this sound familiar?

It sure did to me.  Four colleges under my belt and I cannot begin to tell you how many times I’ve heard these statements. They come from the young voices of (US) Americans from an incredibly ethnocentric country (see this previous Melibee post), one that is slapping together study abroad programs faster than many would like to admit.  Many are revenue driven and poorly designed, leading to students belting out statements like the ones in the video.  (Please don’t get me wrong – there are plenty of schools and 3rd party providers that put great care into study abroad program design and learning outcomes.  But many – let’s face it – don’t. )

The timing of this video really struck me. Yesterday I had the honor of facilitating an online workshop with Dr. Eric Hartman on Global Service Learning: Design/Reflection/Connection – and it couldn’t have been more timely.  Dr. Hartman spoke of the importance of partnership, culture, careful learning outcomes, mutual respect, addressing our ethnocentricity prior to departure., etc.  The gap between great global service learning program delivery and the “run of the mill” study abroad experience is clear.  These students, in my opinion, did a remarkable job of capturing that delta in this video.

This video will serve as a beautiful new resource for pre-departure, orientation, re-entry programs, classroom discussions and academic programs (international education administration/intercultural studies.)  It has so many applications!

What are your thoughts about this video?  How might you envision it being utilized? What did you appreciate about it? What frustrated you about it?  Let’s get some dialogue going about this subject.

Let me close by extending my heartfelt thanks to the Amizade students for creating not only this video, but the opportunity for all of us to reflect on how we contribute to the statements you have highlighted.  Once again, students are providing teaching opportunities.  Does it get any better than that?

Work/life balance?

Ok, stop laughing.

Based on a recent survey that I conducted, more than 90% of study abroad administrators and graduate students planning to work in the field said that felt guilty that they were  not “doing enough” for their clientele (students, faculty, boss, peers) or family.

That makes me sad. It was disturbing to read this type of statistic.

Study abroad staff also shared that work/life balance was often a real challenge for them due to the cyclical nature of the work and the need to be available during emergencies.

From where I sit, much of the challenge also has to do with the rapid rise in study abroad participation coupled with the budget challenges that most universities are facing.  Staffing is down, student participation is up.

Should we be surprised?

I actually wasn’t. The comments in the survey very much mirrored those that I felt when I worked for a school.  I loved my job, but often felt that my concerns about staffing and cross-training fell on deaf ears.  Or I was told about budget challenges, despite what appeared to be tens of thousands of dollars annually being spent on campus programs with food. (Ok, I’ll admit…I’m being obnoxious here, but you get my point.  How many pizza parties does one school need after all?!)

I recently offered a workshop (online) about how we can deal with the stress and honor ourselves by making changes that encourage more work/life balance. It was apparent from the chat room that people really need to talk about this issue.  Makes me wonder how often the Employee Assistance Programs and counseling services are being utilized.

What are your thoughts on the subject? Should there be firm standards regarding staffing expectations based on the number of students that we serve – and if so, how can one be sure they’re being adhered to?  Please feel free to comment below.

And by the way, I might suggest that you forward this post to your boss. I’m serious! I’ve had readers do this in the past – it has has helped to create dialogue.  In one case, a study abroad employee at a northeast university was given an extra day off that week in recognition of her hard work, which her boss only began to understand after reading the post – I think it had to do with something I wrote about the additional work that the volcanic ash flight crisis created for our field a couple of summers ago!)

To address this, MelibeeU will be offering several affordable, online professional development workshops during the weeks of both of these conferences.  All you need is a computer and phone line or mic.  There is no hotel charge, per diem for meals, or flights.  In fact, you can even wear your jeans to these events – they are all online – YET interactive (we use chat and voice technology for dialogue.) MelibeeU is also all about participation – so you will have opportunity to communicate, network and learn – even if you can’t be at NAFSA or the Forum this year.  (And if you are attending those conferences and still want to participate – even better!)

Please know that I do understand how hard it is to scrape up thousands of dollars to attend these face to face conferences.  It is important to me to ensure that no one else misses out on professional development because we ALL need it, even if your employer is facing budget cuts or you’re a student and simply can’t swing the additional expense.

I’d greatly value your input about what topics you would like covered online.  Please email me at info@melibeeglobal.com or comment below.  I really do value your input!

If you haven’t heard much about MelibeeU yet, here is some feedback from our first two evaluations of workshop:

“This was my first webinar and while the overwhelmingly positive experience I had makes me want to participate in so many more, it will be difficult for future ones to live up to this one!  Very much exceeded my expectations.”

“The exercises … were very well chosen and implemented.”

“You handle yourself like a pro.”

“…You are obviously people who have thought deeply about these topics. I liked how the sessions were divided. Each one had clear PowerPoint with wonderful examples and other resources/recommendations.”

“Incredibly valuable information from both a philosophical and practical viewpoint.  You did a great job convening and facilitating the discussion throughout.”

“Your little examples here and there were so great – they were thoughtful and a variety of audiences could relate.”

 ”It was obvious that my opinion was heard and valued.”

“Very good presenters and information.  The resources shared are extremely helpful!”

“Resource guide is really great…very helpful…”

Be sure to check MelibeeU in the coming weeks for the schedule!

Edward T. Hall

Edward T. Hall was simply the guru of culture.  This man’s life work is the foundation of many international education and intercultural programs today – and deservedly so.

“An Anthropology of an Every Day Life” was written by Hall to document the first fifty years of his remarkable life.  It is a fascinating read in that we get to observe an anthropologist in the making -  commenting, through his unique lens, about his own journey and why he turned out the way he did.

Facts about his life are revealed in the early chapters. Did you know that Hall was essentially abandoned by his parents at a very young age and sent off to be cared by others? Before most of us are old enough to leave home, Hall had lived in France, Germany New Mexico, Missouri and on Native American reservations in the southwest,  a part of the US that he loved deeply.

His work with the State Department under President Truman involved training Americans who were serving abroad in the foreign service. His life in Washington DC was full of interesting friends, including a psychologist who deeply influenced his work.  Interestingly, he writes about his own need for therapy as to better understand his depression that stemmed from being abandoned at boarding schools at an early age.

His research, focused on perceptions of time, space and relationships, was quite controversial at the time that it was published. Today, his writing is core to our work today and required reading for Peace Corps volunteers!

I cannot recommend this book enough – it is an easy read in that Hall simply shares stories of his life and his observations.  It gives us rare insight into the life and measured thinking processes of one of the most brilliant interculturalists of our time.

Anthropology of Everyday Life, An (Hardcover) By (author) Edward T. Hall List Price: $24.50 USD New From: $16.99 In Stock Used from: $1.26 In Stock Release date February 4, 1992.

Hilary Corna

I have to give Hilary Corna, the author of “One White Face”, a pat on the back.  Or perhaps I’d bow to her.  Or shake her hand.  It would really depend where in the world we would be – as this book documents her work and travels around Asia.  Regardless, she deserves a nod for her her first book.

“One White Face” tells her story about graduating from college, at the age of twenty-two, and flying to Singapore on a hope and a dream.  Corna went with the goal of landing a job, despite having no business contacts or work experience. She gave herself two months to find a gig or return home.

That’s gutsy.  Reminds me that, if we’re paying attention, we will often learn a lot from the young people around us.

Corna’s book details how she lands a job at Toyota, navigates life as an expat, makes plenty of mistakes, finds her place, travels extensively and in a very frank manner, addresses the challenges of dating in Singapore. She writes about why she needed to take this leap of faith on the other side of the world, despite her family and the man everyone expects her to marry not understanding it fully. She must follow her dream to work in Asia.  It is something that she cannot suppress or deny;  she must follow her bliss.

The beauty of Corna’s writing is that it is incredible honest – innocently and refreshingly so.  Her book contains the kind of candor that you find in a diary. Think “Bridget Jones” meets Guy Kawasaki.  It is the kind of authenticity that is more common of a blooming “twenty-something” – and that is what makes this read unique.  Most students will find her style relatable and it will inspire them to pick up and take a chance.  For me, that is the biggest take away from this read:  You have to take the leap and hope for the net.

Corna does a very good job of describing the pace of her work and the relationships that she forms with her bosses and co-workers.  She attempts to explain Kaizen, the Japanese philosophy of ongoing improvement in the workplace. (For me, the main focus as a reader was less about Kaizen and more about her journey as a young expat.)

Columbus, Ohio was wise enough to have Corna participate in the TEDx event.  I encourage you to take a few minutes to listen in to the words of Hilary Corna.  Her message – DARE – is one we all need to hear, regardless of age. If you like this video, then I’d encourage you to read “One White Face.”  It is worth noting that Corna is on a book tour at US universities through the spring – and based on my conversation with her by phone, would be well worth checking out.  More information is available at her website, One White Face.  If you’d like to buy the book, click here and be sure to get a 25% discount using this coupon code: P554X5B4

Click here to view the embedded video.

The first, “International Educators – Striking a Balance” is $12. Yes, you heard me correctly – it is only $12.  We’d like to help you celebrate 2012 in affordable style!

The second, “Global Service Learning:Design/Connection/Reflection” is an outstanding three part workshop with Dr. Eric Hartman, an educator with much to share about the subject of GSL and Global Citizenship.  

As promised, Melibee will be offering this second workshop at a more affordable fee than other online professional development opportunities.  

High quality, lower fees!  There is no better way to kick off 2012.  

Actually THERE IS! This exciting 4.5 hour workshop will be offered at an even MORE discounted rate if you register by Wednesday at 11:59 PM EST.  Here are the coupon codes to receive the special rates for Dr. Hartman’s workshop:

Organizations/Individuals (who are NOT Full Time Students):  Use discount code “Thirty” (no quotes) to receive a rate of only $247 for nearly 5 hours of training! And you don’t even have to leave your desk!

If you’re a Full Time Student, enter discount code:  ”FTStuEarly” (no quotes.)  The rate will decrease to only $97. (If you’re a Full Time Student attempting to register after Thursday at 11:59 PM, you can  use the discount code “FTStudent” (no quotes) and the rate will decrease to $127.)

And don’t forget to check out two other trainings that were offered this fall in conjunction with Small Planet Studio.

Click here for Melibee U’s main page.  You’ll find all the information and links you need to get you started.

Happy New Year and thanks for your support and many good wishes!

After many months of reflecting, research, planning and writing, MelibeeU is launching this month!

Why? Because it is about being you.  (The “beeU“ is intentional!)

Being you = Trained. Informed. Inspired. Creative. Effective. Joyful.

MelibeeU is the new training space for Melibee Global.  It will officially launch next week, but I am so excited about it, I just have to share a tad with you!

MelibeeU will provide training/professional development opportunities that are:

• Unique:  If they’re taught through MelibeeU, they’re original. Period.
• Forward thinking:  We’re trying out new ideas here.  Innovation. Inspiring. Introspective. You won’t find it approached quite this way anywhere else.
• Affordable: We realize how expensive some organizations’ professional development opportunities can be, especially for those of you who are students.  We will be addressing this through our pricing model, making it more affordable to learn, participate, contribute and grow.
• Designed to help you approach your work with more confidence and joy: We have an obligation to uplift you so that you can continue to care for your employer(s), students and clients  - and YOURSELF - every day!

We’ll launch with TWO workshops (one in January, another in February.)  I promise, they’ll be worth waiting a tad longer to hear about!

If you have any ideas about training topics or guest presenters, please email info@melibeeglobal.com with them. We sincerely value your input!  After all MelibeeU is about U (you!)