Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes guide program development. At CIS Abroad, we’ve established a set of learning outcomes that guide the curricular and co-currricular elements of all our programming – and that focus on students’ cultural, professional, academic, and personal development.

Our learning outcomes were informed by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Essential Learning Outcomes and Value Rubrics. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Readiness Competencies are reflected in those outcomes that address professional development and career readiness.

Study Abroad Learning Outcomes

SU17_Intern-in-BCN_Shalom-Hernandez-1

As a result of this engaged, immersive learning experience (via direct enrollment in an institution overseas combined with participation in the Local Life co-curriculum), students will:

Global/Intercultural Fluency, Equity & Inclusion:

Have developed a greater understanding and appreciation of their own culture and the varied US-American perspectives that exist.
Demonstrate an appreciation of, and open-mindedness toward, other cultures.
Exhibit an awareness of, and sensitivity toward, the issues that confront the local community and their global influence.
Display an understanding of values, beliefs, traditions, and perspectives different from their own.
Be more likely to regularly take into account diversity and cultural differences.

Career Management

Have explored and examined their career goals.
Have developed and/or strengthened their career readiness competencies.

Leadership

Be able to approach life with a high degree of adaptability, independence, and self-confidence
Demonstrate the ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and cope effectively with ambiguous and unfamiliar situations.
Actively seek out new, challenging experiences.

We recognize that many of these statements are bold – but we are boldly committed to providing students with a holistic study abroad experience that supports them in achieving these outcomes.

Students who demonstrate significant progress toward achieving these learning outcomes – and the development of associated skills and competencies – can also earn a micro-credential in Cross-Cultural Agility.

Intern Abroad Learning Outcomes

As a result of this engaged, immersive learning experience (via a work placement abroad combined with participation in the Local Life co-curriculum), students will:

Global/Intercultural Fluency, Equity & Inclusion:

Have developed a greater understanding and appreciation of their own culture and the varied US-American perspectives that exist.
Demonstrate an appreciation of, and open-mindedness toward, other cultures.
Exhibit an awareness of, and sensitivity toward, the issues that confront the local community and their global influence.
Display an understanding of values, beliefs, traditions, and perspectives different from their own.
Be more likely to regularly take into account diversity and cultural differences.

Career Management

Have explored and examined their career goals.
Have developed and/or strengthened their career readiness competencies.

Leadership

Be able to approach life with a high degree of adaptability, independence, and self-confidence
Demonstrate the ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and cope effectively with ambiguous and unfamiliar situations.
Actively seek out new, challenging experiences.

Students who demonstrate significant progress toward achieving these learning outcomes can also earn a micro-credential in Working Across Cultures.

Global Service Learning Outcomes

SU19_Intern-in-Chiang-Mai_Barbara-Ransom_West-Chester-University-of-Pennsylvania_hiking-3

As a result of this engaged, immersive learning experience – via a service placement abroad combined with the program curriculum – students will:

Academically

Can apply their academic learning to practical experiences.
Demonstrate knowledge of global issues, processes, trends, and systems.
Communicate effectively across cultures, preferably in a second or third language.

Culturally

Have developed a greater understanding and appreciation of their own culture(s) and the varied US-American perspectives that exist.
Demonstrate an appreciation of, and open-mindedness toward, other cultures.
Exhibit an awareness of, and sensitivity toward, the issues that confront the local community.
Display an understanding of values, beliefs, traditions, and perspectives different from their own.
Will be more likely to take into account diversity and cultural differences on a regular basis.

Personally

Have reflected on their own identities, values, beliefs, and cultural frames of reference in a global context and demonstrated an understanding of how each influences their relationships with others.
Are able to approach life with a high degree of adaptability, independence, and self-confidence.
Demonstrate the ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and cope effectively with ambiguous and unfamiliar situations.
Actively seek out diverse, challenging experiences.

Professionally

Have explored, examined, and clarified career goals.
Understand their future career within a global and/or intercultural context.
Have developed and/or strengthened their career readiness competencies.
Identified the nuances associated with, and developed a level of competence regarding, working in a cross-cultural context.
Created an international network of contacts that can be applied toward their future career.
Have developed a degree of civic capacity, and the ability to apply their knowledge and skills to help solve community challenges.

SU17_Intern-in-BCN_Shalom-Hernandez-1

As a result of this engaged, immersive learning experience (via direct enrollment in an institution overseas combined with participation in the Local Life co-curriculum), students will:

Global/Intercultural Fluency, Equity & Inclusion:

Have developed a greater understanding and appreciation of their own culture and the varied US-American perspectives that exist.
Demonstrate an appreciation of, and open-mindedness toward, other cultures.
Exhibit an awareness of, and sensitivity toward, the issues that confront the local community and their global influence.
Display an understanding of values, beliefs, traditions, and perspectives different from their own.
Be more likely to regularly take into account diversity and cultural differences.

Career Management

Have explored and examined their career goals.
Have developed and/or strengthened their career readiness competencies.

Leadership

Be able to approach life with a high degree of adaptability, independence, and self-confidence
Demonstrate the ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and cope effectively with ambiguous and unfamiliar situations.
Actively seek out new, challenging experiences.

We recognize that many of these statements are bold – but we are boldly committed to providing students with a holistic study abroad experience that supports them in achieving these outcomes.

As a result of this engaged, immersive learning experience (via a work placement abroad combined with participation in the Local Life co-curriculum), students will:

Global/Intercultural Fluency, Equity & Inclusion:

Have developed a greater understanding and appreciation of their own culture and the varied US-American perspectives that exist.
Demonstrate an appreciation of, and open-mindedness toward, other cultures.
Exhibit an awareness of, and sensitivity toward, the issues that confront the local community and their global influence.
Display an understanding of values, beliefs, traditions, and perspectives different from their own.
Be more likely to regularly take into account diversity and cultural differences.

Career Management

Have explored and examined their career goals.
Have developed and/or strengthened their career readiness competencies.

Leadership

Be able to approach life with a high degree of adaptability, independence, and self-confidence
Demonstrate the ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and cope effectively with ambiguous and unfamiliar situations.
Actively seek out new, challenging experiences.

Students who demonstrate significant progress toward achieving these learning outcomes can also earn a micro-credential in Working Across Cultures.

SU19_Intern-in-Chiang-Mai_Barbara-Ransom_West-Chester-University-of-Pennsylvania_hiking-3

As a result of this engaged, immersive learning experience – via a service placement abroad combined with the program curriculum – students will:

Academically

Can apply their academic learning to practical experiences.
Demonstrate knowledge of global issues, processes, trends, and systems.
Communicate effectively across cultures, preferably in a second or third language.

Culturally

Have developed a greater understanding and appreciation of their own culture(s) and the varied US-American perspectives that exist.
Demonstrate an appreciation of, and open-mindedness toward, other cultures.
Exhibit an awareness of, and sensitivity toward, the issues that confront the local community.
Display an understanding of values, beliefs, traditions, and perspectives different from their own.
Will be more likely to take into account diversity and cultural differences on a regular basis.

Personally

Have reflected on their own identities, values, beliefs, and cultural frames of reference in a global context and demonstrated an understanding of how each influences their relationships with others.
Are able to approach life with a high degree of adaptability, independence, and self-confidence.
Demonstrate the ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and cope effectively with ambiguous and unfamiliar situations.
Actively seek out diverse, challenging experiences.

Professionally

Have explored, examined, and clarified career goals.
Understand their future career within a global and/or intercultural context.
Have developed and/or strengthened their career readiness competencies.
Identified the nuances associated with, and developed a level of competence regarding, working in a cross-cultural context.
Created an international network of contacts that can be applied toward their future career.
Have developed a degree of civic capacity, and the ability to apply their knowledge and skills to help solve community challenges.

I knew I wanted to study abroad, particularly in Japan, because it was on my bucket list. Thanks to CIS, I was able to go to Tokyo! Even now, it is surreal to me that I got to go! I can't put it into words how much fun I had in Tokyo. I enjoyed every second of my time there, from walking around the bustling streets of Shibuya and Shinjuku to going to class, eating delicious Japanese cuisine, and even going to the convenience store. Even the simplest things were incredibly fun to me. I was initially anxious about being homesick, my Japanese skills and traveling alone, but I'm happy to say that I very quickly made lovely, lifelong friends and was met with nothing but kindness from the locals. I learned not to let my worries get in the way of an opportunity of a lifetime. Thank you, CIS Abroad. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity I had to go to Tokyo.

Learning Outcomes