Study Abroad

Study Abroad Home

Information

Australia

Costa Rica

Florence

London

Japan

South Africa

Spain

Program History and Overview

Green River Community College is part of a consortium of community colleges (WCCCSA) formed more than 20 years ago to jointly send groups of students to study abroad. The groups are accompanied and typically taught by tenured faculty from participating institutions. The consortium has a long, successful history of the London Quarter and then over time other programs were added such as Costa Rica; Florence, Italy; Salamanca, Spain; and most recently South Africa. 

The consortium selects the teaching faculty from faculty applicants who are asked to submit an application and three course proposals. The curriculum varies from year to year, depending on who is selected.  The length of most programs is 10 weeks during which students can earn 15 academic transfer credits. Typical enrollment is 25 to 30 students.

Independent of WCCCSA, GRCC developed a Study Abroad program in Australia/New Zealand in the year 2000, now in its 11^th year of successful operation.  Students spend five weeks in Melbourne, Australia and then five weeks in Auckland, New Zealand.  Australian partners are Newman College/University of Melbourne and UNITEC in Auckland.  While technically not part of the WCCCSA consortium, other colleges in the State participate by enrolling their students in this program.  The faculty leader is Dr. Bruce Haulman, of the Social Science Division.

The most new recent addition is a GRCC Study Abroad program in Japan developed in partnership with the Kanagawa Institute of Technology in Atsugi, near Tokyo.  Led by faculty member Gary Oliveira (Patrick Navin) of the Fine Arts Division, the program has enjoyed its first successful pilot in 2009 and is again fully enrolled for the upcoming fall quarter program of 2010.

Benefits for Students

A study abroad experience for students is highly desirable as part of their development and education.  Students develop a broader perspective, learn to appreciate cultural diversity, and are enriched by this opportunity to live and study in another country.  Typically students return with increased confidence and maturity and full of exuberance and excitement about their studies and experiences abroad.

Benefits for Faculty

Teaching abroad is a vastly positive professional development opportunity for faculty, who return from the experience more energized, and also more knowledgeable. Developing increased cultural sensitivity is also helpful in working with the international student population at GRCC.  Over the years, many Green River faculty have had the opportunity to teach in WCCCSA and other Study Abroad programs.