Engaging International Students Through Service- Building a Successful Community Engagement Program Christie Murata Jhonery Mendoza Exploratory & Global First Year Advisor ISSS Advisor/Coordinator Florida International University Florida International University
Learning Objectives 1. Explore various learning outcomes that play a role in community engagement programs 2. Explain the benefits of community engagement programs for international students and international offices across campus 3. Understand how to effectively use community engagement models to support student engagement, cultural exchange, social responsibility, collaboration and affiliation 4. Disclose pros and cons when building a community engagement program
Icebreaker/Activity Log in to kahoot.it
Literature on Community Engagement Programs Often described in terms of a cluster of activities that includes among others, service- learning, programs and research that address specific social, economic and political needs (Hall, 2010) Working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference It involves: Promoting social justice locally and globally (Coalition for Civic Engagement and Leadership, 2005) Learning from others, self, and environment to develop informed perspectives on social issues Participating actively in public life, public problem solving, and community service Developing empathy, ethics, values, and sense of social responsibility Valuing diversity and building bridges across differences Behaving, and working through controversy with civility Taking an active role in the political process Assuming leadership and membership roles in organizations
Policy on Volunteerism for International Students U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Honor Division (WHD) Fact Sheet #71 states "Volunteers without expectation of compensation, are generally permissible." The fact sheet notes that wage and hour law makes special exceptions under the below listed circumstances: "Volunteers who perform services for a state or local government agency;" "Individuals who volunteer for humanitarian purposes for private non-profit food banks;" "Individuals who volunteer their time, freely and without anticipation of compensation for religious, charitable, civic, or humanitarian purposes to non-profit organizations."
Literature on Design Thinking “Above all, think of life as a prototype. We can conduct experiments, make discoveries, and change our perspectives…” – Tim Brown, CEO of IDEO Design thinking provides a solution- based approach to solving problems, and it’s extremely useful in tackling complex problems that are ill-defined or unknown, by understanding the human needs involved, by re-framing the problem in human- centric ways, by creating many ideas in brainstorming sessions, and by adopting a hands-on approach in prototyping and testing. Design thinking is an innovation management philosophy that has five core tenants to solving complex problem: 1. Empathize 2. Define 3. Ideate 4. Prototype 5. Test
Student Learning Outcomes of Community Engagement Programs Knowledge • Civic knowledge Understanding and being aware of various • cultures and their impact on society "I know what I ought to do and why" Skills Inquiry and analysis • Critical and creative thinking • • Intercultural communication Teamwork and problem solving • • Ethical reasoning and action "I know how to do" Attitudes Social responsibility – ethical framework that suggests • Transformative Learning challenges that an individual has a responsibility to society students to assess their value system Recognize and respond to individual needs and • and worldview and to be potentially cultural biases changed by the experience "I can do, and it makes a difference" "I must and will do"
Benefits of Community Engagement Programs Expand student affiliation within the institution and community Cultural Exchange - familiarity and adaptation Promote retention by creating connections with other students Develop interpersonal and leadership skills Serve the community and increased international understanding Facilitates collaboration among offices Create relationships with non-profit organizations Promotes awareness on social issues
Florida International University Institutional Profile 56,000 students over 4 campuses 3,692 F-1 international students 932 OPT Representation from 143 countries Students admissions are Fall, Spring and Summer On-Campus housing - most at main campus (MMC) Decentralized international offices
International Community Engagement Project (ICEP) Launched Fall 2018 by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) One-year project (Fall & Spring) designed to expose international and domestic students to the spirit of volunteering in America. Learning component on social issues Promotes student engagement, cultural exchange experiences, retention and affiliation with FIU and the local community. Service Events attempt to collaborate with other departments at FIU as well as non-profit organizations in South Florida.
Connecting Design Thinking with Building a Program Brainstorm Design Test for Challenge Problem Solutions Action PLan Improvement IDEATE PROTOTYPE • Create a program that promotes student engagement through volunteer work and a • Time line or agenda (Fall & Spring) learning component on social issues. • Promotional Flyer & logo • Incorporate educational workshops DEFINE • Arrange Meetings with departments on campus • Brainstorm on service projects to support • Coordinate Service Projects with organizations • Opportunity to create a cultural exchange • Learn about volunteerism in the USA and other TEST and departments on campus EMPATHIZE experience and better understanding of life in countries • Create an application and acceptance process the USA • Pre-Assessment • Collaborate with other departments on campus, • ISSS programing agenda • Produce policies, procedures and students' • Create more student interactions and people to student organizations, and individuals that • Post-Assessment • Students interest in volunteer opportunities expectations people connections with the local community share a passion for service • Service Projects Surveys • Need for community engagement opportunities • Understand funding needs for transportation • Opportunity to support as volunteers and • Create Assessment tools to evaluate progress • Meetings after each semester and food/beverage advocate on social issues • Introduce a contest award to connect students • Launch the program • Create a mission and vision with U.S.Democracy & serve the community on • Present to participants the agenda, policies, the national level procedures and expectations. • Allocate funds to support the initiative • Facilitate workshops • Consider stakeholders including Department, • Visit organizations to volunteer leaders, supporting team, organizations and participants
Process: ICEP • Application open every Fall – one year commitment. • Promotional flyer gets sent to all international students, International student organizations, Global Peer Mentors and G1Y • Information is posted in the website with link to the application for 2 weeks. • Selected students receive a welcome email and Pre-Assessment link Recruitment • Welcome Reception is used as opportunity to introduce program details,agenda, policies, procedures,leaders and supporting team. • Students are provided with educational workshops to expand their knowledge on topics such as: • Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) • Social Responsibility • Global Citizenship • Social Issues Workshops • Human rights • Sustainability • Student serve in community projects to support our community, campus and/or environment. • Community service projects promote student engagement, cultural exchange, and affiliation with FIU and the local community. Service • Relationship is established with different non-profit organizations that support social issues. Projects • Using qualitative research methods • Pre-Assessment • Post-Assessment • Service Projects Surveys Assessments
Collaborations
Funding • Student Government Association (Student Services) Budget Funds • Additional Funding from Office Operational Services • Other Departments • Global First Year, Center for Leadership and Service, Collaboration The Office of University Sustainability • Student Clubs • International Student Club, Mexican Club, Sponsors • Starbucks, SweetPetites, Sorpresas Party Rental, Firehouse Subs
All students receive a certificate of completion Incentives Eligible to apply to the Engaged Global Citizens contest & Competitive application. Selected recipients win an expenses-paid guided trip to Washington DC Awards 3 Day Trip takes place during late April or Early May 2019. Final candidates are announced at the ICEP Award Ceremony.
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