'Sustainability in Study Abroad' Request for Articles
Miguel Karian
Hello All!
I am forwarding a call for articles on ‘Sustainability in Study Abroad’. The magazine is putting together a special section on the topic, and are requesting articles, pictures, etc.
The final deadline isn’t until October 1, 2007, and they are offering a small stipend. I plan to submit something (¡si Dios quiere!), & it would be great to see something from some of you as well! See below for details.
Miguel
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Dear Study Abroad Students,
ABROAD VIEW, the global education magazine for students, is preparing a special section for its spring 2008 magazine. The section will focus on “The Gift of Study Abroad: Privilege, Responsibility, and Sustainability.” We are interested in publishing student perspectives on how studying abroad can contribute to a sustainable global community and planet by examining the privilege and responsibility that comes along with the study abroad experience and by exploring the long-term impacts of study abroad on communities and environments.
Also of interest would be articles by individuals or communities abroad that have had the experience of hosting students. If you are a student who lived or is living with a host family or community, please pass this call for articles on or interview them. If you would like suggestions for interview questions or need any assistance, please email us.
We are further seeking captivating, top-quality photos for the magazine to accompany articles and help illustrate this section.
*Section Overview: *
Those of us who have studied abroad have been given a great gift.
Blessed by a system that supports studying abroad and with money in our pockets (whether our own or from financial aid) we set off into the world to expand our minds. We arrive in cities and communities around the globe and are again gifted by our hosts. They teach us, put us up in their homes, provide for our comfort, and help us acquire that which we are seeking. In the context of the global community, we are extremely privileged in this way.
Yet, the study abroad experience is normally not presented as a gift.
Nor does there seem to be much conversation regarding the responsibility to acknowledge our privilege and to reciprocate this gift in some way.
With the looming problems of global climate change at our doorstep and with the myriad conversations around the topic of sustainability in all industries, we must inquire deeply into how we are contributing (or not) to a brighter future. Sustainability can only be achieved when we are living in an equitable local and global society that exists within the earth’s carrying capacity.
To this end, we are wondering: What are the implications of our study abroad experiences on the peoples and cultures of the places we visit?
How does the study abroad experience educate us about our role in the global community? What are the implications of our travel on the environment? How can we learn from our hosts to investigate ways in which we can achieve a more environmentally stable planet?
These and many other questions come to mind when we start to recognize the privilege and the implied responsibilities of our study abroad experiences. We are interested in the connections you are making between these concepts and how your study abroad experience can help us create a sustainable global society and earth.
*Suggestions for articles from students:*
1. How do you, as a current or returned study abroad student, see yourself differently (or not) than a tourist? Did you take certain measures to be more responsible abroad in terms of your cultural sensitivity, environmental awareness, and reciprocity?
2. Do you view your abroad experience as having positively or negatively impacted your host community? In what ways have you or are you giving back to your host community (e.g. research, service projects, subsequent work/professional commitment, etc.)? Please elaborate and provide tangible examples.
3. If your study abroad experience involved volunteering, conservation, social justice or humanitarian projects, etc. please tell us about this work in a compelling way. Why did your engagement make (or not make) a difference? To whom did it make a difference?
4. Did you learn about ways in which others around the world are coping with and/or finding solutions to issues surrounding social inequity and environmental sustainability? How has this awareness informed you and your role as a global citizen? Are you sharing these discoveries with others or pursuing a particular extracurricular activity, activism role, or future career path because of this experience?
5. How has your learning overseas translated into your lifestyle at home?
6. What are the direct environmental impacts of study abroad? How do we deal with the pollution generated from all of these travels?
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We appreciate your participation, as we look into the future of how study abroad can contribute to a sustainable global society and earth.
Articles should be 800-1400 words. In addition to full-length articles, we also encourage inspirational quotes and/or tips for making study abroad more sustainable.
All submissions are due by October 1, 2007 although early submissions are encouraged and appreciated by May 1, 2007 as articles are reviewed on a rolling basis. Email articles to close...@abroadviewmagazine.com <mailto:close...@abroadviewmagazine.com>.
If you have any questions, please visit our web site at www.abroadviewmagazine.com <http://www.abroadviewmagazine.com>, send an email to close...@abroadviewmagazine.com <mailto:close...@abroadviewmagazine.com>. or call 802-442-4827.
Compensation for published articles is $25 and up to 10 contributor’s copies. Full credit is given to authors.
Coordinating this section are Abroad View Editorial Board members Astrid Jirka, Outreach Coordinator in the Office of International Programs at Ithaca College and Doug Reilly, Assistant Director for The Hobart and William Smith Colleges and Union College Partnership for Global Education.” Sherry Schwartz is the director of the Abroad View Foundation."