New Books in International Education

A new book examines how study abroad experiences shape first-time learners, while another soon to be published examines best practices in the field.

The Handbook of Practice and Research in International Education will be published on May 25 by Routledge. Ross Lewin, the director of study abroad at the University of Connecticut, has edited the volume, which brings together academics, administrators, practitioners and policy makers from around the world.

The book’s 30 readings address a number of questions:

• What is meant by global citizenship and global competence?
  
• What are the philosophical, pedagogical and practical challenges facing institutions as they endeavor to create global citizens?
• How is study abroad and global citizenship compatible with the role of the academy?
• What are the institutional challenges to study abroad, including those related to ethics, infrastructure, finances, accessibility, and quality control?
• Which study abroad programs can be called successful?

Meanwhile, Joshua McKeown, director of international education and programs and an instructor in global and international studies at SUNY-Oswego, is author of The First Time Effect, a study of the impact of study abroad on the intellectual development of students. The work is just out from SUNY Press.

SUNY Press’ Web site says McKeown “shows that for some students — particularly those without substantial prior international experience — study abroad is associated with significant gains in intellectual development. For those students who have traveled abroad previously, the same does not hold true. It is those students who lack meaningful international exposure who seem to benefit most from studying abroad.”

The book’s first chapter is available in pdf at the SUNY Press Web site.