Authentic international research experience: Program model in Cartagena, Colombia

Abstract

Integrating an International Experience in Undergraduate Education is increasingly seen as an important component of high impact undergraduate activities. These usually take the form of student exchanges, internships, service learning experiences and short-term faculty led study abroad programs. Students in these programs have a very wide range of international exposure and local interaction. Despite increases in the number of American students going abroad to study, the participation by underrepresented minorities and persons in the STEM disciplines is still relatively low. The model was designed to incorporate Spanish language, culture, research, and service learning in primarily Afro-Colombian communities. Research focused on environmental monitoring using GIS/GPS tools in Cartagena, Colombia. The students were taught basic research skills such as literature review, report writing, data analysis, poster presentation, field sampling, and time management. The original model (from Cartagena) was piloted for two years and then tested in two other locations in South America. Overall the students thought the program was beneficial to their professional development.