海角社区CI Faculty Roles in the 海角社区鈥檚 Yearlong Study Abroad Program
By Zoe Lance
While the California State University International Program (海角社区IP) helps students engage in yearlong study abroad opportunities, it also gives 海角社区 faculty a career-enhancing experience as International Resident Directors.
Three of 海角社区CI鈥檚 faculty 鈥� Irina D. Costache, Antonio Jim茅nez Jim茅nez and Luda Popenhagen 鈥� have participated in this highly competitive program that sources professors from the 海角社区鈥檚 23 campuses and places them in programs across the world. While abroad, they manage course enrollment, organize co-curricular field trips and help their students navigate everyday life in a new culture. All three agree that seeing students evolve into mature and independent critical thinkers is the best part of the job.
This experience is absolutely engaging
In 2012, Costache was the first art historian to helm 海角社区鈥檚 Italy program, which has its own campus and faculty. The program is affiliated with the Accademia di Belli Arti and the Universit脿 degli Studi di Firenze. The Art professor is currently abroad with the program for the second time. Over the course of the year, she鈥檒l help 83 students acclimate to the local culture, as well as take them on educational field trips.
鈥淚 see them go from asking themselves, 鈥楥an I do this?鈥� to 鈥楥an I stay another year?鈥�,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t is very rewarding for me to see how engaging and valuable this experience is for students. We鈥檙e sharing our knowledge, making a difference and seeing transformations.鈥�
The program鈥檚 location also gives her a chance to deepen her research in 20th century Italian art 鈥� she鈥檚 working on a book project and connecting with Italian faculty, artists, art historians and museum curators.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an incredible opportunity to work with and learn from other faculty,鈥� Costache said. 鈥淚t helps me bring back new teaching ideas to the United States.鈥�
A multifaceted transformation
Ten years ago, Jim茅nez Jim茅nez served as a resident director at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid. Next year, the Professor of Spanish will be back in his home country for another term to help students strengthen their language skills. He still stays in touch with students from his 2007-08 cohort.
鈥淵ou get to connect with the students at a much deeper level when you see them every day for a year,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t made me want to be involved again.鈥�
His research interest in the language development of students in study abroad programs also aligns with the experience. He sees the progress students make on assignments, but it鈥檚 even more fulfilling to see them use their skills outside of the classroom.
鈥淵ou see that in the most optimal scenario,鈥� Jim茅nez Jim茅nez said. 鈥淎 year makes them more analytical about the world around them. It鈥檚 a multifaceted transformation.鈥�
It has enriched and reenergized me
鈥淚鈥檝e lived and worked in France before, but this has been a really wonderful opportunity for professional development and a hands-on learning experience with the 海角社区 IP and its students,鈥� said Popenhagen, a Theatre and French professor. She spent the 2016-17 academic year in Paris and Aix-en-Provence, where 海角社区 has two programs. It was important for her to give her students the chance to culturally immerse themselves and get to know the region well. Popenhagen says that this gives them an advantage in their professional paths. 鈥淭hey can say, 鈥業 know the French culture and I have successfully studied and lived and survived there,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e the cream of the crop because they have this experience on their resumes, and they鈥檙e ready for professional work.鈥� She also feels these benefits on a personal and professional level. 鈥淣ow I can say that I know the south of France well,鈥� Popenhagen said. 鈥淚 was able to reestablish my French theatre contacts. It has enriched and reenergized me.鈥�