Internationalizing the curriculum: Developing travel courses for global awareness

Abstract

In most colleges and universities, study abroad focuses on students and curriculum in business, foreign language studies and the natural sciences. In todaypsilas global economy, it is necessary for engineering and technology students to also have significant international experiences. In addition to exposing students to the broad issues of globalization, study abroad is both a career hedge against outsourcing and a response to internationalization requirements of accrediting bodies such as ABET. This paper will discuss the issues involved in developing and offering international experience courses; determining curricula and content; developing the computing and technology components of the courses; and developing the field experience including the logistics of travel. The paper will describe two courses: an undergraduate course on computer and network security with travel to London and Paris and a graduate course on offshore outsourcing with travel to India.