Course Information
Steps to Become a Successful International Student
Welcome to the iStudent101.com Online Courses!
The intention of the iStudent101.com Online Courses, developed by The Center for Global Education, is to introduce students to the opportunities and challenges inherent in participating in international study programs. Students will benefit from the courses by finding out tips and techniques to prepare for their program, how to cope with challenges that may arise while they're abroad, how to make the most of their international study experience while they’re there, tips for dealing with issues that may arise after their return home, and advice on where they can go from here personally and in their career preparation. The courses provide them the opportunity for cross-cultural learning, making better sense of their experiences abroad, and further refining their skills in cross-cultural observation, adaptation, and communication. Students are able to take the courses as a group so their group administrator can monitor their progress.
These courses include information from students who have studied abroad, the staff who work with them, faculty who teach students abroad and international students, and researchers in the field who have developed materials to help students through the process. Many of the topics dealt with are practical in nature, but theoretical and conceptual issues will also be explored. Throughout the courses, students will be asked for Individual Reflection and Interacting With Others about their experiences they encounter preparing, studying, and reentry in their home country. Regardless of where they are in their international study process, we hope that they will take advantage of the information provided here!
There are three separate courses designed to be of help to students, depending on what stage of the international study journey they are in:
Students who study abroad for academic credit and complete all three courses, including the Info Log assignments and the home campus and school or community outreach presentations required in the third course, will earn the iStudent101 Certificate.
Course 1: Before You Leave Syllabus Contents
This course is for students who are in the pre-international study stage, whether they are thinking about international study, searching for a program, or preparing for departure. This course provides them with the opportunity to determine their goals for international study, know how to search for the program that is best for them, learn what documents they need, and prepare for cross-cultural and language learning.
Course 2: While You’re Abroad Syllabus Contents
This course is for students who are currently participating in international study. Whether they have just arrived overseas, are well into their program, or are getting ready to return home, this course will give students the tools to make the most of their experience abroad! They will find out how to cope with challenges that may arise while they're abroad, how they can take care of things they may not have prepared for, and how to get ready for their return home.
Course 3: Once You Return Syllabus Contents
This course is for students who have returned home after their international study experience. Here they will find tips and techniques to help them with their return home, how to cope with the issues that may arise after they return, and how to continue their learning. This course provides them with the opportunity to continue by reflecting on their overseas experience, on the odd, sometimes painful and unexpected process of cultural re-adaptation, on the integration of their intense international experiences with their current intellectual and emotional lives, and on where they can go from here personally and in their career preparation. It provides them the opportunity to continue the cross-cultural learning process, to make better sense of their experiences abroad, and to further refine their skills in cross-cultural observation, adaptation, and communication. The course requires students to complete a home school international study outreach presentation and a school or community outreach presentation.
International Study Administrators and Faculty can download and print the User Guide. This thorough guide of the courses provides a step-by-step navigation and overview of the each course section. We encourage you to utilize this as another easy-to-use reference guide to help you and your students complete the courses and participate successfully in international study. Information for all iStudent101 users can be viewed on the User Guide page.
iStudent101 Certificate
The iStudent101 Certificate is a symbol of academic achievement that can be earned by any college or university student who participates in international study for academic credit and completes all three iStudent101.com Online Courses including the Info Log assignments and the home country outreach presentations required in the third course.
The iStudent101.com Online Courses can help turn what for many students may be an unconnected experience abroad into a meaningful, integrated international learning experience. Additionally, they connect participants to their home campus and community through mentorship and outreach, enabling returned international study students to make their overseas experience relevant and useful. Following completion of the courses and recognition of their achievement through a iStudent101 Certificate, students will have something tangible and marketable that they can add to their resume displaying their accomplishments.
How to Receive a iStudent101 Certificate & Who Signs It
Upon completion of the last action of the last course Once You Return, students will be congratulated and prompted to download and print their iStudent101 Certificate from the link that appears and to contact the appropriate people to get the necessary signatures to make it official. Students may want to consider printing it on parchment or resume paper in high resolution at a professional printing store such as Kinko’s or the UPS Store.
The Certificate appears in the student’s name with 4 lines for signatures from designated people confirming completion of the different components of the courses. The designated people and the components they are to confirm are listed on the Approving Signatures Explanation Sheet.
A second link will also appear for students to download and print copies of the Approving Signatures Explanation Sheet Downloads this page as a word doc to distribute to the people signing their certificate so that they know what to look for and understand what they are signing.
Feedback
We welcome any questions, feedback, or suggestions you may have regarding these courses or other resources! Please contact us at 
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