As a student in one of our programs, you have several opportunities for study abroad. One of these opportunities is a 2-week long experience in Belize, while the other is a 6-week long experience in Panama.
The Teaching 550 course, Teaching Across Cultures, offers you the chance to spend 2-weeks on the barrier island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, working in the field with students and teachers in the Belizean schools.
The course meets several times over the course of the fall semester, with students departing for Belize in January, just before the second semester begins. If you elect to take this course, the opportunity to become acquainted with a new culture and to spend time visiting such attractions as Mayan ruins and the second largest barrier reef in the world are unparalleled. Although it is Central American, Belize is an English-speaking nation and accepts the U.S. dollar.
Applications for this study abroad opportunity are collected in the summer and turned in to the Office of Teacher Preparation.
Students interested in this experience should register for the TCHG 550 course in the fall of their 5th or professional year.
Note: TCHG 550 replaces Soc 501 for students in 5-year or MAT with licensure programs. This does not apply to students in the ESL program who need Soc 501 and have the option of TCHG 550 or English 532.
If you wish to become fully immersed in a new culture for an extended period of time, you can have the opportunity to fulfill half of your student teaching internship in the Central American nation of Panama.
In Panama, you will student teach full-time for 6 weeks at beautiful Balboa Academy, an American school located in the City of Knowledge, just outside Panama City. From virtually anywhere on the grounds, you can view the ships as they move through the Panama Canal. Unlike Belize, however, a working knowledge of Spanish is very helpful. Although the students at Balboa Academy receive instruction in English, Panama itself is a Spanish-speaking country, though it does accept the U.S. dollar.
Applications for this study abroad opportunity are collected in the fall prior to student teaching and are turned in to the Office of Teacher Preparation. No special course registration is required.10 Ways to Teach Overseas
Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)
Overview: The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is a civilian agency of the U.S. Department of Defense. DoDEA's schools serve the children of military service members and Department of Defense civilian employees throughout the world. Today, DoDEA operates 192 public schools in 14 districts located in 12 foreign countries, seven states, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
Requirements: Applicants must be a US citizen, free of any debilitating physical or mental illness that would prevent them from working and available for immediate in-processing worldwide. They must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. They must have worked as a student teacher or an internship as part of an approved teacher education program in an accredited U.S. institution. A full list of requirements can be found on their website.
Website: http://www.dodea.edu/offices/hr/onlineapplication/default.htm
The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET)
Overview: Participants of the JET program are assigned to be either Assistant Language Teachers (language instruction in elementary, junior, and senior high schools), Coordinators for International Relations (work in communities on international exchange activities), or Sports Exchange Advisors (promote international exchange through sports). Participants are placed with local government organizations throughout Japan.
Requirements: Participants must have an interest in Japan and make an effort to study or continue studying Japanese. They must be able to live and work in Japan, have a Bachelor’s degree or obtain a degree by their departure date and be a citizen of the country where the recruitment and selection procedures take place. For a full list and more details about the requirements, please visit their website.
Website: http://www.jetprogramme.org/
WorldTeach
Overview: WorldTeach is an independent non-profit company that offers a variety of programs for either year, semester or summer long terms. Chile, Bangladesh, China, Coast Rica and Columbia are just a few of the many countries where volunteers can be placed.
Requirements: To apply, participants must be a native English speaker, 18 or older and hold a bachelor’s degree by the date of departure if pursuing a year-long or semester-long program.
Website: http://www.worldteach.org/site/c.buLRIbNOIbJ2G/b.6150577/k.BF13/Home.htm
Peace Corps
Overview: The Peace Corps currently serves 76 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, the Pacific Islands and the Middle East. Volunteers live and work with a community for 27 months providing service in one or more six program areas: education, youth and community development, health, business and information and communications technology, agriculture and environment.
Requirements: Ninety percent of Volunteer positions require a bachelor’s degree. All Peace Corps Volunteers commit to 27 months of training and service overseas. Applicants’ preference of host countries is considered, but applicants must be willing to serve wherever their talents are most needed.
Website: http://www.peacecorps.gov/
Fulbright Program for US Students
Overview: The Fulbright Program is the largest U.S. international exchange program offering opportunities for students, scholars, and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide. The program supports approximately 1,700 U.S. citizens to engage in study, research, or teaching assistantships abroad via the U.S. Student Program.
Requirements: Applicants need to complete a lengthy application outlining their desired research, assistantship, etc for their specific country. Applicants should also apply at least two months prior to the campus of IIE deadline if seeking full research and study grants or grants in the Creative and Performing Arts and at least six weeks prior to the campus of IIE deadline for teaching assistantships.
Website: http://us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html
The International Educator (TIE)
Overview: The International Educator (TIE) is a non-profit organization committed to matching the best educators with the best international schools around the world. For more than 25 years, TIE has been the most comprehensive service for securing a job overseas. TIE is the marketplace for international education by providing the venue where schools can find exceptional candidates, and teachers can find exceptional jobs.
Requirements: This site allows job seekers to post their resume online for a $49 subscription for web and paper services or $39 subscription for web services only. There is also a $29 additional add on service for instant job notification.
Website: https://www.tieonline.com/default.cfm
Goabroad.com
Overview: This website offers a directory of over 20,000 teaching opportunities in many countries. Users can browse jobs or sign up for automatic email updates when ones that match their criteria are available.
Requirements: None for website. Actual job requirements depend on the job.
Website: http://www.goabroad.com/teach-abroad
Educators Overseas
Overview: Educators Overseas places qualified, native English speaking teachers and school administrators from America and other countries in jobs in international and English schools around the world. Educators Overseas is endorsed by the U.S. Department of State and a member of the Association for the Advancement of International Education.
Requirements: Subscription for either a featured ($35) or ultimate ($55) membership.
Website: http://www.educatorsoverseas.com/
Teach Away Inc.
Overview: Teach Away offers a wide variety of international teaching jobs for licensed teachers, college lecturers, and ESL instructors. All of the teaching jobs are with reputable educational institutions that have been carefully selected and screened to ensure that teachers are placed in high paying, rewarding teaching jobs abroad. Teach Away focuses on placing native English instructors in teaching jobs with Ministries of Education and leading private schools overseas.
Requirements: Applicants must be a native English speaker, hold a Bachelor’s degree, have a positive attitude and have a current passport. A TESOL certificate or equivalent is also suggested.
Website: http://www.teachaway.com/
TeachOverseas
Overview: TeachOverseas is an openly Christian organization. Each year, they train and send hundreds of Christians to teach English, Business and other subjects in: China, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, North Africa, Russia, Slovakia and Vietnam.
Requirements: Applicants must be native English speakers, US or Canadian citizen and be committed to the Christian faith.
