Comments and ideas generated from the Summit
Some comments from the Summit
- We must define “internationalization” as a mindset, recognizing bias and how we use our own language to discuss. We are never done – things are always changing – so we must continually educate ourselves.
- Fantastic model for a summit, very productive. It felt well worth the sacrifice of a Friday grading and prep day.
- It is great to see the gathering of a diverse group representing different PCC campuses. This is a gigantic initiative!
- An idea factory! Great work and thank you.
- Please make international student’s events more visible to domestic students.
- Because intercultural competence in on a continuum this allows for staff that are at different places to do different activities based on where they are at. For example the standard might be to name at least three things the person had done to broaden their awareness and information on intercultural, cultural or diverse issues.
- Tie internationalization with sustainability.
- It was wonderful to have the opportunity to discuss this issue w/others in the PCC community – I truly hope to see tangible results, action taken and support given to this effort.
- Hope this summit asseverates action and financial support for real institutional change.
- We need to have “global competence” for students in the mission statement. Internationalizing needs to be the norm in class context. We need more links to local int’l organization – i.e. give tickets to world affairs lectures, rotary involvement, Int’l film festival tickets to faculty. We need to address financial barriers for students regarding study abroad.
Summary of ideas and comments from the workgroups
- Broad agreement that much of our current programs is working well or need minor modifications.
- “Internationalization” at PCC needs a clear definition– should include international issues, with indigenous groups, focus on inter-connectivity and be an explicit part of the mission statement…and a core part of the curriculum.
- Equal access for all to information and opportunities is important.
- More/better staff and faculty training needed.
- Both internal and external partnerships are critical.
- Top down support and bottom up buy-in critical for long term change.
- Sustainable resource development and allocation.
- Multitude of specific ideas of how to make PCC an internationalized institution. Examples:
- Incorporate international elements into course outcomes.
- Make it part of program reviews, professional development plans, and staff/faculty assessment.
- Connect with other national and international entities (and colleges) addressing same issues.
- Connect with local international cultural groups – local immersion for faculty, students, staff.
- Develop mentoring program.
- Early travelers must be expected to encourage others.
- Managers need to reach out personally to faculty and staff.
- Faculty need to reach out to and show themselves willing to learn from students.
- Introduce international competency into hiring process.
- Have foreign language requirements linked to service learning.
- Develop specialized 2nd language courses for different professions.
- Provide professional student exchange opportunities (automotive students in Germany).
- Connect sustainability and internationalization.
- Close the disconnect between international and domestic students.
How will we know if we’ve been successful in 10 years from know?
- We’ll see comfortable interactions between native and international students.
- There will be multicultural lunch tables in the cafeterias.
- Faculty and staff will know at least one additional language.
- There will be multi-lingual programs at the college.
- Funding for international initiatives will be stable and secure.
- Administration and managers will actively promote professional development focused on internationalization and cultural competency.
- International curricular and co-curricular initiatives will abound.