Last year, close to 200 students participated in summer study abroad programss under the guidance of a knowledgeable Rhodes faculty member. For three to six weeks, students seized the opportunity to immerse themselves in a different culture and even acquire a new language while enhancing their worldview alongside a faculty mentor.
Just imagine the learning potential in extending this concept to an entire semester, where a faculty member and his or her accompanying students become scholars-in-residence at a university abroad. This is just one of the innovative concepts Professor Stephen Ceccoli plans to pursue as a Faculty Fellow for International Programs.
Keeping the goal of furthering international education at Rhodes in mind, Ceccoli serves as a liaison between faculty, students, and the Buckman Center staff. He is at once a resource for faculty, an adviser to students, and a source of support for the Buckman Center. Whether discussing study abroad proposals with his colleagues over a cup of coffee or ensuring students are aware of the immense array of options available, an integral component of Ceccoli’s role on campus is to facilitate and improve the line of communication between these interworking groups.
Every year, student interest in off-campus study increases, along with the number of opportunities available to them. The Buckman Center works to assist students in each phase of their experience abroad, from planning for departure to assimilating back into Rhodes upon return. Adding a faculty perspective to the mix, Ceccoli meets with Director of International Programs Katherine Richardson on a weekly basis.
One of the primary concerns he helps to address is the way to integrate international programs into the Foundations curriculum. In terms of long-range planning for furthering international education at Rhodes, he also lends his support and experience to acquiring more resources for study abroad proposals.
Ceccoli’s role is increasingly important in light of the shift in students’ increasing interest in going abroad. “Years ago, when I was an undergraduate, it was mainly language majors who studied abroad,” he says. “There were few opportunities for students in other disciplines.”
Clearly, student attitudes about studying abroad have undergone a dramatic change. In recent years, 11% of first year students, 39% of sophomores, 49% of juniors and 2% of seniors at Rhodes have embarked on the journey. From Ceccoli’s perspective, studying overseas provides an unparalleled educational opportunity. “It is my hope that virtually every student—regardless of major—will at least consider an off-campus study program.”
The Faculty Fellow position enables Ceccoli to play an active role in making an even wider range of programs and opportunities available to Rhodes students. With his support, several new initiatives are on the table, including the proposal to extend the Maymester concept to a semester-long experience. Ceccoli explains, “This would enable the faculty member to further pursue his or her scholarly research or creative activities while simultaneously enabling students to immerse themselves in their new setting.”
Another possible initiative concerns the potential of short-term programs to include the Rhodes community at-large—students, faculty, parents and alumni alike. During the first four weeks of the program, students and faculty would follow the typical format. However, during the subsequent two weeks, additional faculty, staff, parents and alumni would be welcomed to join in the learning experience. Ceccoli speculates that “providing other members of the Rhodes community with a glimpse into such experiences would greatly elevate not only the interest in, but also appreciation of off-campus study.”
As Ceccoli continues to work with the Buckman Center and provide experienced insight for his colleagues and students, he hopes to cultivate the idea that international programs are an integral component of the educational experience. Although he acknowledges that some students may feel reluctant to venture outside the comforts of the Rhodes campus, Ceccoli emphasizes that the experience is well worth the risk. “The rewards are immense,” he says. “In almost all cases, students return having had profoundly important personal and academic experiences.”
Luckily for the Rhodes community, this experienced mentor is dedicated to ensuring that possibilities abound.