University of Puget Sound
I appreciate the way in which the University of Puget Sound has their experiential education activities laid out - inviting students to choose which type of learning they are interested in, already exemplifying the hands-on nature of experiential education.
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They have a number of programs, but one I'm fascinated by is their Pacific Rim program that only runs once every three years and allows students the opportunity to study abroad in several different countries while also engaging in experiential education and critical reflection.
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While it has been challenging to find specific information on what is covered during the Pacific Rim program, it seems that students will be forced to confront their assumptions and work towards greater intercultural competence. Additionally, students will be focused on a specific research project of their design, utilizing research done through pre-requisite courses.
Observations & Recommendations (Theory: Chickering's 7 Vectors)
The students on this program will all be juniors, seniors, or fifth year students, so their development will likely be further along than those who are just starting in college. That being said, there are a number of ways in which I see Chickering's 7 Vectors coming into play, and ways in which this program could further assist students in their development.
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Observations
Moving Through Autonomy Towards Interdependence
Through this program, students are encouraged to take what they have learned previously and create their own research projects. This allows them to become more autonomous in their studies than they may have been previously, as they are able to design the project that is their focus throughout the entire academic year.
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Developing Mature Interpersonal Relationships
Students are able to grow in their intercultural competence by meeting and working with people from all different countries around the Pacific Rim region. With a focus on accepting others for who they are, respecting differences and appreciating commonalities, students are able to widen their circles and learn more about the world they live in.
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Recommendations
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Reflection on how student identity develops as a result of being abroad
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Close collaboration with academic or career advisor to fit experience abroad back with personal/professional goals
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Establishing Identity
The program description mentions that students will reflect, but there are no details on how this will happen or what topics will be covered. A recommendation that I have is for students to have the opportunity to reflect on their identities as they are in the United States, and compare them to how they are while they are abroad. For example, many people from the United States, when going abroad for an extended time, realize what it means to be American in the eyes of others for the first time. Reflecting on what this is like and what this means for the student's identity will facilitate development in the establishing identity vector.
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Developing Purpose
Another item the website mentions is that students are encouraged to weave in their field of study to whatever it is they choose to focus on during the program. A recommendation I have is that students should be able to work with their career advisor or one of the faculty involved in the program in order to develop their ideas and see what that means for their major or career path. Perhaps during this journey, they discover something new they would like to consider as their vocation, and having an opportunity to explore that with someone else would lead towards developing purpose.