ENHANCING INTERNATIONAL STUDENT TEACHING EXPERIENCES

International student teaching experiences are recognized as one way of expanding the horizons of novice educators by immersing them into other cultures outside of the United States. Successful experiences are undergirded by three major components. First, desired goals and outcomes should be clearly stated by both the home institution and participating individual. Second, satisfactory completion of a solid foundation of stateside academic, cultural, and professional preparation should be required. Third, on-going and in-depth participant reflection upon and processing of the international experience should be monitored by means of reports sent from the placement site. Taken together, these components will help to ensure that a professional and educative focus directs the international experience for all involved.