Anglo American Educational Services has been assisting US University professors organize customized faculty led short-term programs in the UK and Europe since 1972. AAES provides academic and logistical support to meet all faculty and student needs.
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Instead of doing everything on your own, you may wish to
find a customized program provider to assist you in developing
your faculty-led study abroad program. You tell them what
you want and they do all the leg work, give you a price per
student, and help with marketing and other forms of support.
The pros are many... mostly, you don't get bogged down in
program logistics and can focus on your teaching. Also, most
providers don't charge you anything if your program doesn't
acquire enough students. Essentially, if a provider takes
on your idea, the burden is on them to make sure it succeeds.
Finally, much of the risk shifts to the provider, who is usually
better equipped to manage it.
The cons are few... usually a higher cost per student, since
there is a middleman who needs to be compensated for a lot
of good, quality work. If this is a big issue for your students,
then consider marketing your program nation-wide through AbroadScout.com
and other means (listservs, contacts, associations to which
you belong, conferences, etc.). There are many
benefits to doing so.
Institutes and Universities (both US and foreign) may also
provide services similar to customized program providers.
They own their own facilities and rent them out with support
services attached. This type of partnership works best when
you're going to one location and staying there for the duration
of your trip. They should be able to provide you with a classroom,
housing, and some support for organizing excurions, etc. at
a lower cost than a provider.
Whether you do it yourself, hire a provider, or partner with
a college or university overseas, here's what you will need
to think about to bring it all together.
- Facilities - What classroom facilities will be
used in-country?
- Transportation - What modes of transportation will
be used?
- Accommodations - Where will students and faculty
stay?
- Excursions - How will your excursions
be coordinated?
- Meals - Will meals be included? If so, which ones
and how?
- Orientations - How will participants be provided
with critical information (health, safety, cuture, etc.)?
- Disabilities - What accommodations can be made
for students with physical disabilities?
- Emergencies - How will emergencies be
handled, especially if there is only one faculty director?
Before selecting one or more study abroad partners, be certain
that they have strong knowledge and experience in the locations
where you will be going. While one company may be able to
pull off a fabulous faculty-led study abroad program for you
in Spain, it may not have the contacts to organize something
in Argentina with the same quality. You can search for a study
abroad provider in our Customized
Program Provider Directory. If you'd rather organize the
program logistics yourself, you can also find accommodation/classroom
facilities and field stations in this directory.
When you find a partner, be sure that you articulate what
you want your partner to do, and get it in writing! You should
come up with an agreement that specifies your expectations,
the fee for services provided, and exactly what that fee will
include and not include. Most host institutions and programs
providers won't package airfare for you; this will have to
be done separately through a travel agent. However, they should
be able to handle all onsite logistics and give you additional
onsite support (like a site director) to help with unexpected
problems and emergencies that might come up.
What to look for in a Partner...
Quality & Reputation - A reputable host institution
or third-party provider that can offer you quality services.
Student Support - Support from an international office
at the host or support from a third-party provider/partner
by way of a program director.
Health-Safety - Health/safety services and assistance,
as well as emergency protocols and procedures.
Risk Management - How have they handled risk and emergencies?
Do they seem to know what they are doing?
Course Options - If course instruction is being requested,
quality teaching that your students can substitute for their
major, minor, or general education requirements, and a transcript!
Total Cost - A total price that is attractive, and
makes your program comparable to or less than the cost of
other similar faculty-led programs.
Housing - Acceptable housing options and availability
for students and the professors.
Student Visa - If required, visa assistance from the
provider.
Excursions - Are they able to provide relevant, interesting
excursions and arrange the many logistics like transport,
lodging, meals, etc?
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