The College of Education may be accepted to a student teaching abroad consortium, Grand Valley State University’s Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching (COST), allowing students to be placed abroad starting Spring 2019.
Upon formal acceptance, the University of Wyoming, along with Youngstown State in Ohio, will be added to the list of member institutions shared Dr. Leslie Rush, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs with the College of Education.
The University of Wyoming will be officially listed in May after three representatives from the College of Education travel to Athens, Ohio for the annual meeting, according to Rush who lived and taught abroad herself in Uganda.
Rush shared that the University of Wyoming, as well as the College of Education strives for internationalization through study abroad programs and bringing international students to Laramie; past opportunities for student teaching abroad was expensive, a flaw that recognition as a COST member institution should remedy.
“I believe that this is a great opportunity for our students to get over seas and see that there are different ways of living around the world,” said Rush.
The College of Education is aspiring to be a member institution because of the affordability and cultural emersion. According to the COST website, they offer program placements for 6 to 15 weeks with homestay opportunities.
COST provided on their website that there are program opportunities in Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania. These vary and are dependent on the student teaching program desired, early childhood, elementary education and secondary education, with programs offered in both the spring and fall semesters.
Rush shared that this program is in the very beginning stages of its planning and portions such as funding and placement are still to be worked out. She hopes that students who desire to student teach abroad can create a financial aid bundle through scholarship, loans and personal earnings.
“Our hope is that students will be able to receive some scholarship support through the international center and through our college, as we have some scholarships as well,” Rush said.
Upon arriving at their destination, the cost of living for students’ teaching abroad will be lower, aiding in the financial burden. Even though student teaching abroad will be more expensive than student teaching in Wyoming, Rush shared that this opportunity is important for the college of education.
“To develop that cultural competence to adjust to a new environment. I think that it is important for teachers to recognize that cultures have different perspectives. There’s good to be found all around the world,” Rush said.
