September 24, 2010
Constantly enhancing the University’s study abroad student
experience, the Office of
Global Studies has launched an exciting, new way for students
to preserve and share their once-in-a-lifetime overseas
experiences.
Starting
September 30, 2010, students, staff and alumni will be able to
share the Kaplan Global Explorer Blog on the St. John’s
Web site. Every week during the fall semester, four student
bloggers will post their first-hand accounts of living and
learning overseas. (Six more bloggers will post during Spring
2011.)
“By capturing the flavor of living and learning abroad,” said Judy
Chen, Director of Business Affairs and Planning, “the rest of the
University community will get a more concrete understanding of what
our students are experiencing. We have urged them to be as open and
personal in these blogs as they are when they communicate with
their friends.”
The number of St. John's students participating in study abroad
programs has soared from 237 in 2005 to 729 in 2010. Ms. Chen
noted, “We hope the blog will draw attention to the progress St.
John’s has made in realizing its strategic goal of expanding
student participation in overseas study, while also sparking the
interest of even more students."
The blog’s
four global pioneers are Cara Cherepon, ’08 SJC who will be
reporting from Paris; Vicken Antounian ’13SJC, who will be in Rome;
Kristina Caltabiano ’11SJC, from Chile; and Tanisha Daley ’11CPS,
who is taking part in Discover the World. Each student will receive
$250 for posting 15 times a semester. The awards were made possible
by a $2500 grant from Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions — a St.
John’s strategic partner.
Hailing the joint venture, Christian Figorito, Director of
Graduate Programs for New York and New Jersey, Kaplan Test Prep and
Admissions, said, “We are proud to work with St. John’s University
because of our mutual commitment to making a great education
available to as many students as possible.”
Reflecting Kaplan's agreement with St. John’s view that a
quality education in the 21st Century requires global experience,
Mr. Figorito added, “Our commitment is further strengthened by our
shared interest in promoting global education.” Kaplan also is a
member of St. John's Corporate Social Responsibility Council, the
vehicle for their gift to Global Studies.
The Office of Global Studies also plans to sponsor a student
video contest at year-end. Study abroad participants will be asked
to submit 2-3 minute video treatments of their experiences,
focusing on what made their overseas adventures unique. To be
considered, videos must also feature the highlights of their
academic and service-learning activities. Submissions are due
January 31, 2011; iPAD winners will be announced in February
2011.
“Study abroad is the best way to prepare our students to succeed
in today’s global environment,” said Ms. Chen.