SBCC PIOBy Santa Barbara City College
On Oct. 6, 2022, the U.S. Department of State recognized Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) as one of the U.S. colleges and universities that sent the most scholars abroad through the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program during the academic year 2020-2021. The Gilman Scholarship expands access and equity in study abroad and international internship opportunities among U.S. undergraduate students with high financial need.
“In recognizing the top institutions with students studying abroad as Gilman Scholars, the United States continues to prioritize its commitment to provide access and equity to international experiences for all Americans,” said Lee Satterfield, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
At the height of the COVID-19 global health pandemic, which created severe obstacles for students to study abroad and participate in international educational exchanges, the Gilman Scholarship was able to support nearly 800 Gilman Scholars from 48 U.S. states and territories to study or intern, both in-person and virtually, in 77 locations around the world.
The Gilman competition is administered at SBCC through its Study Abroad Program and Program Advisor Nicole Walther. SBCC was one of the first among community colleges in California to create comprehensive semester abroad programs, developing an outstanding reputation, and achieving state and national recognition for excellence and quality of programs. The programs are faculty-led and change every year. The subject-specific programs allow faculty to bring their lectures to life with relevant excursions in the destination country and offer experiential learning to SBCC students.
Upcoming Study Abroad programs include Rome, Italy, in Spring 2023 to study English, personal development and Italian language. Summer 2023 offers two programs: one in Tokyo, Japan, to study communication and film studies, and one in Costa Rica to study Spanish grammar, beginning surfing and stretching and relaxation. The Fall 2023 program will take students to Bali, Indonesia, to study marine biology, oceanography, sociology and anthropology.
“We are honored to receive this recognition from the Department of State, and proud that through our program and the Gilman Scholarship, the desire to study abroad can become a reality for our low-income and disproportionately impacted students. The scholarship is very competitive, so to be selected reflects their commitment to learn about other cultures and engage with others throughout the world,” said Walther.
Additionally, the Gilman Program helps these students gain the professional skills, language abilities and knowledge needed for successful careers. The high academic performing and socio-economically diverse American undergraduate students who study overseas with support from the Gilman Program also build international relationships and foster mutual understanding. Since the program’s inception in 2001, more than 35,000 Gilman Scholars from all U.S. states, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories have studied or interned in more than 155 countries around the globe.
The Gilman Scholarship is a public diplomacy program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and is implemented by the Institute of International Education (IIE). To learn more about the Gilman Scholarship and how its diverse alumni pursue meaningful careers in the public, non-profit and private sectors, visit www.gilmanscholarship.org.
CC needs to be be to told how to focus on its mission – educating local students coming out of high school. Not international or out of state high money payers.
BASIC – that’s not SBCC’s “mission,” it’s what you think they should be doing for whatever reason.
This seems more like a reflection of local students’ financial status than anything else. Studying abroad is expensive.
Studying abroad at SBCC is not cheap – BUT it’s one of the most affordable SA experiences you can have.
Also, there are several scholarships and financial aid available to students who need it. SBCC has a great program!
I’ll stand right by my statement. I read the article.
“I read the article.” – You sure? Show us where this program is intended for “[n]ot international or out of state high money payers.”
Edit: Show us where this program is intended for “international or out of state high money payers.”
This time Basic is right, I think. The first two years of college should not involve “study abroad” programs but should furnish the basic building blocks to complete your undergraduate education. (I am speaking of the academic mission of a community college.) Pretty clearly there is a lot of money in the pockets of these students who are more interested in things outside their academic journey.
RHS, I disagree with you here. It appears you do not know about the Study Abroad Program and what education and going to community college is about. All the classes at the credit division SBCC are academic in nature: math, communication, art, physical education, sociology, biology, theatre arts, etc. Learning does take place outside of a classroom, too, and sometimes more readily than having four walls around you. Study Abroad is NOT a vacation. It’s studying and doing academic work in a different country and learning about the culture, the people and how to get along with others, among other of life’s lessons.
Spending some time studying abroad would be a great vaccine for the MAGA mental virus.
The best and fastest way to learn a language and a culture is total immersion, go live there. It also helps put the US in perspective, the good and the bad. These days I much prefer living abroad as it is painful to see the conditions here.
With proficiency of over 70% of incoming students at 5th grade level, study abroad program is another way to avoid academic sequential learning. However, experiencing other cultures and limits of educational opportunities elsewhere awakened me.
Studying abroad is an invaluable experience that everyone should have. I can’t understand why some would oppose or naysay this amazing program. Learning another language and experiencing that language and culture first hand makes you a more rounded person. A top priority should always be travel. The close mindedness and fear of “others” in this country needs to stop. This is how you combat that mindset. Get out of your town and see the world!
“The close mindedness and fear of “others” in this country needs to stop” there is none of that in this thread about the pro/cons of the SBCC study abroad program.
Trolling again, eh? Brush up on your reading comprehension. IN THIS COUNTRY, not “in this thread.” SMH man. Shaking my head.
Sad and telling, but not surprising that 2 people instantly “disagree” with my comment touting the importance of travel and overseas study. I wonder, do they oppose studying abroad? Do they support the close minded and xenophobic attitude that is so prevalent in our country? Odd indeed, but a great example of why programs such as this are so important!
I think the objection is not to the experience(s) that can be had. Its about being told (via taxes and assessments) that one is required to pay for a portion of the costs at an entry level school whose primary mission is supposed to be getting students ready for transfer to a four year program.
I’m generally a fan of travel as a learning experience.