The U.S. Department of Education’s International Strategy notes that international education is important for: (1) economic competitiveness and jobs; (2) meeting global challenges; (3) national security and diplomacy; and (4) a diverse U.S. Society. At the undergraduate level, institutions have responded by creating many study abroad programs. While many of these are for non-scientific disciplines, there are also a large number of STEM programs, particularly in the field biology, geology and environmental areas. Laboratory-based disciplines face real challenges in justifying the additional expenses required for international travel, since many of the basic research tools are available closer to home. Faculty members at primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) are face additional challenges in finding and promoting research abroad opportunities, since they are less likely themselves to have had international experiences, are less likely to host international visitors than their counterparts at research intensive institutions, and often compete in grant programs with severe restrictions on travel. None-the-less, students originating at such institutions will enter graduate programs with large numbers of international students and will be competing for jobs at companies that value international experience due to their global operations. This presentation will present some strategies for developing international collaborations at a PUI and how students can benefit from those activities.

The challenges and benefits of international research collaborations for undergraduate institutions

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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