After conducting these interviews and focus groups, recurring themes emerged. Here is a topline summary of those themes and excerpts of the comments shared by participants:
STRENGTHS
The Forum on Education Abroad has strength in:
■ STANDARDS:
“One other thing that I think is a strength of the Forum is our unique status as the standard’s development organization for the field, because there’s no other professional organization or association out there that can claim to fill that role. It’s a designation we get from the department of justice and Federal Trade Commission, and so that’s one thing that makes us unique” - Elizabeth
• Unique status as the standard’s development organization for the field • Provides a sense of community for study abroad practitioners • Forum serves as an advocate for the education abroad field
“For me, when I’m looking for professional development opportunities or resources, I know that the forum is going to be my one-stop-shop.” – Kyle
“I think the fact that the Forum in Education Abroad is recognized by federal agencies as the standard development organization for the field really professionalizes the field.” – Joy
• The Value and benefits of Membership
“The standards speak to all of us and allow us to have the continuity and speak the same language.” – Keshia
• Nimble, Adaptable and Responsive to the changing needs of education abroad
“Certainly, I think the Forum’s greatest accomplishment is in the standards and it’s probably what it’s most notable for, really driving for the field high standards and best practices that many organizations have gone to in terms of strengthening their delivery of education abroad programming, as well as the integration of student learning outcomes in it. I mean, without a doubt I think that’s the greatest accomplishment.” - Craig
“I think more voices from abroad have been included in this process, as now we’ve reached the sixth edition. And so I think that, that’s a really strong testament toward both the applicability, and the interest that the people have in using them.” - Mark
THE FORUM ON EDUCATION ABROAD // SOAR WHITEPAPER
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