DENVER, Colo.--(COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Mar 31, 2004--Underscoring the importance of an international education, officials of Up with People and the University of Colorado at Denver today announced that students in Up with People`s WorldSmart(TM) Leadership Program will have the opportunity to receive academic credit.
Students who enroll in the WorldSmart Leadership Program will receive 15 semester hours of credit from CU-Denver. The WorldSmart program encompasses leadership and communications instruction as well as cultural immersion in seven countries over 19 weeks. The initial class is planned for 100 students from 20 different countries.
WorldSmart is a study abroad program of Up with People, which has been developing and connecting young people from around the world for nearly four decades. Up with People, which temporarily suspended general operations in December 2000 in order to develop a financially viable program for future students, historically emphasized international travel, on-stage musical performance and community service. It started back up last June, choosing to focus on WorldSmart, its international, multicultural leadership program.
''Up with People has shifted its focus from entertainment to education as a vehicle to connect young people from around the world,'' said Jeff Hoag, chairman and chief executive officer of Up with People. ''Being able to receive a full semester of academic credit for this unique learning experience makes this an incomparable program for young people who want to broaden their global perspective, expand their leadership skills and develop worldwide friendships that will last a lifetime.''
The agreement calls for CU-Denver to provide academic oversight and quality control of instruction for the WorldSmart program, as well as course credits and related student services, such as coordinating grades, course evaluations and transcripts. Instructors will be hired by Up with People and approved by the university.
''Our world is fast becoming a global community. International education is critical to ensure that our graduates are citizens of the world who are able to successfully live and work in this global society,'' Hoag said.
Speaking for the university, Mark Heckler, vice chancellor for academic and student affairs at CU-Denver, said the study abroad program is a unique blend of theoretical instruction, exploration and hands-on learning in seven countries of the world, indicative of CU-Denver`s strengths in international education and applied problem solving.
''This is an unparalleled learning opportunity because the world is our classroom,'' he said. ''Students will learn from the instructors, learn by doing and learn from each other, and focus on building intercultural leadership and communications skills.''
The WorldSmart Leadership curriculum consists of five courses: Theories of Leadership, Interpersonal Communication, Intercultural Communication, Communication and Conflict, and Presentational Speaking. The intensive curriculum also gives students the opportunity for hands-on community service, and a unique internship experience. As a result, students develop a global perspective, intercultural understanding and a civic-minded background, according to Hoag.
Instructional strategy and course content has been designed by CU-Denver faculty member Melissa Manassee, who holds a doctorate in intercultural communication and has been a member of the Communication Department faculty of CU-Denver since 1996, and Jacqueline Dobrovolny, who holds a doctorate in instructional technology. Instruction time includes on-line pre-course work, a two-week orientation in Denver, Colo., 17 weeks of travel in North America, Europe and Japan, and an on-line post course.
Applications are now being accepted and available through www.worldsmart.org for the program running from August 2004 to December. Programs are also offered each spring semester beginning January 2005 and running until June.
Cost for the program is $14,500 US, which includes tuition, air travel, housing, meals and ground transportation, as well as a full-time education team that travels with the group throughout the program. Scholarships are being offered to students age 18 to 29 based on need and merit.
In the United States, only 130,000 of the nation`s 13 million full-time and part-time undergraduate students participate in university-sponsored study abroad programs. Citing this as a deficiency, an independent task force has urged Congress to increase the number of U.S. college students who learn foreign languages and study abroad.
Today, the WorldSmart Leadership Program operates out of three locations: the international headquarters in Denver, Colorado, USA; the European office in Lugano, Switzerland; and Asian office in Tokyo, Japan.
The WorldSmart Leadership Program is a program of Up with People. Since 1965, Up with People, a non-profit organization, has been developing and connecting young people from around the world through unique multicultural, international educational programs. Up with People is an independent, educational organization and is not affiliated with any religion, political group, or government.
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STORY SUMMARY FOR NEWS BRIEF COLUMN:
WorldSmart Leadership Program Announces
Key Academic Relationship with the University of Colorado at Denver
The WorldSmart(TM) Leadership Program, the international study abroad program of Up with People, will offer academic credit to students enrolled in its program. Students will be eligible to receive a transcript of 15 hours of credit from the University of Colorado at Denver.
Students in the program receive leadership and communications instruction and achieve cultural immersion by traveling for one semester to seven countries with 100 other students from 20 different countries. Applications are being accepted at www.worldsmart.org for the August 2004 study abroad program to Asia, North America and Europe.
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