WSA Year Abroad

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Communicate the impact of your intercultural experiences on your work

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Wide-ranging approaches to your discipline and their dependence on cultural contexts

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Reflect on and evaluate different learning and teaching styles on the Year Abroad

As part of the module you will monitor the development of your learning by setting up and maintaining a personal blog on a module Blackboard or a similar site. This is a reflective tool that evidences the development of your thinking during your time at the partner institution and how it compares or diverges from the expectations set out in your Individual Learning Agreement. You need to make regular monthly contributions to your blog and demonstrate your awareness of the impact of the educational and intercultural experiences you are having on your own personal and academic development.

Your final entry should summarise the key benefits and gains made and any other lessons learnt.

Teaching and learning methods

Workshops to explain the pre-departure information, assist in developing risk assessments, Individual Learning Agreements and more generic travel and study information will be held before departure for the Year Abroad. These will also train you also in the use of Blackboard blogging tools and give information as to the type of entries that should be made.

As part of your ILA you will be asked to record monthly posts, documenting your learning and other significant events, activities, exhibitions and intercultural encounters. The aim of the blog is to provide a tool for reflection on the key learning experiences, academic and other benefits of the Year Abroad.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Risk Assessment. A risk assessment will be completed for each individual study abroad student, it is advised that you have read this document pre-departure.

Individual Learning Agreement. Your dedicated study abroad coordinator will guide you in completing an Individual Learning Agreement (ILA) and risk assessment; these will assist you in framing your learning goals and activities at the selected partner institution. Your ILA will specify the modules and number of CATS credits you will study with the partner. Successful completion of the modules will enable the transfer of credits and your progression to the final year of the BA programme.

Pre-Departure Meeting. As part of the module you will participate in a number of pre-departure workshops before the end of Part 2, where you will be able to meet with other students participating in the Year Abroad study and be guided by WSA and International Office staff in the expectations of the period abroad.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.