International Travel Project
Study abroad trip to Costa Rica led by John Atkinson
Transform your international travel plans into a dynamic mentored project, earning digital badges, accessing the benefits of mentoring, and deepening your learning.
Project description
Will you be traveling this Winter Session for a study-abroad, service project or personal trip? Why not transform your experience into a mentored project, earning digital badges, accessing mentoring, and deepening your learning experience?
Projects can be designed to meet your specific interests and plans but may focus on the following:
- Get Cinematic: Develop a video/documentary based on your experiences that can be shared with a particular audience to build capacity
- Get Curious: Take a deep dive into a particular region, cultural or architectural institutions you will be visiting. Take the opportunity to talk to experts and develop a project that will share your insights and discoveries.
- Get Connected: Learn about the people who inhabit the region you will visit. Conduct interviews, make connections and seek deeper insights into their culture and history.
- Get Linguistic: International travel is a great opportunity to learn a language while sharing your own. Dive into linguistic challenges and discoveries, developing a project that captures your journey while strengthening opportunities for others.
- Get Tasting: Food is a wonderful vehicle for learning about new destinations and cultures. Develop a food map that shares cuisine and culture through the lens of eating and cooking. Consider developing a multi-media presentation or video of your culinary journey.
Project outcome
Students will discuss specific goals and outcomes with their mentor upon formalizing their specific projects. Outcomes will be customized based on the nature of travel, students' interests, and related opportunities for engagement.
Project details
| Length of commitment | Less than a semester |
| Start time | Winter (December); Anytime |
| Level of collaboration | Flexible |
| Benefits | Variable |
| Who is eligible | Anyone |
| Support | Funding is available after the completion of the preparation badge. See below. |
Core partners
- Office of Study Abroad
Project mentor
Mara Huber
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Research and Experiential Learning, Director of
Experiential Learning Network
Phone: (716) 829-2834
Email: mbhuber@buffalo.edu
Preparation
To engage with this project, you will work through a series of Project-Based Collaboration digital badges to guide your experience. These badges will:
- Guide you in setting your goals and intentions as well as gaining additional context,
- Enhance your collaboration with your mentor/partner,
- Support your reflection and help you integrate your learning with your academic and professional goals.
All students who wish to participate in a project on the Project Portal must first complete the Project Preparation Digital Badge. First, contact the project mentor to discuss availability and after you’ve received approval, you can start the Project Preparation Digital Badge.
Preparation guidance
Once you have registered for the Project Preparation Digital Badge, you will receive further instructions related to the activities you will need to complete. In addition, you will also complete the following preparation activities for this particular project:
- Preparation will be discussed upon consultation with mentor and will align with the specific outcomes of the project.