Studying abroad can be a positive, life-changing experience. Just ask Lynn C. Anderson. Her year abroad in Germany three decades ago led her to a career in international education. Anderson is dean of International Education and director of the UCSD International Center, and she has an extensive background advising, teaching, and presenting workshops for international students. In this interview, she discusses a new study-abroad option at UC San Diego, the benefits of international study, and the importance of being a global citizen. She also talks about her world travels and her favorite place on Earth (it’s right here in the United States).

Anderson: My first priority is to double the number of undergraduate students going abroad.  Presently, 22 percent of our undergraduates have studied abroad by the time they graduate.  Our goal is 50 percent.  Currently, UC San Diego ranks second in the nation in terms of the number of students we send abroad for a full year.  While retaining that outstanding ranking, the Programs Abroad Office (PAO) is adding a new opportunity abroad for students: faculty-led, short-term programs, called Global Seminars.  In addition, we are collaborating with the academic departments to set learning outcomes for their students to help ensure studying abroad will not delay time to graduation.

My second priority is to provide more services and programs for incoming international students and scholars through our International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO).  We rank eighth in the nation for the number of international scholars we have on campus.  Two-thirds of our post-docs are internationals.  We partner with the Friends of the International Center to welcome these new students, scholars, and their families but we would like to do more. 

My third priority is to provide all UC San Diego students — those who go abroad and those who don’t — with the knowledge, skill set, and sensitivities they need to function well as global citizens in their private life, their academic lives and their careers.

Anderson: My fabulous colleagues at the International Center and throughout UC San Diego are my favorite aspect of the job.  This is a smart, hard working, and deeply committed group of professionals who are passionate about international education.  It is a privilege to collaborate with them.

Anderson: Space and money are the greatest challenges.  We have a beautiful, but badly overcrowded, International Center.  We have too few staff and they are in very cramped quarters.  As we continue to increase our number of international students, scholars and outgoing study abroad students, this lack of space will become even more critical.  We also need to develop additional scholarship funds for our incoming and outgoing students so that UC San Diego is providing access to international education to all students, regardless of socio-economic status.

Anderson: With the exception of a year plus in San Diego, and three years in Germany, I’ve lived my entire life in Minnesota and it remains my favorite place in the world.  Outside the U.S., my favorite city is Berlin — historically fascinating, vibrant, and quirky.  Berlin is coping with the huge challenges that face any world city today while retaining its unique feel.  My favorite bit of nature is my Norwegian cousin’s home on the rocks overlooking the Oslo fjord.  I’ve also had the opportunity to spend time in Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK.

Anderson: The year I spent studying at a high school in Germany was truly amazing and life defining.  It was challenging to learn a new language (I had French in junior and high school) and take classes.  My host family was welcoming and generous; they helped me learn about the German culture and customs.  Over the last 37 years, I have stayed in touch with my host family and German friends, and we have visited each other many times.  That year abroad led to my ushering in the Munich Olympics in 1972, my undergraduate and graduate degrees in German, the opportunity to teach music at a city music school in Germany for two years and lead groups of students to conduct independent research in Germany, and to my career in international education.  My daughters have joined me on various Germany visits and they both learned German — it's been a fabulous family experience.    

Anderson: Absolutely!  Most UC San Diego students should be able to study abroad on programs that meet their personal, academic, and career goals, fit their budget, and do not delay graduation.  The Programs Abroad Office advisors work in conjunction with the departmental and collegiate advisors to help students through the program selection and Academic Planning process.
    
According to the most recent USES survey, UC San Diego students who have studied abroad are more satisfied with their undergraduate education than those who have not. Students report that the experience is “life-changing” and “life-defining.”  In addition, it’s lots of fun!  Students come back to UC San Diego more motivated, focused, and ready to take on new challenges.  They contribute what they’ve learned abroad to the classrooms, and to the co-curricular activities on campus and in the community.

Anderson: The faculty, level of intellectual discourse, and cutting-edge research in so many fields of study make UC San Diego a very desirable university for international students and scholars. Our wonderful climate, outstanding cultural opportunities and great location make this a superb place to live. We also provide a warm welcome to our international colleagues through departmental, divisional and campus-wide events. The ISSO staff and the Friends of the International Center provide outstanding services and programs to internationals, and help them navigate a big university and city.

Anderson: International students and scholars make very direct contributions to the academic life of our campus by teaching classes, participating in classes, acting as TAs, guest lecturing and doing presentations at a variety of venues. In addition, as they join clubs, participate in sporting events, and participate in residential life activities, they enrich the discussions about academics and life with insights and knowledge from their home countries. All students benefit from the variety of ideas and perspectives that our international students and scholars share with us.

Anderson: Being well educated in the 21st century means being internationally educated. It is imperative that we provide all of our students with the knowledge, skills, and sensitivities they need to work and live in our global community. Each one of them must be able to bring critical and informed insight to the issues and problems they will face as employees, family members, and citizens. They must have the skill set to work effectively in multinational and multicultural work settings. This is an agenda of national and international importance but from my perspective, it’s primarily an agenda of human importance.

Anderson: Faculty can get involved — and many are already involved — in leading Global Seminars, assisting with academic integration of study abroad into the majors, and discussing the international dimensions of their discipline in classes.  Staff also assist with welcoming new international students and scholars, referring students to the Programs Abroad Office to learn more about study abroad, and encouraging all students to integrate education abroad into their academic and career plans.  Students can avail themselves to a wide range of opportunities to engage in international education; take classes with an international focus; study, work, intern, or volunteer abroad; and take the time to get to know international students in their classes, residence halls, and student clubs. 

We also need 45 more English language volunteer tutors for international students, scholars, and spouses—anyone who wishes is welcome to volunteer an hour of their time each week to help tutor. 

Anderson: This summer we will send 140 students in eight groups, led by UC San Diego faculty, to take courses abroad. Students earn eight units in five weeks while studying topics such as the mathematical beauty of Rome, the human impact on the environment in Costa Rica, Making of the Modern World 4 in Paris, and much more. Our hope is that students who may never have considered study abroad will participate in a Global Seminar and then consider a semester or year abroad later in their undergraduate experience. Any new venture requires new systems and lots of support, and we are appreciative of how colleagues across campus have rallied in support of Global Seminars.

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