fbpx

Why Virtual Course-Embedded Education Abroad?

In this time of restricted international travel and physical distancing, virtual education abroad programming offers a flexible solution to enhance instruction and bring the world to the classroom of every student.  The Gateway embedded solution is an affordable, scalable model that provides global learning access to a broad diversity of students. Customized content and high impact programming is integrated into local course content to enhance and internationalize learning outcomes.  

The Result

Students work on real-world issues in small, moderated online teams – and learn experientially in an environment of intercultural exchange and growth.

Expert
Content
Experiential Online Learning
Inter-Cultural
Exposure

All programs are led by subject matter experts experienced in online facilitation. A professional Gateway coordinator monitors and supports the program.  Cultural exposure and exchange are integral to the online Gateway student experience.

We provide cultural enrichment opportunities that enhance the international engagement we deliver, offering content, context and reflection. Engaging, curated sessions offer students the opportunity to learn more about the host country, explore their own cultural assumptions and work collaboratively across cultural boundaries.  Included in our programs are virtual city tours, online cultural excursions, introductory language lessons (when appropriate), guest lectures and an active exploration of intercultural dynamics.

How the Gateway Embedded Program Design Process Works

Gateway makes the planning and execution of embedded international offerings easy.  We work with colleges and universities to design student programs that both meet program requirements and engage students in meaningful, online, international experiences.  This is achieved in four basic steps:

Gateway works closely with faculty to ensure that programs target specific content, meet learning outcomes, comply with local requirements and are attractive to students.

We work with international partners to create robust, live, online offerings based on defined parameters and the spirit of the course.  All offerings encourage students to actively reflect on intercultural differences, language barriers and the dynamics of international, online collaboration.

Subject matter experts, real-world practitioners and skilled online facilitators ensure students are supported and challenged throughout the program.  Through lively, interactive sessions students broaden their horizons and learn valuable global skills.

Using a mix of feedback methods we measure impact, impressions, and student takeaways and we share this data with our clients.

Some of the Gateway Embedded Programs We Offer

The Gateway Embedded Partnership Model: Affordable Programs Designed For Administrative Ease

between University and Gateway is signed — a single, overarching partnership contract supplemented by per-course/program addenda and fee structures

with faculty member(s) and international partners

in cooperation with international experiential learning providers 
between University and Gateway is signed — a single, overarching partnership contract supplemented by per-course/program addenda and fee structures

of high-impact, embedded online program with final papers and presentations

issued to students completing the program

shared with stduents, faculty & administration

Flexible Financial Models

The Student
Model

Students pay a modest additional course fee to the university upon registration for the Gateway embedded portion of their course, which, in turn, is paid to Gateway.

The University / College-Funded Model

Funding is provided by the academic unit (division, department or course budget).

The Mixed
Model

Funds are sourced from both students and their home school and/or other sources

Program fees vary based on requirements, duration, and intensity.

Program Leaders

Heidi Thompson

Heidi is a process-oriented international businesswoman and etnrepreneur who has translated her 18-year experience aroad to become a student-centered inernational educator and coach.

Amy Blume

Amy is an experienced education abroad leader who is solution-focused and analytical with an eye toward connecting people, managing projects, and bringing ideas to fruition. 

Let's Connect

If you would like to discuss Gateway Embedded with our team, we’ll be happy to schedule a conversation to go over your specific program needs.

Heidi Thomposon

AFFILIATE

Heidi Thompson is a process-oriented international businesswoman and entrepreneur who has translated her 18-year experience abroad to become a student-centered international educator and coach.

 

Heidi’s work focuses on the creation of data-informed experiential global business experiences and the integration of international cultural training into the undergraduate and MBA curricula. Heidi connects learners with real-world applications, creates opportunities for them to build their international network and elevate their international social media profile. 

 

Heidi earned her Master of Business Administration from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in the Flemish part of Belgium and her Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. She is fluent in 5 languages: Czech, Dutch, English, French, Swedish. 

Amy Blume

AFFILIATE

Amy Bartnick Blume was a Butler University Chemistry major when she studied abroad at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia. She pivoted from this initial degree to her international higher education career by making the most of happenstance from study abroad. Over her years in education abroad, Amy worked in student advising, academic affairs, institutional engagement, and recruitment at the Institute for Study Abroad, Butler University (IFSA).

Amy received her Master’s in Public Affairs in Nonprofit Management at Indiana University and during that time worked at the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment. In her positions at IFSA, Amy engaged and connected with hundreds of students and institutions around the world to build partnerships, promote new education abroad models, and match curricular needs.

Traveling in the U.S. and to over 50 countries around the world, allows Amy the chance to constantly use and expand her intercultural learning. Amy has presented on appreciative advising, alumni engagement, and various topics in education abroad at NAFSA and Forum conferences. As an advocate for diversity and inclusion, Amy has supported efforts in the field by volunteering on committees and as a mentor for underrepresented students.

Gateway Service Areas:

Mark Beirn

AFFILIATE

An experienced global researcher and administrator, Mark Beirn brings a critical approach to risk management, factoring structural racism and identity-based violence into his rubric for supporting equitable global mobility.

Specialization Areas:

– Global Risk Management
– Education Abroad
– Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in International Education
– Health and Safety
– Curriculum Development

 

Stephen Appiah-Padi​

AFFILIATE

Stephen Appiah-Padi is an international educator with several years of teaching and administrative experience in both 4 and 2-year HEIs. An experienced global education practitioner-scholar, with a demonstrated history of success in the field.

Dr. Appiah-Padi has a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada in Educational Policy & Administration with a specialization in International/Intercultural Education.

At Northwestern College, he provided oversight in the administration of education abroad and international student services. In Lansing, Michigan, he first oversaw diversity and intercultural education at Lansing Community College, and later created the Center for International and Intercultural Education (CIIE) which merged intercultural engagement and international education programs of the institution, and he became its first director. Additionally, Dr. Appiah-Padi taught a course, “Diversity in the American Workplace”, to undergraduate management students of the College. In his current position, he provides leadership and vision in advancing strategic internationalization initiatives, including international partnerships and study abroad programs at Bucknell University.

Dr Appiah-Padi has created and facilitated several workshops for faculty and staff development in higher education and in business organizations. He has presented at several national and international conferences. In NAFSA, among several volunteer leadership positions, he has served as Dean of the Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication Workshop, the Leadership Development Committee member, Chair of the Africa Special Interest Group, and a Fellow of the Global Fellowship Program for mentoring emerging leaders of internationalization in African HEIs. He currently serves as a member of the NAFSA Board of Directors.

Subscribe to Gateway Edge Newsletter & Spotlight Episodes

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.

Rosa Almoguera

AFFILIATE

Dr. Rosa Almoguera has worked as an international educator for over twenty years. She was trained as a Hispanic Philologist at the Universidad Complutense, in Madrid, and did her M.A. at the University of Pennsylvania. Her Ph.D., from Universidad Complutense included a field study and edition of written balladry “Romancero”. During many years Rosa combined teaching and her role as a senior administrator at the Fundación Ortega-Marañón in Toledo, Spain. At the Foundation, Rosa directed and, in many cases created, programs for the University of Minnesota, Notre Dame, Princeton, Ohio State, Arcadia, and the University of Chicago. She has also been a visiting professor at the University of Minnesota, University of Portland, and Interamericana de Puerto Rico.

Beginning in 2016, Rosa works as an international education consultant for both public and private European and US higher education institutions. Rosa has been successful in developing new partnerships and programs, as well as helping improve already existing ones.

Rosa is a member of Forum and NAFSA and has presented with higher education professionals on innovative academic and research programming, STEM in study abroad and Nationalism in Europe. Rosa is currently completing the final Professional Certification from the Forum on Education Abroad.