Study abroad programs have not run since 2019 at Long Beach City College, but a handful of professors have started to show their eagerness in reinstating these vital programs to help raise after-graduate student success.
Multiple studies prove that experiencing life as an expat increases the percentages of success in students’ career fields after they graduate by almost double. These sorts of results alone make it crucial for LBCC to prioritize traveling programs that can earn students credits for their courses.
Emad Faltas, a professor of history at LBCC who was born in Egypt, has studied classical civilizations, ancient Egypt, and earned his bachelor’s degree in Greco-Roman history, archaeology, and literature, advocates for study abroad.
“In the classroom you are limited with space, limited with time, and limited with what you can explain and show,” said Faltas, “But when you are in front of the things you see you see them for real. You see the reality.”
Faltas expressed his interest in bringing back a study abroad course as soon as the next academic school year. He and professor Mary Marki, another history colleague of his at LBCC, have been in talks regarding this matter.
“We are thinking of doing Western civilization, which is ancient Greece and Rome and maybe we can add Turkey or Egypt to that.” Faltas said, “This could potentially be the equivalent of giving students three credits as if they were to take History 1A.”
Professor Faltas has experience with leading groups of up to 40 people throughout the Middle East for almost a decade. He recently completed leading a group last January. Students at LBCC were welcome to attend this trip and seven of them did.
“It is all just talk right now because this needs a lot of preparation,” said Faltas.
They have ideas surrounding the possibility of implementing a study abroad program to their classes that would account for at least three credits for students.
Faltas communicated that in order to get the ball rolling on these opportunities, students must express their interest in participating in traveling courses.
Currently, Marki is on sabbatical, but come the 2023 academic school year more serious conversations can be expected.
This sort of expedition requires an intense amount of preparation and organization. There are matters of expenses, liabilities, spreading awareness of the program, and so much more.
The world languages professor of Spanish at LBCC, Francisca Meja-Lopez addressed this issue at a recent board meeting.
“It was communicated that although we would love to begin planning our next trip,” said Meja-Lopez, “we currently do not have a Study Abroad Coordinator. In order for planning to take place, that position needs to be filled.”
The status of that position is currently looking to be filled, which would help fast track this program.