Augsburg College Abroad
Programs and Reviews
Their Roots: The Center for Global Education (CGE) is affiliated with Augsburg College, a private liberal arts and sciences college located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was founded in response to a call by the Lutheran Church for programs that raise awareness of international issues. In addition to its office in Minneapolis, CGE maintains study centers in Nicaragua, Mexico, and Namibia. CGE has developed community partnerships in these locations with a wide range of individuals and organizations to serve as community leaders.
Their Quest: The Center for Global Education at Augsburg College provides cross-cultural educational opportunities to foster critical analysis of local and global conditions. The goal is for personal and systemic changes to take place leading to a more just and sustainable world.
They've been around since: 1982
And can be found in: Minneapolis, MN
Our international travel seminars are well-known and respected for exposing travelers to a variety of points of view, especially the perspectives of those working for justice and human dignity
Programs Abroad
Visitors who viewed this provider also viewed...
Reviews
90%Overall
Rating
100%Overall
Rating
Studying abroad in Namibia with CGE was a wonderful life decision for me. Everyday I learned something new about the living and ancient history of Namibia as well as about myself! Who knew I would eat goat head!? Who knew I would end up writing my senior German thesis about Namibia!? Who knew I would connect so well with my host families?
Although the classes were, in my opinion, far from academically challenging, they were still enjoyable, largely due to the credit of our teachers. They always had interesting speakers or field trips for us to enjoy.
I did an independent study project, instead of taking a fourth class and that was another great decision for me. I read more books about my topic, than I would have ever thought possible and this paper was the ground work for my German Thesis, that I wrote in my last year at college.
The staff was WONDERFUL! Everybody was simply pleasant and kind and I really felt secure emotionally and physically in the care of the staff members.
I would recommend this program to any student, who is looking to explore parts of southern Africa but not looking for the typical "SIT"-ish adventure. You are together with the CGE group most of the time, you have 3 homestays, you will go camping, you will celebrate American holidays and your birthday, you will have a wonderful time, if you let yourself be open to new experiences in a wonderful country.
100%Overall
Rating
I studied in Namibia the fall of 2008 and have been dreaming to go back since. CGE provided opportunities to experience Namibia as a local and not a tourist. While there I had the opportunity to have an amazing internship right in my field of study as well as to volunteer at an orphanage. Every weekend was filled with either trips into downtown Windhoek or excursions with the whole group. During fall break, a group of us traveled to Victoria Falls and traveled around the area.
100%Overall
Rating
I saw that one other student reviewer highlighted the traveling as the best part of this experience. I would disagree -- the travel is amazing, and you visit a huge variety of landscapes and cultural niches, but the real benefit of this program is the experiential learning immersion into a society that is in some ways very different than, and in many ways tellingly complementary to, that of the average American.
Including three home stays--two urban and one rural--and significant community involvement through internships and volunteering, the program is designed to take you out of your comfort zone and expose you to new paradigms and new relationships that could last a lifetime. You'll be travelling and hearing guest speakers almost every day that you have class, including many people who were directly involved in Namibia's liberation struggle. The readings for classes are intense but grounded, and provide great context for the more experiential learning that permeates the rest of the semester. And the travelling (outside of whatever travelling you do on your own, on weekends and/or the week-long break) is always tailored to the course material; there is no wasted gas, in my opinion.
I would highly, highly recommend this semester to anyone open to a new experience and to a wider social conscience. This is no semester in Europe; it's not a pointless excuse to drink (although you can); it's not a sight-seeing guiltless pleasure cruise. You are always safe (the staff, as others have pointed out, are incredibly understanding and supportive), but always experiencing something new, and you live with purpose everyday. If this sounds at all interesting to you, apply.
100%Overall
Rating
I can honestly say that this was the best/most rewarding thing I did in my 4 years of college if not my life. I learned so much about Namibia, the culture, the people, and the lifestyle; but I also learned the most about myself.
While I initially thought I'd be going to southern Africa to "help" via internships, volunteering, and being a positive role model for Americans, it turned out that the people and ideologies of Namibian's helped me gain a true perspective of what is important in life.
I gained true friendships with the other amazing people in the program and always look forward to catching up as much as possible.
This program should be known in all colleges and universities across the States, for everyone who goes comes back more knowledgeable about themselves and about the connection of people across the world.
Ubuntu
Staff Interview
I had the privilege of talking with Jessica Haas, the Coordinator of Recruitment and Promotions for the Center of Global Education (CGE). Before working for CGE, Jessica served as an AmeriCorps Vista volunteer and earned a Masters in International Education from from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, VT. Taking after her parents, Jessica says traveling has always been a part of her life.
Megan: Did YOU study abroad?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?
Jessica: I studied abroad twice - a semester in Beijing, China and a summer in Vilnius, Lithuania. There was no other choice for me - literally (my parents required each of their three children to pursue an international experience while in college) and figuratively (I never imagined NOT studying abroad).
Megan: If we were to produce a TV show titled, "When Studying Abroad Goes Wrong!", what do you think our first episode should be about?
Jessica:I think it should be about students who go abroad physically, but don't REALLY go abroad emotionally, mentally, and relationship-wise. In other words, I think it is unfortunate when students from the U.S. do not make an effort to go outside their program to engage with local people in a meaningful way. Related, students often spend so much time online that it reduces the exposure to the new community. Hence, going abroad without REALLY going abroad. That is about the most "wrong" thing to do when studying abroad because students often regret this when they get home, realizing that perhaps they did not make the most out of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Megan: Many students express interest in going abroad, but never follow through. What insight can you offer students to help them achieve their study abroad goals?
Jessica: My biggest piece of advice would be to plan, plan, plan. And plan EARLY. If you want to study abroad, start thinking about your to-do list the moment you step on campus. How do your classes need to be planned so that you can take a semester away? What funding and aid will transfer? How can I work with my parents or guardians to help them see the value in the experience? These types of tasks cannot be left to the fall semester of junior year if you plan to study abroad spring semester of junior year, or you take the risk of running out of time.
Megan: Which country do you think is an underrated study abroad destination?
Jessica: I think Mexico is underrated by students because they do not think it is exotic. Or they think, "I have been there before!" But most people only experience beach communities or perhaps a border community. There is so much more to Mexico. In addition, if your goal in study abroad is to increase your professional skills and knowledge, it should be noted Mexicans are the largest immigrant population in the U.S. - students will live alongside and work with Mexicans on a daily basis. It makes a lot of sense to study in Mexico to better understand a culture and people that will likely be a significant part of your life, even after you return home.
As an alum of CGE's semester program in southern Africa, I can definitely echo Jessica's acknowledgement of CGE's commitment to building relationships with locals and other program participants to cultivate a community built on openminded-ness. Participants are asked to reflect on their impact on the environment and world. Not only were sometimes taboo and difficult topics discussed, but CGE coordinates many opportunities to take action - the kind which "encourages individuals to live as active agents of history, and hence, fosters social transformation rather than the maintenance of the status quo."
Featured Programs:
- Semester in Nicaragua, El Salvador, AND Guatemala - This multi-country semester program emphasizes social change in Central America. By exploring first hand various approaches to economic, environmental, and social justice, students walk away with a better understanding of the richness and diversity of this area. Program also includes multiple home stays in each location.
- Fall semester in Mexico - A more business minded program, here you will debate globalization, U.S. immigration policy, and sustainable economic development in the heart of a country that is more than just a spring break destination.
- Semester in South Africa and Windhoek, Namibia - See and feel the beat of these transitional nations as they work to build a democracy. With the legacies of apartheid and extreme income inequalities challenging their development, you can converse directly with a local on one of your three home stays to hear first hand accounts of the major struggles in their recent history.
Our programs provide opportunities to expand your worldview and to challenge your perceptions about global justice and human liberation. Issues of social responsibility are at the heart of all of our programming.
I left this program inspired and filled with experiences and stories. The combination of academic integrity, experiential education, and the lessons of daily life played a huge impact on my experience. My host family for 2 months became a great support system, my internship at a local school taught me so much, and my fellow CGErs brought a richness to the learning process. Cuernavaca is a great place to study and to live; close to Mexico City, with a lot of history and culture. I left wanting more.