Mission, Vision, Objectives, and Program Learning Outcomes
Mission
To foster RCCD students’ development of essential personal, academic, and career skills
such as collaboration, intercultural communication and competency, resilience, problem-solving,
and globally inclusive empathy, the RCCD Global Learning & Study Abroad Program is
committed to providing RCCD students with low-cost, high-quality global learning opportunities
through internationalized courses, events, and activities; transnational exchanges;
and education and internship programs abroad.
Vision
The RCCD Global Learning & Study Abroad Program envisions a future where RCCD community
members have equitable access to transformative global learning opportunities that
expand horizons, cultivate resilience, and foster lifelong skills in intercultural
communication, collaboration, and empathy. By making the world an integral part of
the RCCD experience, we aspire to empower our community members to see themselves
as thriving global citizens, prepare to lead with purpose, shape inclusive communities,
and contribute meaningfully to a more just, interconnected world.
Objectives for Students
- Develop global awareness of peoples and issues in different parts of the world through exposing them to new cultures, customs, and perspectives; encouraging appreciation of global diversity; promoting empathy for others; considering social responsibility for meaningful action;
- Enhance their academic learning through connecting classroom learning with real-world, international contexts; introducing students to global perspectives in their fields of study; and encouraging academic achievement for career or transfer pathways;
- Improve communication and language skills through opportunities for enhanced cultural competence as well as opportunities to explore and practice communication in new languages;
- Grow personal and interpersonal skills, such as adaptability, resilience, independence, self-discovery, and self-reflection;
- Expand their career opportunities and job readiness through experiences such as internships or fieldwork to develop skills valued by employers such as adaptability, collaboration, and global perspective.
Program Learning Outcomes
Through participation in Global Learning & Study Abroad Programs, students will be able to:
- Analyze cultural practices and perspectives different from their own and explain how global diversity and empathy shape responsible engagement in a global society
- Demonstrate the ability to navigate and participate in unfamiliar cultural, social, or environmental settings, showing respect, curiosity, and awareness of global interconnectedness
- Apply course concepts to international examples or case studies and integrate global perspectives into their academic work to deepen disciplinary understanding
- Demonstrate growth in adaptability, resilience, independence, and self-reflection, and will articulate how their global experiences influence their personal development, cultural competence, confidence in cross-cultural communication, and their emerging capacity to contribute to and lead within their communities
- Demonstrate professional skills, such as collaboration, initiative, leadership, and a global perspective, through internships, fieldwork, or community-focused activities that prepare them for future careers and active participation in their communities