Think globally, act locally: Case study BSU summer school in Shanghai, China 2018

Abstract

Aim: This article focuses on the teaching and learning style, intercultural knowledge, and educational abilities as experienced by both; the Chinese students and faculty. Advancing the idea of world citizenship among college students coupled with the framework of decreasing state and federal funding for public education in the United States, scuffle for students, and strong academic desire for the internationalization of higher education, colleges and universities turned their attention to the world. As a medium-sized public institution, Bridgewater State University (BSU) was among the pioneering institutions to do both; signing partnership and working with a third-party organization in China to recruit students.Method: The analytical discussion analysis is based on a qualitative and quantitative methodology. Theories of interpersonal communication and the development of communication and management highlighted the international educational model KAP: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice in this article.Findings: The results show that the BSU summer program in Shanghai seems attractive to students from different parts of China. Student home universities and colleges in the U.S. and Canada have no issue recognizing, accepting, and transferring credits from American institutions such as Bridgewater State University and Canadian university summer programs.Implications/Novel Contribution: The significance of this case is 1) to showcase the innovative approach of BSU to provide academic opportunities for international students to complete a portion of required and elected courses that taught by BSU faculty, and 2) to avoid the cost of building and maintaining international campuses or branches abroad.