By Nathan Long, Ed.D.
President, Saybrook University

Now more than ever, globally engaged individuals can become the critically needed leaders our communities need. When we look back on this point in history, it will become increasingly apparent that our institution’s commitment to developing learners with a global focus and interdisciplinary approach is essential.

International Education Week (Nov. 14-18), a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, is an opportunity to “prepare Americans for a global environment, and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences.”

In honor of International Education Week, we look at two ways Saybrook University is going global.

ONE: Inaugural faculty internationalization grants

These grants provide our faculty members the opportunity to conduct cross-disciplinary research on a global scale. The recipients of our inaugural grant are:

Dr. Luann Drolc Fortune, College of Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences
The Academy of Integrative Medicine (AIM) – Amsterdam
Dr. Drolc Fortune will partner with The Academy of Integrative Medicine (AIM) in the Netherlands, creating community forums that will focus on mind-body approaches to integrative medicine.

Dr. Patrick Steffen, Mind Body Medicine
University of Derby – England
Dr. Steffen will pursue training and mentorship with Paul Gilbert at the University of Derby in England, who is a world leader and international expert in mindfulness and compassion-based approaches to psychotherapy.

Dr. Eric Willmarth & Dr. Donald Moss, College of Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences
The American University in Cairo and Blue Lotus Wellness Foundation—Cairo, Egypt
Drs. Willmarth and Moss will create a 4-day hypnosis workshop for the Blue Lotus Wellness Foundation, providing an initial introduction to the use of hypnosis for improved motivation, health improvement, and life coaching.

TWO: Study abroad opportunities created

Two landmark study abroad opportunities are currently being offered at Saybrook, with more to come.

Immigration in Context: Examination of Germany takes a unique cross-disciplinary approach to exploring immigration in our world today. Saybrook has partnered with our TCS affiliate institutions to teach and lead a study abroad course that pairs online didactic learning with an immersion program in Berlin.

With both students and faculty from five different institutions, Dr. Kent Becker is our faculty lead and will draw on his experiences with Photovoice to create a unique learning experience for our students. I will join Dr. Becker and our students in Berlin this December and am delighted to share this journey.

“Global Networking & Cultural Intelligence in Context: Examination in Austria” is our first International Residency and Study Abroad hybrid experience for Saybrook students. Led by Dr. Charles Piazza, the course will partner with Krems University in Krems, Austria and provides an opportunity for students to participate in Krems University’s Business Week.

This course commences in January 2017 and will be considered to fulfil residential conference requirements in an international setting. Additional study abroad opportunities of this sort will be offered on a more consistent basis moving forward as well.

Through thought and action, we are honored to report on all that our community is doing to expand our global perspective here and abroad. To learn more about how to join the Saybrook community, request information today.