Global experience exceeds expectations
by Kelly Stone
A program designed to give students a competitive edge in the global jobs market is taking off at UniSA.
Student interest in Global Experience has soared since it was introduced at UniSA last year, with numbers enrolled in the required course Global Experience Professional Development (BUSS1056) already exceeding the 2010 target.
Global Experience Program Director Associate Professor Vicki Feast said more than 200 students have enrolled in the course for 2009.
"We set a target of 200 students by 2010 when the course was introduced last year and we’ve already reached that target," she said.
"Compared to 53 students doing the course in 2008, that’s a pretty significant increase, which augers well for the future of the Global Experience program."
Students who sign up to Global Experience collect points during their degree by taking part in orientation and enrolling in the course, being involved in experiential learning activities such as international exchange, and conducting a presentation to a panel of employers (called MyAdvantage). Those who earn the required 120 points receive a note on their graduation transcript which resembles being awarded a UniSA prize.
A/Prof Feast said Global Experience would help students stand out in an increasingly global employment market.
"There’s a lot of interest from students who are out there to differentiate themselves," she said.
"We think this really does give students the difference. They’re getting skills and experience they might not otherwise have gained in their degree - things like being a mentor to an international student, going on exchange or volunteering overseas.
"Global Experience is also in line with UniSA’s experiential learning push…our students are out there volunteering in developing countries, developing cross-cultural skills and really being part of the global community."
Pro Vice Chancellor International and Development Dr Anna Ciccarelli said Global Experience is part of UniSA’s strategy to embed international experiential and service learning into the University’s programs.
UniSA is the only university in South Australia and the second university in Australia to introduce this type of program (Macquarie University has a Global Leadership program). Interest has also been sparked among other institutions, with A/Prof Feast presenting at the Australian International Education Conference Global Citizens, Global Impact last October.
Briony James is UniSA’s first graduate to complete the Global Experience program and receive the annotation on her graduation transcript. She completed a two-week volunteering position in Thailand teaching English at an orphanage; started a UniSA Amnesty International group on campus; and submitted articles for the monthly Global Experience Bulletin.
James graduated with a Bachelor of Management (Human Resources Management) in April and now works as a Human Resources Administrator for State Government.
"I never would have got this job if I hadn’t done the course and the program," she said.
Kate Paneros is a student who is currently on a year-long exchange in France as part of her Global Experience activities.
Paneros is studying the Business Double Degree in Marketing and the Euro BA (Bachelor of European Business at Ecole de Management Normandie, France). Regular UniSA News readers might remember her from an article last year about her enterprising marketing.
Paneros said she had always been interested in working overseas.
"I had been on two short exchanges and spending a year in France seemed like a really interesting way to reflect on that experience, and have it formally recognised by the University and employers," she said.
"I’ve also studied marketing subjects with an international focus, learnt French for a year, and of course have now ended up in France after switching to the Business Double Degree (Euro BA). For one year of study here, I am able to get a second bachelor degree and have the opportunity to live in Europe."
Paneros said she believed Global Experience would be a point of difference on her resume.
"I think it’s important to stand out in an interview and this will give me something really positive to talk about with potential employers. The experience it provides in terms of being able to work effectively across cultural barriers is also invaluable for people seeking an international career," she said.