Time and again, our students say they loved taking their learning outside the classroom while studying abroad. Whether it was a weeklong course-related trip to a major Asian city while studying abroad in Shanghai, or shopping for groceries with their Spanish language class while studying abroad in Barcelona – our students learn by doing.
It’s no surprise then that we believe it’s important to offer out-of-the-classroom experiences to faculty members of our Academic Consortium and IES Abroad Centers as part of our many faculty development opportunities. Recently, professors from 10 U.S. universities and colleges and three IES Abroad Centers joined us in Freiburg, Germany, for a Faculty Development Seminar.
IES Abroad Freiburg faculty and staff, as well as our U.S.-based staff, were happy to host faculty from Bradley University, Gustavus Adolphus College, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Lafayette College, Pennsylvania State University, SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry, University of Minnesota, University of Pittsburgh, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and Whitman College. Faculty from IES Abroad Berlin, Milan, and Siena also attended.
A Model City of Sustainability
Freiburg was an easy choice for the destination of our Environmental Studies & Sustainability Faculty Seminar. Many people consider Freiburg as one of the birthplaces of the environmental movement. In the 1970s, people from the city and surrounding villages successfully protested the nuclear power plant the state government wanted to build in the area. Today the city continues to prove commitment to sustainable development especially in the fields of CO2 reduction, traffic, waste, and urban planning.
The seminar not only allowed the professors in attendance to talk about the city’s achievements, but also to visit relevant sites and meet local experts. They observed firsthand how the people of Freiburg identify strongly with their city and its commitment to a more sustainable way of living.
Wind Turbines, Drone Shows & the World Cup
Over the course of a week, professors at the seminar acted as lecturers, students, and tourists – often all at the same time.
They went on a biking tour of Vauban, a model district of sustainability within Freiburg. They visited Freiamt, a community that exports energy from their biogas plant and wind turbines.
After receiving an introduction to drone flying from IES Abroad Freiburg faculty Dr. Johannes Schlesinger, they watched a demonstration during a visit to a land consolidation site.
An afternoon of presentations by fellow attendees showcasing different Environmental Studies & Sciences programs was followed by an evening rooting for Germany in their World Cup match against South Korea.
More Faculty Development Opportunities
We are committed to offering faculty development opportunities as academically and culturally enriching as the programs we provide for our students.
Learn more about the following opportunities for consortium faculty:
