TRANSFORMING THE STUDY ABROAD MODEL: PARTNERING INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITIES TO ENHANCE CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABILITY LITERACY THROUGH INTERDISCIPLINARY, CROSS-CULTURAL LEARNING

The climate change phenomenon will present complex, far-reaching challenges and opportunities, which will require leaders well-versed in interdisciplinary, international understanding and strategies for developing sustainable lifestyles. In an effort to develop the next generation of future leaders prepared for the challenges and opportunities presented by future environmental change, faculty from Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green, Kentucky) and the University of Akureyri (Akureyri, Iceland) partnered to co-teach a study abroad course in climate change science and communication in Iceland. Students from both Institutions participated in the course to further enhance the cross-learning opportunity presented to the students. The two-week course stationed out of three cities in Iceland, Reykjavík, Vik, and Akureyri, the Icelandic gateway to the Arctic. In addition to undertaking field experiences such as hiking on glaciers, exploring ice caves, touring geothermal plants, and visiting turf house communities, the group also hosted forums to discuss climate change with members of the Icelandic community and completed The $100 Solution™ service-learning projects. A culminating point of the study abroad experience was a presentation by the students to persons from the University of Akureyri and representatives from the neighboring Icelandic communities about climate change science, effective science communication, and sustainability. Thorughout the course, students were able to learn, first-hand, the misconceptions about climate change and sustainable living in Iceland, particularly sustainability choices related to energy and water resources, and develop an appreciation for differing perspectives of both climate change and sustaianability. Overall, the program successfully combined cross-cultural learning, service-learning, and international understanding toward the goal of preparing the leaders of tomorrow with the skills to address climate change challenges, capitalize on future environmental change opportunities, and promote sustainability within their communities.