International student teaching internships will be discussed through research and authentic program experience to enable participants to consider the benefits and challenges of such a program for their own students and institutions. In a google slide presentation, the research and realities of living and teaching abroad, both benefits and challenges, will be presented and discussed with the audience.

This project is significant for many reasons. Educational research highlights the outstanding benefits of international student teaching. Student teaching abroad provides teacher candidates with experiences that will enable them to interact effectively and productively with the increasingly diverse student population in American schools, making them culturally responsive teachers and human beings. (DeVillar and Jiang, 2012; King et al, 2022) These experiences are long lasting and cannot be acquired through traditional, local or distance learning measures. Furthermore, these participants report increased opportunities for employment (Doppen and An, 2014; Cunningham, 2019). International student teaching, specifically, increases teacher identity, teacher strategies, cultural fluency, global teaching and perspective building for participants (Cross and Dunn, 2016; Phoebe, 2022). Such programs are especially significant as open borders, increased immigration and political issues across the globe make it meaningful for educators to have first-hand experiences in international settings, increasing cultural responsive teaching and addressing the cultural, academic and social needs of diverse classrooms.

Program development includes many challenges. Teacher candidates are often interested in a long-term study abroad experience but are prohibited from participating due to stringent teaching certification requirements. Study abroad also supports Diversity, Equity and Inclusion mission and engaged learning initiatives of student growth, transformation and leadership, and engagement both inside and outside of the classroom. Finally, international student teaching makes home institutions more marketable to prospective students. Such a big undertaking requires extensive work, financial resources and collaboration among many stakeholders to create and maintain such a program for the university. Recommendations to navigate such program development challenges, evaluation and sustain meaningful international student teaching and other professional internships will be shared to support specific audience interests and program goals.

Presenters will brainstorm ideas and share recommendations to support participant interest in building and improving such programs in their schools or professional organizations. Program development including funding, placements, and outcomes for teacher candidates will be discussed. Resources and strategies will be shared to address diverse student and program needs.

Keywords: International, student teaching, global education, DEI, cultural responsive teaching.