International travel offers a unique professional development opportunity. Heartland Community College encourages employees to visit other countries, learn from their colleagues, and experience a different culture.

Faculty/Staff/Administrator international exchanges...

Two-Week Exchange

For over 10 years, Heartland Community College has participated in a program where Heartland employees exchange with a colleague from another country, each for a two-week visit. The exchanges have involved more than 15 faculty, staff, or administrators.

The premise of the exchange is to match Illinois participants with an international colleague. Throughout the two-week visit, the visitor attends classes, meetings, and other daily events of the host partner. Exchanges are scheduled when the host institution is in session, but the visitor’s institution is not. Although the visits are limited to two weeks, future benefits are limitless. Exchange partners may develop an on-going professional relationship leading to classroom activities, curriculum development, or future visits.

Expenses are minimal since each exchange partner hosts their counterpart. Countries participating include the Netherlands, Finland, England, and Switzerland.

Any full-time employee may apply to participate.

Timeline for faculty/staff/administrator exchange:

• February: Applications become available through the International Office
• Late March: Applications due at the International Office
• June: Matches are announced
• September/October: International visitor arrives at Heartland
• May (following year): Heartland participant travels to exchange country

Teaching in another country...

Faculty may apply to teach for a semester or longer in another country.    Note: Academic calendars vary depending on the country.

Canterbury, England

Each year, four instructors from the Midwest are chosen to teach at our study abroad site in Canterbury, England. Disciplines requested vary each year. Selected faculty teach for one semester (approximately 13 weeks) and participate in a Modern Britain class consisting of only American students. The faculty members accompany students on seven or more field trips in England chosen to complement British History or British Literature course material. Part of the American faculty’s role is to act as an advisor assisting students with adjusting to another country and college.

Faculty selection is highly competitive.  Sharon Migotsky, Humanities, has been chosen to teach in Fall 2004 at Canterbury.  She is the first faculty member chosen from Heartland Community College to participate in this program.

Timeline for selection of faculty for fall or spring of the following academic year:

• October: Applications available and due at International Office
• November: Phone interviews, personal interview, selection

College of Humanities and Sciences of Northeast Normal University, China

One element of our partnership with the College of Humanities and Sciences of Northeast Normal University (formerly known as the Jilin Institute of International Languages and Culture or JIILC) involves sending our faculty to teach in China. Jennifer Pauken, an English faculty member, was the first instructor to participate in the program.  She taught February – July 2004 in China.

Northeast Normal University is interested in having English-speaking visiting faculty. Faculty of various disciplines will be considered.

Interested faculty are encouraged to speak with the HCC President or Vice-President of Instruction. Selected faculty may teach for one semester or an entire year. Faculty are likely to have contact with the Foreign Language (English) department. Arrangements for an out of country teaching assignment require advance planning.

Employees benefiting from international travel or teaching are expected to share their experiences with the college upon their return.

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