INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN SELECTED FLORIDA COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Community and junior colleges are becoming increasingly aware of
the importance of adding international dimensions to the curriculum.
As community-based institutions, the community colleges have begun
to recognize the importance of education for international understanding.
Community college presidents, national organizations, and government
officials have cited international education as a priority for
two-year institutions in the corning decade.
The purpose of this study was to research international education
programs at the eight Florida community and junior colleges which held
membership in the Florida Collegiate Consortium for International / Intercultural
Education during 1979. The international education officers were queried regarding the
status of international education within their institutions. Seven
of the eight officers cited the commitment of the president of the
college as a major factor contributing to their college's involvement
in international education. International student programs
and efforts to increase the international nature of the curriculum
were cited as the most important areas of international education
by seven of those interview-ed. Other persons within each institution
who are also involved in international education programs were
identified. None of the colleges researched have developed evaluation
procedures for international education programs. Faculty-related
problems were most often cited by those interviewed as internal
problems impeding international programs. Finally, the international
education officers were optimistic regarding the future of internatioral education in Florida community colleges.
More than one-third (37.5 percent) of Broward Community College
1977-78 graduates did not receive credit in a single international
course. Student enrollment in international courses was found to
vary according to student major.