Lead a Study Abroad Program
Foothill Faculty: Are you interested in leading a study abroad program?
At present, there are two different opportunities for Foothill faculty to lead study abroad programs:
1. As one of the two selected faculty leads on our quarter-long, faculty-led study abroad programs (runs every Spring quarter)
| Eligibility | Full-time, tenured Foothill faculty in instructional programs. |
| Destination | Each year the GEL Office selects a different destination based on a combination of faculty-lead interest, student interest, and program provider offerings that align with GEL values and affordability for our students. Recent selected destinations include Buenos Aires (Spring 2027), Costa Rica (Spring 2026), Kyoto (Spring 2025), London (Fall 2023), and Florence (Spring 2022). |
| Length | Spend 8–10 weeks abroad during the 12-week spring quarter, with the option for some online instruction before or after travel. |
| Programming | Selected faculty partner with GEL and the provider in the design of the program, striving for a holistic experience for the students, integrating classroom learning, experiential learning, guided visits, field trips, cultural immersion activities, homestays, etc. Faculty teach a “full load” for the quarter, and students select 12-15 units from the courses offered by the faculty leads. |
| Enrollment | Programs generally require a minimum of 20 students to run and are typically limited to approximately 40 participants. |
| Process to apply | In December 2026, GEL will post the faculty lead application for the Spring 2028 program on this page. Interviews will take place in January, with the selected faculty leads and destination announced in early February. |
2. As a faculty lead on one of our shorter-term, faculty-led programs (runs usually in the Summer quarter)
| Eligibility | Full-time and part-time with REP Foothill faculty in instructional programs. |
| Destination | Destinations are selected by the faculty lead(s) and approved by the GEL Office. Recent and upcoming destinations include Guatemala, Ecuador, Hawaii, Spain, Honduras, Cuba, Malaysia-Borneo-Singapore, Lisbon, and London. |
| Length | Variable length; spend 1–6 weeks abroad, with the option for some online instruction before or after travel. |
| Programming | Program design is prepared by the faculty lead(s) and approved by the GEL Office. Programs should strive for a holistic experience for the students, integrating classroom learning, experiential learning, guided visits, field trips, cultural immersion activities, homestays, etc. Faculty teach at least one course and are responsible for aligning required instructional hours in the program design. |
| Enrollment | Programs generally require a minimum of 15–20 students to run and are typically capped at a ratio of 25 students per faculty member. |
| Process to apply |
Faculty must submit a completed proposal to GEL at least 15 months before the quarter in which the program will run. For example, proposals for Summer programs are due by April 1 of the previous year. Proposals must be complete before GEL can review and approve the program. To request a proposal template, email globalexperiences@fhda.edu. |
Questions?
If you have questions about serving as a GEL faculty lead or anything else GEL-related, please contact Kathyrn Maurer, Foothill Global Experiential Learning faculty coordinator, at globalexperiences@fhda.edu.
Contact UsOffice of Global Experiential Learning(650) 949-7751globalexperiences@fhda.edu |
