Study Abroad

China Study Tour which focuses on reform and policy in China's education system, is a four-week program offered by GSE International from approximately mid-May to mid-June. Under the leadership of one of the GSE's professors, American graduate students of education have the opportunity to learn about the changes taking place in Chinese education.

The study tour examines how this largest of developing nations coordinated efforts between government and educators to ensure that all children receive a well-rounded, basic education. Participants spend approximately two weeks in Beijing and two weeks in Shanghai: one week in each city is devoted to meetings with policy makers, educators and site visits to local schools while the other provides the participants with the opportunity to teach or assist in a Chinese classroom.

Cultural visits and trips are scattered throughout the four-week itinerary to provide participants with a comprehensive view of China and its people.

Participation in the China Study Tour is also open to K-12 educators and university faculty.

New Zealand Study Tour, which offers an in-depth look at a range of educational contexts within the New Zealand education system, has been developed in cooperation with the University of Auckland and Cognition Consulting for GSE masters and Ph.D. students.

Over 16 days in Auckland, participants meet with education leaders and experts to learn about the New Zealand educational system and its recent innovative reforms, involving professional communities, collective responsibility, inquiry-based learning, shared practice, and mentoring and coaching opportunities. GSE students also partner with student counterparts at the Faculty of Education of the University of Auckland to engage in comparative research, and produce a written report on their findings and experiences that can be used for credit and/or publication and dissemination.