Language Learning Center
Smullin Hall
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem, Oregon 97301
(503) 375-5492 voice
llc@willamette.edu
Hours
Monday-Thursday: 8am-9pm
Friday: 8am-5pm
Saturday: 11am-4pm
Sunday: 5-11pm
What is Willamette Abroad?
Willamette Abroad is a joint venture undertaken by the LLC and the Office of International Education. It is a collection of weblogs, or 'blogs,' written by Willamette students currently studying abroad. It provides a forum for students to reflect upon their experiences abroad while maintaining their connections with the Willamette community. Additionally, the blogs allow them an outlet for expression available to their family, friends, and the world at large. This process of reflection and expression is incredibly important for the students' cross-cultural learning. Furthermore, as the students learn and share, they help to educate their readers about the struggles and benefits of life in a foreign culture. The LLC is committed to increasing cross-cultural understanding, and plans to further develop and refine this project as time goes on.
How does it work?
The LLC offers orientation courses on Willamette's blogging software during each semester before students go abroad. Each student receives his or her own blog account, and learns how to post and edit entries. During the semester or year abroad, students post entries weekly, daily as often as they see fit. The blog accounts also allow for posting pictures—a feature many students fall in love with—and for readers to post their own comments.
The LLC and the Office of International Education believe that Willamette Abroad is a valuable addition to the study-abroad experience of Willamette students. We hope for it to increase connections and understanding between people and places, and to help both the students and their readers gain a larger perspective on our world.