CoNfErENCE ProgrAm engaging program directors and faculty in student learning assessment Joan Gillespie (Associated Colleges of the Midwest), Elizabeth Ciner (Carleton College, Associated Colleges of the Midwest), David Schodt (St. Olaf College, Associated Colleges of the Midwest), Sucheta Paranjpe (Associated Colleges of the Midwest) This session describes a pilot project to assess student learning in off-campus programs that purposefully engaged program faculty and directors in the planning and administration of two different assessment models, evaluating student responses, and recommending programmatic changes that the findings suggest might improve student learning. higher impact study abroad: enhancing and assessing cultural competence Marty Petrone (Miami University) Integrating methods for assessing and enhancing student cultural competence can be challenging in short-term study abroad. Participants will learn strategies successfully used in a recent pilot project in Florence, Italy. They will then brainstorm and share other approaches for creating higher impact, shortterm study abroad experiences. internships abroad: international programs and perspectives Erin Baldwin (Australian Trade Commission), Maj Fischer (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Shelia Houston (GlobaLinks), Merrirose Stone (University of Waterloo), Peter Kerrigan (German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)) International internships represent a growing segment of the study abroad market, increasing as educators adopt work-integrated programs that encourage international experience. This session will examine opportunities and challenges in establishing experiential learning programs and supporting student learning outcomes. ethical financing of community engagement abroad Patrick Mulvihill (HECUA (Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs)), Andrew Law (Denison University), Leslie Granese (The School for Field Studies (SFS)) This interactive session will facilitate a discussion of strategies and methods for sustainable and ethical financing of community engagement in international programs. We will draw on best practices, case studies, and Forum standards in a reflective process that integrates values and intentions with resource management, spending practices, and ethical accounting. linking religious practice and the study abroad experience: Bridging culture and understanding J. Scott Van Der Meid (Brandeis University), Janet F. Alperstein (New York University), Alyson Dagang (SIT Study Abroad) As more students study abroad from the United States, issues of religious practice grow. There is a responsibility to help students understand the possibilities and the limitations of their religious practice throughout their study abroad experience so that they can make educated decisions and gain the most benefit from their time overseas.