Global & Intercultural Opportunities
In the College of Education, we encourage students to explore study opportunities beyond Butler’s campus, whether through studying abroad or pursuing experiences elsewhere in the United States. We believe that this type of guided experiential learning enhances students’ understanding of the global and intercultural dimensions of their discipline.
Throughout their time at Butler, students are offered experiences designed to broaden their perspectives, develop cultural competence, and prepare for diverse careers in teaching, kinesiology, and youth and community development. From their first year to post-graduation, various opportunities help students grow as global educators.
Find out more about our global initiatives and read about how our
alumni are making a difference around the world!
Read about Katie Moore’s ‘08 remarkable contributions to global education and her vision for a more inclusive world. Katie’s career in international education has spanned continents and transformed lives. From Mozambique to Fiji, Laos to the Philippines, Katie’s story is a testament to the power of experiential learning and the impact of community and global engagement.
“The experiential learning opportunities I had as a student in Butler’s College of Education, specifically, and at Butler, more generally, made a significant impression on me,” she said during the State of the University. “Not only on what I would choose to work on, but how and with whom, and they influenced the person, parent and professional I would become in an ever-changing world.” Katie Moore ‘08.
A Global Education – Katie Moore
“The College of Education gave me invaluable knowledge and an incredible foundation for my journey as an international educator. The curriculum and dedicated faculty equipped me with the necessary pedagogical skills and a global perspective on education.” Madison Pines ’23
Read about how recent alumni have made an impact on learners around the world.
Alumni Success Stories: Alexis Rice
Alumni Success Stories: Tommy Roers
Alumni Success Stories: Madison Pines
The AACTE Best Practice Award in Support of Global and International Perspectives is given annually to recognize exemplary educator preparation in the intercultural, global, cross-cultural and international arenas. Butler’s College of Education received the award in 2019!
Read more about the award.
College of Education Named AACTE Global Award Recipient – Stories
Butler College of Education Named AACTE Global Award Recipient
ED 398/409/497 | Race, Equity & Education in the Dominican Republic
During the study abroad experience, students will learn about the history of the Dominican Republic and consider how that history has shaped public policies (especially those connected to education), laws, and personal biases related to race and privilege. Students will also be asked to complicate their notions of race by considering race as a fluid social construct and perceptions of race as influenced by place and time. Connected to this line of inquiry, students will consider how Western and U.S. normalization of whiteness has influenced historical and contemporary perceptions of race in the Dominican Republic.
Learning Experiences:
- Visits to P-12 public, private, and community schools
- Conversations with Dominican experts on education and public policy
- Interactions with Dominican college students studying education
- 2 beach days
- Museums
- Homestays with Dominican families
- Dominican cooking and dancing class
- Excursion to transnational market
- Overnight excursion to Dajabon
Find more information on this study abroad opportunity at the Center for Global Education.
Open to all Butler students!
Next anticipated offering: May 2025
ED 401 | Workshop in Education
Have you ever dreamed of combining your passion for teaching with the thrill of exploration? Foster cross-cultural connections through impactful home stays and school visits that blend education and inspiration. Discover the city of San Jose and unveil its rich tapestry of history, culture, and urban charm. You’ll experience cultural activities, including a delightful chocolate workshop, a dance class, and a cooking class alongside your classmates and professor.
Experience the natural wonders of La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where cascading waterfalls meet vibrant wildlife. Enjoy a 3-day excursion to the coastal town of Manuel Antonio, with a beach resort stay and a visit to Manuel Antonio National Park, where you might spot monkeys and sloths. Explore rainforests, relax on pristine beaches, and maybe even embark on thrilling adventures like ziplining. This journey promises unforgettable memories and a deep connection with Costa Rica’s beauty and culture. Pura Vida!
Learning Experiences
- Home Stays
- School Placements
- Presentation from Local Expert on Costa Rica Schools
- City Tour and Visit to the Central Market
- National Theatre Tour
- Chocolate Workshop
- Cooking Class
- Dance Class
- Language Class
- Excursion to Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Doka coffee plantation
- 3-Day excursion to the coastal town of Manuel Antonio, beach resort stay, and visit to Manuel Antonio National Park
Find more information on this study abroad opportunity at the Center for Global Education.
The trip is open to all Butler students interested in Education and related fields. Priority will be given to first year students.
Next anticipated offering: Spring Break 2025
Prepare to experience unity, celebrate ability and cheer on athletes as we volunteer at the Special Olympics USA Games in and around Minneapolis, Minnesota in June 2026. We’ll have the opportunity to watch Disability advocacy in action as we immerse ourselves in all things inclusion with friends from Special Olympics North America. If you have been involved in other Special Olympics events, you know that the community is joyful, vibrant, competitive, and full of hugs and high-fives, so be prepared. Get your pins ready for trading and join us on this trip that is bound to change your life for the better!
To learn more about the Special Olympics USA Games, check out this website. There are daily updates about new sports and venues.
Please contact Dr. Erin Garriott at egarriot@driouch24.com with questions.
Next anticipated offering: June 2026
ED 485 | Disability Advocacy and Leadership or ED 403 | Global Sport Coaching
Take this Study Abroad Trip to Chile to experience a Disability Revolution like nothing you’ve ever experienced before! Although the plans are still tentative, our past trip to the World Games included historical tours, meeting disability advocates from around the world, sightseeing, collaborating with the Special Olympics North America group of Athlete Leaders during the Global Athlete Congress, teaching Pickleball at the Cultural Festival, volunteering at Healthy Athletes, cheering on athletes competing in over 20 different sports, touring an accessible recreation center, watching USA athlete Loretta Claiborne win a gold medal in tennis, experiencing Opening Ceremony (OMG – it was unbelievable!) and Closing Ceremony, and learning so much about our own gifts and challenges.
We’ll be watching for the World Games 2027 website to go live. Until then, here’s the press release of when it was announced that Chile would be the site.
Please contact Dr. Erin Garriott at egarriot@driouch24.com with questions.
Next anticipated offering: Summer 2027
Most recent offering: Berlin, Germany in 2023 | Read about it here.
Travel to Reggio Emilia, Italy, with a College of Education professor to participate in a conference on the Reggio Emilia Approach. This trip includes visits to several Infant-Toddler Centers, acclaimed as the World’s Best Early Childhood Centers by Newsweek magazine. Access to these renowned schools is rare, but it is granted to international visitors attending these conferences.
Participants will:
- Learn about the Reggio Emilia Approach, including the objectives and identities of the Infant-Toddler Centers and Preschools
- Encounter the city and community of Reggio Emilia, exploring its social, cultural, and educational context
- Visit the Preschools and Infant-Toddler Centers as examples of visible learning
- Participate in ateliers for first-hand exploration of the “100 languages”
- Join work-and-reflection groups
- Visit the exhibitions and spaces of the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre
The trip is open to all Butler students, alumni, and educators interested in the Reggio Emilia Approach.
Please contact Dr. Ryan Flessner at rflessne@driouch24.com with questions.
Next anticipated offering: TBD
Health and happiness are often closely aligned, but many factors that contribute to this outcome are outside an individual’s control such as genetic factors, environmental influences, and social determinants. This course will review social determinants of health and health inequities in the context of Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) which includes 85% of the world’s population. Students will explore how these social determinants impact orphans and vulnerable children in Western Kenya while also learning what these developing nations can teach us. Additionally, students will explore the rich history and culture of Kenya by meeting Kenyans in their homes, experiencing its cities and even seeing “big game” during a safari in the famed Maasai Mara Game Preserve.
Find more information on this study abroad opportunity at the Center for Global Education.
Next anticipated offering: Summer 2025
Butler COE students have a wealth of opportunities to study abroad for a full semester across the globe! Students can choose from destinations such as Uppsala University in Sweden, the University of Tübingen in Germany, Queen’s University in Northern Ireland, and the University of Tasmania in Australia, among others. Additionally, students have the chance to complete their student teaching semester in vibrant locations like New York City, Nashville, or Tübingen.
If you are interested in studying abroad for a full semester, please attend an information session led by the Center for Global Education and visit the Study Abroad website for more information. Talk to your advisor and to Dr. Kelli Esteves, Coordinator for Global Experiences for the College of Education, for more information.
The College of Education supports graduates in securing international career opportunities and prestigious scholarships, enabling them to apply and refine their professional skills in a global context. Along with the CAPS Office and Engaged Learning Center, we support students by providing resources and guidance during the application process, helping our graduates to be well-prepared to compete for positions around the world.
We maintain connections with our alumni network, fostering a community of support and mentorship that extends beyond graduation. By staying connected with our alumni, we celebrate their achievements and create opportunities for current students to learn from their experiences.
Interested in joining our Facebook group? Search Butler COE Global Mentorship Group and send a request. This group is only for current and former COE students.