Students spend three weeks co-teaching at an English school. Through
this summer 
experience, they earn undergraduate or graduate credit (3
hours). The practicum provides opportunities for students to:
On weekends, students explore London, travel, and experience England’s history and culture. Living and teaching in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham offers global perspectives to educators.
Spending time in a different culture provides a wonderful opportunity
to step back and reflect about who we are and what we do as educators.
Funded by a grant from the US-Japan 
Foundation, the Watson School of
Education is involved in the Global Partnership Consortium. This consortium
consists of three universities in Japan—Osaka University of Education,
Hiroshima University, and Naruto University of Education; as well as
three universities in North Carolina—East Carolina University,
Western Carolina University, and the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Each year, for the past seven years, public school teachers and university
students from North Carolina have traveled to Japan and spent two weeks
learning the culture and working in the schools of Japan. They have taught
lessons, collaborated on joint units of study, and explored solutions
to problems faced by educators in Japan and the United States. Likewise,
teachers and students from Japan have traveled to North Carolina and
have spent two weeks in the schools of North Carolina. More than 160
teachers and university students have participated in the consortium.
Schools in the consortium have also created collaborative partnerships
dedicated to supporting teachers and students in both countries. Virginia
Williamson Elementary School, Hoggard High School, Laney High School,
and Topsail Middle School all have formed partnerships with Japanese
schools. This exchange has been a rich opportunity for teachers to reflect
on themselves, their roles as educators, schools, students, curriculum,
and a variety of other issues.
On September 4, 2003, the Watson School of Education signed a formal
agreement with Osaka University of Education in Osaka, Japan declaring
our intention of cooperating in order to enhance academic and research
opportunities for faculty and students. This agreement opened the way
for the exchange of students and members of the academic and administrative
staff. These exchanges include semester or year-long study abroad opportunities
as well as short-term visits. Starting in the summer of 2004, summer
school study abroad opportunities were made available for students interested
in learning about teaching through the unique opportunity of visiting
Japan and spending time in schools there. The summer school visits continue
and are open to students who have been admitted into the Watson School
of Education and are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees or licensure
in education. Come join us on these exciting, life-changing, learning
opportunities. For more information, please contact Dr. Brad Walker as
walkerb@uncw.edu.
The Watson School of Education South Africa Program involves faculty exchanges with the Nelson Mandela University of Port Elizabeth on the Southeast coast of South Africa. This school was selected because of its diversity, need for assistance in teacher education and the natural beauty of the area.
The faculty exchange consists of faculty members serving
as guest lecturers and collaborating researchers during exchanges.
During the exchange, the host institution helps find lodging for faculty
members.