Esther Claros Berlioz

Mcca: Mercyhurst College in Central America: Developing a Collegiate-level Study Abroad Program for American & Central American High School Students. Esther Claros Berlioz

Globalization has led to the internationalization of education. A clear example of this trend are Study Abroad programs, a leading force in the efforts to promote cross-cultural awareness and intercultural sensitivity. This book explores the benefits of developing and branding an educational initiative that fosters a relationship between high schools in Central America and the U. S. Given program is tailored to embody the core values and primary initiatives of Mercyhurst College, a small Liberal Arts College in Erie, Pennsylvania. Mercyhurst College in Central America or MCCA, was developed into a business plan inspired by the relationship between the college and high schools in both the Erie area and the Central American region. The research and development of this Research Based Project is in an attempt to explore ways of furthering the recruitment and admissions of culturally conscious scholars. Applying transcendental phenomenology to gather feedback from individuals with experience relating to this target audience allows for an in-depth analysis and creation of a unique program geared towards high school students.