Design

Resource

Once you’ve evaluated your cognitive load and developed your FSA plan, it’s time to think about how you’re going to pitch your ideas. This involves securing buy-in from your stakeholders (viz. students, colleagues, administrators, funding agencies, etc.) and then submitting an official proposal to your international office (see exemplar). Selling your ideas can be a scary part of the job, since few teachers have business training. However, research has shown that securing buy-in is an essential skill in sustaining creative teaching and avoiding burnout (Fischer, 2020). Here’s a quick, five-step guide adapted from Landry’s (2020) framework for pitching an idea.

Why pitching ideas matters

Recruiting candidates who fit with the program’s objectives is easier when you know that FSA appeals to students. In addition, supportive administrators and colleagues make all the difference when you’re gathering the resources you need – and you’ll probably need their approval to get the trip off the ground. If your college has an  international office and is on board with the project, it can become your best friend.