Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on In-Person International Exchange Programs

Welcome

My name is Max Burnham. I am a graduate student in the Master of Nonprofit Leadership Program at Seattle University. This spring, I am conducting a research project titled Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on In-Person International Exchange Programs. I chose this topic due to the severe and ongoing impact that the pandemic has had on exchange programs, the urgent need to identify and document lessons learned and best practices across organizations, and my own personal connection to the sector.

What is the purpose of the study?

I launched this study to gain a better understanding of how COVID-19 has impacted both the design and delivery of in-person international exchange programs. Through this research, I hope to not only document the process of exchange program adaptation in the face of an international health crisis, but also provide best practices and lessons learned to non-profit professionals as they continue to implement virtual programs moving forward.

This research will create a grassroots-level repository of best practices and knowledge of virtual exchange program implementation that will benefit future program management and implementation.

I am interested in learning about your knowledge and experience in managing and adapting these types of exchange programs.

Who are you interviewing?

For this study, I will be surveying and interviewing program managers and implementers of international exchange programs from organizations across the United States. Participation in this study is voluntary.

What is the format of the Research

I will be conducting research in two formats:

#1: An online survey (complete it here): Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on International Exchange Programs

#2: Long-form qualitative interviews

I am inviting you to participate in a 45-minute interview. All interviews will take place remotely via Zoom. You will have the choice to participate in a video call, or to call in by phone.

During our conversation, we will be asking you questions such as:

--How did you adapt your exchange program to meet the realities of COVID-19?

--What are your biggest lessons learned from this process?

There are no right or wrong answers here! I am just looking for your perspective and experience navigating these challenging times.

How do I sign up?

You can sign up for an interview using this link: Interview Sign-Up Link.

Select a date and time that works best for you! I look forward to our conversation.

How will you ensure privacy during the study?

All of the information you provide will be kept confidential and your name or other identifying characteristics will not be used in any public dissemination of the data I collect.

This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Seattle University, and is guided by the principles outlined by the IRB for the protection of human subjects.

You can read more information and access the informed consent form here: Informed Consent Form

What will you do with the information you gather?

I will be writing up the results of the study and presenting the results at the MNPL Capstone Festival on Saturday, June 5. I will also share the results of our research with you and the other participants. My hope is that the results are useful to you as you plan your future work.

For more information:

I can be reached by email at mburnham@seattleu.edu. If you would like more information about the MNPL capstone projects, you can also contact Professor Feit at feitm@seattleu.edu.

Thank you

I know that your time is valuable and I am grateful for your willingness to share your experiences and insights with me.