The Global Experiences Office promotes global awareness and supports students in their personal, academic, and professional development by offering a variety of study, internship, research, and service learning opportunities outside the U.S. We believe that every Husker abroad has the potential to successfully complete their study abroad experience. We are committed to supporting all Huskers in their persistence and achievement by offering equitable opportunities and resources for their success. The Husker Student POWER framework is a comprehensive, university-wide initiative designed to communicate and realize this vision.
A conceptual framework called Husker Student POWER was developed to identify five elements critical to students’ success. These five elements promote new students’ institutional belonging and academic self-efficacy by intentionally connecting them to curricular and co-curricular experiences that emphasize the following elements:
- Purpose: What motivated you to pursue your program? What are your goals and values? What do you want from this study abroad experience? What are you passionate about? What questions, topics, or disciplines inspire you?
- Ownership: What are your goals for your study abroad experience, and how can you make sure you achieve them? What does engaging in learning look like for you? How will you prioritize your success? How do you plan to organize your time? When you experience challenges (and everyone does!), do you know which strategies or supports might help you to bounce back? Are you aware of campus resources and services that can also help? What new experiences and opportunities would you like to try, and how can we help you to plan for them?
- Well-being: How do you balance your academics with your personal life? What helps you thrive? What are you grateful for? How do you prioritize and practice self-care? What strengths and practices help you get through tough times? What resources help you the most? How can your community support you? How can you care for your fellow Huskers?
- Engagement: How do you actively engage in your learning? How do you interact with instructors and peers in courses? Are you taking advantage of the city you are studying in? What out-of-class experiences would you like to try? Are there any that would help you develop a sense of belonging? What can you do to enhance your career goals? How do you challenge yourself to try something new? Are there communities that you'd like to join and enrich?
- Relationships: What are you doing to develop meaningful relationships with peers, faculty, and staff? Whom do you rely on and who can rely on you? Who are your mentors? Who else would you like to have in your circle? How are you supporting others? How are you challenged by the people around you, and what are you learning from these relationships? Are you developing relationships with people from different identities and backgrounds? How do you ensure people around you feel seen, heard, and accepted? What are you learning about yourself as your relationships change and evolve throughout your Husker experience?
