It helped when an exchange was designed to meet a specific institutional need. The examples of exchanges listed above suggest some areas of focus. Institutions have worked together on a single project that both schools would use in one case, two exchange partners collaborated to develop a course which was later taught on both campuses. In another exchange, an outside consultant helped the partners develop a writing curriculum in a series of faculty development workshops. Exchanges have often included seminars and performances.
Planning is essential.
Conscientious preparation and carefully managed experiences are particularly important to the success of exchanges between highly diverse institutions. Those institutions which oriented visitors and actively managed exchange experiences reported greater successes. An excellent example is found in the exchange between Benedict College and Columbia College. To launch their exchange, both institutions prepared and delivered orientation workshops about their respective institutions that reflected on college history, traditions, and students. With these workshops, participants were properly oriented and their expectations were adequately managed, making them aware of both the generalities and the specifics of the other institution s culture and climate.