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Luxembourg plaque unveiling honors one of Miami’s most immersive intercultural experiences

“It’s a thing of beauty and opportunity for education majors like no other.”

jason lane, molly sawyer, liz mullenix dedicate plaque
From left to right: Jason Lane, Molly Sawyer, Liz Mullenix

Luxembourg plaque unveiling honors one of Miami’s most immersive intercultural experiences

From left to right: Jason Lane, Molly Sawyer, Liz Mullenix

Before studying abroad at Miami University’s Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) in Luxembourg, Miami student Tamara Montes ‘23 was not planning on becoming a teacher. 

As a Family Sciences and Primary Education double major, she was aspiring to become a social worker. But that was before her experience as a third grade student-teacher at the International School, also known as the École internationale Differdange et Esch-sur-Alzette (EID), in Luxembourg.

“I was not planning on being a teacher,” Montes said. “But when I went to Europe, I learned how school was taught differently. Their curriculum brings a lot of culture into the classroom. And when I came back, I wanted to incorporate what I learned into the classroom here, which is why I decided to teach at a bilingual school. We can bring so much more into our classrooms.”

This fall, Montes will begin teaching fifth grade math and science in Spanish at Oakdale Elementary School in Cincinnati. It’s a new professional path she credits entirely to her trip abroad, which was literally life-changing. 

“I've heard that said from almost every student that's gone to Luxembourg,” said James Shiveley, Miami professor of Teaching, Curriculum, and Educational Inquiry (TCE). “Life-changing is the word they use.” 

Both Montes and Shiveley were present at the unveiling of a new plaque dedicated to a program that is one of the most significant and immersive intercultural experiences available to Miami students.

While studying and teaching at the International School abroad, students gain a deep understanding of the cultural differences between typical U.S. schools and their European counterparts. 

Students not only gain real teaching and classroom experience, the international setting also provides numerous ways for students to develop, both personally and professionally, which are further enhanced by regular weekend visits to the bordering countries throughout western Europe.

According to Shiveley, who also helped found the EID partnership program in 2016, these  dynamic and multilayered aspects are what make it truly special and “exceptional at every level.”

“It's a thing of beauty and opportunity for education majors like no other,” Shiveley said. “We have students studying at MUDEC who are doing independent studies. We have student teachers there. We have students doing the English language learner camp in the summer. It provides multiple cost effective ways for education majors to study abroad and get a true multicultural experience that looks great on resumes. It's just wonderful.”

During the ceremony, other program representatives and Miami administrators were also present including Molly Sawyer, director of clinical placements, Miami Provost Liz Mullenix, and Jason Lane, dean of the College of Education, Health, and Society, who also spoke during the plaque unveiling. 

“This is a wonderful way to commemorate this powerful relationship,” Lane said. “Miami is one of the few places in the U.S. where student teachers have a formal opportunity to get experience overseas, and through such a meaningful experience as well. We have such a remarkable partnership with EID. So this is also about recognizing all the power of the partnerships that we have, locally and internationally.”