GPS Spotlight
Michael L. Smith
 Any university or school is only as successful as the people who comprise the institution and actually teach the programs. Nowhere is this truer than in the Masters of International Education program at Endicott College, where I was fortunate to study in 2008-2009 at their Madrid campus.
In all aspects, the Endicott faculty was engaging in action, provocative in thought, nurturing in spirit, and understanding of our existing professional commitments. What sets Endicott’s faculty and program apart is their emphasis on real life experiences in international education. Theory certainly has its part to play in any graduate program; however, when teachers and administrators face the current landscape in education, they need practical and achievable solutions. Endicott’s M.Ed. program, faculty and the international environment in which it is taught provide all of the knowledge and experiences necessary to professionally address the challenges of international education in the 21st century.
The curriculum of the M.Ed. program taught the cornerstones of any meaningful international education program: defining internationalism in the curriculum, utilizing action research as a decision making tool, understanding the role multiculturalism plays in education, and the positive role effective leadership has on student achievement. This expansive curriculum, coupled with the international backgrounds of our cohort and the experiences of our professors, made this challenging program one of the most rewarding professional experiences of my career.
As the head of an international school populated by students from 41 countries and speaking 26 languages, Endicott’s M.Ed. program prepared me well for the vast challenges that await the brave and select few who venture into international education. Even after graduation, I felt well-connected to the world of international education through the friends, colleagues, and constant support from my cohort, who were teaching across the globe and facing similar challenges.
In closing, for those educators who truly want a practical, relevant and experience-based graduate program, there are few international education programs at the graduate level that provide the same rigor, depth, yet flexibility that Endicott’s M.Ed. program offers. It truly was a very happy 13 months filled with many wonderful memories, enriching experiences and a lifetime of friendships.
Michael L. Smith
Head of School
ES International School
Barcelona, Spain
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