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  • San Diego Community College District - Professional Development Seminar in Strasbourg - Spring 2027

  • Duration

    6 days in Europe

  • Destinations

    Heidelberg, Germany

    Strasbourg, France

  • Important Dates

    Applications open:
    Nov. 1, 2026

    Applications close:
    Dec. 18, 2026

    Depart USA on:
    Saturday, March 27, 2027 (overnight flight)

    Arrive in Europe:
    Sunday, March 28, 2027

    Return to USA:
    Friday, April 2, 2027

  • Estimated Fee:
    From $1,580 to $1,800 depending on enrollment

  • Pay it forward:
    $100 from each participant’s program fee will be set aside for San Diego Miramar College student study abroad scholarships.

  • Accommodation

    5 nights, double occupancy at the European Study Center (ESC) in Strasbourg, France. The 3-star hotel is located at the 18th -century French castle, Château de Pourtalès, near the EU institutions. You will be accommodated in hotel rooms and will have access to ESC facilities, including wireless internet, a computer lab, a shared kitchen, a lounge, a TV room, a library, and laundry facilities.

  • Meals

    Daily breakfast, 3 lunches, and 2 dinners are included

  • Transportation

    Group airport transfer on arrival day, transportation to included excursions, and a public transportation pass in Strasbourg are included in the program. (Airport transfer on departure day is not included, instructions will be provided)

“Shaping Europe: Intercultural Communication, Identity and Global Perspectives”
This educational journey to Germany and France offers a profound exploration of how history, borders, and culture shape European and global identities.

By examining the region’s complex history, migration patterns, and unique position as a cultural crossroad—as well as comparing it with border regions like San Diego-Tijuana—participants will investigate how memory, reconciliation, and public institutions influence belonging and inclusion.

Through engagement with European approaches to cooperation and representation, this professional development experience connects international perspectives to professional practice, emphasizing the vital roles of empathy, intercultural learning, and effective communication in fostering diverse and inclusive communities.

  • Program Itinerary

    Activities are subject to change based on availability.

    European Study Center (ESC) Strasbourg, France

  • DAY 1 - Saturday, March 27: Departure day

    • Overnight flight to Frankfurt, Germany (Airfare is not included in the program fee.)

  • DAY 2 - Sunday, March 28: Heidelberg to Strasbourg

    Shaping Europe I: Foundations of Culture and Identity

    Theme: How do history, place, and cultural narratives shape the ways people understand themselves and others?

    • Arrive at Frankfurt International Airport (FRA)
    • Transportation by private bus from the airport to Heidelberg and Strasbourg
    • Group lunch at a German restaurant in Heidelberg
    • Guided walking tour of Heidelberg to uncover the legacy of Old Europe and explore how centuries of history continue to shape European identity and contemporary society
    • 5 nights in double rooms with private bathrooms incl. breakfast at our European Study Center, Château de Pourtalès and its 3-star hotel annex.
    • Orientation session to introduce program topics and logistics for the week

    Participants will:

    • Explore how history and place shape German and European identity
    • Examine how historical narratives influence contemporary perspectives
    • Identify how cultural environments shape assumptions and worldviews

  • DAY 3 - Monday, March 29: Strasbourg

    (Public holiday in France – Easter Monday)

    Shaping Europe II: Intercultural Communication in Border Regions

    Theme: How do borders shape identity, belonging, and intercultural understanding? 

    • Breakfast at the Château
    • Public transportation pass for the duration of your entire stay in Strasbourg
    • Participate in a Global Perspectives Framework workshop (Part I), an opening session introducing key concepts in intercultural communication, cultural awareness, and identity. Participants will reflect on how culture shapes perspectives and interactions while exploring connections between the European context and their work in diverse educational environments.
    • Attend a guest lecture by a local specialist on the topic of “Lives Between Borders: Migration, Identity, and Belonging in Europe” exploring personal experiences of migration, multicultural identities, and the challenges and opportunities of building a home across borders. Through discussion and guided reflection, participants will examine how migration shapes identity and belonging, while considering implications for intercultural communication, inclusive practices, and supporting diverse populations in higher education and community settings
    • Group lunch with sandwiches at the Chateau
    • Guided walking tour of Strasbourg to learn about the Franco-German history, border identities, Strasbourg as a European capital, and its captivating architecture
    • Group dinner at an Alsatian restaurant in Strasbourg and enjoy a local specialty, the traditional Tarte Flambée

    Participants will:

    • Examine how borders, migration, and language shape identity in Strasbourg and the region
    • Compare the Strasbourg region with the San Diego-Tijuana border region

    Discuss strategies for fostering inclusion across cultural differences

  • DAY 4 - Tuesday, March 30: The Alsace Region

    Shaping Europe III: Learning from the Past – Memory, Empathy, and Cultural Understanding

    Theme: How can understanding difficult histories strengthen empathy, dialogue, and intercultural understanding today?

    • Breakfast at the Château
    • Transportation by private bus during the day
    • Participate in group reflections on the bus to discuss identity, community, and belonging
    • Guided tour of the Mémorial Alsace-Moselle to explore how shifting borders, competing national identities, and the experiences of war shaped the region’s history and contributed to the development of reconciliation, European cooperation, and shared democratic values.
    • Guided tour of the former Struthof Concentration Camp to learn about the camp’s creation, its organization, and to get a better understanding of the deportees’ daily life
    • Free time in a quaint Alsatian village such as Ribeauvillé for lunch at your own expense
    • Guided tour of Le Palais du Pain d’Epices to learn the history of gingerbread and watch bakers in action (Alternatively, a wine tasting in the region)
    • Participate in group reflections on the bus during your return to Strasbourg

    Participants will:

      • Consider the role of memory, reconciliation, and empathy in understanding difficult histories
      • Draw connections to how communities in the U.S. engage with historical trauma and contested narratives.
      • Reflect on the role of empathy in education and leadership

  • DAY 5 - Wednesday, March 31: Strasbourg

    Shaping Europe IV: Dialogue Across Differences– Institutions, Representation, and Cooperation

    Theme: How do groups build consensus, foster, cooperation, and solve complex challenges together?

    • Breakfast at the Château
    • Public transportation during the day
    • Participate in group reflections to discuss cultural sensitivity and perspective in communication. Classroom space available in the morning.
    • Participate in a role play game at the European Parliament in Strasbourg to learn more about this European Institution and to simulate how individuals from different cultural, linguistic, and national backgrounds negotiate solutions, followed by lunch at your own expense at the Parliament
    • Visit and presentation by the S. Consul General. The U.S. Consul General in Strasbourg represents American interests with the European institutions based in Strasbourg—particularly on democracy, human rights, security, and transatlantic relations—while also strengthening U.S.-French political, economic, and cultural ties in the region. (Alternatively, meet with another Ambassador or Consul General for a discussion on diplomatic relations, international cooperation, and current global issues.)
    • Boat tour to explore Strasbourg from the water as you trace its transformation from a contested borderland between France and Germany into a symbol of European reconciliation, cooperation, and integration

    Participants will:

      • Explore European approaches to representation and cooperation
      • Apply insights from European institutions to professional practice
      • Recognize the influence of culture on communication and decision-making

  • DAY 6 - Thursday, April 1: Strasbourg

    Shaping Europe V: Inclusion, Well-Being, and Social Responsibility

    Theme: How do migration, public institutions, and cultural values shape belonging and quality of life in contemporary Europe?

    • Breakfast at the Château
    • Public transportation during the day
    • Attend a guest lecture on “Migration, Diversity, and Inclusion in Europe”, led by a specialist from the Council of Europe and other relevant organizations to explore current challenges, policy developments, and approaches to fostering inclusive societies. (Alternatively, participate in a workshop moderated by expert on migration and asylum under the framework of the Geneva Convention)
    • Participate in an interactive workshop, “Belonging by Design: How French Institutions Shape Community and Quality of Life,” exploring how French approaches to education, healthcare, work, and migration reflect cultural values and shape inclusion and belonging
    • Visit of the European Court of Human Rights to gain insight into its role in protecting fundamental rights and freedoms across Europe, and to explore contemporary legal and societal challenges facing the Court
    • Farewell dinner at the renowned “Maison Kammerzell” in Strasbourg’s historic city center

    Participants will

      • Examine how migration and public institutions shape inclusion and belonging in Europe
      • Compare European and U.S. approaches to supporting diverse communities
      • Connect insights to their professional practice

  • DAY 7 - Friday, April 2: Strasbourg, Departure Day to USA

    Shaping Europe VI: Reflections on Europe’s Journey and bringing Global Learning Home

    Theme: How can intercultural learning abroad enhance our work and leadership at our home institutions?

    • Breakfast at the Château
    • Participate in a Global Perspectives Framework workshop (Part II) to reflect on the lessons and perspectives gained from Europe’s approach to diverse learning communities.
    • Catered group lunch at the Château
    • Transportation at your own expense from the Château to the airport or your next travels
    • Departure from Strasbourg to the USA (airfare not included)

    Participants will

      • Synthesize lessons on identity, borders, migration, memory, and cooperation.
      • Explore strategies for fostering inclusive learning communities
      • Apply lessons of intercultural learning to their work and communities

Interested in participating?

Click the Apply Here link below

Apply here

Applications open on Sunday, November 1, 2026

Applications close on Friday, December 18, 2026

  • Not included in the program:
    • Airfare
    • Airport transfer on departure day, instructions will be provided
    • Hotel charges for personal consumption, such as minibar, laundry, and phone calls
    • Meals and beverages other than those listed above
    • Personal or other miscellaneous expenses
    • International travel and health insurance
    • Passport, visa, or entry expenses/requirements must be checked well in advance, especially for non-U.S. or Canadian citizens. Each participant is responsible for obtaining any travel documentation required such as visas and passports, which must be valid for all countries of travel.
    • European Union via ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en).