About Authentica

Founded in 2013 and based in Pune, India, Authentica specializes in international education programming that allows students to study and immerse themselves in diverse cultures and academic environments. Authentica’s programming encompasses comprehensive support services aimed at enhancing the overall intellectual experience of students while simultaneously promoting personal growth across four dimensions: physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. While Authentica’s offerings span all disciplines, advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains a consistent focus across all programs. Authentica has a successful track record of 10+ years designing and delivering 150+ programs with 4500+ participants in 25+ countries.

90+ Net Promoter Score (NPS)- the highest in the industry!

Strong focus on advancing SDGs, DEI and employability outcomes.

20-40% less expensive than comparable US-based providers.

Deep destination knowledge and networks in Asia and Europe.

Gateway Spotlight Episode

Building a Sustainable Future for All | Authentica

Actionable Strategies & Tactics for Embedding UN SDG's in Education Abroad Webinar

About the Founder

Ravi Raj founded Authentica, inspired by his own study-abroad experiences and Gandhi’s belief that “learning happens best with the head, hands and heart.” He earlier was a social enterprise consultant with Eastside People in UK and a Fellow at the Center for Business and Society at Dartmouth College. He has an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and strategy consulting experience with Oliver Wyman in the US.

Ravi Raj

Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Authentica

A few words from Authentica clients
engineers
In terms of on-ground support, Authentica was amazing. We could really focus on teaching and supporting students, rather than spending too much amount of time worrying about logistics. Authentica did what they are best at and provided a good experience for our students.
Leo Lazarus
Facilitator, Engineers Without Borders- Australia
nc university
Authentica is one of the best partners I’ve worked with on international programs. Bringing policy and business leaders to India could’ve been a real challenge, but Authentica delivered outstanding results by understanding our objectives and talking us through well-researched proposals. I was impressed by their professionalism and passion for delivering culturally authentic experiences- and they are fun too!
Melissa Edwards Smith
Director of Education at North Carolina State University
nc-university (1)
We look for a partner who is incredibly trustworthy and able to handle logistics for the region, and someone who understands the programming and content we want to develop. Authentica has been a fantastic collaborative partner in the design and creation of high quality content, visits and cultural activities. They have provided our students with experiences that will stay with them for the rest of their professional lives!
Valerie Slate
Director of MBA Global programs UNC-Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School
unc
The Authentica team was a pleasure to work with for our short-term faculty-led programs. The services were customized to fit our itinerary and everything went according to plan. The guides were hand-picked, hotels and sites were carefully vetted and no detail was left unmanaged. The team was on-call to assist with any issues even including retrieving lost items and dealing with illness within the group. Their leadership team was involved in every detail during the planning process and was extremely responsive. Their suggestions for site-visits were well thought-out and complimented classroom learning in a powerful way. I strongly recommend Authentica!
Dr. Kira Espiritu
Assistant Provost for International Affairs & Director, International Studies Abroad, University of San Diego, California
Ivey (1)
I was selected for a marketing project in the sustainable real estate space, which I had no experience in. But the consulting toolkit training we received helped our team structure our approach and develop an effective work plan to solve the challenge. Authentica has been with us at every step of the way, guiding us in the right direction and helping us to align our work with client expectations. They have been super organized through the internship.
Charles Dedekam
MSc International Management, Ivey Business School Intern at Orange County

Authentica Prospectus

Gateway Representatives

Dr. Catherine Winnie

Dr. Catherine Winnie is an international education leader with over 30 years of experience in higher education. She has built or re-shaped offices of international education at Smith, Yale, the Rochester Institute of Technology, Harvard, and Southern Methodist University. Dr. Winnie has expertise in a variety of areas, including Education Abroad, International Partnerships, Strategic Planning, Program Design and Management, Grants and Fellowships, and Recruitment, Hiring, Team-Building, and Career Development.

Kathryn Bourgeois

Kathryn Bourgeois has over 20 years of experience in international education, primarily in Turkey. She served as Resident Director for the Critical Language Scholarship Program (2022–2024) and CIEE Study Centers (12 years), overseeing program operations, student support, crisis response, and community relations. Kathryn also led faculty development seminars on Turkish society and regional issues, coordinated the Pitzer College Program, and facilitated service learning at Robert College. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Scripps College and an M.A. in Social Projects and NGO Management from Istanbul Bilgi University.

Connect with the Gateway team to learn more about Authentica

Episode 29: Cultural Lens on U.S. Higher Education: Analyzing International Perceptions of 'Anti-Woke’ Discourse

Dive into a nuanced exploration of the global discourse surrounding higher education in the United States. Join us for a panel discussion with esteemed international educators as we embark on a journey through the lenses of culture and international perspective, examining how global audiences interpret and engage with the ‘anti-woke’ discourse within the context of U.S. higher education. This engaging panel discussion will delve into the intersections of culture, ideology, and education, and the complex landscape of how international audiences perceive the ‘anti-woke’ narrative that has emerged within U.S. academia.

Whether you’re a senior international officer, or simply curious about the diverse viewpoints shaping U.S. higher education, this podcast episode will provide an invaluable space for critical analysis and insightful conversations.

Speaker Biography:

Fanta Aw is a distinguished leader in international education, renowned for her extensive contributions to global learning, cross-cultural understanding, and educational equity. With a deep commitment to fostering connections between diverse cultures and promoting educational excellence, she has significantly impacted the international education community.

Fanta Aw’s career has been characterized by her dedication to advancing global education initiatives, promoting diversity and inclusion, and nurturing partnerships that transcend borders. She has held influential roles in various organizations, advocating for the importance of international collaboration and learning experiences that empower individuals to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.

As a thought leader and visionary, Fanta Aw’s insights and expertise have shaped discussions on the future of international education, emphasizing the significance of equitable access, cultural exchange, and lifelong learning. Her work has not only elevated institutions but has also inspired countless individuals to embrace the transformative power of global education.

Date: September 14th, 2023
Time: 12 noon ET

Sponsored by:

Mark Beirn

AFFILIATE

An experienced global researcher and administrator, Mark Beirn brings a critical approach to risk management, factoring structural racism and identity-based violence into his rubric for supporting equitable global mobility.

Specialization Areas:

– Global Risk Management
– Education Abroad
– Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in International Education
– Health and Safety
– Curriculum Development

 

Stephen Appiah-Padi​

AFFILIATE

Stephen Appiah-Padi is an international educator with several years of teaching and administrative experience in both 4 and 2-year HEIs. An experienced global education practitioner-scholar, with a demonstrated history of success in the field.

Dr. Appiah-Padi has a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada in Educational Policy & Administration with a specialization in International/Intercultural Education.

At Northwestern College, he provided oversight in the administration of education abroad and international student services. In Lansing, Michigan, he first oversaw diversity and intercultural education at Lansing Community College, and later created the Center for International and Intercultural Education (CIIE) which merged intercultural engagement and international education programs of the institution, and he became its first director. Additionally, Dr. Appiah-Padi taught a course, “Diversity in the American Workplace”, to undergraduate management students of the College. In his current position, he provides leadership and vision in advancing strategic internationalization initiatives, including international partnerships and study abroad programs at Bucknell University.

Dr Appiah-Padi has created and facilitated several workshops for faculty and staff development in higher education and in business organizations. He has presented at several national and international conferences. In NAFSA, among several volunteer leadership positions, he has served as Dean of the Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication Workshop, the Leadership Development Committee member, Chair of the Africa Special Interest Group, and a Fellow of the Global Fellowship Program for mentoring emerging leaders of internationalization in African HEIs. He currently serves as a member of the NAFSA Board of Directors.

Rosa Almoguera

AFFILIATE

Dr. Rosa Almoguera has worked as an international educator for over twenty years. She was trained as a Hispanic Philologist at the Universidad Complutense, in Madrid, and did her M.A. at the University of Pennsylvania. Her Ph.D., from Universidad Complutense included a field study and edition of written balladry “Romancero”. During many years Rosa combined teaching and her role as a senior administrator at the Fundación Ortega-Marañón in Toledo, Spain. At the Foundation, Rosa directed and, in many cases created, programs for the University of Minnesota, Notre Dame, Princeton, Ohio State, Arcadia, and the University of Chicago. She has also been a visiting professor at the University of Minnesota, University of Portland, and Interamericana de Puerto Rico.

Beginning in 2016, Rosa works as an international education consultant for both public and private European and US higher education institutions. Rosa has been successful in developing new partnerships and programs, as well as helping improve already existing ones.

Rosa is a member of Forum and NAFSA and has presented with higher education professionals on innovative academic and research programming, STEM in study abroad and Nationalism in Europe. Rosa is currently completing the final Professional Certification from the Forum on Education Abroad.