Small Grant, Big Ripple

Short Description: One thousand dollars does not sound like much. But in the hands of the right organization at the right moment, it can set off a chain of events that reshapes the field. Like many in this field, I entered led by passion. A passion for global education, connecting cultures, and opening doors that […]

What Role Should AI Play in Education Abroad?

I run an organization that provides Spanish language and study abroad experiences in Argentina and Uruguay to students from around the world. This is the kind of organization that is very far down the food chain, but delivers critical local logistical and academic services to a high standard. We work through agents or directly with […]

Not all Classrooms Have Walls: Student Perspectives of Study Abroad Experiences

There is a wealth of research to suggest studying abroad offers a range of benefits for student participants, including enhanced cultural understanding, increased global awareness, and development of intercultural competency, among others. Yet, the research often leaves out the critical perspective of students. Here, we aim to do just that–highlight the voices of University of […]

Will Education Abroad Program Design Help You Get a Job? A Question I Didn’t Expect

A few weeks ago, I participated in an informational interview with a graduate student enrolled in an international education–focused degree program. She had reached out, as many students are often encouraged to do, hoping to discuss her career plans, aspirations, and trajectory in the field with a career professional. The conversation followed a familiar rhythm: […]

What a New State Law Means for Language Learning Abroad

What a New State Law Means for Language Learning Abroad Global engagement has always been a cornerstone of higher education, and Texas sends thousands of students abroad each year. Yet while international experiences remain popular, enrollment in foreign language courses has been steadily declining for more than a decade, both in Texas and across the […]

The Benefits of Spanish Immersion and Medical Shadowing in Latin America

In 2020, approximately 18.7 percent of the United States’ population was of Hispanic or Latino origin, according to the U.S. Census Bureau—and the numbers are growing. The Census Bureau also found that around 13.5 percent of the population aged five years and older speaks Spanish at home. This means nearly 41 million people in the […]

Emerging Trends: Student Selection of Study Abroad Program Types Post-Pandemic

Broadly speaking, most U.S. higher education institutions offer a mix of exchange, direct-enroll, provider, and faculty-led program models. Over time, and as a reflection of the zeitgeist in international education at any given moment, there have been particular trends towards one type of program over another. More recently, as our field shifts away from the […]

The Importance of Community Engagement in Education Abroad

Community engagement is an essential part of learning, particularly in immersive educational settings. At the Spanish Institute for Global Education, we believe that language acquisition goes hand in hand with cultural understanding, and this is best achieved through meaningful interactions with the local community. As language learners and cultural explorers, students not only immerse themselves […]

Making Your Traveler Management Software Work for You

When I first started working at my new university, they had just made the switch from paper application files to traveler management software (TMS). Since that time (2 years ago), we have switched again. Personally, I hate technology, yet like most people in the modern day, I am tied to it. It is impossible to […]

Study Abroad Programs: A Powerful Tool for Advancing the UN SDGs

The need for sustainable development is undeniable. It’s about ensuring prosperity, economic opportunity, social well-being, and environmental protection for all. The UN member states acknowledge that sustainable development is the best path forward for improving lives across the globe. Therefore, in 2015, it adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 interconnected goals designed […]

Empowering Students to “See” During Study Abroad Through Preparation

Thoreau said, “It’s not what you look at that matters; it’s what you see.” I imagine that when administrators look at the impact of study abroad programs, they see “transformational” and “life-changing” as major themes.     With respect to program participants, I think it’s time that we explore a fundamental question. What are students seeing […]

Promoting Global Learning for Student-Athletes at Home and Abroad

When I started my undergraduate degree there were two things that I was certain I wanted to do during my four years in school, the first was compete in Division I athletics and the second was study abroad. At the time I didn’t realize how fortunate I was to have a college, athletic department and […]

Drivers of Global Learning Experiences

Drivers of Global Learning Experiences .Oklahoma State University is using cutting-edge, interactive technology to increase accessibility to study abroad.

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.