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 […]
Future Trends in Student Mobility – Focus on Spain

This blog discusses the mobility impact of international students in Spain and highlights the perceived changes pre and post pandemic.
Underscoring the Value of a School of Record Partnership

School of Record partnerships offer an antidote to precarity for education abroad organizations and foster growth on both sides of the partnership.
Global Education Programming: Building Engaged Communities

Expanding the scope of education abroad brings new innovative access to students. Featured series by Heidi Soneson and Marty Tillman.
Integrating Primary, Secondary, and Post-secondary Global Learning Strategies

Recent Harris Poll reveals important implications for higher education. Featured series by Heidi Soneson and Marty Tillman.
Gateway Secures Partnership to Grant College Credit on behalf of Spanish Institute (Spain).

Spanish Institute for Global Education in Seville Spain partners with the University of Montana to grant college credit.
Halloween Tragedy in South Korea: Duty of Care Reminders

Effective response strategies are key to risk management abroad.
Global Education Needs More Institutions Participating in Open Doors — Technology Can Help

As Seen in Campus Technology: Global Education Needs More Institutions Participating in Open Doors Research
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.
Intercultural understanding through language

Pitzer College, one of the Claremont Colleges, is a small liberal arts institution taking big steps toward promoting intercultural understanding.