Sessions

1:00 - 2:00 EDT | Keynote: Tyler Riewer, Creative Director at Charity: Water

Tyler Riewer is the Creative Director at charity: water, the nonprofit bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in need around the world. He travels the globe to meet the people charity: water serves, collects stories about the transformative impact of clean water, and dreams up new ways to share those stories with the world. Since joining the organization in 2013, Tyler has been a driving force behind charity: water’s creative campaigns. Tyler is also the host of charity: water's exclusive video series, The Journey, in which he travels to different countries to show members of the organization's monthly giving program, The Spring, an up-close look at charity: water's work on the ground.

Prior to joining charity: water, Tyler spent nine years working in advertising where he created content for brands like Red Bull, Nike and A&E. A native Nebraskan, Tyler graduated from University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he studied Mass Communications, Advertising and English.

2:00 - 2:50 pm EDT | Session I: Making Sense of Your International Experience: Unpack and Reflect on Lessons Learned in Leadership

Aaron Klein (The Ohio State University), Heather Schieman (University of Dayton), Marlee Stein (University of Illinois - Chicago), Aileen Vickory (Cal State University Fullerton)

Students will be able to process and acknowledge the feelings and experiences associated with their time abroad and the role it played in leadership development. While connecting with other study abroad alumni from across the country, students will identify and reflect upon this formative time and the role it played in shaping their self-concept and personal identity.

2:50 - 3:30 pm EDT | Coffee Break - Mini Session: LinkedIn

Mandy Reinig (Virginia Wesleyan University) and Jessica Harrington (Virginia Wesleyan University)

This session will demonstrate how easy it is to add an international experience to your LinkedIn profile and the benefits of doing so and how easy it is to use LinkedIn for networking.

3:30 - 4:20 pm EDT | Concurrent Session II: Graduate School Abroad

Lewis Gibson (Education New Zealand), Sarah Dilworth (Trinity College Dublin), Hanni Geist (German Academic Exchange Service), Katheryn Kerth (Nova School of Business and Economics, Portugal)

Thinking about graduate school? Think global! This session will cover graduate school programs in the U.S. with international components and graduate options available abroad.

3:30 - 4:20 pm EDT | Concurrent Session II: Who's NOT Going Abroad

Abi Cavasos (Sienna College) and Darin Smith-Gaddis (CAPA: Global Education Network)

How can we help students overcome barriers to a high impact experience.

4:30-5:30 pm EDT | Concurrent Session III: ABC’s of Teaching Abroad

Sonja Lind (Cal State University San Bernardino), Kenya Chavez (Cal State University Chico), Grant Minagawa (JET Program), Jessica Beatty (GoOverseas)

Teaching abroad can be a fantastic way to gain valuable work experience, build your resume, and spend time exploring a land far from home. Learn about opportunities around the world.

4:30 - 5:30 pm EDT | Concurrent Session III: Virtual Internships

Melissa Burekett (Global Experiences), Iracely Sanchez (Global Experiences)

Description coming soon...

1:00 - 2:00 pm EDT | Keynote: Ryan Ustick, Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State

Ryan is a career Foreign Service Officer, currently serving in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan in the Management Section. He previously worked as a consular officer in Guadalajara, Mexico. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Ryan worked as a management consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton in Washington, DC. Ryan will share his path to the Foreign Service, what life is like as an FSO and how the pandemic has impacted his life and work abroad.

2:00 - 2:50 pm EDT | Session I: Pandemics aren't personal - Learn how to navigate what you cannot control

Chris Lawlor & Cara Simon, Learn International

Did you have to leave early from your study abroad program? Or was your program canceled before you even left? Or maybe you're just uncertain about how to put your study abroad experience into words and share with others. Many of us from around the world are bummed or feeling disappointed to how the pandemic has impacted us. Using our global lens, we will share stories amongst peers and remind ourselves that what we may or may not be feeling is pretty normal. So how can we accept the uncontrollable? Good question. Let's find out! We will chat about how you can utilize your resources and the global community to guide your experience in a different direction - a direction that you choose - not the pandemic.

2:50 - 3:30 pm EDT | Coffee Break: Mini Session - #LFACanvaChallenge

Presented by: Brittany Williams (University of San Diego)

Summary: Join Fellow participants during this casual "Coffee Break" to engage in marketing design challenges to highlight your past study abroad experiences and market yourself to future employers. In introduction to social media marketing and design strategies will be discussed, with an opportunity to engage in activities and participate in the #LFACanvaChallenge.

3:30 - 4:20 pm EDT | Session II: Careers in International Education

Sonja Lind (Cal State University San Bernardino), Emily Resnevic (CAPA Study Abroad), Ziva Shachar (UC Berkeley), Kyle Sturges (The Ohio State University)

Now that you have been abroad, are you interested in making a career out of helping students participate in a global experience? Learn about various career options in study abroad and international student services. Panelists will discuss the realities, challenges and opportunities for professional and educational growth.

4:30 - 5:30 pm EDT | Session III: Where are they now? Stories from Study Abroad Alumni

William Robertson-Geibel (UC San Diego), Carmen Ross (Sacramento Region Community), Shakar Soltani (Southwest Airlines), Sterling Summerville (Snap, Inc.), and Amani Edwards (Connecticut Bar Association)

Hear from a panel of study abroad alumni from a broad range of career fields who will discuss how their study abroad experience influenced their career path and gain ideas about how you can transfer your skills developed from studying abroad into your career.

1:00 - 2:00 EDT | Keynote: Samantha Cook, MPH Candidate at University of Colorado and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer - Senegal

Samantha personally understands what it feels to have study abroad plans interrupted. As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal, Samantha was evacuated as part of a worldwide Peace Corps evaluation due to COVID-19 only 13 months into her 27 months of service. Samantha will discuss how to deal with reverse culture shock and not even in your own time frame. She’ll share what helped her cope and how she’s moved forward while not forgetting past experiences.

2:00 - 2:50 pm EDT | Concurrent Session I: Applying CQ to Frame Study Abroad Adaptability

Eric Schueller, Education Partnership Manager, Cultural Intelligence Center

In this session, we will explore how cultural differences play a role in how (and if) we adapt our behaviors abroad. We will reflect on real life examples and discuss how the cultural intelligence (CQ) framework can be used to articulate your experiences abroad

2:50 - 3:30 pm EDT | Coffee Break: Mix & Mingle

Join fellow participants during this casual "Coffee Break" to share about your study abroad experience. Base your small group conversations off the prompts or take the conversation wherever you like. Use this time to connect and network with peers across the country around your shared global experiences.

3:30 - 4:20 pm EDT | Session II: Go Abroad Again: Work & Volunteer Overseas

Thomas Badilla (Peace Corp), Jessica Beatty (GoOverseas), Kristy Blue (WWOOF and Workaway)

Gain insight and tips about how you can intern or volunteer after graduation and how to fund these international opportunities.

4:30 - 5:30 pm EDT | Concurrent Session III: Globalize Your Career

María José Angel Mex (Lorenzo de' Medici), Rachel-Jean Firchau (Rachel Off Duty), Julia Borland (IREX Global Development), Chela Cea (University of Wisconsin - Stout)

Get inspired to launch your internationally focused career in business and non-profit sectors. Panelists will share their advice and realities about domestic jobs with international travel options and working abroad full-time.

4:30 - 5:30 pm EDT | Concurrent Session III: Access to Global Knowledge: A resource for understanding and refocusing historical ideologies (**MOVED FROM FRI 10/16, 2-2:50PM TIME SLOT**)

Alisha Stanton (University of Denver)

Understanding international/global engagement as a resource to reshape historical ideologies and increase understanding of diversity, inclusion, and social justice.

1:00 - 2:00 pm EDT | Keynote: Summer Davis, Owner-Operator at Los Angeles Urban Adventures

Summer began her experience abroad on a high school marine biology trip to the British Virgin Islands. After two weeks camping, studying and sailing around the islands, she never wanted to leave and vowed to return with her friends. That was the first of 20 years of experiences abroad she has never wanted to leave! Since that first inspirational journey, Summer has attended university, taught English, worked in a travel agency and led tours through Ecuador, Morocco, Turkey, Peru, Nicaragua, Cuba, Spain and Portugal. She has managed Operations for an adventure travel company in South America and now owns and operates her own tour companies both in Los Angeles and Morocco. Fluent in English, Spanish, French and Moroccan Arabic, Summer values language learning as the key to understanding, connecting with and positively impacting the world.

Zoom link: https://northeastern.zoom.us/j/93617617916 password: lfa2020

2:00 - 2:50 pm EDT | Concurrent Session I: Navigating Uncertainty: Resources for Thoughtfully Processing Your Time Abroad and Your Return

Katie Ryan, Mid-Atlantic Regional Vice President, University Relations, AIFS (Developed by AIFS and recognized by GoAbroad.com for Innovation in Alumni Engagement)

The readjustment process for any study abroad returnee can be complex, and this is especially true for spring 2020 students! This session will encourage you to reflect on your time abroad and provide tools to frame your interrupted experience towards your future educational and professional goals.

Zoom link: https://osu.zoom.us/j/91498194274 password: lfa2020

2:00 - 2:50 pm EDT | Concurrent Session I: Unpacking Experiences from the Global South

Craig Vandermeer (Insight Global Education)

Throughout this workshop we'll explore challenging narratives between the North-South within the context of international study, intern and travel industries. Including how the industry has been initially established, with emphasis on the Global South, and transition to how this initial framing has reinforced, rather than helped address, negative stereotypes. We will discuss strategies as to how students can effectively communicate and convey their deeply immersive experiences while also helping break down negative stereotypes towards the Global South. Finally, we will look at how study abroad has the capacity to be a grass roots driver for change within a Global-Local context, and how the lessons learned and perceptions challenged while abroad can provide great starting points for heightened intercultural awareness.

Zoom link: https://owu-edu.zoom.us/j/91331506441? password: lfa2020

2:50 - 3:30 pm EDT | Coffee Break: Mix & Mingle

Join Fellow participants during this casual "Coffee Break" to share about your study abroad experience. Base your small group conversations off the prompts or take the conversation wherever you like. Use this time to connect and network with peers across the country around your shared global experiences.

Zoom link: https://udayton.zoom.us/j/81424688447? password: lfa2020

3:30 - 4:20 pm EDT | Concurrent Session II: Fellowships and Scholarships Abroad

Kelly Weissberger (Drexel University)

Enhance your study abroad experience by conducting a research or creative project! Apply for postgraduate grant opportunities abroad such as the Fulbright U.S. Student Program! Applicants design their own projects. You choose the country, you choose the type of grant! Learn about the selection criteria to make your application stand out.

Zoom link: https://columbusstate.zoom.us/j/83863166269 password: lfa2020

3:30-4:20 pm EDT | Concurrent Session II: U.S. Department of State Careers

Francesca Lichauco (U.S. Department of State)

Learn about career and student opportunities with the U.S. Department of State. Think about serving your country while experiencing the world, engaging with different cultures and doing meaningful, intellectually challenging, and interesting work.

The U.S. Department of State is the Federal government’s leading foreign affairs agency that works to shape and sustain a peaceful, prosperous, just, and democratic world and fosters conditions for stability and progress for the benefit of the American people and people everywhere. Our employees are champions of American diplomacy, using their knowledge and experience in everything from policy to communications to economics to engineering and technology to medicine to achieve success as they serve with integrity and professionalism. They have diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, global perspectives, depth of knowledge, and technical skills, along with exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities.

You can contribute your different perspectives, life experiences, and innovative thinking as you collaborate with Foreign and Civil Service professionals, locally employed staff, contractors, and interns who work to support and advance U.S interests worldwide. We encourage you to think about serving your country while experiencing the world, engaging with different cultures and doing meaningful, intellectually challenging, and interesting work. Visit careers.state.gov to learn more. U.S. citizenship is required. An equal opportunity employer.

Zoom link: https://osu.zoom.us/j/98649380185 password: lfa2020

4:30 - 5:30 pm EDT | Showcasing Your Experience in Your Career Search

Angela Manginelli (AIFS Study Abroad)

This session will provide advice for creating a quality resume, cover letter, elevator pitch and ways to strengthen your interview skills. Regardless of the job you are seeking, the skills you gained during your international experience are valued by employers and how you communicate those skills is just as important. The session will start with an overview of the topics and then provide time for attendees to break into small groups. Participants will work with a professional to practice their elevator pitch, responses to common interview questions, and get feedback to become an even stronger candidate to employers.

Zoom link: https://chapman.zoom.us/j/98546868613 password: lfa2020