Inside Study Abroad

NAFSA for Newbies - 2013 Edition

2013-05-13T17:05:00.000-06:00

This year, I'll be attending my 7th NAFSA national conference in St. Louis. That's a lot to some; very few to others. But in six going on seven years I've learned a few things that have helped me as an employee of providers and universities, helped me in my larger international education career, and helped me generally have a good time at a huge, exhausting event. So here are my little bits of advice for NAFSA Newbies. 1. Bring A Sweater & Comfortable Shoes Okay this one is very utilitarian, but I'm telling you, it's probably the most important piece of advice that will...

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The Future Hijinks of Inside Study Abroad

2013-05-09T16:30:00.006-06:00

Quick Note: I'm absolutely overwhelmed with all the virtual and real love you guys have shown me since my big announcement on Tuesday. Seriously. You all rock and make this little experiment of mine seem a little less crazy and a lot more achievable. So thank you, thank you for all the support! I couldn't do this without you. For realz. So now that I'm charging out on my own and starting my own company, I'm making plans and making moves to grow this little slice of the internet into something that's helpful, informative, collaborative, and dare I say, fun for education abroad...

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Leaning In and Moving On - Why I Left My Dream Job at GoAbroad.com

2013-05-07T11:51:00.004-06:00

Yep. You read that right. In March, I resigned from my position as Senior Vice President at GoAbroad.com. And then I went for a margarita…and started to freak out. A little. Troy and Brooke, NAFSA 2012 But let's go back to the beginning. About three and half years ago I met Troy Peden (founder and CEO of GoAbroad.com) at a regional NAFSA conference in Minnesota. I was running study abroad at the University of South Dakota and building a study abroad system and culture there from the ground up. We had a random conversation about something related to marketing in study abroad and...

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Rockstardom

2012-11-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

I talk to friends and colleagues all the time about rock stars. Not the 1980's hair band rock stars (though we could all take some cues from them on how to be phenomenal). I'm talking about those people you work with who just get it. They seem to excel at everything they do, people enjoy spending time with them, most people know and respect them, and their employers never want to let them go. They are the people everyone wants to work for and with…and like real-life, one of a kind rock stars, they are a rare breed. Are you thinking of a specific person who fits this mold? I know I...

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Interview: Taking Chances With John Christian, CAPA International Education

2012-11-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I ask people to interview with me on Inside Study Abroad. Other times, I get lucky and someone stumbles upon my little slice of the internet and tells me a story that I can't help but want to share with my study abroad-loving friends and colleagues. This is the story of John Christian, a small town kid from upstate New York who became the President/CEO of CAPA International Education. The Journey Begins John's study abroad journey began at SUNY Oswego. One night at the campus bar, he was catching up with a good friend who'd left campus for the previous term (John had...

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Interview: Getting Down To Business With Jeff Palm, Founder of CISabroad

2012-11-07T11:38:00.000-07:00

I'm back with another long awaited video interview from last summer (no, not 2012…2011. My slacker status is pretty secure.) After a little arm twisting, I convinced my former boss (and pal) Jeff Palm to sit down and chat with me about study abroad: choosing providers, reigning in costs, and making the most of the experience. Jeff Palm in China I love any chance to talk candidly with someone about the "business" of study abroad and Jeff definitely knows his stuff. Jeff is the Executive Director (and Founder) of the Center for International Studies (CISabroad). After starting...

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Interview: How David Comp Found His Niche In Education Abroad

2012-11-02T12:10:00.000-06:00

You know when you meet someone who appears to have about a thousand things going on, but they always seem on top of everything? And you wonder "wow, does this person sleep?" and "wow, I'm a big slacker." Well, let me introduce you to David Comp. David Comp, Costa Rica 2012 He is exactly one of those people. Last summer (no, not summer 2012…summer 2011…See? I'm a slacker.) I had the chance to interview David right after the NAFSA conference in Vancouver. David's study abroad story started like a lot of us. Completely random. He had a chance opportunity (thanks goodness for...

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It's Time to Share the Love!

2012-10-08T14:58:00.000-06:00

Hey all you cats and kittens out there! I don't know about you, but fall definitely crept up on us here in Colorado. And I'm not gonna lie...I love it. Crisp breezes, cozy jackets, autumn colors, pumpkin spice lattes, new guest blogger program...all of these signify the beginning of the best season on Earth! Okay, so that last one is a little misleading and biased. I can't help it. I want YOU to guest blog for me. I'm pretty sure every reader of this blog is amazing - you tolerate my rants and puns so there has to be a lot that's great about you - and I want to share your experiences,...

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Abroad Events Round-Up

2012-07-24T00:04:00.000-06:00

Over the past couple of years, I've been asked if there's a resource that lists all the conferences, workshops, and other international education/travel related events that take place throughout the year ...and around the world. Well, I stayed up late (this is dedication, people :) and used some free tools (Google Calendars and Google Forms) to create what I hope will be an ongoing and comprehensive resource of events. You can find links to the Abroad Events page in the navigation bar: And on the side bar of the blog: By no means do I know of every conference, workshop,...

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Interview: Jeff Jung, Founder at CareerBreakSecrets.com & Travel Host Extraordinaire

2012-06-13T22:40:00.001-06:00

So I'm changing it up a little with my next Inside Study Abroad interview. I ventured out of the international education stratosphere to interview a professional travel blogger and entrepreneur. Jeff Jung, founder of the blog Career Break Secrets, was kind enough to chat with me last summer from his home (for now) in Colombia. Jeff had an inspiring year-long study abroad experience in South Africa at the end of high school - as we all hope will happen, that year in SA transformed his world view and academic focus. After returning to the US and starting college in Texas, Jeff knew...

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VIDEO: Interview with Michelle Kern - Japanophile and International Internship Maven

2012-02-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

Waaaay back in May 2011 I did a bunch of interviews with some ridiculously interesting international educators and other world travel superfans. And I'm finally (woot woot!) getting around to editing and posting them. Today I feature Michelle Kern, a Japanophile through and through with considerable experience studying abroad and learning the language in the land of the rising sun. At the time of this interview, Michelle was serving as the Program Manager for the MIT-Japan program which administers research, study, and internship opportunities in Japan for MIT students. Pretty cool. However,...

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Study Abroad Advisors - You Think You Know But You Have No Idea

2012-02-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

I receive emails every day from aspiring study abroad professionals asking me for advice on how to get into the international education field. These are people who have typically studied abroad before, loved it, went off and did some kind of work in (insert almost any country name here), and now want to "keep the experience alive" by working in study abroad. More often than not, I first have to do a lot of coaching and explaining on what it actually means to work in education abroad, because phrases like these pop up a lot when someone is explaining why they want a gig as a study abroad...

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VIDEO: Interview with Zac Macinnes of ISA-International Studies Abroad

2012-01-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness gracious. This post has been about eight months in the making. Waaaay back in May 2011 I interviewed Zac Macinnes and I'm only now getting around to editing and posting it. Shame on me! But surely, SURELY better than late than never. Right? I owe Zac a very large....coffee?....when I see him. Regardless of my tardiness on posting this internview, the stories and advice Zac gives are timeless. And if you can't watch the video because you're at work (I won't tell if you don't!), here's a brief synopsis of what we chatted about. Zac is a the Northeast...

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Study Abroad Job: India Resident Director, Alliance for Global Education

2012-01-11T17:08:00.001-07:00

The sites. The smells. The tastes. The sounds. You can't go to India without all of your senses being overcome with most wonderful and terrible stimulation imaginable. It's a world of dichotomies of the beautiful, the grotesque, the rich, the poor, the ancient, and the modern. And now's your chance to help guide students through THE experience that is India! The Alliance for Global Education (one of the coolest orgs in study abroad, if you ask me) is hiring a Resident Director for their India programs. Granted, you need to have at least two years previous experience working/living in...

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Competing Against the World: How to Successfully Study Abroad as a College Athlete

2011-12-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

Today I bring you a guest post from a former study abroad student (and student athlete), Nate Schrader. Nate Schrader, Wabash College, Class of 2010 As a Division III college baseball player at Wabash College, Nate had the audacity to consider studying abroad, seemingly unheard of on most college campuses. However, with planning, a supportive coach/team, and some creativity, he was able to make his study abroad goals a reality...and make it to the playoffs too. Here's his story and advice for other college athletes ready to take on the world on and off the field. -- “Well,” he...

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GoAbroad is Hiring!

2011-07-04T23:52:00.001-06:00

Happy Independence Day to everyone in the US of A! I'm happily tucked in to a plate of rice, peppers, and chicken in the Philippines. Everyone here says hello. :) A many of you know, I work for GoAbroad.com, the web's leading resource for meaningful travel (sorry, shameless plug!). We've recently launched GoMedia, a new suite of services focused on providing online marketing and data management services and solutions to the international education community. We've had a great reception so far since launching at NAFSA. Now I'm on the look out for an innovative, driven, and really really...

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VIDEO: Blast from the Past!

2011-06-17T14:49:00.001-06:00

Hi everyone! I know I'm way behind on uploading interviews (I have four in the hopper! Zac - Yours is coming next week. I promise!) and other information-based posts, but it's been a crazy three weeks with being at NAFSA, recovering from NAFSA, and then of course, following-up from NAFSA. But I recently got my hands on a little blast from the past video I created when I was a grad student and working in the Baldwin-Wallace College Explorations/Study Abroad Center. It's amazing how digital photography has improved in just five years, so forgive the pixelated images. And please don't heckle...

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VIDEO: Interview with Mandy Reinig of Penn State University-Altoona

2011-05-26T07:00:00.008-06:00

Today I'm talking with Mandy Reinig, the one and only study abroad advisor at Penn State-Altoona. Along with running a one person study abroad office, she's an avid tweeter and study abroad advocate. You may know her as the Education Abroad Network Leader for NAFSA or from her various conference presentations on social media. Recently, Mandy launched her own social media consultancy called Mandy's Mashups. I first met Mandy though twitter - gotta love social media - where she tweets as @PSUaaAbroad and as @MandysMashups. Can't wait to meet her in person at NAFSA in Vancouver! ...

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Because We All Started Somewhere: My Testimony for Joplin, Missouri

2011-05-25T12:53:00.000-06:00

You'll have to forgive the personal nature of this post. But as we all know, the intersection of our professional and personal worlds is often murky. So here is my study abroad story and testimony for Joplin, MO. What I don't say in the video is that Joplin is about an hour from where I grew up in Kansas. Because my dad lived and worked in Joplin most of my life, I've spent a considerable amount of my own life there. In fact, my grandma still lives there (though her house is severely damaged from the tornado). Joplin, for all intensive purposes, is home and it's where my study abroad story...

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How to Get A Job in Study Abroad WITHOUT a Master's Degree

2011-05-23T07:00:00.133-06:00

Last week I wrote about the top graduate programs for a career in study abroad. But let's pretend for a moment that you aren't interested in getting a Master's degree (at least not yet), but you still want to work in study abroad. Have no fear. There is hope. But as with everything in life, you're going to have to accept some trade offs. Rarely will you have your cake and, well, you know, eat it too. This post is not about how to become a study abroad office director without having to work your way through the trenches or earn a little street cred. It's about how to get in the door and...

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VIDEO: Interview with Tiffany Harrison of What Would Jane Do

2011-05-19T06:00:00.003-06:00

Last Saturday morning I enjoyed a cup of coffee (yes, I drink Starbucks) and a great interview with Tiffany Harrison, a recent grad, burgeoning PR pro, and study abroad super fan (she studied abroad for a year in Scotland with USAC). We discussed the benefits of study abroad for PR majors, advice Tiffany has for future study abroad students, and her future career plans. Check out her blog What Would Jane Do where she muses about her love of tea, all things Jane Austen, and making your way as a young/fun professional woman. I first met Tiffany on Twitter where she's known as a friendly,...

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Master's Required - Top Graduate Programs for a Career in Study Abroad

2011-05-16T07:00:00.003-06:00

If you look at just about any study abroad job posting, you'll see one very common phrase: Master's Required. While there are ways to get a study abroad job WITHOUT a Master's degree (I'll write about that next week), here I suggest seven-plus graduate programs that are sure to launch your career in study abroad. Brooke & Friends at the BGSU '06 Graduate Commencement Profile of YouSo, let me guess. This is you: You majored in something related to the international world (international relations, international affairs, international business, anthropology, languages, etc.). You...

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How Study Abroad Ruined My Life

2011-04-01T15:29:00.000-06:00

That's right. You read the headline correctly. It's time for me to come out and be honest. I hate study abroad and all it stands for. After years of pretending that study abroad revolutionized my life and the lives of the multitude of students I've worked with, I've decided to come out with the truth and lay down all the ways study abroad ruined my life...and will probably ruin yours too. Here goes. Future Study Abroad Student Study Abroad Made Me Poor I took out student loans to pay for study abroad. That's right. Loans. And now as an adult and working professional I have to pay...

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Inside Study Abroad Featured on Go! Overseas

2011-03-29T11:30:00.000-06:00

Recently, I did an interview with Andrew over at Go! Overseas about all things study abroad. Looking back at our email chains, this interview was in the works for about five months and it's finally live and available on the information super highway. Wow! I love technology. There's always so much to share and little subtle things to reveal about the study abroad experience - finding programs, paying for programs, getting the most out of programs, etc. - doing this interview reminded me that I need to do more to break down the whole study abroad juggernaut for students into smaller...

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Study Abroad Scholarship: Freeman-ASIA Fall 2011 & Academic Year 2011-12 Awards

2011-03-24T12:20:00.000-06:00

I didn't study abroad in Asia, technically. I taught English at a university in southern China, but my eight months there were some of the most culturally interesting, personally enriching, and life changing of all my travels abroad. Me with two of my best friends in Zhuhai, China, 2006 While I'm all for any kind of study abroad destination, studying abroad in Asia is particularly promising because the numerous scholarship and grant opportunities that exist to support students in their adventures in the land left of the international date line. The Freeman-Asia scholarship...

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