Sessions

1:10 - 1:55 Break Out Session 1 (Merrick Hall 2nd Floor)

Merrick 202

Landing Home: Identity and Belonging after Study Abroad

 Study abroad experiences can contribute to identity development for students. Going abroad may allow students to become more grounded in their current identity or be a space where identity exploration is encouraged. This reflective workshop will explore how studying abroad can influence identity salience for students and how new understandings and awareness of identity can be integrated into a sense of belonging back on campus.

Merrick 201

"Unpacking" Experiences from Study Abroad: Creative Conversations about Transformative Learning

 Returning from study abroad requires deliberate reflection to fully process personal growth and cultural shifts. In this interactive session, students will engage in small-group dialogue across three learning stations—focused on Knowledge, Others, and Self—to examine how their perspectives have evolved, process their experiences, and set a trajectory for continued growth.

Merrick 204

Beyond "I Studied Abroad": Marketing Your Study Abroad Experience

 Study abroad experiences often change students in profound ways, but transformation alone is not enough. Students must be able to recognize, reflect on, and communicate what they learned. Drawing on a collaborative workshop developed between global education and career development, this session aims to help students identify transferable skills, connect global experiences to career competencies, and confidently tell the story of their international journey.

Merrick 203

Careers in International Education: Could Your Global Experience Become a Career?

 Have you ever thought, "I loved studying abroad—could I actually make this my career?" International education is a broad professional field that includes study abroad, international student and scholar services, international admissions, global programming, intercultural learning, international partnerships, program development, and more. In this interactive session, participants will explore what it means to work in international education, discover different career paths within the field, and consider how their own experiences and skills might translate into an IE career. Participants will also learn practical ways to gain experience and begin building a professional network while still in college.

2:00 - 2:45 Break Out Session 2 (Merrick Hall 2nd Floor)

Merrick 202

Passport to Career Success: Utilizing your Study Abroad Experience to Stand Out in the Job Market

 While Study Abroad alumni may make up a small percentage of the college population, their experiences and the skills they gained abroad set them apart in a competitive, global job market. In this session, we will help Study Abroad alumni better understand NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) Competencies, how the skills they developed abroad fit with these competencies, and how to use that knowledge to make themselves stand out in the job market.

Merrick 201

Wherever You Go, Be There: Mindfulness Before, During and After Abroad

 This session highlights how a student can stay present at any point in their study abroad experience: before their departure, during their time abroad or after their return to campus. Students will be introduced to basic mindfulness practices to explore attention, emotional regulation and self-compassion. Students will be guided through a practice specific to each of these three areas that they can use to strengthen their mindful muscle in order to stay curious, confident, and make connections with one's self and others.

-Breath awareness practice will be used to strengthen attention to stay in the present moment and really soak in the experiences they will be given while abroad and upon returning to campus.
-Name It to Tame It technique will be used for emotional regulation and how to self-regulate as they may experience many emotions before, during and after going abroad such as: excitement, homesickness, overwhelm, etc.
-Lastly, learn how to use a self-compassion break to be kind to oneself if struggling with a new city, new culture, or adjustment back to campus.

Merrick 204

Career Considerations After Study Abroad

 This presentation will present ways that students can reflect and discuss their study abroad experience in relation to their career development and a job or internship search. The presentation will also include information on how to develop strong application materials based on position descriptions, networking, resumes, and cover letter. Particular attention will be given to how to include one's study abroad experience as part of their career journey.

Merrick 203

Identities Abroad

 Hear from a panel of students from diverse backgrounds and idendity groups describe how their study abroad experience impacted how they see themselves and the world around them.