This volume presents a diverse collection of short personal essays that illuminate the experiences of study abroad students, alumni, faculty, and staff as they reflect on the lasting impact of their intercultural encounters and interactions in new environments and communities around the world. The stories explore themes ranging from culture shock and adaptation to resilience and personal growth, revealing how individuals gain new perspectives and develop deeper self-awareness by stepping outside their comfort zones. The authors share moments of perseverance and discovery, the challenges of building connections across cultures, and the rewards of learning and living in unfamiliar settings. Current and former students, in particular, describe their journeys of personal and academic growth through immersive coursework, internships, and community engagement, despite the initial hurdles of adjusting to new norms and expectations. This collection of reflective essays takes readers on a journey alongside those who have lived the study abroad experience while also offering insights from international educators and university administrators who design, direct, and support these programs at the University of Delaware—home to the nation’s first study abroad program for over a century.
About the Editors
Ravichandran Ammigan, Ph.D. , serves as Vice Provost for Global Engagement and Senior International Officer at the University of Delaware. With 25 years of experience in the field of international higher education, he is responsible for leading the institution’s internationalization strategy and global engagement portfolio. He holds a secondary faculty appointment as Associate Professor in the School of Education, where his main research focuses on the academic, social, and cultural experiences of students in higher education worldwide. Dr. Ammigan has published numerous research articles, co-edited several books, and is a regular speaker at conferences internationally.
Matthew L. Drexler, M.A., serves as Director of Study Abroad at the University of Delaware, an operation that supports more than 125 faculty-led and semester education abroad programs each year. Matt has more than 17 years of experience facilitating international exchange and collaboration, and currently oversees collaborative efforts to internationalize UD’s campus through international mobility and internationalization at home programs. He also manages the evaluation and assessment of the study abroad student experience at UD and leverages that data to drive strategic efforts to expand and improve global programming at the university.
Marie A. Gleason, M.A., is a Senior Study Abroad Program Coordinator in the Center for Global Programs and Services at the University of Delaware. During her 24-year career in international education at the University, she has coordinated over 150 study abroad programs, supporting students and faculty in developing transformative global experiences. She also administers the Study Abroad Office’s need-based scholarship program and collaborates with academic departments to design and implement sustainable education abroad initiatives, including faculty-led and semester programs.
Amy G. Foley, Ed.D., serves as Director for Global Outreach and Partnerships at the University of Delaware. She is the founding director of the UD World Scholars Program and oversees the strategic coordination of international partnerships and agreements at the Center for Global Programs and Services. Dr. Foley brings over 35 years of knowledge as a higher education professional. She earned a B.A. in Communications from the University of Miami, a certificate in Museum Studies from the International University of Art in Florence, Italy, an M.A.T. in Museum Education from The George Washington University, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Delaware.
This book, Global Pathways: Insights on Studying, Working, and Thriving Abroad , offers a captivating collection of stories that illuminate the challenges, triumphs, and transformative power of international experiences. Each chapter presents a unique perspective on life abroad, from adapting to new academic environments and overcoming cultural barriers to pursuing career aspirations and forging meaningful connections across borders. These narratives highlight the importance of resilience, mentorship, and cross-cultural understanding in navigating the complexities of a globalized world. By delving into the personal and professional transformations of those who have ventured beyond their home countries, this book inspires readers to embrace their journeys with courage and an open mind. It is a testament to the profound rewards of stepping outside one’s comfort zone and celebrating the diversity and interconnectedness of our shared world.
Editors
Krishna Bista, Morgan State University, USA Bo Zhang , STAR Scholars Network, USA Uttam Gaulee, Morgan State University, USA Dawn Michele Whitehead, Association of American Colleges and Universities, USA
Paperback and hardcover or eBooks are available online to purchase in the following countries: US , UK , DE , FR , ES , IT , NL , PL , SE
Based on their personal experiences spanning various facets of the international student life cycle in the U.S., the authors of the book “ Navigating the ‘American Dream’ ” recognized the pressing need for a resource that goes beyond and above, offering comprehensive information, resources, and practical tips. Unlike existing publications, this book is a trailblazer, covering the entire spectrum of international students’ educational journey in the U.S., providing essential insights, resources, and strategies to address students’ diverse needs.
Authors
Bo Zhang University of Hartford, USA Emmah Muema University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA Shenhaye Ferguson University of Denver, USA Rachel Kamnkhwani University of Denver, USA Luke Parker University of Kansas, USA Candice Peters Appalachian State University, USA
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This book offers profound insights into the dynamic landscape of international education, drawing on the perspectives of veteran educators and thought leaders. Through engaging chapters, it explores the transformative potential of global learning, examining current challenges, reflecting on historical trajectories, and envisioning the future of education abroad. Each chapter seamlessly integrates personal experiences, theoretical frameworks, and historical perspectives, emphasizing the vital role of Senior International Officers and advocating for a quantum approach to education abroad. The book aims to deliver a comprehensive and authentic exploration of international education by covering the evolution of study abroad, evolving narratives, and the impacts of political shifts and technology. Beyond celebrating achievements, it addresses critical areas requiring attention, inviting readers on a reflective journey to appreciate the intricate threads forming the tapestry of global education.
Editors Thomas V. Millington is the Founder and Executive Director of Abroadia, New York, USA.
Krishna Bista is a Professor of Higher Education at Morgan State University, Maryland, USA.
Roy Y. Chan is an Assistant Professor of Education and Ed.D. Program Director at Lee University, Tennessee, USA.
Bo Zhang is a TESOL instructor and district administrator at Providence Public Schools in Rhode Island who recently earned a doctoral degree from the University of Hartford, Connecticut, USA.
Both print and digital editions are available.
For bulk orders (15 or more copies), please reach out to the editorial office at contact@starscholars.org
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Book Launch "Veteran Educators, International Education, and Study Abroad: Perspectives, Insights, and Practices"
Date: April 3, 2024 Wednesday Time: 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST) Zoom: Please register in advance
Published by Routledge, this volume documents the experiences of international students and recent international initiatives at US community colleges to better understand how to support and nurture students’ potential. Offering a range of case studies, empirical and conceptual chapters, the collection showcases the unique curricula and diverse opportunities for career development that colleges can offer international students.
International Students at US Community Colleges addresses issues of student access, enrolment barriers, college choice, and challenges relating to integration in academic and professional networks. Ultimately, the book unpacks institutional factors which inhibit or promote the success of international students at US community colleges to inform faculty, student affairs, administration, and institutional policy. With international students’ declining enrollment, this book considers the measures being taken by community college officials to bring continued access and equity to international students.
Offering insights from a range of international scholars as well as on-the-ground case studies, this text will benefit researchers, academics, and educators with an interest in multicultural education, international and comparative education, and higher education management. Those specifically interested in educational policy and the sociology of education will also benefit from this book.
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This edited volume brings together the perspectives of a diverse group of international scholars to explore the intersections of study abroad and social mobility. In doing so, it challenges universalist assumptions and power imbalances implicit in study abroad across the Global North and South, and explores the implications of COVID-19 for equity within study abroad programs, policy, and practice going forward.
Offering empirical, theoretical, and conceptual contributions, Critical Perspectives on Equity and Social Mobility in Study Abroad foregrounds critical reflection on the stratification of access to study abroad and examines the varied outcomes of international study in relation to graduates’ entry into domestic and international labor markets. Focusing on the experiences and outcomes of students from varied backgrounds, chapters identify a number of power imbalances relating to student race, ethnicity, religion, local and international policies and politics, and put forward valuable recommendations to ensure greater equity within the field.
Against the backdrop of growing criticism over the power imbalances in international exchange, this text will benefit researchers, academics, and educators with an interest in higher education, international and comparative education, and multicultural education. Those interested in educational policy and the sociology of education more broadly will also benefit from this book.
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Bringing together a range of contributions from diverse international scholars, this edited volume explores issues of inequality in student mobility to consider how schools, universities, and colleges can ensure equitable access to international study and exchange.
Featuring evidence-based accounts of students’ experiences and exploring opportunities for study abroad in school and university contexts, Inequalities in Study Abroad and Student Mobility analyses how pedagogy and student support services can be designed to accommodate linguistic, cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic differences. Chapters foreground issues of access and opportunity and offer unique insights to inform institutional policy in developing more effective, inclusive, and equitable ways to internationalize exchange and study abroad programs and initiatives for all.
This timely volume will benefit researchers, academics, and postgraduate students in the fields of international and comparative education, as well as educators and school leaders working within secondary and higher education settings concerned with multicultural education.
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Passport to Possibilities: Black Experiences in Global Engagement brings together reflections from thirteen Black contributors across the globe, including Black students, faculty, staff, educators, and professionals based in the United States, Canada, Germany, and South Africa, offering powerful insights into what it means to be Black and abroad. Through research, storytelling, and critical reflection, the book centers Black experiences in global education, challenging long-standing assumptions about who participates in international learning and why it matters. Each chapter presents a deeply personal narrative that explores the intersections of race, identity, belonging, access, and mobility within global contexts. The contributors reveal both the challenges and transformative potential of international engagement, framing global learning as a pathway to personal empowerment and social justice. The book calls for a reimagined global education field—one where Black voices, leadership, and lived experiences are essential to creating more inclusive, equitable, and transformative forms of global mobility.
Editors Patricia C. Timmons, Harvard Kennedy School Trina R. Bryant, Suffolk University
Table of Contents
1. Bridging the Gap: Black Students’ Experiences in Global Mobility Programs at U.S. Community Colleges
2. Improving Access & Engagement: Black Lives in Global Spaces
3. Neurodivergence and Study Abroad: Strategies to Create Inclusive Opportunities for Neurodivergent Students
4. Reshaping Identity and Finding Belonging in the Global Community
5. Teaching With the Ancestors’ Compass: An Endarkened Journey Through Global Classrooms
6. Navigating the Grey Area of Studying Abroad While Black
7. Becoming A Scholar: Resilience, Community, and the Journey to Study Abroad
8. Voices From the South: Reflections from Black, Southern Female Scholars Breaking Myths and Charting New Territory Abroad
9. A Tale of Two Cities: Hospitality and Discovery
10. Likkle But Tallawah: A Black Jamaican Woman's Journey Through Student Affairs in the Us and the Middle East
11. Traveling While Black: Reimagining Mobility and Self-Image
12. Becoming American in Japan: A Black Woman’s Reflection On Identity and Belonging in Japan
13. Leaping the Boundaries of Access: A Reflexive Account of Black Caribbean Mobility Through Japan’s Jet Program
14. The Proof and the Promise: Reclaiming History, Belonging, and Joy