Lessons From Abroad

• Culture shock or reverse culture shock and how you manage it;
• A significant learning experience or moment of personal growth that occurred while you were abroad;
• Navigating intercultural experiences and what you learned from those experiences through friendships, roommates, classrooms, language barriers, food, etc.;
• How you navigated your personal identity(ies) within the culture of your host country, e.g. race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, etc.;
• Something you wish someone would have told you before you left, or before you came back, and what knowing that information would have changed for you;
• What preconceived notions about your host country were true, which ones were false, and what does that host country mean to you now?

• Meeting other recent study abroad returnees and international students from across the state of Florida
• Hearing from dynamic and motivating speakers
• Learning how to talk about your newly acquired global skills in a job interview
• Discovering how you can highlight your study abroad and international student experiences in your resume
• Networking with professionals working in internationally-focused jobs
• Dress for the conference is business casual.
• Be sure to bring several copies of your resume, as the working lunch will include a resume workshop.

Study Abroad Returnees and International Students are encouraged to take advantage of this networking and learning opportunity.

• 10:00 a.m. Welcome and Greetings
  • Location: Lee's Chapel
    • President Christopher Roellke, PhD
    • Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Elizabeth Skomp, PhD
• 10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Conference Session 1
  • Significant Learning Experience and Personal Growth as a Fulbright Exchange Student in the US
    • Location: Brown 234
    • Presenter: Faten Elkafrawy
    • Session Description: This narrative presentation will allow attendees to gain insights into the power of cross-cultural exchange, personal resilience, and the transformative potential of international education. 
  • A Glimpse into the World of International Business & Culture
    • Location: Sage 239
    • Presenters: Aaryanna Kania and Mingzhe Ma
    • Session Description: Presenters represent both returning study abroad students AND international students. Both presenters will discuss their perspectives on intercultural experiences, through their different perspectives and backgrounds. Together, these presenters experienced the same study abroad program in Greece but came away with varying experiences. 
  • Independence Internationally
    
    • Location: Brown 140
    • Presenter: Logan Warren
    • Session Description: This presentation examines the lessons that come from both short-term study abroad and semester exchange programs as the presenter has participated in both. Questions about interacting with people who don't speak your language, how to deal with jet lag, and why one should choose to study abroad will be discussed. 
• 10:50 a.m. - 11:05 a.m. Conference Session 2
  
  • Comparing Short-Term and Long-Term Experiences and Adaptability
    • Location: Brown 234
    • Presenters: Zain Malik and Akintoye Oyedola
    • Session Description: Zain took part in a long-term study abroad program in Japan, and Akintoye studied abroad for a short-term program in Europe. These two presenters will discuss culture shock, adapting, and individual takeaways from both experiences. 
  • Branching Out: My Story of Growth
    • Location: Sage 239
    • Presenter: Fabiana Gomez
    • Session Description: Using the image of a tree as a visual, the presenter will explain how a tree is a metaphor for growth. Not only does one grow in an external setting, just as tree branches do, but they also grow within themselves in an internal setting, just as tree roots spread underground. 
  • A Transformative Journey: Unleashing Growth through Cultural Exchange
    
    • Location: Brown 140
    • Presenter: Larissa Miki Ohotaguro
    • Session Description: The presenter will share how their experience moving to a different country fostered a process of self-discovery and, ultimately, led to a change in their mindset. By sharing their personal experiences, the presenter advocates for a mindset that promotes growth, encouraging individuals to step out of their comfort zones for transformative experiences. 
• 11:10 a.m. - 11:25 a.m. Conference Session 3
  
  • Building Connections through an Immersive Experience
    • Location: Brown 234
    • Presenter: Megan Mabito
    • Session Description: The presenter will discuss insights gained during a program in the Dominican Republic. The program participants worked with the Kerolle Initiative, lead by Dr. Kerolle, in efforts to give back to the community of Bella Vista, Sosua, Dominican Republic and also to the surrounding Bateyes. There is a phrase in Haitian Creole, "Tout moun se moun," which means "all humans are human." Connection is a strong part of humanity that allows us to connect through language, food, music, culture, and in the small interactions we have with people that can bring us together as humans. 
  • Arrivederci!
    • Location: Brown 140
    • Presenter: Jalynn Small
    • Session Description: The presenter will examine the intercultural experiences during a study abroad program in Italy studying nutrition and dietetics. Arrivederci, a word that means to see you again, a word that became synonymous to the hospitality and cultural significance of the Italian region. 
• 11:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Conference Session 4
  • Do You Like Two Sides of a Study Abroad Story
    
    • Location: Brown 234
    • Presenter: Zaikeria Patha
    • Session Description: In spending time with 5 indigenous Mayan communities in the heart of Chiapas, Mexico, the presenter understands what it means to live in another country. The discussion will focus on experiencing a Mayan ritual and attending classes in a second language. 
  • Stetson Study Abroad in Innsbruck, Austria: Changing Students' Lives for Nearly 50 Years
    
    • Location: Sage 239
    • Presenter: Joe Owen
    • Session Description: Stetson’s presence in Innsbruck dates back into the 1970s, including a tragic event that occurred on January 15, 1979 when three Stetson students were killed in an avalanche on a mountain high in the Alps above Innsbruck. While this was an awful tragedy, in this presentation, the presenter will describe how it has positively impacted many alumni/ae from Stetson University and has had a very positive impact on the current Innsbruck Study Abroad program. 
  • Working in One of the Largest Labs in Madagascar
    • Location: Brown 140
    • Presenter: Caroline Bobo
    • Session Description: This presentation will examine the experience of working in one of the largest labs in Madagascar. From culture shock to language barriers, the presenter was able to build lifelong friendships and memories that will last forever. Misaotra betsaka! (Thank you very much!) 
• 11:50 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch
  • Location: Stetson Room (located inside the Carlton Union Building)
  • Prior RSVP required
• 1:10 p.m. - 1:25 p.m. Conference Session 5
  
  • From a Social Project to a University: How Language Learning Can Change a Life
    • Location: Brown 234
    • Presenter: Isabelle Sanco Keis
    • Session Description: This presentation will tell the story of how getting into a social project for language learning purposes changed the life of a low-income student from Brazil, sharing that experience and the step-by-step process it took to be a student in the U.S. 
  • Evolving Abroad
    
    • Location: Sage 239
    • Presenter: Kaci Kruglewicz
    • Session Description: This presentation will examine ways to maximize personal growth while abroad, highlighting special moments, and emphasizing the importance of utilizing travel as a means of exploration - of the country, of the culture, and of the self. 
  • The Passport Chronicles: Challenges & Triumphs in Study Abroad
    • Location: Brown 140
    • Presenter: Alana Caballero Rivera
    • Session Description: The presenter will unravel the intricacies of their study abroad experiences in Bulgaria and England, offering vital insights for those considering studying abroad. Empowering future study abroad participants with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities they may encounter, ultimately to enrich their own journeys. 
• 1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Conference Session 6
  • Navigating Horizons: Insights from a First-Gen Explorer
    • Location: Brown 234
    • Presenter: Peyton Summers
    • Session Description: In this discussion, the presenter will talk about the experience of being a first-generation college, and study abroad student. Conquering collegiate barriers isn't the same as international barriers, however; the good news is, there is something new to learn, and learning new things is exciting! 
  • Deaf and Dialect
    • Location: Sage 239
    • Presenter: Gabriel Moorer
    • Session Description: The presenter will discuss Deaf Culture from around the world, the differences of hand signs, and how signing relates to culture. Starting with a brief introduction of the history and begin with what is language in a deaf perspective, and how American Sign Language (ASL) differs from other countries. 
  • How to Navigate Another Country
    
    • Location: Brown 140
    • Presenters: Monique Silva Dias and Elisa Mullisi
    • Session Description: From the perspective of a first-generation student and an international student from Brazil, the presenters participated in a study abroad program at an International Conference to learn about Mexico’s business landscape. The discussion will focus on bonds formed with individuals around the world and give knowledge about best practices about intercultural relationships. 
• 1:50 p.m. - 2:05 p.m. Conference Session 7 
  • Saying "I'm Sorry"
    • Location: Brown 234
    • Presenters: Jackson Radzimski and Noah Kellerman
    • Session Description: The presenters will discuss the unique case of the Australian Civil Rights Movement, from the perspective of two Americans fortunate enough to learn firsthand the struggles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. The general theme of what equality means to minorities around the world will be top of mind for the discussion. 
  • Valparaiso: A Reactive Experience in Adventure and Art
    • Location: Sage 239
    • Presenter: Courtney Cormier
    • Session Description: Because Chile was not the presenter's intended study-abroad location, the need for readjustment became the primary focus. The presenter found solace in a beautiful city covered in art and the surrounding mountains, and through making connections with like-minded people. 
  • Japan
    • Location: Brown 140
    • Presenter: Anuket Goins
    • Session Description: The discussion will focus on how impactful and eye-opening it is to travel to another country and meet new people from different cultural backgrounds. Sharing intercultural experiences from different perspectives reveals how even though we have these differences, we are all surprisingly alike. 
• 2:10 p.m. - 2:35 p.m. Conference Session 8
  
  • The Room Next Door
    • Location: Brown 234
    • Presenter: Reagin Gallagher
    • Session Description: The presenter will examine the aerospace concept that there is no difference from 10,000 to 100,000 miles, other than the time it takes to get there. The human condition has an incredible ability to adapt and evolve, and everyone who has studied abroad (or is planning to) is putting this beautiful quality of human nature to the test. 
  • Somehow I Managed
    • Location: Brown 140
    • Presenter: Shaun O. Smith
    • Session Description: The presenter invites participants to delve into the intricacies of confronting fear while traveling internationally. The session will offer tools to recognize and manage reasonable fears, empowering students to embrace travel as an uncomfortable catalyst for personal growth by navigating challenges with resilience and confidence. 
• 2:40 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Closing Remarks
  • Location: Lee's Chapel

Download the electronic version of the conference program here.