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Two Week Recap of "Study abroad related tweet of the day" Posts on IHEC Blog's Facebook Page

A short time ago I started a new "Study abroad related tweet of the day" over on IHEC Blog's Facebook page as a way to stimulate discussion around what people are posting to Twitter about study abroad.  I think people have liked it and it has generated some discussion which was my intent.  Following is a list of the first several:


"Is it sad that I actually miss doing work at Michigan? I can't sit on facebook for 3 hours straight during lecture anymore. #studyabroad"


"well, i'm done with class for the week. I guess that means it's time for some beers. #studyabroad"


"I have no idea what I want to do with my life, I just want to study abroad!"


"i was going to study abroad but the thought of it scares me."


"meeting with the study abroad lady today. She better not bail again"


"I hate that they enforce the 'study' part of Study Abroad"


"After a long run tonight I think I've finally figured out how to achieve world peace. It involves passports and very few guns.  [study abroad not mentioned in tweet but is part of the Twitter name]"


"Study abroad office: useless!?"


"Spain 2011 here I come. Study abroad! Out of America overseas to new treasures, cultures and ideologies."


":[ now my parents won't let me study abroad in Japan..."


"Stuck in a 3 hour study abroad meeting during March Madness.. Shoot me now"


"At home adjusting to the thought that my daughter is moving back in so she can save to study abroad."


"A two week study abroad can barely be considered an international experience in a university program..."


"Brendan and I discussing (very) future finances: if you want the kids to study abroad, you better like driving a Kia."


Are there any tweets that you have strong feelings about?


Should I continue this activity?

Calling all Illinois Constituents! Follow-up the Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange meeting with Sen. Kirk's Chicago office with a letter in support of exchanges!

I was invited to visit Senator Mark Kirk’s (R-IL) Chicago office last week as part of a small group of Illinois constituents to discuss the importance of Department of State exchange programs.  This meeting was coordinated by the Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange in an effort to discuss the importance of these State Department programs with new members of the Senate State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee (which funds State Department exchange programs).  My part of the discussion with Senator Kirk’s Director of Constituent Services focused on the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.

The Alliance and the group who participated in the meeting are working to spread the word on this effort and request that Illinois constituents send letters to Senator Kirk as well as to Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) in support of international education and in particular State Department exchange programs.  The Alliance has already prepared an electronic letter which you can access here for you and all you need to do is enter your name and home address and your letter will be automatically sent to Senators Kirk and Durbin.

Many thanks in advance for your assistance with this important issue!


Photo credit:  studentofrhythm

What can/should we do when we see a student post disparaging remarks about you and/or your study abroad program on social media outlets?

On Monday my “Study abroad related tweet of the day” over on IHEC Blog’s Facebook page was "Study abroad office: useless!?"  My purpose in posting this tweet ties in to a recent post over on Manitou Heights entitled "Do you know what others are saying about you?"

My post generated some discussion and it got me thinking that this would be a good topic for IHEC Blog so I’m posting the following question in the hope of generating some good discussion:

What can/should we do when we see a student post disparaging remarks about us and/or our study abroad program on social media outlets?


Our responses will depend on what the student actually states in their post(s) and each situation will need to be addressed individually, of course, but I'm curious what others think.


Photo credit:  @DavidComp

"our goal is global perspective for all students"

Following is a tweet by E. Gordon Gee, President of The Ohio State University, the day before his opening Keynote at the 2011 IIE Best Practices Conference last week in New York.  So nice to see a college/university president advocating international education in such a way!  You can follow President Gee on twitter here.

Save the Date - A Disability Services and International Education Workshop in Chicago this coming August

Mobility International USA will be holding a disability services and international education workshop  at the Chicago Cultural Center on August 11th from 8:30am to 2:00pm. This workshop is designed to bridge understanding between disability services, study abroad, and international student services professionals. 

I'll post more information in May when registration opens!

Awesome Story! Japanese Study Abroad Student Finds Family Survivors on YouTube

This is such an amazing story!  I can't even imagine...