Director Diversity Relations & Advising IES ABROAD Brambleton, Virginia, United States
In an era of accelerated social and political change, study abroad professionals face mounting challenges in supporting students through their global learning experiences. As tolerance for ambiguity and discomfort decreases and student expectations increase, it has become even more difficult to build bridges across the cultural differences students face between each other and their host cultures. This session will explore practical strategies for cultivating intercultural competence and a sense of belonging in unfamiliar contexts and equipping students with the tools to engage thoughtfully with diverse perspectives, even when they don’t agree. Join us to discuss ways to adapt advising practices, orientations, curricula and on-site programming to address some of the interpersonal and sociopolitical complexities of our current climate.