Study Abroad Symposium
The Study Abroad Symposium is an initiative started in 2023 to showcase the learning, intercultural experiences, growth, and impact of participating in study abroad programs through conference-style presentations and sessions. The Symposium is held each Fall semester and open to all members of the UIC community.
Presenters include both UIC faculty who have led Faculty-Directed programs and students who have studied abroad. Past session topics have included:
- How experiences abroad helped further students' personal, professional, and academic goals
- High-impact experiences during study abroad programs that led to increased intercultural competence
- How participation in a study abroad program went beyond tourism and how students engaged with the local culture
- Innovation in faculty-directed study abroad programming
Navigate below to explore past session information and view copies of the presentation slides for each.
Now Accepting Proposals for Fall 2024! Heading link
The UIC Study Abroad Symposium Call for Proposals is now open for Fall 2024! Click the link to submit your ideas. Presenters can be faculty or students, and both group and individual presentations are welcome.
Fall 2023 Presentations Heading link
First Year Flames Abroad: First Generation College Students’ Perspectives & Experiences
Presenters: Dr. Jennifer Olson, Estrella Andrade, Lupe Bautista, Illeane Cecilio, Claire Dombrowski, Diego Flores, Yan Kyaw, Martin Sanchez
Session Description: The panel will begin with an overview of the First Year Flames Abroad program to set the stage for how the program design contributes to building intercultural competence and cross-cultural awareness. The panel will include student participants across two years of the program, who will share their experiences in the program, and specifically how the program helped build intercultural competence and cross-cultural awareness. Panel participants include students across multiple majors to highlight various perspectives and experiences in the program.
Study Abroad: Expectations Vs Reality
Presenters: Brianna James and Rahaf Mohamed
Session Description: This session explored the similarities and differences between the presenters’ expectations prior to departing for their programs in Botswana and Thailand and the reality once they arrived in-country.
View the presentation slides here.
Transcending Horizons: Fostering Personal Growth Abroad
Presenter: Mandeeq Ali
Session Description: In this presentation, I will be taking a deep dive into how studying abroad promotes self growth. Both in an educational/ professional setting, and also in a social setting. Learning about your host countries culture history. As well as the cultures in surrounding countries give you an insight into what life really is like all around the world. As a person whose major is Communication, I can say that study abroad helped me learn about the different types of relationships people have overseas and here in the United States.
View the presentation slides here.
Unlocking Global Horizons: Studying Ecology, Conservation, and Marsupials in Australian Rainforests
Presenter: Daniel Liu
Session Description: The School for Field Studies: Marsupials of Australia offers a unique program model that revolves around place-based centers, an innovative interdisciplinary curriculum, fieldwork emphasis, and student cohort structures. Located in the heart of the rainforests of Queensland, there is no better place to study Australian flora and fauna, as well as the effects that environmental changes have on them. Through high-impact activities such as field experience and community service, I learned about Australian marsupials, interacted with local communities, and most importantly, embarked on a journey of exploration, service, and self-discovery that undoubtedly left me forever changed. The importance of these activities in shaping personal interests and fueling future aspirations quickly became apparent to me, and my session will discuss this impact.”
Advancing Students’ Academic, Professional, and Personal Goals Through Study Abroad
Presenters: Dr. Jennifer Olson, Anissa Comas, Ivan Garay
Session Description: This panel will highlight students’ perspectives of their study abroad experiences with specific attention to how studying abroad contributed to their academic, professional,and/or personal development. The panel will begin with an overview of The College of Education study abroad program Education, Globalization, and the Child in Brazil. The program examines the experiences of childhood and how educational experiences are often contextualized by region, country, and culture. The program includes online sessions with Brazilian partners to introduce students to Brazilian education and set the stage for the study abroad experience. While in Brazil, students visit schools and universities to engage in ongoing comparative analysis and critically examine the influence and impact of globalization on childhood, schooling, and education. The panel will include student participants across two years of the program, who will share their experiences in the program, and specifically how the program helped further their academic, professional, and/or personal development. Panel participants include students across multiple majors to highlight various perspectives and experiences in the program.”
Language and Social Justice in Oaxaca for Spanish Heritage Speakers
Presenters: Dr. Kim Potowski, Ana Rodríguez Gallego, Citlalli Santiago, Yaritza Rodriguez, and Vanessa Delgado
Session Description: On this panel we will discuss our program in Oaxaca, Mexico, which is specially designed for heritage Spanish speakers — bilinguals who have been in contact with Spanish through their homes. Multiple experiences allow students to build on their Spanish while participating in artistic and cultural events. We also focus critically on issues of bilingualism and social justice, and reflect on the unique positionalities invoked when a person is seen as “Mexican” (or “Ecuadorian,” “Dominican,” “Puerto Rican,” “Guatemalan”, etc.) in the U.S., but they are seen as “American” in Latin America. The panelists have participated in this program and are majoring in different areas at UIC, and will discuss how the program helped further their goals.
Discovering Language and Exploring Black Identity in Study Abroad
Presenter: Amber Lewis
Session Description: This session will demonstrate how students’ extracurricular interests can inform and lead to meaningful participation in a study abroad program with a specific focus on language learning. Additionally, comparative perspectives about how other cultures connect with and celebrate Black history, traditions, and customs using Brazil as a case study.
“Oh the Places You’ll Go” – Utilizing Study Abroad
Presenters: Emmagrace Fuhler and Elizabeth Villarreal
Session Description: Studying abroad is an amazing opportunity that takes you out of your comfort zone and allows you to embrace a new world full of opportunities and experiences. However, these experiences can be difficult to navigate and hard to apply to your future goals. In this session, we will explore how to utilize your time wisely to improve skills and get the most out of your study abroad experience. We will then discuss how these experiences can further your professional and educational goals. Join us as we navigate critical concepts about personal growth, cultural perspective, and career goals.