Battling Burnout: Learning to Love Your Work Again

Many international educators join the field as a result of our own positive experiences living and studying abroad. However, the past three wreaked havoc on student mobility and, for many of us, on our own motivation. Even though travel has normalized, our work is not the same as before. Now we find ourselves working in an environment we may not recognize, oftentimes with tremendous pressures surrounded by colleagues who may still be struggling. How can we effectively move ourselves and our teams forward? How do we encourage others when we ourselves may be feeling discouraged? Join this inspiring conversation on recognizing professional burnout to discuss positive strategies to manage our time, workload and emotions in this new landscape.

 
Miko McFarland, Director of University Relations, Barcelona SAE

Campus Collaborations for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Success

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) can be a puzzle for students and academic units. Learn how the University of Kentucky has developed procedures with academic colleges and units to streamline student requests and demystify the process for college staff.

Franny Henkel, Student Immigration Specialist/DSO and ARO, University of Kentucky

The Hidden Curriculum: Leadership Lessons They Don't Teach in School

International education is on the move, but there's been major shifts in workplace culture and in employment trends that require new skills and a new playbook from today's international education leaders. This session will introduce the professional competencies identified by NAFSA but also explore leadership lessons that may not be as apparent, but are just as valuable. Join this session to discuss and learn what leadership skills today's international education leaders are using on the daily.

Miko McFarland, Director of University Relations, Barcelona SAE

Rachel Wilson, Director of Global and Intercultural Engagement, Transylvania University

Special Student Relief (SSR) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

When advising F-1 students it is important to have a working knowledge of these programs. In this session you will learn the basics of these two programs and how best to advise F-1 students seeking to establish eligibility with one or both. Example case scenarios will be shared with the audience for discussion.

Elizabeth Leibach, Executive Director of International Student & Scholar Services, University of Kentucky

Preparing and Supporting Modern Students for International Experiences

More students than ever are disclosing disability, mental health, and other important and sensitive information to study abroad staff and providers ahead of their program abroad. How are we meeting the needs of these students before and during their program? What critical questions should we be asking, and what information should we be gathering ahead of a student's departure? How can we empower students to position themselves for success, and how much is the student's responsibility to prepare? In this session, we'll discuss real examples, best practices, and we'll engage in a guided discussion on trends and questions about the topic.

Sarah Warren, Embedded Office Director & DEI Co-Chair, WorldStrides

The A1B1C1's of English Language Assessment: Using CEFR as a Guide to Future-Proof Prociency Requirements for Admission

KC: EA

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is an internationally recognized standard for language proficiency assessment. While some higher education institutions have taken an approach to accepting any recognized assessment aligned to CEFR, many continue to continue to list individual assessments and required score ranges, which in turn need to be regularly updated as assessments adjust their scoring or new assessments come to market. This session will begin with an overview of the CEFR and learner outcomes at the various levels. We will then explore the current state of English proficiency standards in US universities, highlighting the variations in requirements used by different institutions. We will discuss the challenges and opportunities of adopting a blanket approach to utilizing the CEFR, including the potential impact on international student recruitment and retention.

Carl Holtman, Partnerships and Recognition, Burlington English