Region XI Virtual Conference Events

Region XI Expansion Pack Series Kick-Off Event

Event Sponsor: EdOdyssey

Date & Time: August 5, 2021 at 4pm

Description: Learn about the Region XI conference season, upcoming events and stay for a new, fun networking event with your fellow New Englanders!

New England States Trivia

Date & Time: August 19, 2021 at 12pm

Description: Join Region XI for our first social of the season! Bring your lunch and challenge your friends (or enemies!) on their knowledge of Region XI!

Lessons from the Pandemic: Implications of Virtual Education Abroad (EA Session)

Date & Time: August 25, 2021 at 5pm

Description: As the COVID-19 pandemic reached the U.S. and mobility was no longer possible, many education abroad (EA) offices and organizations rapidly created virtual offerings to keep students engaged in international learning. In this session, data will be shared from a research study that included 60 qualitative surveys and 23 semi-structured interviews with educators on their experiences creating, facilitating, and administering EA programs in the virtual space during the pandemic. These results will be contextualized in practical implications first with a presentation by an EA professional on her own experiences creating virtual programming, followed by breakout room sessions where participants can apply these insights back to their own EA practice.

Presenters

  • Susanne Feld; Master’s Candidate International Higher Education, Lesley University
  • Annie Harold; Partnerships Manager, Envoys

Watch the recordingLessons from the Pandemic: Educator Recommendations for Virtual Study Abroad - YouTube

Working Towards a Decolonized Study Abroad Process (EA Session)

Session Sponsor: BU Study Abroad

Date & Time: August 31, 2021 at 4pm

Description: Despite our best intentions, how do our current practices marginalize those we most seek to support? In this session, we will explore how certain facets of our processes, from essay questions, GPA minimums or other requirements and paths to study abroad create barriers to all students being able to access it.

Presenters

  • Alissa Kramer, Director of Study Abroad and Away Programs, Clark University
  • Dr. Amanda Weber, FACE Race Consulting LLC

Watch the RecordingWorking Towards a Decolonized Study Abroad Process - YouTube 

Back to School Rose, Bud and Thorn

Date & Time: September 9, 2021 at 4pm

Description: Share your highlights, lowlights and your looking ahead with colleagues during the crazy weeks of back to school.

Nonresident Tax; The Survival Guide (ISSS Session)

Date & Time: September 14, 2021 at 2pm

Description: The session is designed to give practical advice, address fears/concerns the audience may have about tax preparation, leaving the audience confident with the overview of student/scholar filing obligations. Resources will be provided as well as planning what support level your school can provide.

Topics include: Who is a tax nonresident, Filing requirements, Forms and what to do with them, Implications of non/mis-filing, Nonresidents overseas, Impact of stimulus checks on NRAs, Tax scams, Case study from ASU, ISSO resources, ISSO liability issues, Profile of students who currently file taxes

Presenters

  • Colleen F. Callahan-Panday, Director, Office of International Student Life, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
  • Neil Duffy, Associate Vice President, Sprintax
  • Enda Kelleher, Vice President, Sprintax
  • Elvera King, Sprintax

Watch the recording: Nonresident Tax; The Survival Guide - YouTube

ISS KC Open Meeting/Networking Event

Event Sponsor: International Office Consulting, Inc.

Date & Time: September 16, 2021 at 4pm

Description: Join the Region XI ISSS Knowledge Community for an open meeting and networking event. Drop in to bring your questions, concerns, comments or complaints to your fellow ISSSers in New England. Don't forget to get your drink, your snack and your fancy networking zoom hat!

Host: Ozan Say, ISSS Knowledge Community Rep

Public Service Loan Forgiveness: The Basics (SI Session)

Date & Time: September 20, 2021 at 2pm

Description: The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program is a valuable tool to gain loan forgiveness but the challenges associated with it can be numerous. Misinformation and misapplication of the program abound but that doesn't mean it won't succeed for you. We’ll go over the basics of PSLF, resources that can provide help, and the current activism surrounding the future of the program. Attend this session to learn how to advocate for yourself in this much maligned U.S. Government program and get those student loans forgiven!

Presenters

  • Meaghan Murphy-Rennie, Assistant Director for Education Abroad, University of Hartford
  • Katie Ahlman, International Student & Scholar Advisor, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Watch the recording: Public Service Loan Forgiveness: The Basics - YouTube

Dear CPT: It's not me, it's you (ISSS Session)

Event Sponsor: Global Education Partners

Date & Time: September 21, 2021 at 2pm

Description: CPT is often considered the most flexible (and most irritating) regulation within the F-1 student arena. It provides lots of possibilities with very little direction requiring institutions to decide what works for them. We'll discuss basic requirements of CPT, policies, and review cases studies from 3 different institutions. A co-op or credited internship (or both!)? Working abroad but in the U.S.? Abroad but interning with a U.S. company? Learn how 3 different institutions handle these questions and the best stakeholders to engage so you can make up before you break up with CPT.

Presenters

  • Maggie Shirland, International Student Adviser, Massachusetts College of Art and Design
  • Katie Ahlman, International Student & Scholar Advisor, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Mirabelle Tseng, Assistant Director, Office of International Student Life, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Watch the recording: Dear CPT: It's not me, it's you - YouTube

Evaluating Students' intercultural learning outcomes overseas: a Japanese case (TLS Session)

Date & Time: September 22, 2021 at 9am

Description: This presentation focuses on sharing evidence of undergraduate students’ intercultural competence development through study abroad. First, the presenters share university profiles and department objectives. Second, the presentation explains intercultural competence concepts, instrument selections, and then evaluation design. Third, the speakers present findings from this case study with recommendations for other institutions and international education practitioners.

Presenters:

  • Makoto Kobori, Associate Professor, Aoyama Gakuin University
  • Hiroyoshi Hiratsuka, Connaught Scholar & Doctoral Candidate, University of Toronto
  • Sayaka Hashimoto, Assistant Professor, Aoyama Gakuin University

Watch the recording: Evaluating Students' intercultural learning outcomes overseas: a Japanese case - YouTube

Bending Without Breaking (SI session)

Event Sponsor: SIT: School for International Training

Date & Time: September 22, 2021 at 4pm

Description: The global rise of virtual learning has redefined study abroad and international education. Study abroad programs are shifting to virtual modalities or allowing students to study abroad in their home countries, leading to more deliberate conversations with Registrar professionals. In this session, colleagues from Northeastern University will share their responses to this new global environment, discuss examples of non-traditional programs, and explore student testimonies from semesters abroad and at home.

Presenters:

  • Samuel Hickson, Academic Coordinator, Northeastern University
  • Christine Muller, Assistant Registrar, Northeastern University

Watch the recording: Bending Without Breaking - YouTube

Year of the Pivot: Piloting Your Career Journey (SI session)

Date & Time: September 28, 2021 at 2:30-4pm

Description: Has the pandemic made you reassess and consider a career transition? Are you being asked to add new job duties/take on more work? Join us to hear different experiences on transferrable skills, leveraging your resources, innovating your current position, transitioning in or out of higher Education, and more. All presenters come from a variety of professional backgrounds to help you pilot your career into a new direction. You might have a plan but can you PIVVOOOTT?!

Presenters:

  • Katie Ahlman, International Student & Scholar Advisor, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Zachary Macinnes, Assistant Director Of Corporate Partner Relations, Center For Career Development, University of Connecticut
  • Meaghan Murphy-Rennie, Assistant Director for Education Abroad, University of Hartford
  • Christy Fry, Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services, Middlebury College
  • Rachael Lamson, Associate Director of International Admissions, Western New England University
  • Peter McGovern, President and Co-founder, Ed Odyssey

Watch the Recordinghttps://youtu.be/wJmYeNY8px0

Region XI Happy Hour

Date & Time: September 28, 2021 at 4pm

Description: Bring your favorite regional beverage! Are you a craft beer fanatic? Does your town produce an ultra unique wine, mead, cider or malt? Will someone bring coffee milk? Will we all show up with dunks?

BYOB - coffee, tea, beer, wine, glogg, prune juice - and join your colleagues and friends for informal conversation, and a chance to enter the Region XI raffle pool! Wear your most fun outfit and bring any pets, friends.

Registrationhttps://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpc-CgrTooH93qvwrxVhiqLhas-5dPk4d7

Dissecting Healthcare Institutions & U.S. Immigration (ISSS Session)

Event Sponsor: English3

Date & Time: September 29, 2021 at 2pm

Description: The demand and need for highly skilled foreign-born medical professionals, has become apparent due to the pandemic, aging U.S. population, and ongoing physician shortage. Within the immigration community, visas for healthcare workers are a niche subspecialty. This panel will explore common visa options and regulatory requirements in the healthcare setting (i.e., healthcare worker certificate, licensure, ECFMG certification); discuss the role and importance of clinical affiliation agreements; and panelists will explore the various stakeholders and relationships that exist in the healthcare setting. Session speakers represent international service units based in hospitals, ECFMG Training Program Liaisons, as well as international offices in higher education institutions that have affiliations with teaching hospitals and clinics.

Presenters:

  • Anthony Pawelski, Senior Advisor, Mass General Brigham
  • Andrew Shiotani, Director, Tufts International Center
  • Mihwa Le
  • Kate Carroll

Watch the Recording: https://youtu.be/ZGaGjnjNdhE

Region XI Awards Ceremony

Event Sponsor: API Abroad

Date & Time: October 28, 2021 at 5pm

Description: TBA

Registrationhttps://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkd-mgqzIuHtS7-sW_kdyry_qCQ95ovLJp