BASAA Spring Conference

2019 BASAA Spring Conference
Study Abroad Just Wants to Have Fun?

Friday, April 19, 2019

Registration Now Open! Register Here

Location: Simmons College, Linda K. Paresky Conference Center, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115

Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm

Registration is now open! Click here to register before April 19.

*Please note in order to register online you must create a NAFSA log-in account, this can be done at no cost. You do not need to be a NAFSA member to register.

Cost: Registration Fee $30

Directions & Transportation: We encourage attendees to use public transportation if possible, however, discounted parking is available at Simmons for those that need it. More information can be found here.

2019 Conference Schedule

9:30-10:00 – Check-in/Registration

10:00-10:15 – Opening Remarks

10:15- 11:00 – Plenary Student Panel

11:15 – 12:15 – Breakout Session Block #1

12:30 – 1:30 – Networking Lunch

1:45 – 2:45 – Breakout Session Block #2

2:45 – 3:00 – Closing Remarks/Announcements

3:30 – 5:30 – Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) Happy Hour & Fundraiser
(Held at Boston Beer Works, 61 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215)

Plenary Student Panel

Would You Travel if you Couldn’t Snap a Photo?
A panel of returned students will discuss social media and the impact it may or may not have had on their experience abroad. Thank you to our sponsors for this panel, and for giving your alumni the opportunity to share with the BASAA community!

Arcadia University, The College of Global Studies
Boston University Study Abroad
Bently University
CIEE
CISabroad
EUSA Academic Internship Experts

(Due to privacy concerns, we will not share student information until the conference.)

Breakout Session Block #1 | 11:15am-12:15pm

What to do with Returnees?: Ideas for Peer Advisor Programming
Presenters: Alyssa MacNeill (Wheaton College), Katie Lorge (Bridgewater State University)

This session will present perspectives from a small, private, liberal arts school and a large, public university on ‘what to do with returnees.’ We will talk about our Peer Advisor programs – the challenges that come along with them, and the “solutions” that we’ve come up with. We will share some of the creative ways we use our Peer Advisors and what has worked (and not worked) for us. There will be a panel presentation with students sharing their experience – the kinds of programming they enjoy, how to keep them motivated, what they hope to get out of being Peer Advisors, etc.

Commuter Students Want to Have Fun Too!
Presenters: Arden Kazan (CISabroad), Nevena Teodosic (Bridgewater State University)

Commuter Students make up a large portion of many Boston area schools but are not fully understood and are often overlooked in international education. This session aims to identify the characteristics and traits of commuter students and create a discussion around how to best support and engage this population in international experiences. Presenters will bring ideas from their perspectives in state schools, program provider, and international host institution settings and aim to use this as a starting point for more discussion around supporting commuter student populations.

You Have 6 Seconds to Capture their Attention: How to Get Strategic with Social Media to Engage Gen Z
Presenters: Sara Dart (International Studies Abroad), Micaela Mathre (ViaTRM)

As the demographics of our campuses are changing, how can we make sure we are using our time and resources to effectively motivate and communicate with our students? This workshop will focus on who these new students are and how to reach them, with a focus on creating strategic evergreen content with a limited budget. Participants will walk away with a frame of a marketing plan and a strategy for how to create some quick wins for their office, regardless of size or budget.

#Adulting: How to Prepare Students for their Time Abroad
Presenters: Vanessa Bouvry (MIT), Brigid McMahan (MIT)

Adventure time or should it be Adulting time? Here is a guide on how to prepare your students from traveling, to health & safety, and to getting the most out of this unbelievable cultural experience – We will share parts our comprehensive student handbook/ guidebook, as well as our strategy to prepare students for their next adventure

Breakout Session Block #2 | 1:45pm-2:45pm

Don’t Let Anyone Treat You Like Free Salsa: Salary Negotiation Tips and Myths
Presenters: Alisia Engle (Boston University)

Professional development is an emerging topic in education abroad, yet salary negotiation and talks of concrete numbers can often feel like the elephant in the room. This session will engage participants and encourage honest discussion, attendees will have time to ask the tough questions. The discussion format provides a unique opportunity for attendees to deep dive into this topic and engage with one another across campuses and provider organizations. Participants will deepen their understanding of tools and resources to negotiate for themselves when moving up in the field and breakdown the myths surrounding salary negotiation.

Social Media and the Ever-Changing Technologies in Study Abroad
Presenters: Matt Schiesel (Siena College), Lea Girasole (EUSA Academic Internship Experts), Lauren Prema (Salem State University), Sharon Nickalls (EUSA Academic Internship Experts)

With a new generation of students coming in and new technologies being introduced, it is increasingly important for education abroad offices to keep up with the ever-changing needs and demands on a university campus. This panel of Education Abroad professionals will share best practices and insight on how study abroad offices can leverage different types of technology, including social media, to improve the student experience. Topics include integrating new technology, utilizing smart resources when working with a limited budget, and navigating social media accounts (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter) for the purposes of marketing international experiences through “story” narratives and engaging students in study abroad opportunities.

International Higher Education Research Panel
Presenters: Janet Ray, Providence College; Joe Stanley, Providence College

This session brings together graduate students and scholar-practitioners conducting vanguard research in the field of International Higher Education. Panelists will present on themes that resonate with the interests of study abroad administrators, faculty, and scholar-practitioners. Topics include a qualitative phenomenological study exploring first-year international students and an analysis of cultural assessment instruments with particular focus on the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI).

*Please check the conference brochure the day of the conference for all session locations.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!