WorldStrides Higher Ed

🎧 New episode out now! This week on Changing Lives through Education Abroad, Zac Macinnes sits down with Andrew J. Gordon, Founder & CEO of DA Global Access Network (formerly Diversity Abroad). For nearly two decades, Andrew has been a driving force in making international education more inclusive. In this conversation, he reflects on DA Global’s evolution and the 4A Framework: ✔Awareness ✔Assessment ✔Action ✔Accountability He also gives a preview of the 2025 Global Impact Conference in Minneapolis and offers a hopeful look toward a future where equity isn’t just a value, but a strategy for global engagement. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts👉 https://lnkd.in/gbi5C73m. #InternationalEducation #GlobalLearning #EquityAbroad #StudyAbroad #HigherEd #Podcast

What does Independence Day look like in Costa Rica? For Marissa, it was a whirlwind of rain, rhythm, and resilience. 🎆 Marissa's photo story takes you from the historic streets of Cartago, where the celebrations first began, to the lively parades of San José. Along the way, she captures the Desfile de Faroles (lantern parade), the inspirational torch run that connects Central America, and the awe-inspiring fireworks erupting over the ruins of Cartago. The story serves as a powerful reminder of how study abroad allows students to see the world not as tourists, but as witnesses to its most meaningful traditions. ✨ See the full story: https://lnkd.in/gFq4m7Fn. #Blog #StudentStories #StudyAbroad

We’re excited to be exhibiting at the 2025 Graduate Business Curriculum Roundtable PMBA/OMBA Conference, happening October 21–24 at the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg. It’s a space where deans, faculty, and program directors come together to share ideas, push curricular innovation forward, and think about how to best prepare tomorrow’s graduate business students. 💡 If you’ll be there, let’s connect! Book time with our team members, Chris Bray and Melissa Holland, here: https://lnkd.in/g8AJ8YTB 📌 More conference info and registration: https://lnkd.in/gpwCpQMz #Conference #OMBA #PMBA #HigherEducation

Practicing a new language isn't always smooth, but it’s always worth it. 🙌 In her first blog, Madeline shares how it felt to be fully immersed in a Spanish-speaking country: the excitement, the nerves, and the quiet victory of holding a full conversation with her host mom. Read how Madeline’s experience in Buenos Aires is teaching her that the real magic of language learning happens outside the classroom. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eMZfiRMG #StudentStories #Blog #LanguageLearning

This month, we’re celebrating an incredible milestone: 20 years with Director of Account Management Laura Pierce Weldon! Laura joined WorldStrides Higher Ed two decades ago and has been shaping global opportunities for students and universities ever since. As she puts it: “Every time someone asks me what I do, I get to share not only my role but also the mission of WorldStrides—and I’m reminded just how lucky I am.” Her peers describe her as a true collaborator, someone whose patience, expertise, and meticulous attention to detail have made hundreds of international programs possible. Morgan Morris Inabinet from the University of South Carolina shares that Laura’s “kindness, steady leadership, and belief in the value of international education have made a lasting impact” on their campus community. And as David Cardenas at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas puts it, her “passion, dedication, and diligence have been transformative,” helping launch and sustain programs that have “truly changed the lives of students and faculty.” When she’s not coordinating study abroad experiences around the world, Laura loves traveling herself. She’s been to 25 countries (with Peru at the top of her favorites list!) and hopes to see Morocco next. Here’s to two decades of global impact—and to our team members like Laura who make it all possible. 🌍💚 #CustomPrograms #StudyAbroad #TeamMemberSpotlight

It's official: Study abroad doesn’t just change how students see the world—it changes how they show up in it. 👏 Download "The Talent Advantage" report now to learn how students return home more curious, adaptable, resilient... plus other skills employers are looking for! #StudyAbroad #GlobalExperience #CareerSkills

✈️ Travel advisories: we see them, we reference them… but how did they become such a defining piece of international education? On this week’s episode, host Zac Macinnes teams up with Ryan Larsen, Ph.D., Senior International Officer and Executive Director of Global Engagement at Western Washington University, to trace the journey from Lockerbie to today’s Level 1–4 system. With nearly 20 years in the field, Ryan breaks down how these advisories influence policy, risk management, and access for students abroad. 🎧 Tune in for history, insights, and strategies to help us create safe and transformative global experiences: https://lnkd.in/gbi5C73m #InternationalEducation #StudyAbroad #HigherEd #GlobalEngagement #Podcast

Last week, we had the opportunity to sponsor and attend the OSAC Academia Seminar on Health, Safety, and Security in Seoul, South Korea! 🙌 The two-day event brought together university and organizational leaders to discuss evolving trends in health, security, and education abroad, including three of our U.S. team members: Patrick Barker, Robin Reliford, and Kate McSurley. From insightful panels to meaningful conversations with peers, the seminar reinforced the importance of collaboration and proactive planning in keeping global education experiences safe and accessible for all. We also loved connecting in person with members of our amazing Asia team—Euisoo Chang, Chowon Kim, and Jaeseong Lim (Seoul), Yeseul Park (Busan), Riki Komemoto (Tokyo), and Natcha Waisuebkhao (Thailand)—whose local insight and dedication continue to make such an impact on our global programs. 🌏 Grateful to OSAC and Korea University for creating such a thoughtful, forward-looking space for discussion! #Conference #HealthandSafety #StudyAbroad

The beauty of Japan is in the details. ✨ From handmade mochi and manhole cover art to sweeping temple views and skyline sunsets, Noorah discovers in her first photo blog that everywhere you turn in Japan brings something new to marvel at. 📸 Take a closer look: https://lnkd.in/gJTnkUCH. #StudentStories #Blog #StudyAbroad

1️⃣1️⃣: That's how many NAFSA: Association of International Educators Regional Conferences our team will be attending this fall... and we couldn't be more excited! These gatherings provide a valuable space to network with other international education professionals, share experiences, and dive into discussions on the latest trends and challenges facing the field. Here’s where you can find us this NAFSA season: ✅ Region VIII & X – Oct 14–17 | Philadelphia, PA *Exhibiting at Booth #29 ✅ Region I – Oct 22–29 | Portland, OR ✅ Region II – Oct 23–26 | Salt Lake City, UT ✅ Region IV – Oct 27–30 | St. Charles, MO ✅ Region XII – Oct 28–31 | Pasadena, CA ✅ Region V – Oct 29–31 | Milwaukee, WI ✅ Region III – Nov 2–5 | Little Rock, AR ✅ Region VI – Nov 2–5 | Indianapolis, IN ✅ Region XI – Nov 3–6 | Springfield, MA ✅ Region VII – Nov 4–6 | Jackson, MS Click here to see which team members will be at each regional—plus other upcoming events—and book a meeting! ⬇ https://lnkd.in/gz4fjgrM Autumn Beechler Stebing Craig Jefferson Stacy Phelps Tylo Ward Eric Anderson Alex Halvorson Michael A. Saenz Dominique Washington, M.A. Sarah Warren Edith Bradley, MSEd Zac Macinnes Alicia Vinal Duwon Clark Gabrielle E. Taylor Kate Hermsmeyer Snow White MBA