NEWS

I had the privilege to attend the NAFSA global conference in New Orleans, Louisiana in May of 2024. This conference brings together universities, private organizations, recruitment agencies, and student support service operators from around the world to network, learn, and exchange ideas with one another. While attending this conference, I was able to advance my professional connections through in-person meetings where I shared programs that we could implement at UMBC. Since the conference, I have held multiple follow-up meetings with the partners I met at the conference and have formed MOUs with some of them to solidify their partnership with UMBC.

I was also able to attend sessions that pertained to my academic and professional interests in topics such as supporting African international students, equitable anti-racist international programming and others.

Finally, by attending these meetings and sessions with my colleagues at UMBC, I was able to build relationships and professional skills that helped me in being chosen for my current role in the same office upon graduation.

Lina Mora Oviedo (2nd Year INCC student)

Last May, I was delighted to attend the 2024 NAFSA Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. This convention was an excellent opportunity to connect with experts from around the world who shared experiences from their countries and meet fellow graduate students to exchange ideas on potential research collaborations. One of the activities I most enjoyed was the poster fair which featured over 200 presentations about research projects in study abroad, international student and scholar services, English language teaching/learning, mental health, diversity, inclusion, and disabilities in international education. Engaging with the researchers and asking them questions allowed me to understand the current research topics in the field.

It also contributed to some ideas for my thesis and projects that can be implemented at UMBC. In terms of professional development, I met with a career advisor who gave personalized feedback on my profile and shared strategies to advance positions in international education. I am grateful to the INCC for supporting me to attend this conference for the first time. I encourage students to take advantage of the professional development opportunities offered by the Department, these experiences help to connect the content learned in class with real-world projects and initiatives developed by students and professionals in the US and internationally.