Conference Schedule

Arrive Pella

8:30 - 11:45 AM

Trial by Fire
Guidelines for directing a study abroad program. Workshop conducted by George Ann Huck and Helen Stellmaker.

Trial by Fire is a two-part workshop that is designed specifically for resident directors who are still new to this role. Program administrators and faculty who are interested in learning about what happens on-site or are considering leading a program abroad are also welcome to attend.

George Ann Huck, retired Director of Central College in Mérida, Mexico will lead part one of the workshop. George Ann has over 35 years in on-site cross-cultural programming and will lead the discussion from the point of view of an on-site director.

Part two will be led by Helen Stellmaker, Coordinator of Advising and Student Activities at St. Olaf College. This portion will focus on pre-departure preparation and crisis management. In Helen's time at St. Olaf she has sent thousands of students abroad and has experience preparing both group leaders and students for their time abroad.

Participants will be involved in the hands-on solving of real situations and focusing on best practices and possible consequences. By the end of this two-part workshop, participants will have gained the minimum tools needed for screening, anticipating, and handling the "Trial by Fire" aspects of leading students through an experience abroad.

1:00 PM

Welcome remarks by Diana Rodríguez-Lozano, AAPLAC President, and George Ann Huck, Founder and Executive Director of AAPLAC
Opening comments by Dr. Roe, President of Central College

1:30 - 2:30 PM

Round Table Discussion:
What's in a Name? Defining Global in the Age of Globalization
Conducted by Elizabeth Mahan, University of Connecticut

2:45 PM

Coffee Break

3:00 - 4:30 PM

The Role of Study Abroad in Preparing the Next Generation for the New Global Century
Moderator: Dr. Diana Rodríguez-Lozano, Mount Saint Mary's University

"Different Programs, Different Countries, Different Resources: Meeting the Needs of Disabled Students Studying Abroad"
Valerie Grimsley, Director, Yucatán Program - Central College

"How Could Something So Good Turn So Bad? The 'Bad Apple' Syndrome in Study Abroad"
Diana Arízaga, Resident Director, IFSA-Butler in Mexico

"There's a First Time for Everything: Leading a Short-Term Study Abroad Trip to México"
Kristi Leonard, Waldorf College

8:00 PM

Board Meeting, Royal Amsterdam

8:30 - 10:00 AM

Academic Quality and Cultural Exposure Over the Short Haul
Moderator: George Ann Huck

Mildred Savard, Community College of Philadelphia

10:00 - 10:15 AM

Coffee Break

10:15 - 11:45 AM

Preparing the Next Generation by Teaching in a Study Abroad Program in Yucatán, México: Goals, Reflections, and Insights
Moderator: Valerie Grimsley, Director, Central College in Mérida

Jann Freed (Business Management), Mary Stark (English), Rex Shahriari (Education) and David Timmer (Religion), Central College

12:00 - 2:00 PM

Lunch/Business Meeting (included in conference registration)

2:00 - 3:30 PM

Interdisciplinary Community Based Research in Belize: Undergraduate Research Gains Purpose and Impact
Moderator: Steven Gardner, Illinois College

"Integrated Natural Resource Management Unifies Research in Northern Belize"
Mary Ann Studer, Defiance College

"Networking Skills - A Vital Part of Interdisciplinary Research Case Study - Belize"
Steve Smith, Defiance College

"Facilitating Undergraduate Research in Belize through Learning Communities"
Robin Dratzer, Defiance College

4:00 - 5:30 PM

Within the Caribbean Realm
Moderator: Dr. Elizabeth Mahan, University of Connecticut

"Creating Global Citizens through Non-traditional Study Abroad: Experiential Learning in the Dominican Republic"
Dr. Kathy Ozment and Dr. Patricia Snyder, Albright College

"A Document-Based Curriculum of Caribbean Cultural and Environmental Issues"
Mary Malloy, Sea Education Association

6:30 - 8:30 PM

Reception at Dr. Roe's

8:30 - 10:00 AM

The Importance of Reciprocity and Research in this Global World of Ours
Moderator: Helen Stellmaker, St. Olaf College

"Study Abroad and Reciprocity"
Aynn Setright, Academic Director, SIT Study Abroad - Nicaragua

"Giving Language Study a Relevant Place in the Curriculum of the 21st Century through Interdisciplinary Student Research Abroad"
Steven Gardner, Illinois College

10:00 - 10:15 AM

Coffee Break

10:15 - 11:30 AM

Beyond the Cross-Cultural Challenges ... Meeting Challenges for Special Needs (A Panel from Students' Perspectives)
Moderator: George Ann Huck

"It's all about Mindset! ... Study Abroad with Special Needs"
Meagan McConville

"Al subir Chichén: The Climb to Success of a Blind Traveler on Study Abroad"
Michael Hoening

11:30 AM

Closing Remarks