37th Annual Conference
Intercultural Exchange as a Catalyst for Sustainable and Resilient Communities
Cuenca, Ecuador — March 4-7, 2026
Conference Activities and Sessions
Our 37th Annual Conference, Intercultural Exchange as a Catalyst for Sustainable and Resilient Communities, took place March 4-7, 2026, in Cuenca, Ecuador. AAPLAC is grateful to our host organization, The Centers for Interamerican Studies (CEDEI), for their support of the conference.
*All times are shown in Ecuador time (same as US Eastern Standard Time, EST).
| Wednesday, March 4 | |
| The registration desk will be open at CEDEI starting at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, March 4. | |
| 3:00 - 5:30 PM | Workshop: "Games to Understand the City: Gamification as an Engagement Tool for Urban Sustainability" (optional) Location: CEDEI Main Campus (Gran Colombia 11-02 and General Torres) The fee for this optional workshop is $40. |
| 7:00 - 9:00 PM | Welcome Reception Location: CEDEI Main Campus (Gran Colombia 11-02 and General Torres), Main Patio |
| Thursday, March 5 | |
| 8:30 - 9:00 AM | Conference Opening Location: Hotel El Dorado (Gran Colombia 7-87 and Luis Cordero) Welcome Remarks Tribute to Kathleen McInerney Sandy Bravo, AAPLAC President |
| 9:15 - 10:00 AM | Conference Opening and Keynote Address Professor Daniel Orellana |
| 10:00 - 10:20 AM | Coffee Break Sponsored by BYU Kennedy Center International Study Programs  |
| 10:20 AM - 12:00 PM | Panel 1: Models for Collaboration between Institutions and Communities Moderator: Jorge H Cervantes, Georgia Institute of Technology Reframing Study Abroad: Intercultural Exchange as a Pathway to Shared Learning and Community Resilience in the Galápagos Monique Mancilla, IOI Director of Operations Sara Luz Ruiz Escobar, IOI Ecuador Director La cultura del café: Modelos de aprendizaje experiencial en Costa Rica / Coffee Culture: Models of Experiential Learning in Costa Rica Beatriz Urraca, Widener University Stephen Madigosky, Widener University Internacionalización de la Educación Superior para la Sociedad: de la teoría a la práctica. El caso de la Comunidad Chorrera, Chimborazo Silvia Donoso, Study Abroad Resident Director for Kalamazoo College Olmedo Cayambe, Puruhá Razurku Nature's Rights in Ecuador and Beyond [virtual] Marley Stuart, River Glass Books |
| 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Panel 2: Driving Development Together: Community-Centered Models for Arts and Cultural Education Jenny James, Young Audiences of Louisiana Renee Benson, Young Audiences of Louisiana Ja'nese Brooks-Galathe, Young Audiences of Louisiana Roscoe Reddix, Jr, Young Audiences of Louisiana |
| 1:00 - 2:30 PM | Lunch on your own |
| 2:30 - 4:10 PM | Panel 3: Program Design for Effectiveness, Continuity, and Inclusivity Moderator: Jenny James, Young Audiences of Louisiana Creating Access for Spanish Study Abroad Programs Angelica Rocio Ahlman, North Park University Beyond Language Learning: Community and Intercultural Growth in Intensive Language Immersion Programs Hannah Palmer, Tulane University Emma Kainz, Tulane University [virtual] Sydney Humphrey, Tulane University [virtual] Ethical and Relational Dimensions of Intercultural Learning: Insights from Study Abroad Katya Koubek, James Madison University Dr Jennifer Lang-Rigal, James Madison University Host Family Impact on the Student Experience and Vice-Versa. How to Use this Experience to Increase Awareness? Haydn Tiago de Azevedo Mafra Jones, Campbell University |
| 4:10 - 4:30 PM | Coffee Break Sponsored by Newcomb-Tulane College Study Abroad  |
| 4:30 - 5:50 PM | Panel 4: La educación internacional como catalizador de transformación social Moderator: Rebecca Smith, Saint Joseph's University Construyendo puentes globales: La internacionalización como proyecto transformador en la UDA Marcelo Calle, Universidad del Azuay Competencias globales y florecimiento humano en proyectos de intercambio académico Abel Rubén Hernández Ulloa, Universidad de Guanajuato Resiliencia sin Fronteras: Construyendo Fortaleza a Través de Culturas, Idiomas y Zonas Horarias [virtual] Diana Chapoy Callahan, LinkeLearn |
| Friday, March 6 | |
| 8:30 - 9:00 AM | Coffee Sponsored by TIERA  |
| 9:00 - 10:40 AM | Panel 5: Strategic Visions for Sustainability in International Education Moderator: Katya Koubek, James Madison University Strategy and Culture: How Leaders Navigate Change in International Education Andrew Sherman, Cognia Imagining Sustainable Futures in Study Abroad: Information is Power! Emma Brick-Hezeau, Tulane University Malí Weitzman, Tulane University Más allá del turismo o el complejo de salvador: estudiantes en el extranjero, inmersión y cambio de visión Damaris Punales-Alpizar, Case Western Reserve University "Ring Up" the Community: Economic Impacts of Study Abroad Programs on the Local Economy [virtual] Nyasha Franklin, World 2 the Whyze and Tulane University |
| 10:40 - 11:00 AM | Coffee Break |
| 11:00 AM - 12:40 PM | Panel 6: Fostering Community through Intentional Design Moderator: Mark Odenwelder Global New Orleans Residential Life Community [virtual] Annie Gibson, Tulane University Fun Summer of Service: A Week-Long Summer Camp Promoting STEM Learning, Community Service, and College Readiness Jorge Hernandez Cervantes, Georgia Institute of Technology Michael Turner, Georgia Institute of Technology De Aulas Globales a Impacto Local: La Comunicación Intercultural como Motor para la Resiliencia Comunitaria Emilio José Ibeas, Sociedad para el Fomento de la Docencia de la Bioética (España) Repensando el aprendizaje global: hacia espacios educativos inclusivos y participativos Marco Antonio Sierra Quezada, Universidad de Guanajuato |
| 12:40 - 1:10 PM | Emerging Voices Poster Session Data Washed: Green Capitalism and Global North-South Inequities Maya Wilson-Ehrenthal, Tulane University Motherhood and Sex Work: Symbolic Boundaries Impacting Haitian Female Sex Workers in the Dominican Republic Avery Edwards, Tulane University. Art, Sound, and Community in the Chocó Rainforest Sabine Eris Greeson, Tulane University What If We Played the City? Gamification as a Catalyst for Urban Dialogue and Sustainable Thinking Professors and master's students from the Master's Degree in Sustainable Cities, University of Cuenca 4 games: |
| 1:10 - 2:30 PM | Lunch on your own |
| 2:30 - 4:10 PM | Panel 7: Intercultural and Linguistic Training for and Effectiveness and Equity in the Professions Moderator: Michael Turner, Georgia Institute of Technology Language, Culture, and Learning Styles: Examining the Impact of Chocoan Cultural Identities on English Learning Dynamics Jonny Andrés López Lozano, University of Florida Learning to Listen: Sumak Kawsay, Extractivism, and the Ethics of Cross-Cultural Encounter Audrey Weber, University of Azuay Tides of Language: English Education and the Future of Ecotourism in the Galápagos Anna Hobbins, Independent Scholar Mobility as Economic Infrastructure: The Role of Exchange Programs in Sustaining Global Collaboration Ethan Skinner, Vanderbilt University |
| 4:10 - 4:30 PM | Coffee Break |
| 4:30 - 5:30 PM | Panel 8: How Intercultural Exchange is Helping to Empower the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders in the Ecuadorian Chocó Catie Mae Carey, Tulane University Crystal Ni, Tulane University Sabine Greeson, Tulane University Karla Zambrano, Fundación para la Conservación de los Andes Tropicales (FCAT) Cinthya Parrales Fundación para la Conservación de los Andes Tropicales (FCAT) Nicole Katin, Tulane University |
| 5:30 - 6:00 PM | Business Meeting |
| 8:00 - 11:00 PM | Farewell Dinner Location: Popular Terrace (in back of Iglesia de Todos Santos, Calle Larga 494) For those who wish to join, we will meet at Hotel El Dorado at 7:30 PM and walk together to the restaurant. Cuenca is a charming and walkable city—a perfect opportunity to enjoy the evening atmosphere as a group before our farewell dinner. |
| Saturday, March 7 | |
| 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM | Walking Tour of Cuenca and Visit to Cajas National Park (optional) We begin the day with a guided walking tour through Cuenca's historic center, exploring its most iconic plazas, churches, and cultural landmarks. Highlights include the New Cathedral—one of the largest in South America—the Old Cathedral, the Flower Market, and San Francisco Square. Throughout the tour, participants will gain meaningful insight into Cuenca's history, architecture, traditions, and everyday life. The visit also introduces participants to the city's services—hospitality, transportation, safety, environmental management, and overall quality of life—illustrating why Cuenca is a welcoming community and an ideal destination for international visitors and students. We then continue to Cajas National Park, located approximately 45 minutes from the city. Our first stop is the Tres Cruces viewpoint (4160 m), an iconic lookout offering sweeping views of the high Andean landscape. We proceed to La Toreadora Lagoon (3800 m) for an easy 1.5-hour walk along established trails, including a visit to a Polylepis forest, a rare ecosystem often referred to as the "paper tree" forest. Throughout the experience, the guide will share information about local biodiversity, conservation initiatives, and the ecological importance of this unique high-mountain environment. We conclude the day with lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Cuenca. A perfect combination of culture, nature, and meaningful immersion in a safe, vibrant, and welcoming city. The fee for this optional activity is $92. |
| 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM | Cuenca City Tour - History and Culture (optional) Enjoy a guided visit through the most emblematic sites of Cuenca, a city celebrated for its beauty and for blending history, culture, and modernity. We begin at Calderón Park, the heart of the Historic Center, where we will explore iconic landmarks such as the Old Cathedral, the impressive New Cathedral, and the colorful Flower Market. We then continue to the San Sebastián neighborhood—home to a plaza inspired by Versailles and an important reference to the First French Geodesic Mission. Additional points of cultural and historical interest will be visited along the route. Our next stop is the renowned Homero Ortega Panama Hat Factory, where you will learn about the traditional craftsmanship behind the world-famous Toquilla Straw Hats, an essential symbol of Ecuador’s cultural heritage. During the tour, we will enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant—an excellent opportunity to savor the flavors of Cuenca's gastronomy. After lunch, we will visit the Pumapungo Museum, one of Ecuador’s most important cultural institutions, featuring archaeological, ethnographic, and historical collections that highlight the heritage of the region’s Indigenous communities. We conclude with a panoramic drive along El Barranco, one of Cuenca's most picturesque riverfront areas, followed by a visit to the Turi viewpoint, where you will enjoy a spectacular overlook of the city. Throughout the experience, participants will also learn about Cuenca's essential services—healthcare, transportation, safety, environmental management, and educational opportunities—which contribute to its reputation as a welcoming, safe, and high-quality destination for international visitors and students. A perfect tour to experience the history, culture, and quality of life that make Cuenca a warm and inviting city. The fee for this optional activity is $89. |
Register Now
Register now for AAPLAC 2026 in Cuenca. You'll find conference registration fees and costs for optional activities here as well.
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