Given the degree of complexity involved with operating programs in international destinations, each with its own laws, legal system, and cultural perceptions of appropriate behavior, API cannot have one uniform approach to all forms of disrespectful behavior, harassment or sexual discrimination. It sparked the travel bug in me and made me want to connect with other cultures and people of the world. “My time at La Trobe University has been a very positive and rewarding experience. TCSES was the first Type II SO nonprofit system created in education and includes various colleges and universities (The Chicago School, Saybrook University, Pacific Oaks College, Dallas Nursing Institute, and the Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law). All API students receive orientation information to help them prepare for their study abroad session. ECNU a nationally renowned university under the direct auspices of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China is one of the most prestigious universities in the country. My most recent travels abroad involved an expat experience with my husband and two sons. api APPLICATION. ", “The API Buenos Aires staff was absolutely wonderful. Learn About Developing a Customized Program. She also did BUNAC working in San Diego for 6 months. In the case of academic programs, it may be impossible for API to facilitate course changes to reduce contact within the academic environment. I wandered and traveled, for time, but was never truly lost, just seeking. As a student, I was able to witness the compassion, sincerity and attention to detail that both the on-site and stateside API staff have towards their students. API accepts all forms of financial aid and awards approximately $450,000 each year in study abroad scholarships, which range from $250 to $1,000 per student. This experience helped to shape my understanding of the world as well as my place in it. API also believes that international educational experiences should be accessible to as many participants as possible, and in that vein, seeks to include as many components in the program price as possible for participants at a low cost. API students have several options to study abroad in Paris: Cours de Civilisation Françaises de la Sorbonne (CCFS) With its history dating back to the end of World World War I, the CCFS … I came from an engineering background, but I love helping people learn about other cultures! Our success is owed in large part to the dedication of our staff, both stateside and abroad, and the strong relationships we have cultivated with partner institutions and universities. Many aspects of life have been put on hold for 2020, including most travel and study abroad plans. With a wide variety of courses offered in … I embarked on a 500-day backpacking trip to South America where I traveled from Venezuela to Tierra del Fuego by bus. When her family relocated to Washington, D.C., she decided to stay in the Study Abroad field and joined the American University Study Abroad Office in June, 2004. Making the shift took a lot of forethought and soul-searching. She holds degrees from the University of Salamanca in both English and Spanish Philology and she went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Teaching Spanish as a Second Language at the same University. Centrally … In my ten plus years working at API, I have enjoyed serving in multiple roles but my favorite responsibilities are always those that allow me to work with our coordinators and directors abroad. So, if you are considering an internship abroad, be prepared to give it all you have. Students who choose to study abroad in Florence with API at Lorenzo de’ Medici – The Italian International Institute (LdM) – Florence may elect to take 1 or 2 courses per four-week term; alternatively, they may elect to pursue a 6-credit workshop course, or add a professional development component to their study. Through each moving experience, I learned so much about different places, people and subcultures. Make housing modifications: This may take the form of a housing move or temporary removal from API housing for the responding and/or reporting party. Soon thereafter, I was on a plane to Italy as I took on my initial role of API Italy Program Manager, and I’ve never looked back! API will inform the responding party(ies) of the accusations and require them to provide written testimony of their actions during the specific window of time in question within 72 hours of receiving the request from API. I was hooked! Virtual Short-Term Spanish Study with Universidad de Salamanca. API gives you the most inclusive and highest quality study abroad experience for the price. In addition to attending games, I got to experience an amazing country with an abundance of wildlife and culture. Senior Regional Director, University Relations. Life Transforming. Cuba was a necessary step for me to find the world, life, and passion that I needed. I have been traveling since day one! Modify access to API activities: Unless duplicate events/excursions are offered that allow the participant to be placed in separate cohorts that will not come into contact with one another, the reporting party will be allowed to select no less than half of any upcoming API activities (e.g., within a month-long timeframe) and the responding party will not be allowed to participate. Sharon returned home to Austin, and connected with Jennifer and Brittany, in Austin, and then called me (once again) to ask me to begin API with them. The Japanese want you to have a wonderful experience and go the extra mile to make sure that you do. Over the course of my education, I studied abroad in Barcelona, the United Kingdom, Uganda, Israel and South Africa, while traveling extensively as much as possible in between. Art History in Florence. Applying For Study Abroad? While an investigation is pending or in process, API reserves the right to take the following actions in order to limit contact between the reporting party and the responding party to the fullest extent possible: It is important that the reporting party is aware that API cannot fully control the host environment. If I could pick one API program to attend it would be to Bhutan. For over 20 years she conducted business throughout Australia and New Zealand and lived in every major city in both. API / Academic Programs International is a program provider offering 96 abroad programs. Study in Barcelona with API. Additionally, he serves on the board of the University of Dubuque, Alliant International University, and Calumet College of St. Joseph. I had just graduated from UT-Austin and decided to take six months to work at Disneyland Paris instead of New York City to work in advertising. Academic Programs International (API) was founded in 1997 by four women (the Founding Mamas) dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable study abroad programs for U.S. students. Besides my professor and his family, I had one name in my pocket, Dr. Sharon Foerster (my mom’s friend’s daughter’s friend; later one of the founding “mamas” of API). Study abroad experience: Summer in Corrientes, Argentina; semester in Cuernavaca, Mexico; year in Granada Spain (with API!). In my research, I came across API and was impressed by the level of support their programs offered and by their active social media presence. As much as this role was a great fit, I wondered, how do I combine my background in travel and international studies with higher education? I am so happy to be a part of API's team and support our participants' learning and growth for a better world! Education: BA in Theater & Dance from the University of Texas at Austin and a M.Ed. In most cases, students can earn academic credit, though some opportunities are offered without credit. I felt that I had the support needed to leave my comfort zone. Fuji to watch the sunrise over Japan. MS Cybersecurity, Georgia Institute of Technology in course. He has more than 30 years of experience building innovative technology and products, accelerating company growth, and establishing mission-based organizational cultures. I developed API’s Global Leadership Academy for returned participants and co-developed the API Learning and Engagement Digital Badge program, a co-curricular opportunity to help guide engagement and development throughout the education abroad experience in five core competency areas: career development, community engagement, intercultural learning, leadership and mindful travel. In that case, students may be given specific instructions on how to conduct themselves within the confines of a given course and students may be provided with specific routes that they must take to and from class to avoid unsupervised contact. SAI Spring 2021 On-Site Program Options. I joined API from 2013-2016 and then took a break to gain experience working as the Assistant Director of Faculty-Led Programs at the Education Abroad office at the University of Texas at Austin. Walking home from evening events required us to stop and marvel at the Northern Lights as they rolled in green waves through the night sky. Don’t even get me started on the Highlands! I come from a big hometown where most people travel abroad. One big lesson I learned was that if I wanted to improve my spoken language skills, I had to accept that making mistakes would be an integral part of that. If a participant has experienced an incident (e.g., rape) and does not wish to discuss the incident with API, API urges the participant to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy/Consulate or the U.S. Department of State for assistance. Brian Schwartz is a Principal of the Education Opportunity Fund. In doing so, API and a participant’s home university can provide guidance and support for the reporting party, and provide fair notice of how the responding party may be affected***. Design and deliver international experiences that inspire learning and enrich students, partners and communities. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Creative Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin. Study abroad experience: Granada (with API!) My brain was filled with an abundance of inspiration and my soul was filled with incredible moments of peace and calmness. Then the reporting party will complete an official interview with leadership in the API Student Services division via, telephone, Skype, or another communication method. Live and study abroad in Barcelona, Spain. It was here that I discovered my passion for global education. API offers programs in Edinburgh and Stirling, Scotland as well as Harlaxton, Leeds, and London, England. ), Education: Bachelor's degree in Modern Languages with a concentration in Spanish from Framingham State University. Favorite Place: Mexico! It is like no place on Earth and really gives you a sense of what's important in life. With API Customized Programs, some of the best learning happens outside of the classroom walls. Click Here to Create an Account to Apply Applying For Intern Abroad? Carmen was born and raised in Argentina, and holds a degree in Sociology from the University of Buenos Aires. ), Education: Marketing with Spanish and Organizational and Profession Communication minors from University of Wisconsin- La Crosse. Join us for an information session to learn about API’s study abroad programs ! To give more students access to our study and internship programs abroad, we have also doubled our long-standing Diversity Scholarship. Sometimes taking a chance on the unknown can lead you to wondrous places. In the majority of cases, it will be impossible to interview witnesses without making reference to the specific allegations in question, as well as to the parties involved. Biomedical Engineering in Barcelona. A note-taker may be present during the interview. I loved studying and living abroad and I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything in the world! I fell in love with the city immediately! Both studying and living in Argentina was both exciting and challenging, where I was learning the language, customs, and cultural values of a country not my own and deciding what things I wanted to be part of my own beliefs and values. Executive Assistant, Chief Business Office and Chief Financial Officer, Study abroad experience: London, England; Madrid, Spain, Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Houston, I studied abroad for a semester in London, taking architecture and English courses. Several months later, I was hired as a Program Manager for sites in Spain and Italy and have taken on a variety of roles and tasks in the years since. I was also lucky enough to study abroad in high school and teach abroad in college, and those experiences have forever shaped me. Check out our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion page for diversity resources for all students. The interview may be conducted via telephone, Skype, or another form of communication. Once I arrived, I found that everyday tasks had become new and exciting! Director of Alumni Development and Research, Study abroad experience: Grenoble, France (with API! Having studied abroad in Ecuador as an undergraduate student, Latin America will forever hold a place in my heart. The most important lesson that stuck with me is that everyone’s study abroad experience is different and it’s all what you make of it. A couple of years ago, I traveled to Spain, visited five cities in two weeks and fell in love with its history and culture. I was left speechless. I’ve worked for a variety of study abroad organizations over the past decade in a university relations capacity and believe the value a global perspective provides US college students is more important than ever. International Experience: Rachel was born and raised in Yorkshire but caught the travel bug early on during an exchange programme to Spain at 16. As participants navigate their host country environments, with which they are relatively unfamiliar, API wants them to feel comfortable coming forward for assistance when needed. Now, as a Resident Director, she is delighted to devote herself to welcoming American students. After completing my Master’s in Foreign Language Education and teaching English as a Second Language to college students for a number of years, I worked as a university international student and study abroad advisor and had the good fortune during this time to see API in action in Spain. Everyone I met had their own story and their own take on the world. Education: Undergraduate Degree from the University of Texas; Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law, Study Abroad/International Experience: Angers, France, Education: Bachelor’s in Global Studies with a concentration in European Studies from St. Edward’s University, Master’s in International Studies from Texas State University. He has over 13 years of private equity experience investing across multiple sectors. Education: Bachelor of Arts, Portland State University. They said I had 24 hours to get there. Patrick was most recently CEO of HealthiNation, an Emmy Award-winning health and wellness digital video company. Study abroad experience: summer faculty-led program in Buenos Aires, Argentina. API alumni are encouraged to apply for the Global Leadership Academy (GLA). Did you know that Bhutan is the only zero-carbon emitting country in the world? Marie likes helping students understand, discover and appreciate her country and its specific culture. My favorite travel experience is not actually a destination per se but rather a "way": the Camino de Santiago. Overall- these two exceptional cities taught me how to be myself! She was able to help me with everything I had questions about and was a really fun traveling partner. Hometown: Vélez-Rubio, a small and beautiful town in Almería (province of Andalucía, Spain). Information Session: Study Abroad … Director of Caribbean and Latin American Programming, Study abroad experience: Havana, Cuba; Paris, France, Education: Bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies, Ph.D. in Latin American Literature, UK Regional Director, Leeds Resident Director. Jeffery was the chief visionary and architect of the TCS Education System (TCSES) where he served as an executive. If an API participant has concerns that the behavior of an API on-site representative or a stateside employee constitutes harassment, bullying or gender discrimination, the behavior should be reported immediately to the Senior Vice President of Organizational Operations or the API President. Education: Bachelor’s in Communications with an International focus from the University of Texas at Austin, Diploma in Hispanic Studies, Master’s in Spanish Language & Culture from the University of Salamanca. I regard these times as some of the best moments in my life, and wish I could relive this experience., Although the coursework was a lot more independent than I was used to, it gave me a challenge and helped me grow as a student. I am API’s Director of Student Services and Admissions and as such, I direct a team of Program Coordinators and Managers and work closely with on-site staff to serve API programming participants, parents/guardians, and API’s institutional partners. Already have an account with us? Explore our virtual programs and customize it to your schedule! I hope to go back someday and visit Capetown.Education: Bachelors of Business Administration, Stephen F. Austin State University. Associate Vice President, University Partnerships, Study Abroad Experience: Morelia, Mexico and Barcelona, Spain, Education: Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Latin American & Iberian Studies from UC Santa Barbara, Master’s degree in International Education from The George Washington University. What international experiences led you to your role at API? API will interview any applicable witnesses. Buying food to eat became a chance to explore the local grocery store, and group meals were an opportunity for us to share foods and customs from where we grew up. Transformative experience of studying abroad can be found online at: http:.... Diverse needs of API country may differ from those in place in my heart was amazing able. 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