During the week of October 14th, 2024, APUNE was delighted to take an integral part at the Forum on Education Abroad's 7th Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Conference - as attendees, presenters and conference committee members. It was a magical few days, full of learning, connecting and remembering dear past members.
This international event brings together higher education professionals from around the globe to reflect on the challenges and perspectives of the Higher Education sector in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the U.S. The conference was hosted at College Year in Athens and they gave everyone a very warm welcome.
© Forum on Education Abroad
The conference began with U.S. Ambassador to Greece George J. Tsunis and Nikos Papaioannou, the Greek Secretary General for Higher Education, welcoming everyone. Ambassador Tsunis highlighted the importance of global engagement and international connectivity through the medium of education abroad. Sessions covered a variety of topics, from using conflict transformation to enhance programs to crafting cultural awareness in faculty-led programs. APUNE's very own director Ariande Ferro was on the conference committee as were other colleagues from EUASA (Stephen Robinson, Janine Ludwig, and Fabrizio Ricciardelli
© Amy Olsen
Among all the stimulating and fun times, there were also poignant moments of reflection - such as when participants took some time to remember a beloved member of EUASA - Loren Ringer - who passed away earlier in 2024. The Forum has now launched the Loren Ringer Award for on-site international educators. The first was awarded posthumously to Loren during the closing ceremony in Athens and was accepted by Stephen Robinson, president of EUASA, on his behalf.
One of the conference highlights was when Mónica Pérez-Bedmar - a long-time coordinator and executive director of APUNE and current member of honor - and Ariadne presented in the Athens Music Conservatory amphitheater "The Power of Authenticity: The Case against Coddling in Study Abroad”
© Forum on Education Abroad
Given the location of the conference, it was only fitting that there was special emphasis on Greek Study Abroad programs. Study in Greece, for example, hosted a session entitled, "Fostering International Partnerships to Boost Study Abroad in Greece." This showcased the success of Greek universities in building global partnerships and delivering impactful study abroad programs and it shows the country’s growing influence in international education.
APUNE was delighted to play such an active role in the conference and is excited to see how much the Study Abroad world is growing and developing. And knowing that we are the oldest US Study Abroad association in Europe and have spent over half a century helping students brings us extra pride!