The APUNE fall general assembly took place this year at the facilities of Universidad Camilo José Cela, with the sponsorship of Mindplace and Quirónsalud. It was another inspiring day of talks and workshops plus moments of networking and re-connection. The morning kicked-off with a welcoming speech from Amy Olson, President of APUNE and Alina Kolmakov, from the Universidad Camilo José Cela.
The meeting was held at the Universidad Camilo José Cela
Then Kim Griffin, directora APUNE took the reins, to go through the latest developments in APUNE and Aden Hayes, International Internship Conference followed on with a head’s up about the 2026 International Internship Conference which will also take place in Universidad Camilo José Cela in June 2026.
Amy Olson, President of APUNE
Next Brian David George of Reed College in Barcelona led a round table about the transformational power of exchange programs. Participants were invited to reflect on how work in international programs not only facilitates academic experiences, but also encourages students to be open to more conscious and broader ways of understanding the world. This was followed by another moment of discussion led by Luis Fernández (CEO Elevatorfy) and Almendra Staffa-Healey (Director and Founder of Intercultural Understanding) about the Study Abroad experience from a professional standpoint.
Brian David George of Reed College in Barcelona
And alongside these enlightening sessions were a whole myriad of other talks and discussion on student visas, insurance, relationships with Spanish universities, the current situation in the USA and how it’s effecting APUNE’s programs. Plus there were discussion about setting up new workshops, improving communication about internships and a presentation about the successful Conflict Transformation workshop at Middlebury College on Oct 16. And lastly, the preparations for the XIV Meeting at the University of Murcia in March 2026. Overall it was another wonderful day spent in delightful company, reinvigorating the Study Abroad Community!