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
Entre todos los momentos estimulantes y divertidos, también hubo conmovedores momentos de reflexión - como cuando los participantes se tomaron un tiempo para recordar a un querido miembro de EUASA - Loren Ringer - que falleció a principios de 2024. El Foro ha lanzado ahora el Premio Loren Ringer para educadores internacionales in situ. El primero se concedió a título póstumo a Loren durante la ceremonia de clausura en Atenas y fue aceptado por Stephen Robinson, presidente de EUASA, en su nombre.
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!