#URepresentation Matters Blog
The #URepresentationMatters Blog celebrates the diverse experiences, expert insights, actionable tips, and success stories of international educators and leaders.
Our blog features tips for improving cultural understanding, working in international education, living abroad, and stories from leaders who’s transformed the global education world.
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Blog Archives
Cultural Competency: Skills to Prepare You for Life Abroad
Are you thinking about living abroad? This blog explores how cultural competency can enhance your experience overseas.
How to Research Life Abroad Using AI
Dreaming of moving overseas but not sure where to start? This blog will help you use ChatGPT to make informed decisions for your relocation.
Why Underserved Countries Matter in International Education: Insights from a Belizean Study Abroad CEO
Rhondine Petrof (she/her), Founder and CEO of Toucan Education Programs, shares how her study abroad company inspires entrepreneurship and growth while contributing to the Belizean community.
I wanted to work in NYC but ended up in China! How my job search led me to be a school counselor abroad!
Kisha Hugh-Abban (she/her), a Jamaican-American, shares how she started her career as a School Counselor in China and her advice to international schools seeking to be more inclusive.
Taking And Making Space: How Being A Barbadian Immigrant Led Me To Pursue A Career In International Counseling As A Mental Health Advocate
Cheryl-Ann Weekes (she, her) is a Barbadian school counselor that has built a career working internationally. Passionate in advocacy for mental health, boundaries, and positive self-talk, Cheryl-Ann uses her experience to help support and create connections with her students.
Lifelong Learning Inspired Me To Explore The World: Experiences Of A Jamaican Educator
Kimberly Hall is a Jamaican music educator living and working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With experience developing a culture of learning and inciting a love for music in all students, she views lifelong learning as her guide to exploring the world.
How I Advocate for Diverse Students as the only BIPOC Staff in Study Abroad
Rebecca Johnson (she/her), a Korean-American, shares how she creates more inclusive, sustainable international programs and resources on campus as the only study abroad staff of color across her university.
How Teaching Abroad Made Me More Empathetic Towards The International Student Experience
A first-generation Thai-American, shares how her experience as a volunteer English teacher in her parents’ home country inspired her to work to support international students struggling to adjust cross-culturally.
What I Learned As A First-Generation Arab-American Working At A Predominantly White Institution
Noora A. Alie (she/her) remembers the struggles of her Arab immigrant parents and uses these early memories to support international students as they transition to their studies in the U.S.
Lived Experience, Arab Identity, and Intersectionality Provided the Roadmap to Inclusive Global Citizenship
Michael Ziadat (he/his), the proud son of immigrants and a first-generation Arab American, felt a life-calling to support the needs of learners by helping them break through academic, social, linguistic, cultural, and economic barriers. Michael's decade-long work in international education, ESL, and adult education shines through…
Promoting Multilingual and Multicultural Spaces that Interconnect Language, Culture, and Identity
Avishta Seeras (she/her), Creator and Producer of the Lingua-Cultura Experience, create multilingual spaces to connect, share, learn from one another, and practice languages.
Finding Similarities Among the Differences: Building A Community With Global Connections
Tanith Fowler Corsi (she/her), WASAN founder, thrive in cross-cultural and global environments while helping others to do the same.
From Surviving to Thriving: Supporting Black Male Self-Discovery, Identity, and New Possibilities in Life Abroad
Michael Ruth (he/his), a global explorer and BIPOC Focused Yoga Studio Owner, shares how his decision to leave the U.S. opened up new pathways of self-discovery and personal healing.
From China to the Cayman Islands: How I Reset and Triumphed During COVID When It Was Tough
Adrienne M. Waller (she/her), Owner of Worldwide Educator, shares how an 8,000-mile relocation between continents during COVID bolstered her international career and sparked her entrepreneurial energy to help other Black educators do the same by seeking a job abroad.
A Language Barrier Prevented Me From Knowing My Family, So I Became Fluent In Spanish and Reconnected With My Roots
Elisabet Raquel García (she/they), Global Education DEI specialist, shares how language barriers prevented her from connecting with her family and how her determination to build a relationship prompted her to become a fluent Spanish speaker in five years.
Language Learning Changed My Life, and This is My Advice For You
William D. Webber (he/his), Associate Director of Membership at Partners of the Americas, shares his experience becoming fluent in French and Spanish and how it changed the trajectory of his life.
How My Language Learning Struggles Didn’t Stop Me From Living Abroad
Dr. Shawntia Key (CEO and Founder, URep Abroad) shares her complicated history with language learning and the 4 tips she learned while traveling the world.
A Conversation with Samantha Peralta: Impacting Generations Through Community Outreach & Mexican American Pride
Samantha Peralta (she/her) shares with URep Abroad how her Mexican-American heritage and being outside her comfort zone sparked her determination to work in the international education field.
A Conversation with Ashley Jaramillo Cason: Resiliency, Triathlons, and Inspiring Future Colombian Educators
Ashley Jaramillo Cason (she/her) shares with URep Abroad how her Colombian-American identity shaped her worldview and approach to being resilient.
A Conversation with Dr. Miguel Ayllon: Honoring Latino Culture By Valuing People Over Tasks
Dr. Miguel Ayllon (he/him) shares how his Latino heritage guided him as an international educator and how valuing people over tasks helped him find his calling.
We need to talk! A Convo on the Very Real Topic of Intention ≠ Impact in Conversations
To help educators strengthen their skills in intentional and compassionate dialogue, we share why intention does not always equal impact. For the webinar "What to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say."
A Conversation with Emily Falica: Traveling the World with a Disability
Emily Falica (she/her/they) shares with URep Abroad why she took a chance to travel while living with Alpha-Gal, a tick-borne autoimmune disorder.
A Conversation with Maryam Abdul-Qawiyy: The Belizean-American Spirit and the Power of Good Energy
Former Miss Belize Intercontinental, Maryam Abdul-Qawiyy (she/her) shares with URep Abroad how being a Belizean American influences her career and how bringing good vibes can positively influence a crowd.
3 Alternative Ways to Recognize Black Americans During Juneteenth
Juneteenth should be celebrated as a significant moment in U.S. history and used to uplift African Americans. Here are three alternative ways employers can recognize Black Employees during Juneteenth.
A Conversation with Kwame Gayle: Afro Caribbean Pride in International Education
Kwame Gayle (he/his) shares how his identity as a black, Afro-Caribbean, queer immigrant living and working abroad has led him to recognize the inclusive value of "making space for others" while "taking up space" at the table to ensure representation.
A Conversation with Valentina Arecy: Celebrating Haitian Identity and Uplifting Women of Color
URep Abroad interviewed Valentina Arecy (she/her), co-founder and former Vice President of Queens Company, about her professional experiences as a Haitian woman and a first-generation college graduate.
Interview with a CEO: Thai Professional in International Education
URep Abroad interviewed Kwan Segal (she/her), CEO and Founder of ICAway, on how she used her experience as a Thai international student to develop customized training programs to help international students prepare to enter the U.S. professional world.
A Conversation with Ujjaini Sahasrabudhe: Indian Professional in International Education
Ujjaini Sahasrabudhe (she/her) shares her experience building her international education career after relocating to the United States.
Interview with a Global Strategist: Asian Professional in International Education
URep Abroad interviewed Lindsay Kamakahi (she/her) about being a Native Hawaiian and Chinese Global Strategist in International Education.
A Conversation with Samantha Deleon: Filipino-American in International Education
Samantha Deleon (she/her) shares her career journey as a first-generation Filipino American working in international education.
Interview with an Associate Director: Asian Professional in International Education
Felix Wang (he/him) shares his experience as an Associate Director in International Education.
A Conversation with Sallie Ly: Asian American in International Education
Sallie Ly (she/her)shares her experience as a Korean American working in international education.
The Voice of an ESL Instructor: Michael Tseng: Asian American in International Ed.
Michael Tseng (he/him/his) shares his experience as a Chinese American English as a second language (ESL) lecturer.
5 Tips For Recovering From Losing Your Job
This article provides FIVE TIPS for recovering from losing your job and rebuilding your professional confidence!
Fighting Black, Not This Time: A Black Man Taking The Professional High Road In China
He gave his speech not looking at me, and all other eyes were shifting at me, on me and towards me. Never has this happened until it is the Black professor's turn.
Playing “The Game” in the Professional World
The Game teaches you the importance of having “receipts” (meaning, have proof and save those emails!), having allies across departments, building an inventory of favors, and the importance of mentors.
From Anime to Life in International Education
When I was in elementary school, I had no idea that my project of re-creating a Japanese flag would be the driving force to me working in international education.