What travel or educational experiences of your own inspired you to start working for USAC?
Unfortunately, I did not have a proper study abroad experience myself. The " erasmus " program was just starting when I was in college and, at that time, it was not so popular to study abroad. But I did have the interest in travelling, studying in a foreign country and eventually working abroad, so when I finished my university studies, I completed my Masters at the University of Stirling, in Scotland, and also worked as a professor in the U.S. for three years. These experiences had a great influence on me and led me naturally to work in the study abroad field.
Enjoying the walking tour in the Granada field trip
Since you’ve studied abroad in Scotland yourself, what is your best piece of advice for students contemplating study abroad?
First of all, they need to think about what their priorities are and what program offers the best opportunities for their career. It is an important decision and they need to do a lot of research first: think carefully about the area of the world where they want to go, the country, the right city, the cost of the programs, what kind of housing is provided, if the credits would transfer to their home universities etc. This is crucial to have a successful study abroad experience.
In a more personal realm, they need to have an open mind and be ready to accept that things will be different from what they are used to at home. And this is exactly the purpose of study abroad: experience the different cultures of a diverse world. It would be a waste of time and money if we were not challenged, if we found the same kind of things that we have at home. We certainly do not want this. To have an open mind, not to be defensive, to take an active role and participate in all the activities provided by the program, to have realistic expectations...all this will be very useful advice for future study abroad students.
Why do you think USAC is distinct from other study-abroad program providers?
Basically, it stems from the fact that USAC is not a " provider" but a non-profit Consortium of American Universities that offers academically credible programs in nontraditional locations, not in touristic locations. And, as a university-based organization, our main goal is to provide affordable study abroad opportunities.
I have been working for USAC for 17 years and one of the things that I value most is how stable our programs are. The staff in the central office, the Resident Directors abroad, and the professors in the different programs have been working for many years and this contributes greatly to the the success of USAC as an organization. The longevity of our agreements with our host institutions is also another factor that pushes in the same direction of making our programs so reliable, predictable, and successful.
Spending time with students in a local radio station
What activities/programs do you organize for students to help them enjoy their stay in Alicante?
We offer a wide array of informal and formal activities to enrich the student's experience abroad and immerse them in the host culture and local community: Internships, service learning, volunteering, conversation partners, USAC clubs for soccer, running, hiking and cinema, cultural visits to museums, cuisine and folk dance classes, field trips etc. We even have a Morocco Field Study tour in the Spring semester.. And we are very proud of our Teacher Assistant Program with paid positions as English Teachers in local schools of Alicante.
What is the best thing students gain from studying abroad in Alicante?
A sense of independence, which is a great achievement in my opinion. And they learn to value our relaxing way of life. We are a program in a Mediterranean city, and the Mediterranean way of life is something that our students love. The food, our busy streets, plazas, markets, the fantastic beaches, the sunny weather...It is a perfect environment for our students. And Spanish of course, we offer very intensive language courses in one of the most beautiful campuses of Spain.
Running a marathon with the USAC Alicante running club
How do you constantly continue to improve your program and the experience you provide to students?
At the end of each session our students evaluate both the program and the courses they take. This is vital information for us because it helps us see what our strengths are and what can be done to improve the quality of our courses, field trips, housing etc. For instance, we have introduced the Morocco Field Study tour because we noticed that our students were very interested in visiting this country and we thought that Alicante, sharing so much in common with the other side of the Mediterranean, was the perfect program to implement a field study like this one. We have also increased our effort to provide more courses for Spanish Majors, especially in literature and linguistic fields. And starting next year, we are introducing new courses for Spanish heritage speakers, a group of students with specific needs. These are just examples on how we constantly try to improve our program and the experiences of our students.
What makes study abroad a “life-changing” experience in your opinion?
It really is a life changing experience: study abroad helps you grow as an individual, learn about yourself, gain new perspective of the world, and demonstrate your adaptability. But, in a more practical aspect, it also helps you to distinguish yourself and make you more marketable for future employers as it opens doors to job connections, business opportunities etc.
With students on the Morocco Field Study
If you could participate in one of USAC’s programs, which one would you choose and why?
I would go to our new program of Montevideo, Uruguay! Great country, great city, a wonderful and experienced Resident Director!
Why do you enjoy working for USAC?
I have met many of my best friends through USAC, some of the most devoted, enthusiastic people I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with. I work with wonderful students, full of vitality and eager to know and experience new things. I work with Visiting Professors from all over the U.S. who come and teach in our program and also with the representative of our affiliated universities. It is a fantastic international environment. And USAC allows me to travel all over the world... What else can you expect?
