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We had the opportunity to be part of the CCID's (Community Colleges for International Development) annual conference in Washington, DC and it was magnificent. Being able to witness the community colleges' efforts and available opportunities that are being offered to students through Global Education has impressed us.
A takeaway from the conference was the importance of encouraging students and schools to apply to exchange programs, and realizing that all of us (humans) learn better by interacting with other cultures, facing challenges, and hearing from each other (students advising students, professors sharing their experiences abroad, the existence and support of associations, schools, and organizations from different countries willing to make global education happen.
Fabiola enjoyed listening to students with disabilities and other challenges who successfully studied abroad, and she enjoyed having the opportunity to meet people from different countries (Ireland, Denmark, Spain, Mexico), just to mention some of them. She also established a connection with the Mexican Association for International Education (AMPEI), which has a mission to strengthen the bond between countries and institutions.
A highlight for Neriman was how Davidson-Davie Community College has a great relationship with other community colleges and a strong reputation—so much so that several people told her they really like Davidson-Davie.
She also established connections with French schools, potentially offering Davidson-Davie students the opportunity to study in France for one or two semesters, either to pursue a specific subject or to learn the French language.
Órla enjoyed connecting with inspiring individuals from community colleges across the US, showcasing the benefits of the FLTA program, and engaging with attendees from institutions in Ireland who offer exchange opportunities to US students. In particular, she met with Dr. Niamh Hamill and John O'Connell of Institute of Study Abroad Ireland who are looking forward to hosting another group from Davidson-Davie in Fall 2025 and who provided the opportunity for a jig at Irish Night!
She also learned about how to capitalise on students' content creation skills to promote study abroad opportunities on various social media platforms. Equally intriguing were the different teaching methods for long multiplication from Japan, Russia and China which she learned during the Faculty Form.
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