Global Student Leadership SummitThe Global Student Leadership Summit (GSLS) is the premier student leadership conference that prepares participants with leadership skills and global competencies so that they can thrive in […]
Preparing students for study abroad requires collaborative and tailored approaches. This session discusses comprehensive strategies that improve readiness and promote successful experiences in Europe.
This session explores how global experiential learning can be harnessed to support career readiness, especially for students from marginalized backgrounds. Using a case study from SIT’s Internship Module in Amsterdam, “International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender”, attendees will examine how equity-centered internships and field-based experiences promote not only workplace skills but also personal empowerment and belonging. The discussion will highlight strategies to help students, particularly LGBTQIA+ individuals and others facing systemic barriers, transition confidently from college to career. Participants will also learn how to develop global and local networks to support both student and professional growth. At the end of this session , attendees will be able to:
Addressing the mental health needs of diverse U.S. students is essential for their success abroad. This session focuses on proactive strategies to support student wellness in European educational environments.
Recruiting underserved students requires unique strategies to address their needs and barriers. This session explores how institutions can better connect with these students for both study abroad and full-degree programs.
The United States has been historically a popular destination for students seeking to study abroad. Current controversies around “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” (DEI) have created confusion about what this work entails, who these efforts are targeted to and general concerns about safety for students of particular marginalized identities.
This session seeks to demystify equity, inclusion, belonging and accessibility as work that serves everyone without preference or prejudice. Participants will explore the concept of intersecting identities and learn strategies to help European students understand how various aspects of culture and identity will enhance their experiences at U.S. colleges or universities.
Attendees will also examine the historical context of college and university access in the United States, exploring how diversity has evolved over time with intentionality and impact to serve everyone. While this work continues to face increased scrutiny, the need for engagement, equity, and access for all students remains critical in a global society.
Providing effective and inclusive support is key to fostering academic success for U.S. students in Europe. This session discusses strategies European institutions are using to ensure all students thrive academically and personally.
In the ever evolving landscape of global learning and study abroad—especially for those advancing justice and equity with dignity and intention—the emotional, physical, and spiritual toll of this work can quietly accumulate. This session invites participants to pause and reflect on self-care and their own sustainability. Drawing on wisdom from holistic cultural frameworks shared throughout our diasporas, Ayurvedic traditions, and collective care frameworks like Ubuntu, we will explore how to restore joy, energy, and meaning within our professional practice. Through embodied exercises, storytelling, and intentional dialogue, we will name what sustains us, identify what drains us, and begin to braid personal and communal practices of nourishment back into our lives.
Participants will leave with at least one personalized strategy or daily ritual to support their own well-being while continuing to lead transformative global learning experiences for others.
On-site engagement with local communities offers invaluable opportunities for cultural and experiential learning. This session will explore how European institutions can deepen students’ understanding through meaningful collaborations with diverse populations. Participants will gain practical tips and strategies for engaging local communities when developing and implementing experiential learning programs. Using the city of Barcelona as a case study, we will examine the benefits and impact of such engagement on students, institutions, and the local community.
Drawing from expertise in the Spanish context, this session explores how identity, privilege, and cultural awareness shape international education experiences. Through a social justice approach, we will present practical strategies to help students recognize and analyze social dynamics across different cultural contexts.
This session focuses on how diverse student identities intersect with classroom experiences during study abroad, particularly in European academic contexts. As U.S. students engage in international coursework, they may encounter unfamiliar academic norms, limited representation, or differing cultural understandings of identity, race, and inclusion. This session will explore how faculty, staff, and institutions can proactively foster inclusive, respectful, and academically enriching classroom environments. Participants will examine the structural and interpersonal dynamics that impact students’ ability to fully participate, learn, and thrive in international classrooms—and gain tools to create learning spaces where all students feel seen, supported, and empowered. By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Financial challenges often deter underserved U.S. students from participating in study abroad. This session will highlight creative funding strategies and best practices to increase access for these populations.
Integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into international education programs enhances their global impact. This session explores how SDG-focused curricula prepare students and educators for responsible and informed global citizenship..
Join a seasoned study abroad director and two program alums as they share their stories, effective strategies, easy-to-implement practices, and the measurable outcomes that result from incorporating student voices in the development of inclusive support services onsite. In this deep-dive session, we invite you to engage in the exercise of validating the lived experiences of recent graduates whose identities span a range of both visible and invisible identities that we often encounter among our student cohorts, and of translating those experiences into concrete strategies. More specifically, based on both research findings and direct personal experiences, we will:
Global education experiences in Europe equip students with unique skills for careers in public and private sectors. This session highlights how these experiences translate into employability and career preparedness.