Amplifying Voices in Europe: A Special Issue of Frontiers

2/14/2025

The recently released special issue of Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to amplify European voices in education abroad scholarship. The idea for this issue, U.S. Study Abroad: The View from Europe, emerged from discussions at the first European Institute in November 2023, which was co-hosted by The Forum on Education Abroad and the European Association of Study Abroad (EUASA).

While European on-site staff play a crucial role in the success of study abroad programs, their perspectives have historically been underrepresented in scholarship. "Perhaps the most profound takeaway was that, due to our professional, academic, and legal obligations locally, we constantly engage—and at times must defend—cross-cultural perspectives. Yet, we collectively recognize how our sector is still uniquely dominated by U.S. ways of thinking and operating," noted guest editors Stephen Robinson, Kelly Bohan, Julia Carnine, and Ariadne Ferro in issue’s introduction.

This special issue brings together European practitioners and scholars to share insights on a range of pressing topics, including:

Climate action and sustainability
Legal and structural considerations
The roles and responsibilities of on-site staff
Convergences and divergences between student and staff perspectives on cultural adaptation and identity issues
The influence of social media
Academic considerations in study abroad

A Webinar to Celebrate the Special Issue

To mark the release of this landmark issue, The Forum hosted a webinar on February 13, featuring the guest editors and leading voices in the field. The discussion provided a forum to explore the current state of education abroad scholarship in Europe and reflect on the collaborative research that made the issue possible.

Speakers included:

Marissa Lombardi, Ed.D., Vice President and Chief Learning Officer, The Forum on Education Abroad
Stephen Robinson, Ph.D., Director and Professor, Champlain College Dublin; Chair, EUASA
Kelly Bohan, Program Coordinator, Brown in Paris; Secretary, EUASA Board
Julia Carnine, Ph.D., Academic Director, Dickinson en France
Ariadne Ferro, Ph.D., Faculty, IE University and CEA CAPA Education Abroad
Amelia Dietrich, Ph.D., Senior Director for Research and Publications, The Forum on Education Abroad; Managing Editor, Frontiers

“Because of their direct access to the people and places that are the subject of education abroad scholarship, our on-site colleagues in Europe are able to observe the impact of our scholarly work in real time,” said Dr. Dietrich. “This perspective allows them to ask unique and interesting research questions that we hope to continue to amplify in Frontiers.” During the webinar, panelists emphasized that supporting opportunities for on-site scholar-practitioners not only enhances their job satisfaction and professional development but also improves the quality and innovation of education abroad research.

Amplifying On-Site Voices in Print and in Person

This special issue underscores the importance of integrating European perspectives into the broader discourse on education abroad. The guest editors are hopeful that the issue amplifies the fact that non-U.S. perspectives are valuable and should be a greater part of the field’s academic landscape.

This just the beginning of a broader effort to ensure that voices from both the United States and abroad contribute equitably to education abroad professional development programming and scholarship. The second European Institute will take place in Bologna, Italy, from November 13-14 at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) to continue these conversations and more.

About Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad

Frontiers is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published and sponsored by The Forum on Education Abroad. It serves as a platform for advancing research and dialogue in the field. Read the special issue, U.S. Study Abroad - The View from Europe, now – it is free and open to all. Publishing scholarship and research in Frontiers is also open to all; practitioners and scholars do not need a special invitation to contribute. Learn more about submitting your research.

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