Regional Seminar in Berlin Strengthens Collaboration and Tools for Supporting Education Abroad Students

5/8/2025

Education abroad professionals from across Europe and the United States gathered in Berlin on April 25, 2025, for a one-day Regional Seminar hosted by The Forum on Education Abroad. Titled Today’s Challenges are Tomorrow’s Opportunities: Supporting Cultural Engagement and Student Resiliency during the Education Abroad Experience, the seminar focused on equipping participants with tools to better support students navigating cultural difference and personal growth abroad.

Co-hosted by Indiana University’s Europe Gateway and CIEE Berlin, the event was held at CIEE’s Berlin Center and brought together a dynamic mix of university staff, program providers, and faculty.

A Day of Dialogue and Skill-Building

Participants engaged in five sessions covering key areas of practice delivered by speakers representing U.S. and European universities, education abroad providers, and service providers:

Decoding Today’s Students: Expectations, Trends, and Institutional Influence
Fostering Accountability: Empowering Students to Own Their Well-Being and Growth
Designing Co-Curricular Experiences for Meaningful Cultural Engagement
Culturally Responsive Curricula: Strategies for the International Classroom
Charting the Path Forward: Collaborative Reflections and Action Planning

Each session prompted in-depth discussion and knowledge-sharing on how to foster student growth through challenge and support, particularly when students encounter new cultural contexts. “The program gave participants space to reflect on the role each of us plays in helping students challenge themselves to learn and grow through immersive experiential learning,” said Amelia Dietrich, Ph.D., Senior Director for Research and Publications at The Forum. “It was inspiring to see so many experienced professionals share strategies for helping students grow—academically and as citizens of our global community.”

Strengthening Partnerships and Elevating Voices Across Europe

The Berlin Regional Seminar also highlighted The Forum’s continued investment in partnerships with institutions and staff outside of the United States. “This event underscores our commitment to growing relationships with institutions and onsite staff who are doing the work to support and guide students each day of their education abroad experience,” said Marissa Lombardi, Ed.D., Vice President and Chief Learning Officer at The Forum. “Regional Seminars like this help us strengthen the global network that supports students in achieving meaningful, transformative experiences through education abroad.”

“It was a pleasure to welcome this community of practitioners to the IU Europe Gateway in Berlin,” said Katrin Völkner, Director of the Gateway. “With support from CIEE Berlin, we were able to bring together partners and colleagues who are deeply engaged in improving the quality and impact of education abroad.”

During closing reflections, Miguel Elias Ayllon, Associate Vice President for International Affairs at Indiana University, shared several key takeaways from the day, including: “We must understand the key role that each of us plays in the tension between challenge and support [of students studying abroad] and how we strike a balance that encourages student learning and resilience.”

Bringing Professional Development Closer to You

Regional Seminars are a core part of The Forum’s mission to meet members where they are—particularly onsite staff who work directly with students navigating unfamiliar cultures, academic systems, and personal growth while studying abroad. Designed by and for education abroad professionals and faculty, these events offer space for learning, networking, and collaboration around topics relevant to specific regions. Join us in Rabat on May 17, 2025, for our next seminar, with additional events to be announced soon.

Interested in hosting a Regional Seminar? Learn more about what’s involved and submit your proposal online.

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