Global Hub Highlights features EHE faculty, staff, and students who lead or participate in international programs. This series showcases the importance and reach of international engagement across the EHE community.
Samuel R. Hodge
Faculty, Human Sciences, Kinesiology
Location/Program names: Brasília, Brazil (2015, 2016, 2018); Campinas, Brazil (2013); Florianópolis, Brazil (2012); Natal, Brazil (2012); São Carlos, Brazil (2013); Manizales, Colombia (2021); and Medellín, Colombia (2019, 2022).
Length/duration: Each of these professional development workshops lasted 2 to 3 days.
Purpose of stay: Professional development of teachers and professional preparation of teacher candidates.
Goals/objectives: Prepare teachers and teacher candidates for working effectively with students with disabilities.
Where/How did you find this experience?
“Local contacts.”
In your opinion, what makes this global experience special or unique?
“The opportunity to share information and exchange knowledge cross-culturally with our global partners as well as with teacher workforces across countries; and the invaluable and truly irreplaceable experiences engaged in by our graduate students.”
What is one favorite story or memory you have of this experience?
“We have many favorite memories from the multiple professional development opportunities, but each memory is centered in bonding relationships.”
What is a piece of advice you would give to your peers/colleagues who are considering pursuing a global experience or program?
“Fully embrace the culture and people.”
Photos provided by Samuel R. Hodge
Natalie Moran
Undergraduate student, Fashion and Retail Studies
Program Name: Multicultural Histories and Legacies of Rome: Classics, Colosseums and Cathedrals (Spring Break 2022)
Purpose of Program: To learn about where my family is from
How did you find out about this experience?:
“An email from the GO EHE program.”
In your opinion, what makes this global experience special or unique?
“The people. I was so nervous to travel to another country with other students that I barely knew the names of. We all came from different backgrounds, races, ages, and sexual orientations, yet we all became so close because of how inclusive and open everyone was. They made the trip so special and I now consider some of them my best and lifelong friends.”
What is one favorite story or memory you have of this experience?:
“Seeing the Sistine Chapel and Vatican in person was the most moving experience I’ve ever had in my life. I’ll never forget the impact the beautiful architecture and art had on my faith. My mom, whose grandparents were all born in Italy, has talked about visiting the country her whole life. She also grew up Catholic so when I FaceTimed her at St. Peter’s Basilica she started crying and it made me appreciate the experience even more.”
What is a piece of advice you would give to your peers who are considering pursuing a global experience or program?:
“First, try to learn as much as possible about the country’s cultural behaviors and norms, as well as the language they speak. This will help one fit in more and be able to speak with the locals, which I wish I could have done more of while I was abroad. Second, triple check that you have all your forms needed to fly and enter another country (for example, your vaccine card). Third, sleep on the plane as long as you can because you’re not going to get any sleep when you’re there. Be prepared to be constantly running around and doing stuff. Most importantly, be open to new experiences and people.”
Photos provided by Natalie Moran
Ann A. O’Connell
Professor, Educational Studies, Quantitative Research, Evaluation and Measurement
Program Name: Ethiopia, Addis Ababa University
Purpose of Program: Teaching and Research
Goals/Objectives: Building linkages between AAU and OSU
How did you find this experience?:
“OSU/OIA and our exceptional Fulbright office!”
In your opinion, what makes this global experience special or unique?:
“I’ve been working with colleagues and teaching in Ethiopia for about 10 years now. My Fulbright Scholar Award made it possible for me and my family to live in Addis Ababa for 7 months, and my daughters were able to attend the International School in Addis. This was an amazing time for each of us. Ethiopia is a beautiful country, rich in cultural and religious history. My youngest daughter is from Ethiopia so being able to live there for a time was incredibly meaningful. I taught research methodology and statistics courses at Addis Ababa University and worked on research projects with faculty and many different students across the College of Education and Behavioral Studies – primarily doctoral and masters students in STEM Education and in the School of Psychology.
The friendships and professional relationships I’ve formed during this time have had a profound influence on my life and work. Several of my students and colleagues at OSU and elsewhere have also been able to visit AAU for lectures, workshops, conferences, working with students, and expanding their research and professional networks. Most importantly, I’ve been able to deepen my own understanding of the many challenges faced daily by so many in Ethiopia, and I hope I’ve made a difference to some.
Currently I have two active research projects with colleagues at Addis Ababa University and OSU. One is a survey-based project designed to understand quantitative methodology training opportunities and skills development for PhD students at AAU and several other universities. We’ll be presenting findings from our survey at the upcoming EHE Research Forum. I also received an EHE Dean’s Initiative Grant for research in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) and for knowledge exchange in quantitative methodology and ECCE research and practice. Among our goals for each of these projects is the advancement of methodological and research skills among AAU doctoral students and supporting opportunities for collaborative research between AAU and OSU students and faculty.”
What is one favorite story or memory you have of this experience?:
“I have so many! During my Fulbright, one of my students, Susie Mauck, came to teach a workshop on SPSS, and a colleague from FSU, Dr. Yaacov Petscher, came at the same time to give a lecture and serve as an external examiner for one of my PhD AAU students. We visited the National Museum in Addis to see Lucy, and a long line of early grade students – maybe 1st and 2nd graders – were also waiting to see Lucy. Yaacov had them all laughing despite our language barrier, and the joy of these children to be on their field trip and to meet us “foreigners” is one of my favorite memories. And now, the student that Yaacov examined for his dissertation is the Dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Studies at AAU, Dr. Yekoyealem Desie. In 2019 Yekoye was awarded a 4-month Civil Society Scholar Award to visit and lecture at OSU/EHE. He arrived in late January 2020, although ended up having to go back home early to his family after only a few weeks due to the disruptions of Covid-19. Fortunately, our knowledge exchange and research efforts continue via distance education.”
What is a piece of advice you would give to your peers/colleagues who are considering pursuing a global experience or program?:
“Go and change your world. Fulbright has many different programs that provide opportunities for faculty, administrators, graduate students, and undergraduates – for US Scholars and in support of Scholars from other countries. For many years now, OSU has been a top producer of Fulbright Scholars in the US. OSU’s Office of International Affairs has an excellent Fulbright program with many resources to ensure your application is as competitive as possible. Ms. Joanna Kukielka-Blaser at OIA, as well as our excellent EHE global engagement team, can help you identify opportunities and offer critical review of your application materials. I also taught in the Peace Corps in Tanzania for two-and-a-half years, and I’m a mom, so it’s hard to say Fulbright was the best or most rewarding experience I’ve ever had. But all experiences that expand our view of the world and challenge our perceptions and privileges equip us to be better teachers, better learners, and better neighbors. So go, and change your world.”
Photos provided by Ann A. O’Connell
Julius W. Mayo III
Assistant Director of Academic Initiatives, University Housing- Office of Student Life, Instructor
Location: Europe
Purpose of stay: Component of Global Leadership Course
In your opinion, what makes this global experience special or unique?:
“Multicultural Histories and Legacies courses use experiential learning opportunities related to service, learning, and leadership in local, national, and global contexts to explore the leadership concept of social change. For many students, the class is either a capstone experience or a memorable component of their ongoing participation with the yearlong MUNDO (Multicultural Understanding through Nontraditional Discovery) learning initiative coordinated by Residence Life at Ohio State. Participants in the Multicultural Histories and Legacies course examine the often complex and challenging issues they have explored in workshops, local field trips, and dialogue sessions in global contexts. Along the way, they develop a more nuanced understanding of and appreciation for the dynamic nature of our constantly changing world.”
What is one favorite story or memory you have of this experience?:
“While engaging in a dialogue with a British Muslim organization on how to dismantle Islamophobia both in the U.S.and the United Kingdom students from one of our class cohorts were featured on British national television.”
What is a piece of advice you would give to your peers/colleagues who are considering pursuing a global experience or program?:
“Be open to new understandings about yourself and others. As we move about the larger context of our world through in-person or virtual travel, flexibility becomes essential to engaging with and learning from differing perspectives, ideas, and viewpoints.”
Photos provided by Julius W Mayo III
Miriam Shenkar
Post Doc Scholar
Location: Germany
Purpose of stay: History of the Holocaust – How to teach
In your opinion, what makes this global experience special or unique?:
“I was so impressed by the school we visited in Germany and the way in which they incorporated knowledge about the Holocaust in their curriculum. I was able to write a chapter about this experience for a book (Peace Education from the Grass Roots, 2013) as well as propose a course for teachers at OSU. In addition, I was able to participate in the making of a documentary film (2020-2021).”
What is one favorite story or memory you have of this experience?:
“Meeting the Mayor of the area (Marrkleeberg) as well as many teachers and translators of Holocaust material. The enormous civic engagement around the topic was impressive, and a mini opera was even prepared in advance of our visit (on one of the topics of study).”
What is a piece of advice you would give to your peers/colleagues who are considering pursuing a global experience or program?:
“International experiences are so important towards the goal of “making the exotic familiar and the familiar exotic” (as described in the study by Joseph Tobin et al., Preschools in Three Cultures, various editions).”
Ivan Stefano
Director of ESL Programs, Teaching and Learning
Program Name: TraVerse English Language Training
Purpose of Program: English for Occupational Purposes
How did you find this experience?:
“We were contacted by a large Japanese automotive manufacturing company in North America, who was looking for a creative solution to provide a customized online English program.”
In your opinion, what makes this global experience special or unique?:
“The TraVerse English Language Program is an English program designed to meet the needs of professional working in the automotive industry. We offer Business English and Life English taught by Yuko Ellis, and Communication Exchange taught by Brian Sealey. These courses are designed to help with their language proficiency and cultural understanding both in and outside of the workplace.
The course materials are created specifically for learners in the automotive industry who came to the U.S. and Canada from Japan and provided in both English and Japanese. Additionally, we help our learners with navigating life in the U.S and Canada by instilling confidence in their use of English. Topics that we cover range from networking in the workplace, preparing for business presentations, giving feedback to their coworkers, to communicating with school teachers about their children’s performance, discussing their hobbies, and more.
To accommodate their busy schedules, we provide online English courses in one-on-one and small group settings and the learners can choose from a wide range of time slots in the mid afternoon to early evening hours. The small group classes allow the learners to connect with one another and to build a community among themselves.”
What is one favorite story or memory you have of this experience?:
“Even though TraVerse is an online program, before the Covid-19 pandemic we had the opportunities to visit our learners in their work locations in Indiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Ontario, Canada. This was a highlight because we were able to teach English through interactive in-person lessons and to connect with the learners more personally. We learned so much about what they did for the company and what they did outside of work through friendly and engaging conversations. What they shared with us gave us invaluable insights that we used during the content redesign.”
What is a piece of advice you would give to your peers/colleagues who are considering pursuing a global experience or program?:
“If an opportunity presents itself, pursue it. What may start as a proposal can turn into an enriching and rewarding experience. We have taken part in various special international programs in ESL over the years and each program builds new bridges and creates unforgettable memories.”
Photos provided by Ivan Stefano
Jenna Azotea
Education Abroad Specialist
Location: Italy
Purpose of stay: Language Study and Language Teaching
In your opinion, what makes this global experience special or unique?
“I had two highly impactful experiences: The first was a study abroad program to Lecce, Italy as an Ohio State University undergraduate student in 2013. I studied Italian language and culture for two months. The second was a three-month teaching position in Iseo, Italy where I taught English to Italian high school students in 2016 after I graduated from Ohio State. What made both experiences special was that they were not in widely known areas of Italy, giving me a unique view into the country. In both experiences I also lived with host families for the duration of my stay.”
What is one favorite story or memory you have of this experience?:
“One of my favorite memories was trying to bake chocolate chip cookies for my host family– it went horribly wrong! While I am a fairly proficient baker at home, I struggled to find ingredients in the grocery store, convert my recipe from cups to grams, and use a new oven with Celsius as the default. My host family commended my efforts, even though the results yielded flat, burnt cookies. This was one of many times abroad where I realized and had to take a step back and slow down while learning to navigate something new.”
What is a piece of advice you would give to your peers/colleagues who are considering pursuing a global experience or program?:
“If you are able, try to learn at least a few basic words/phrases in the language of the area you are visiting and, more importantly, try to use it! Even if you are not communicating perfectly, most locals will appreciate that you are making an effort to speak in their language and you will walk away with a better understanding of someone else’s culture. Taking a risk and going abroad changed my entire career trajectory and I hope to help the EHE community find their own impactful experiences.”
Photos provided by Jenna Azotea
