Changing Lives Through Education Abroad

In this uplifting and much-needed conversation, host Zac Macinnes sits down with Aimee Jones, Director of Education Abroad at Colorado State University, to explore what it truly means to sustain health, balance, and joy in the mission-driven world of international education. Together, Zac and Aimee unpack how leaders can model well-being for their teams, why small acts of recognition matter, and how we can all create cultures of ps...

In this inspiring episode of Changing Lives through Education Abroad, Zac Macinnes sits down with Andrew Gordon, Founder and CEO of DA Global Access Network — the organization formerly known as Diversity Abroad. For nearly twenty years, Andrew has challenged the field of international education to think critically about who gets to go abroad, how access and inclusion are defined, and what real accountability looks like in practice....

Host Zac Macinnes welcomes Ryan Larsen, Ph.D., Senior International Officer and Executive Director of the Office of Global Engagement at Western Washington University, to unpack the history and impact of U.S. State Department Travel Advisories in international education. From their origins and the Lockerbie bombing to today’s Level 1–4 system, Ryan shares insights from his doctoral research and nearly two decades in international e...

In this episode of Changing Lives through Education Abroad, host Zac Macinnes welcomes back Karin Fischer, Senior Writer for The Chronicle of Higher Education, to unpack the shifting policy and regulatory landscape shaping international education in 2025 and beyond. With her journalist’s perspective, Karin sheds light on what's happening in Washington, D.C., state capitols and beyond - and what it means...

Host Zac Macinnes sits down with Sarah E. Spencer, Founder of OnPoint Global Strategies & Coaching and Executive Director of the Global Leadership League. Experienced in leadership, coaching, and organizational strategy, Sarah shares her insights on helping professionals navigate career transitions, build trust across teams, and level up in international education. The conversation explores the unique challenges emerging and es...

WorldStrides Higher Education has officially unveiled a fresh new brand and website for students and partners. In this episode, Zac Macinnes take a peek behind the curtain with Amber Garrett, Vice President of Marketing, to explore what it really takes to reimagine a brand in the international education space. From strategy to launch day and beyond, get the inside scoop on the journey that brought the new WorldStrides Higher Ed to ...

On the season finale of Changing Lives through Education Abroad, host Zac Macinnes is joined by Kate Hellman and Sebastian Fernandes, two leaders from the Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE). Together, they explore CANIE’s grassroots origins, the global momentum behind the CANIE Accords, and how the international education sector can take bold, practical steps toward climate justice. From institutional transf...

What happens when a site visit becomes the catalyst for strategic innovation? In this episode, Ehren Kuzekov, Director of Study Abroad at Grand Valley State University (GVSU), shares how GVSU is reimagining access through strategic cohort programs in Spain, Costa Rica, and South Korea. Ehren reflects on the 2024 Group Site Visit experience lead by WorldStrides and the collaborative campus work that followed. From student support pr...

Join host Zac Macinnes as he sits down with Samantha Brandauer, Associate Provost and Executive Director of the Center for Global Study and Engagement at Dickinson College. They will dig into how study abroad and fair trade go hand in hand—supporting ethical practices, empowering local communities, and shaping thoughtful global citizens. This episode gives real examples of how students and universities can make travel more intentio...

In this episode of Changing Lives through Education Abroad, host Zac Macinnes sits down with Meg Ramey, Ph.D., founder and Executive Director of WorldKind and winner of the inaugural  Forum on Education Abroad InnovateEA award. This discussion explores how instructional design and gamified eLearning are transforming pre-departure orientations. With a background in academia, international education, and instructional design, Meg sha...

In this episode of Changing Lives through Education Abroad, host Zac Macinnes explores the unique challenges and opportunities faced by rural students in accessing international experiences. Joined by Kate Wray Chettri, Director of Education Abroad at the University of Idaho, the conversation delves into practical strategies for overcoming financial and cultural barriers, helping students embrace the power of strong community ties,...

In this episode of Changing Lives through Education Abroad, host Zac Macinnes sits down with Melissa Torres, President & CEO of the Forum on Education Abroad, to discuss her path to leadership, the Forum's evolving role in our field, and the future of education abroad. With insights into the upcoming annual conference in Toronto and new initiatives like the Beyond Polarization Residency, this conversation is a must-listen for a...

Today we take a deep dive into what we mean when we talk about location and purposeful learning in education abroad. Join Host Zac Macinnes and Paul Geis, Director of Education Abroad and Away at the University of Dayton, for a thoughtful exploration of the concept of study through a lens of city as culture shock. Tune in to hear tips for practitioners to support students in centering their intercultural experience around engaged l...

In this episode, Host Zac Macinnes sits down with Mandy Reinig, Director of Education Abroad at Coastal Carolina University, for an insightful conversation unpacking what practitioners need to know about advising students in 2025. Takeaways include techniques and technologies to cultivate a culture of empowered advising, effectively reach Gen Z, and leverage AI in our daily work. Join us for  Mandy’s tips to stay ahead of the curve...

Mutual understanding is critical in today’s interconnected world, and study abroad is essential in working towards this goal. Join Host Zac Macinnes and guest Kelly McGee, Ph.D., director of the Center for Global Programs at Denison University, for a discussion on encouraging students to consider the route less traveled. Kelly shares tips around embracing challenges and discomfort as growth, coaching students outside of their comfo...

In the season 5 premiere of Changing Lives Through Education Abroad, join host Zac Macinnes for a vibrant discussion on why Spain is more popular than ever for U.S. study abroad students. Zac welcomes three seasoned experts from WorldStrides Higher Ed Spain—Pedro Pérez Polo (Sevilla), Genoveva García Gallardo (Bilbao), and Cristina Canales Contador (Barcelona)—to discuss the history of study abroad in Spain, contemporary trends, an...

Leadership takes many forms; today’s dialogue with Kate Scott, Director of Programs Abroad in the Center for Global Engagement at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, highlights the power of introverts in international education. Come to hear Host Zac Macinnes sit down with Kate to unpack how to embody authenticity, create community, build trust and make space for teams to be their most effective. Stay to learn how to utilize se...

Join Host Zac Macinnes for an uplifting conversation with Sora Friedman, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, International and Global Education, of the SIT Graduate Institute, with a focus on empowering the next generation of leaders in our field. Sora shares tips to overcome common challenges, strategies for those in positions of influence be thinking and acting inclusively, with insights around gender. Tune in to learn more about how men...