Imagine enhancing your on campus Concordia education with a semester in England, a fulfilling mission trip, or even an Around-the-World Semester.® The Courier sat down with Faith McKinney, Senior Director, Moon International Center to learn more about future study abroad opportunities as well as how McKinney mixes her love of travel with her passion for working with students.

Q: I understand that as part of this career path, you have to enjoying traveling. Which country has been your favorite? 

A: Well, I’m a little biased because Japan will always be my favorite, because that’s my country. It’s hard to pick a favorite, so I’ll pick a top-five. I love Paris in France, but South Africa is also another incredible country. I love London and the small towns in Germany. 

Q: What advice would you give for a college graduate who is interested in a position like yours? 

A: Unfortunately, there aren’t many study abroad positions out there, so first of all, if you can, find a place that you might want to work and see if you can volunteer first and let them know how valuable you could be. I know a lot of people can’t do that because you need to find a job, so many times study abroad is in the same office as international student services and there are a lot of jobs for those positions. Just getting your foot in the door right now is probably the best place to start. You have to be willing to take a job. Just get your foot in the door and get to learn more things, you may be able to move from there. 

Q: How has COVID-19 affected the program abroad and international?

 A: I’m hoping that by fall of 2022 we’ll be back into the regular swing of things. 

Q: Will the Around-the-World Semester® return? 

A: Yes, if all things go as planned, we’ll do Around-the-World in 2024. We want to do Around-the-World every four years, so a new program will be taking place every alternating year. In 2022 they’re going to do Around-the-USA, and then fall of 2024 will be Around-the-World and then back to Around-the-USA. This is contingent if we get see enough interest.

Q: What steps have you taken to bring back students wanting to travel after COVID-19? A: Get the word out more. We sent out news to students. We held events. Our partner universities are coming and putting up tables to let you know they offer study abroad. We’re really trying to get the word out there and let people know that it’s open. [However students] do need to keep in mind that things may change.

Tags: Q&A, community, Education

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