What position do you hold at ISA?
Corey: Currently, I am a Senior Program Manager with ISA Degrees Abroad at ISA. I am responsible for advising students who want to complete a full degree abroad at one of our 29 overseas partners in Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K.
I graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in International Development Studies, and knew that international education was a field I wanted to build a career within. I started out working at ISA as a Program Assistant with the Admissions department, and when an opening came up with ISA Degrees Abroad I jumped at the opportunity!
Did YOU study abroad?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?
Corey: Of course I studied abroad! I spent the first semester of my senior year of college at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. I knew that Australia was a country that was on my bucket list, and figured that the best time to discover Australia was on a study abroad program.
I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and wanted to experience living/studying in a city that was the complete opposite of St. Louis. I was pushed beyond my comfort zone, and my experience studying at Macquarie University ultimately led me to my job at ISA!
Which study abroad destination is most underrated?
Corey: I think that one of the most underrated study abroad destinations is South Korea. ISA is consistently sending a large number of students to study in South Korea, but when you look at the overall trends in study abroad South Korea rarely ever makes the top 20! South Korea has everything you could want in a study abroad destination, all within quick, easy access. Plus, you can experience the K-Pop phenomenon in person!
What is one piece of advice you'd offer a returned study abroad student?
Corey: I encourage any returned study abroad student to get involved with your international office as much as you can! Since you had such an amazing experience abroad, why wouldn't you want to share those experiences with other potential study abroad students? Word of mouth is such a powerful tool, and if universities in the US have great study abroad alumni on campus, it will only help the internationalization of that campus.
What makes ISA' programs stand apart from other program options?
Corey: ISA offers an amazing multi-day orientation called the Bridging Cultures Program for all semester/year abroad students. Our Bridging Cultures Program is a core component of the ISA study abroad experience, and was created to introduce students to the local culture and prepare them for their time abroad.
Students get to meet other ISA students before the semester even starts, which means that students automatically have a built-in support network upon arrival. When speaking with alumni about their experience abroad, the Bridging Cultures Program is consistently highlighted.