by Elise Goitia '18

Eunice Shek '18 and Diana Rodriguez '20 attended the Diversity Abroad Global Student Leadership Summit in Miami, Florida, where they had the opportunity to network with professionals, share their study abroad experiences, and attend professional development workshops.

The purpose of the summit is to give students, particularly students of underrepresented groups, a chance to speak freely about their study abroad experiences and to learn how to best use these experiences to make an impact on their campuses and in their career.

This is the second year in a row Knox students have attended the Diversity Abroad Student Leadership Summit. Shek and Rodriguez were accompanied by Student Success Coordinator Laura Bush.

"Having Knox students and faculty participate in the conference shows that Knox cares about all of its students going abroad, which is important for a college dedicated to providing support and assistance to all of its students and their needs," commented Shek.

"For many students of color, the experience of study abroad is not the same as it is in the United States, so the opportunity to discuss that aspect with others who understand what that's like is really important," she added.

"By attending this conference, our students and staff stay connected with other professionals and providers in the [study abroad] field," said Bush.

"The greatest takeaways are the networking, career preparation, and opportunity to reflect on their experiences abroad with other student leaders and return to campus ready to encourage other diverse Knox students to pursue education abroad," she added.

Shek, who studied abroad in Taiwan, Japan, and Ireland, said she was "blown away" by students' and faculties' study abroad experiences.

"In just eight presentations, so much variety was shown that one can't help but be moved by how much people care," she added. "For instance, there was a group of students of color who are in the process of putting together a website called "Words of Wisdom from People Like You," which is designed to be an FAQ/blog for students of diverse backgrounds who are studying abroad."

Shek said that speaking with Pamela Conley, the presenter on the study abroad programs for students who are deaf/hard of hearing, "inspired me to learn Chinese sign language, so that I can potentially be of assistance to international students coming to the United States, not just the other way around."

Shek and Rodriguez received support from the Stellyes Center for Global Studies and a Richter Award to attend the summit.