IES Abroad at The Forum's 2026 Conference (In-person)

For more than 20 years, The Forum’s Conference has provided a space for dialogue exploring the pressing issues facing education abroad. The 2026 Forum Annual Conference will reflect on the history of education abroad, the current state of the field, and trends on the horizon.

IES Abroad looks forward to attending this year's Conference as a Diamond Sponsor. We also welcome you to stop by and meet the team at our tables (404 and 406).
 

In Person Event:

📅 When: March 11-13, 2026
📍 Where: Nashville, Tennessee

Learn More About Forum
 

In-Person IES Abroad Sessions at Forum 

• Thursday March 12, 11:15 Pm CT  | Productive Discomfort: Designing Study Abroad for Growth in an Instant-Access World
  
  Students are arriving abroad with less practice navigating challenge. Technology, social media, and instant access have helped create a more “frictionless” mindset, yet study abroad is inherently the opposite. In this session, we’ll share how we proactively prepare students to be more patient, adaptable, and curious through advising, ENGAGE (Encouraging New Growth About Global Experiences)—IES Abroad’s signature, ongoing orientation program—and intentionally designed on-site experiences that build cultural competence through productive discomfort. We’ll discuss what we’re seeing in how students “show up” today, and the practical ways we respond to support growth and belonging. Participants will also experience an IES Abroad ENGAGE guided exercise firsthand, leaving with a tangible understanding of the approach.
  
  Presenters: Matt Rader, Vice President for Student Life, Health, and Safety
  Meghan Culhane, Director of Advising, IES Abroad
  Rachel Gilman, Health and Student Life Manager, IES Abroad Berlin
• Thursday, March 12, 2026 | 8:45 AM – 9:45 AM CT | Belonging While Abroad – A Paradox to Navigate or a False Promise?
  
  Session Leader:  Jane B. Gunn-Lewis – Arcadia University
  
  Presenters: Brittani Smit – IES Abroad; Maureen Gordon – Temple University
                           Anna Foster – University of Canterbury, NZ
  
  Session: We all know those photos of smiling students abroad with the subtext ‘experience the foreign and make new friends for life’. But are we selling a lie? Many Gen Zs despite their smartphones and eager parents experience more anxiety, depression and loneliness than previous generations. They want new experiences while still belonging. We discuss this paradox and share our strategies for creating new communities at home and abroad, welcoming participants to also share their strategies and successes.
  
  Track: Community and Belonging
• Facilitating Study Abroad for Growth in an Instant-Access World"
  
  Presenters: Jess Denning – Portland State University; Robin Pipkin – IES Abroad

  Session Leader: Matthew Long - IES Abroad
  
  Track: Community and Belonging