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Dear Partners,

As the war in the Ukraine continues to unfold, we wanted to provide you with an update on how API is responding to these tragic and horrific events. First, our hearts and minds continue to be with those who are needlessly suffering as a result of this unprovoked invasion of a peaceful, sovereign nation. As we watch families being displaced from their homes and fighting for their lives with all of the courage and love that they are showing towards each other, we realize how important it is for people around the world to support them in any way possible. 

I noted with awe the number of amazing charities to which our employees and our college and university partners are donating to support the Ukrainian people. This is very much aligned with our purpose and values to put people at the center of everything we do. As such, API has made the decision to match every employee donation to support Ukraine. It is incredibly inspiring to see how all of you have responded, and we are honored and privileged to be part of this community of educators.

We will continue monitoring the Ukraine war in real-time for the safety of our students. At this point in time, all of our students are in good hands and are safely completing their spring session programs. Below, please find more details about the steps we are taking to ensure the health and safety of our students who are currently on programs. 

Again, I want to thank all of you for everything you do! We are so honored to be part of this incredible community –  you make all the hard work worthwhile.

Sincerely, 

Patrick

Ensuring the Health and Safety of our Students

API continues to monitor the situation in Ukraine in order to ensure the health and safety of our participants. Although API does not have programming in either Russia or Ukraine, we are closely monitoring this situation in real-time, particularly with regard to our programs in bordering Hungary and Poland. Our spring session programs in nearby countries have been proceeding without interruption. The health and safety of our participants are our highest priority, and we always work to ensure that our participants can safely and comfortably continue in their program. In consultation with our teams and resources on-site, as well as analysis from our insurance travel security provider, the OSAC, and the U.S. State Department, we do not feel that there is any need to modify our current or future programming at this time. The U.S. State Department has not altered its travel advice for any neighboring countries of Ukraine. 

All of our participants in the region have been informed of the situation and given the following advice:

• Do not travel to Ukraine. 
• When you do take independent trips, pay attention to the news so you will be informed of any developments that might impact your travel. 
• Be sure you’ve reported your independent travel to API. 
• As always, we advise that you avoid any public demonstrations, and this would include anything related to this conflict. 
• Stay on top of your emails and text messages, especially any from your Resident Director(s) or other API staff members. If you are asked to respond to the message, do so promptly.
• Our Resident Directors are in frequent contact with our students to reassure them of our support and ensure they are aware of any developments. 

We will continue to closely monitor this developing situation, and we will send updates as needed to keep you informed.   

As always, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

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Twenty years ago today (August 15, 2001), I walked into the API office to begin what I thought was a job. Little did I know that when I opened that door I was taking my first steps into a career that would span two decades, nor did I anticipate that this position would lead to lifelong friendships with individuals who have enriched my life exponentially and who have become like family to me. Perhaps most importantly of all, that day began a journey that would allow me to help multiple generations of students pursue life-changing international opportunities.

My tenure began with a fateful trip to Italy with API President, Jennifer Attal Allen. I was on the island of Sicily on September 11, 2001, and would remain in Italy until U.S. borders reopened. In that time I saw the kindness of strangers who welcomed me into their homes to contact my family who lived in the D.C. area, who refused payment for what at the time was an extremely costly phone call. Despite the language barrier and my inability to articulate my fears about my loved ones, somehow emotions and basic human compassion transcended any linguistic obstacles. That is perhaps one of the most monumental moments of my life and truly reinforced how beautiful humanity can be, regardless of our differences.

The first fourteen years of my life were spent abroad, due to the careers of my parents. I lived in 4 wildly different countries as a child, and 7 of those years were spent attending a school in Vienna, Austria where over 100 nationalities were represented within the student body, a product of the United Nations branch in the city. I literally grew up benefiting from the richness of cultural differences and exposed to the diversity of nationality, race, religion, and more. I took for granted this incredible blessing and the perspective it provided; namely, life is better when you can learn from others unlike yourself, and when friendships are built across cultural and political boundaries. 

My childhood exposure to people from a multitude of backgrounds ingrained in me a deep desire to work to foster greater intercultural understanding, as I so greatly enjoyed living among and learning from people whose heritages, world views and cultural lenses, traditions, and cultural norms are so vastly different from my own. This environment produced an open-mindedness and appreciation of differences for me and my peers, so it has been my life’s goal to facilitate that same opportunity for future generations. Somehow, the fates aligned and allowed me to pursue that dream through my work at API.

If I had to name my favorite part of my job, it is the chance to work with our students, both prior to and following their term abroad. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing how international education has impacted the student, their family, and their community, and the fact that my work may have played a tiny role in their journey is profoundly moving. I was privileged to work with our alumni for many years, and they have inspired me and taught me more than I could ever have imagined. Some of our students have spoken incredible words of wisdom or shared their inspiring stories that I take with me to this day:

• There is the student whose brother had been murdered in her hometown and whose uncle was executed abroad, who wanted to pursue study abroad so she could see the beauty in the world beyond her grief.
• One former student reminded me of the value of living where your feet are (i.e. live in the moment, appreciate where you are and the people by your side). 
• There is yet another student who said that the tapestry of our world is made beautiful by diversity, and our differences should be celebrated not just tolerated.
• There is the student who, upon return from Cuba, was overwhelmed by the sheer wealth and privilege that many Americans take for granted. She stood in the airport and decided right then and there that it would be her life mission to help the underprivileged in her own community and beyond.
• We also surveyed the parents of our alumni, and there was one parent who said they’d never been on a plane before, and they were terrified of flying and of all that was different than what they knew. When their own child studied abroad, they finally had the courage to board that plane and travel to another country, and they said that this was the catalyst for change in their own life.
• One of the most articulate students I’ve ever met reminded me that we are all born with potential. Our circumstances may affect our choices, the path we choose affects how we pursue our dreams, but our potential is not defined by others. We all control our own destiny, we all have the potential to attain our dreams, it’s just a matter of how we get there.
• Two students passed away long after their API programs ended, and their families both reached out to us to create memorial scholarships, as both students viewed their study abroad experiences as the most important and meaningful of their lives, which were so tragically cut short. To me, that is perhaps the greatest testament to the value of what we do. Their lives were so impacted by their international experiences that their families sought to honor their memories by helping others to access intercultural educational opportunities. 

I could go on and on about the many, many times our alumni have inspired me… but my time at API has enhanced my life in many other ways as well, and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention them. It’s hard to put into words the breadth of incredible experiences this job has afforded me. To summarize in numbers:

• 20 years (7,300 days)
• 6 titles
• 152 universities visited (across 33 states and 10 countries, most of them multiple times)
• 200+ study abroad fairs attended
• 200+ information tables/sessions hosted
• 350+ meetings conducted with university partners
• 11 group site visits were conducted in 5 countries, where we visited 17 cities and 30 universities
• 52 conferences attended
• 11 conference presentations delivered (on health & safety and working with marginalized groups)
• 2500+ flights
• 200+ cars rented
• 750+ nights in hotels
• 25+ times lost (pre-GPS)
• 39 staff members and interns supervised
• 300+ lasting friendships formed with colleagues (stateside and abroad, within API and at partner universities and at competitor organizations) and former students
• 15,000+ (conservatively) conversations with students about international education opportunities and the value of study abroad

During my time I’ve helped manage API’s response to multiple crisis situations, including the attacks in Paris, earthquakes and floods, bombs in England and Spain, political protests and regional transportation and education strikes, and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic that ultimately led us to bring our 2500+ students home in early 2020. While these emotional and stressful experiences were exhausting and mentally draining, I was reminded time and again that our students are resilient and brave, and hopeful in spite of the circumstances. 

In these situations, I have also been extraordinarily fortunate to work with the most dedicated, ethical, and compassionate professionals in the field, all of whom are fully committed to providing safe and rewarding experiences to our students. Not once during any of these crisis moments did I think I was in the wrong field, or that we should stop sending students abroad given the catastrophic events that could take place. On the contrary, it is BECAUSE of incidents like this why we need to send people abroad. Not because we are intentionally sending them into danger, but rather, to open their minds, to expand their world views, to show others that not all Americans want to build walls to keep “others” out, and to build peace rather than create further divisions. Going abroad (especially during crisis situations) is the most effective way to learn that there is far more that unites us than divides us. People do not ask me as a parent if I still allow my kids to go to school or to parks, even after shootings have taken place in both settings. I am never asked if I think it is wise to travel by car, even when statistically I am much more likely to be involved in a car wreck than harmed by an act of terror. I believe that the field of international education exists to show people that the world remains a place to be explored, that other cultures should not be feared but rather should be appreciated. Truly, life is made greater by seeing things from a different perspective and from meeting people who can shine a light on your path, and may even illuminate a better path to follow.

Finally, I must speak to the friendships that I have formed as a result of this “job”. I count many of my current and former API colleagues among my closest friends. Many have supported me through personal challenges and loss and cheered me on during moments of celebration. They have inspired me by their humility, their dedication, their humor, their empathy, their brilliance, their compassion, and their generosity. Some of my favorite memories from the last two decades feature my international education friends, and I can say without question that I am so much better for having known them. 

To all of my API family but especially to the founding mamas, who took a chance on me, I must say THANK YOU. I cannot believe how fortunate I have been to have called API my employer, my career, my home, and my family – and one that extends across continents and spans generations. I have learned more than I imagined possible; I have seen places and faces I never anticipated would cross my path; and I have had the chance to make a difference in the lives of others through fostering cultural exchange and personal growth, both for our students and our staff. I was just 23 when I started at API – virtually a child, it seems. Yet you all believed in me and afforded me opportunities beyond belief. API has impacted not only my life but also the lives of my entire family. I cannot thank you enough for all of your inspiration, support, guidance, care, and friendship over the years.

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I can usually satisfy my need for travel by taking weekend trips camping or to the beach, but quite honestly, there is nothing that can replace traveling to somewhere completely foreign to you. 

I’m here to tell you that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. There is hope for the future, and even a “vaccine” for the travel bug, if you will. Are you ready to hear how you can beat the travel bug? Here it goes! 

API is offering in-person and virtual options for the 2021 summer AND fall semesters! The programs that are currently available to students are:

https://apiabroad.com/open-programs/

I want to make a note that even if these programs aren’t your location of interest or area of study, opportunities are still available to you. Whether you have to push back your study abroad trip or decide to travel leisurely after graduation, this is a perfect time to start planning! I know that the uncertainty of the future can be frustrating, overwhelming, and even discouraging, but I’m here to tell you that it is never too early to start preparing for a trip overseas. The earlier you start saving financially, the more wiggle room you have to spend on excursions, museums, or cuisine abroad! You also have the opportunity to research the culture and country you’ll be visiting. If you’re planning on traveling to a country that speaks a different language, you get the extra benefit of additional time to practice! 

I want you to promise to me, and yourself, that you don’t let the uncertainty of the future discourage you from future travel endeavors. Whether you are able to go abroad tomorrow, in six months, or two years, international travel has a transformative impact on our well-being. These experiences are the ones that make us who we are and push us to become who we want to be. Stay healthy, stay safe, and stay hopeful. 

If you’d like a resource for how to plan for your trip abroad, I have created a workbook that is included in my book Become A Better You Abroad that you can access here: www.amazon.com/dp/B089B5WZJY

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“The only source of knowledge is experience.”

~Albert Einstein

The crowd outside the building grew increasingly restless. Weight was shifted from foot to foot. Sighs could be heard. Watches were consulted. What was going on?!  The doors finally opened and the eager people pushed their way forward.

It has been twenty-two years since I impatiently waited within that crowd in Quito, Ecuador, outside a mall called El Jardín.  Like those around me, I had grown increasingly frustrated when the doors did not open as scheduled at 10 am.  I was waiting to access a money-changing kiosk inside. Perhaps I was in a hurry to get cash in anticipation of a trip outside the city. Perhaps I was just a typical impatient young person without any real-time constraints or obligations, simply annoyed that I had to wait longer than anticipated.

I don’t remember exactly how long it took me to broaden my focus. But relatively quickly, my thinking shifted from the simple frustration of a small inconvenience – that irritating wait– to the feelings of being denied entry.  My mind sensed a parallel between that experience of waiting on the outside, confused as to why we were being denied access to a place we felt entitled to enter based on the hours printed on the door, to the countless children I passed by on the streets every single day.  As I enjoyed my forty-five minute walk to the bus depot each day to get to the university where I studied, I would often see children, gathered around their begging mothers, their beautiful, innocent faces often red and cracked from hours of being exposed to the intense sun of a city nestled high in the Andes Mountains. At El Jardín, the people around me and I had experienced a fleeting moment of exclusion, quickly forgotten, but the children I routinely encountered would never be granted access to that high-end mall. They would quickly have been chased away by security guards, paid to ensure that the experience of the more privileged classes was not marred by the begging of vulnerable children.

Growing up, these were not situations I experienced. Living in a largely homogenous community with a majority of white, middle-class families in a suburb of Detroit, I went to a highly-performing public school and took college-track classes, which ensured I didn’t even share the same halls with students who were not college-bound. Though I had volunteered and organized walks for groups like the March of Dimes, I had attended mass and been reminded, week after week, to serve and care for the poor and the marginalized, my life experiences to date were still so limited.

That relatively insignificant 15-minute wait at El Jardín was just one of the countless moments that provided exposure and access to a reality of poverty that I peripherally knew existed but had never had such direct contact with. Study abroad literally transported me to a new world. And in so doing, my past conditioning was temporarily forgotten in the midst of living in the moment. Every new experience, every little challenge that is an intrinsic part of navigating a new place, forced me to remain in the present, lest I become overwhelmed.  And nearly two decades of reflection later, I am still learning from that experience.  It is still changing me. It continues to open doors to experiences I would never have had otherwise.

In today’s pandemic reality, we are continually bombarded with statistics– dramatic infection rates, hospitalizations, deaths.  And as shocking as the numbers themselves are, they are never nearly as impactful as the personal experiences of loved ones whose grandmother, father, sister, or child has lost a life.  And so it is with study abroad. It has the power to change “facts”, stereotypes, even statistics, into lived experience. It affords opportunities to strip away the filters on our eyes that we didn’t even know existed. It allows us to engage in a world where small (and sometimes BIG!) personal failures are an inevitable reality, and because we are just a foreigner, it allows us to more easily forgive ourselves when we don’t quite understand, we don’t quite do it right, or we don’t speak or perform elegantly. The standards we hold ourselves to in our more familiar environments suddenly don’t really matter, for no one we know is watching.  And by leaving behind all of that pressure, we have an incredible ability to see ourselves and to see others.

In making personal connections with people having a different set of lived experiences, perspectives, and values, we stop feeling so scared and threatened by that which we do not know or understand.  And so we learn.  And grow.  And are irrevocably changed for the better.

Because we have accelerated our understanding of the beauty of being human.

*Courtney Greene is currently Senior VP of International Operations at API. The photos above are from her first return visit to Ecuador since studying abroad with API. She was able to share the experience with her son Edwin and spent the day with her host father at Mitad del Mundo!

**Courtney will be hosting an upcoming webinar for study abroad offices at Colleges and Universities, Health & Safety at API in Extraordinary Times along with Carolyn Lutes, Associate Vice President of Health Safety and Student Wellness, on the evolution of API’s policies and procedures in response to COVID-19. They will share what they learned and how students were kept safe abroad during the global pandemic. One lucky attendee will be selected to receive a $500 student scholarship from API.

Register here for Webinar

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