Meet the Study Abroad Staff

Bio:

Dr. Bri Ard is the Executive Director of Global Engagement at the University of South Alabama, where her key responsibilities include collaborating with faculty and administrators to expand and support study abroad and exchange programs, providing the university’s chief international officer advice on strategies for internationalization of campus, assisting faculty and other personnel to advance international travel and facilitate cross-collaborations.  Bri holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and a Master of Liberal Arts degree from Tulane University and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Instructional Design from the University of South Alabama.  Bri has traveled to 40+ countries and lived abroad twice, once as an English teacher in Ilsan, Korea and most recently on a Fulbright Fellowship to Bucharest, Romania.  She loves reading (mostly fiction), running (mostly slowly), and every dog she has ever met.

Favorite destination:

Mongolia

Next on her list:

Everywhere

Bio:

Shawn is originally from South Carolina but grew up in the California Bay Area. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Los Angeles and her Master of Arts from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Shawn has traveled to over 15 countries on three continents, including seven years of living between Ghana and Togo, West Africa. While living in West Africa she led customized faculty-led groups, global internship and service-learning programs. Some of her travel studies include French summer sessions in Paris, a conflict resolution fellowship in Tanzania/Kenya and a United Nations graduate-level internship in Geneva.  She enjoys exploring new places; especially scenic beach spots in her free time.

Quote:

“The only person I envy is the person who hasn’t traveled or studied abroad; you have so much to look forward to! I truly believe everyone deserves and needs a global perspective.  I know sometimes going abroad is easier said than done. But, as my mentor Marie Forleo says, ‘everything is figureoutable’.  I’m so excited to be in a role where I get to help students figure out a path to achieve their dreams”.

Favorite destination:

Portbou, Spain

Next on her list:

Thailand, Senegal, Cape Verde Islands

Bio:

Jan was born and raised in the Philippines until the age of 11 when she moved to the U.S. She lived in Michigan for three years before moving to Alabama in 2005. Jan graduated from South in 2016 majoring in Foreign Languages and Literatures with a concentration in French. Studying in Dijon, France was the highlight of her college career. She loves learning about different cultures and languages. She is proficient in English, Tagalog, French, Italian and some sign language. On her spare time, she enjoys drawing with charcoal, jamming to Disney songs, and watching re-runs of Friends.

Quote:

It’s not impossible, but I’m possible! I never thought my dream of going to France would become a reality. But because of the Office of International Education, I made it from Moulton Tower to the Eiffel Tower! Studying abroad teaches you things that you will never learn within the four walls of a classroom. It will give you answers you will not find within the pages of a textbook. What you reap from the experience is invaluable and life changing. Come visit our office and take the first step in making your dream come true!

Favorite destination:

Het Drielandenpunt (“Tripoint” where the borders of Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands meet)

Next on her list:

Australia and the United Kingdom

Bio:

Sabrina is an international graduate student from China and is currently serving as the Graduate Assistant at Global USA. She graduated from South with a master’s degree in English Literature in 2018 and is currently working on her doctorate in Higher Education Leadership. Growing up in China and now residing in the US, Sabrina has previously travelled to Australia and Finland. She enjoys meeting and working with people from all different backgrounds and cultures and trying different cuisine.

Quote:

My favorite English word is WE, because it stands for West & East.

Favorite destination:

Sydney, Australia

Next on her list:

Canada, UK, France, Dubai, Egypt, Brazil…

Major:

Sociology

Program:

USA in France: Business, Culture and Language; Dijon, France; Summer 2022

Most Memorable Experience:

My most memorable experience was the Fête de la Musique. A holiday across France that promotes music with free concerts in the streets. It was amazing walking around Dijon visiting different stages to listen to a wide variety of music and being surrounded by so many locals enjoying the atmosphere. Experiencing the collective enjoyment of music with so many people will be one that I’ll never forget.

Major:

Spanish and English

Program:

USA Language and Culture in Spain; Madrid, Spain; Summer 2022

Most Memorable Experience:

To me, the most notable experience I had in Madrid was just being able to go out and explore the city, looking to meet new local friends and better immerse myself in the language whilst doing so. While I was there, I met several new friends from Madrid itself, along with several others in my age group who had traveled from different countries to gain a better understanding of the language. It was nice to have this diverse group to hang out with because not only was I surrounded by people my age who had a perfect understanding of Spanish, but also people like myself who may have had a lesser understanding. In conversing with these people I was able to help myself grow, as well as to pass the knowledge I had gained on to other people who needed help.