78th Annual CIEE Study Abroad Conference – Day 2 Highlights

Day two of the 78th Annual CIEE Study Abroad Conference featured more discussion of the rich learning and internship opportunities for students studying abroad in Latin America. 

Morning Panel Sessions: Sustainable Travel, Reframing Migration Narratives, Latin America’s Innovation Ecosystem, and More

In one of the morning’s panel sessions, Evelyn Müürsepp, Center Director, CIEE Tallinn; Marcia Kwaramba, Scholar in Residence, University of Colorado Boulder; Nicolas Soria Zurita, Assistant Teaching Professor in the School of Engineering Design and Innovation, The Pennsylvania State University; Pedro Iván Palominos-Belmar, Full Professor, Department of Industrial Engineering and Director, Smartcity-Lab, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH) unpacked the promise of Smart Cities and Sustainable Communities. Their discussion highlighted innovations in urban mobility, digital governance, and community-centered design, offering study abroad professionals new ways to connect students with these rapidly evolving fields through internships, service learning, and immersive programs.

In another session, Helena Havrylets, Sustainable Tourism Specialist, Independent Consultant; Kelly Andrade, Director of Global, Rutgers University; Pablo Allen, Center Director, CIEE Monteverde, led Where Ecotourism Grew Roots, an honest look at the sustainability challenges facing ecotourism today. Speakers emphasized the importance of ethical travel practices, and the role educators can play in helping students engage in ecotourism responsibly across Latin America and beyond.

In Reframing the Migration Narrative through People-to-People Exchanges, Chris Arnold, Founder, Made Impact; Lucia Aguero, Center Director, CIEE Santiago, DR; Wendy Osirus, Founder, Movimiento por los Derechos Humanos, la Paz y la Justicia Global (MONDHA), demonstrated through case studies how direct human connection can shift public discourse toward empathy and inclusion.

And Dagmar Hoppe, Senior Director Strategy, CIEE; Logan Paul, Faculty, Indiana University; Sebastian Espinosa, CEO, SKILLNEST spotlighted The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Latin America in a session offering practical direction for designing programs that offer international students real-world exposure to innovation, entrepreneurship, and high-growth industries.

Networking Over Lunch: Internships in Latin America

During lunch, there was a networking pop-up focused on internships in Latin America. Attendees circulated through industry-themed tables, making connections with CIEE leaders and host employers from the education, technology, NGO, and engineering sectors. Attendees rotated through popup stations, sharing insights, building relationships, and collecting points in the CIEE Conference App to win prizes. 

Afternoon Panel Sessions: Conservation and Women’s Leadership

Deira Jiménez, Professor, Researcher, Universidad Intercultural Maya de Quintana Roo; Karla Zarco, Center Director, CIEE Mérida; Nicholas Babin, Associate Professor, Agroecology, California Polytechnic State University, guided participants through frameworks for Conservation and Ethical Experiential Learning. Through case studies, they underscored the importance of co-designed learning models that support conservation efforts while centering reciprocity with local partners.

Carla Koppell, Managing Director, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS); Haleema Hasan, Lead Researcher, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS); and Thais Oso, Regional Director of Operations, South Pacific Rim, CIEE, led Empowering Women as a Pathway to Peace. Drawing from policy, research, and grassroots leadership, panelists highlighted women’s essential roles in peacebuilding and economic development, and shared ways students can contribute to this vital global work.

CIEE Leading Change in Latin America Partner Awards

The afternoon concluded with the CIEE Leading Change in Latin America Partner Awards, celebrating the universities, host institutions, community organizations, and alumni who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in study abroad, internships, research, and community engagement across the region. Winners include:

CIEE Latin America Partner Award
• Recipient: Sylvie Burnet-Jones, Director of Education Abroad, University of Colorado Boulder

CIEE Leading Change in Latin America Fellowship Award
• Recipient: Hannah Nevitt, Education Abroad Advisor, Western Washington University

CIEE Custom Program Partner Award
• Recipient: Gia Pineda, Director of Short-Term Programs, Elon University

CIEE Innovative Custom Program Award
• Recipient: Angela Rothrock, Center for Global Engineering Engagement, Penn State University

CIEE Latin America Alumni Award
• Recipient: James Catanzaro, University of Vermont

CIEE Alumni Intern Award
• Recipient: Tallulah Cluff, Mount Holyoke College

CIEE Host Partner Award
• Recipient: Museo de la Memoria y Derechos Humanos (Human Rights Museum)
• Represented by Magdalena Garreton, Executive General Coordinator

CIEE Host Family Award
• Recipient: Veronica Budich

Offsite Reception at the Palacio Duhau

The day closed with a celebration at the historic Palacio Duhau in Recoleta. Attendees enjoyed local cuisine and regional wines while continuing conversations about all Latin America has to offer study abroad students.