A Message from the Editor

It is my great pleasure to introduce the first issue of BEYOND, a journal on international education from ISI Florence and Umbra Institute. 

As professionals working in the field of international education, we all know that study abroad is a transformative experience for young adults. Such an experience takes them to a place—geographical, cultural, and intellectual—that is far BEYOND their everyday life and enables them to go BEYOND what they ever imagined themselves capable of. Every year, thousands of young adults entrust their study abroad experience to us. It is vital that we never stop exploring and challenging the way we develop and deliver these life-changing programs: we too must go BEYOND what we think we know in order to achieve excellence and maintain best practices in the field of international education.

This journal has been created to facilitate the open exchange of ideas, research, experiences, and opinions on the subject of international education. BEYOND aims to update readers on the evolving needs/wants of students, assess the current issues affecting our programs, and anticipate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of us. This journal recognizes that our learning is continuous. In preparing the launch of this first issue, I often thought about the words of the great Michelangelo, which he supposedly uttered at the tender age of 87: “ancora imparo,” meaning “I am still learning.” 

We are honored to have such an illustrious array of contributors, whom we thank sincerely for this inaugural issue of BEYOND. As you will see from the table of contents, the wide-ranging and fascinating topics are grouped in sections:

• Academics: Teaching practice, research, and pedagogy.
• Administrators: Delivering programs and services to students.
• Alumni/Students: Testimonials from students past and present about the study abroad experience.

The next issue of BEYOND will feature a section of resources, too, including book reviews and useful information.

I speak for the entire editorial team when I say we hope you find this journal enlightening and inspirational, and thank you for being our first readers. We look forward to seeing how this publication develops during the years to come, but it cannot grow without you. So, if you have a unique perspective on international education, please bring it to our attention and contribute to BEYOND.

Finally, in the spirit of learning, I would like to share one of the many things I have learned over the past twenty years in administering international education programs. It was taught to me by a friend and mentor, Dr. David Larsen (Director of Arcadia University College of Global Education at the time). He told me, “In everything you do, just ask yourself one fundamental question, ‘Is what I am doing in the best interest of the students?’ If after careful consideration you can honestly answer ‘yes,’ then your choice will almost certainly be correct.” That is sound advice that we can all use every day, and it is ultimately for our students’ benefit that this inaugural edition of BEYOND is now in your hands.

Enjoy!