While the question of “Will study abroad be possible next year?” looms large for international programs like ours, retooling recruitment and retention efforts to fit the constraints of a pandemic-stricken reality has also come to occupy a front-seat role in our day-to-day operations at the IEP.

Without the ability to travel to high schools or to host high schoolers on campus for visits, we have had to find platforms to share information about the IEP with them virtually. In the spring, URI Admissions began hosting virtual academic information sessions in place of its typical Welcome Days and on-campus offerings. We took advantage of this great opportunity: Teaming up with Admissions and the College of Engineering, IEP faculty, staff and students hosted and participated in a variety of virtual events, and have continued to do so through the fall semester. For the IEP-specific events, we make sure to bring a variety of student ambassadors who can share their experiences with the audience and also be there, along with staff and directors, to field any questions students may have. Knowing that there are so many things happening online these days, we are grateful for all students and facilitators who take the time to join us during these meetings and for the help of our alums to spread the word about them!!!

Similarly, we have held informational sessions, meetings and social events for URI/IEP students virtually in spaces such as Zoom, Discord (German only) and also Remo. For International Education Week, the IEP hosted a virtual poster showcase (11/17) in conjunction with the Office of International Education, featuring several of our returnees and even some of our alumni. Designed to be informational for juniors and seniors going abroad in the coming academic year, we hope that it will also be inspirational for underclassmen just starting out at URI. In regards to Remo, which has been graciously funded by the College of Arts and Sciences, it has proven itself to be a fun way to not only provide students with information, but also allow them to socialize with each other and to play games in groups. So far, we hosted an IEP Game Night (10/15), an IEP Mentorship Meet-up (11/9) and the Fall Italian Social Event (11/12) in coordination with the Italian Section, and plan to host an IEP Trivia Night soon (12/4), with more community-building activities to come! Additionally, we see this as a great place where alumni and current students can convene in the near future, so that they may network and discuss high-impact important topics, such as diversity, equity and inclusion in international engineering, while also making meaningful connections.

Regarding connections and following the suggestions of its IEP Ambassadors, the IEP has seized upon a collective need and desire for more peer connections within the program and has established a mentorship program between 2020 returnee volunteers and juniors or seniors who are planning to go abroad in 2021 or 2022. Nearly all students who returned earlier this year missed out on the second half of their year abroad but still have so much to share with their younger peers; on the other hand, IEP juniors and seniors face a study abroad preparation cycle with more uncertainty than ever before and several expressed interest in having a peer guide for this intricate process. Partnering these students together could have some great benefits: Some returnees are looking for ways to be a part of a community and find purpose through giving back, while pairings may aid in retaining juniors and seniors who may be considering leaving the program during these doubt-laden times. At the mentorship meet-up on November 9th, those who attended seemed excited to begin meeting with each other in pairs or small groups. To help encourage continued conversation throughout the rest of the academic year, we provided mentees and mentors with ideas for meet-ups and guidelines for engagement. We are looking forward to how this plays out!