An Interview with Sally Anastos and Jennie Brown

Office: Kaplan Hall Room 210

 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

 Contact: [email protected]

What is the history of this office?

The Office of International and Experiential Education began as a component of a larger office which included what is now known as the Career Development Center. Over the past year, the office has expanded and the first step was bringing in a full time staff member dedicated to study abroad.

Who comprises the staff?

Jeremy R. Geller, the Associate Provost for International and Experiential Education, oversees the Office of International and Experiential Learning. Sally Anastos serves as the Director and Academic Service-Learning, and Jennie Brown is the Coordinator of International and Experiential Learning. The office also employs a few student workers.

What services does the office provide to students?

The Office of International and Experiential Learning works on four major “pillars” that compose International and Experiential Learning: Service-Learning, Study Abroad, Research, and Internships. The office coordinates the academic service-learning courses that are offered every semester along with the faculty and academic departments, usually about four a semester. The office coordinates these courses with community partners and courses offered have included Adolescent Psychology, Juvenile Justice, Management and Organization, Creative Writing, Dental Hygiene, and many more. Another program offered within service-learning is the community work study program, which sends students out to work in the community. Other service-learning initiatives have included the coordination of campus events including World AIDS Day which takes place in November.

The Office of International and Experiential also advises students concerning study abroad, including how to pick a program, understanding the application process, and serving as a contact before, during, and after the study abroad experience. The office works with faculty and academic departments to create opportunities for students to conduct faculty-mentored research as well as connect students who are looking for internships to the Career Development Center. EE (Experiential Education) Day is an event coordinated by the office, which will be taking place on April 26 and will soon be taking nominations for student, faculty/staff, and community partner awards.

The office is the Northeast regional partner with the National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE).  NSEE certifies faculty and staff, including over 70 UNH professionals, using a series of professional workshops through the Experiential Education Academy. Experiential Education Academy graduates contribute to the university’s goal of providing experiential education opportunities to students.  Lastly, the office spearheaded the Society for Experiential Education (SEE), which recognizes graduating seniors in the top 20% of their class that have completed two or more experiential experiences.

Anything else you would like to add?

Get involved early! One of the most common comments that the office gets from students is that they had wished they had done more earlier. Don’t wait until your senior year to search for internships, research and study abroad opportunities, or take a service-learning course. Begin searching as early as possible, so that you can have many experiences by graduation.