This month marked a significant milestone for CIS Abroad as we commemorated our 25th anniversary by bringing our global team together in vibrant Barcelona, Spain. This gathering of the entire international staff, typically based across 12 countries, underscored the strength of the relationships that define our work and the genuine human connections that power our mission. For the first time in CIS Abroad’s history, colleagues from every corner of our program network met face-to-face, celebrating a quarter-century dedicated to fostering global understanding.
Our purpose for Celebrate in Spain:
- Celebrate: Commemorate our 25th anniversary by recognizing and appreciating our dedicated team, reflecting on our achievements, and looking forward to future successes. Create and enjoy a mood of celebration and pride through engaging staff in the planning of this trip.
- Immerse: Experience and explore the program location in Barcelona, providing staff with a deeper understanding of the local culture, academic environment, and the opportunities available to our students. Understand the CIS Abroad difference through connecting with CIS Abroad on-site staff from around the world and learning about how the Local Life cultural co-curriculum is implemented at their program locations.
- Showcase: Showcase our values to our partners through practicing our values in action. Build and strengthen relationships while taking advantage of being in Europe to do partner and staff site visits. We also showcase our values by intentionally planning the event to minimize environmental impact.
Activities and Outcomes
We had a packed agenda designed to inspire and spark innovation. Here are some highlights:
Shark Tank Sessions: Teams pitched fantastic ideas for company growth, and the top two teams received immediate funding. One winning idea is focused on enhancing our scholarship fundraising efforts, and the other is the creation of a new student art in residence initiative.
Spark Talks: Inspired by TED Talks, these sessions were a chance for us to share personal stories and passions. From lighthearted tales of linguistic misunderstandings, to deep reflections and philosophical inquiries into Buddhism, Star Wars, and the universe, the topics varied widely. We shared personal experiences and professional insights, such as students’ cultural immersion in Naples, how travel changes your brain, the meaning of "Pura Vida" in Costa Rica, and the journey of connecting to heritage through language.
Amazing Places Race: We had a scavenger hunt-style race through Barcelona, a fun and engaging way to build team relationships and explore the city.
Local Life Activities: We immersed ourselves in local experiences like Catalan dance classes, tours of FC Barcelona and the Sagrada Familia, and cooking classes.
Partner and Student Journey Case Studies: We had insightful discussions on how to enhance our services and create even more impactful student experiences.
Site Visits: Some of us arrived early or continued the journey with site visits to our university partners in Barcelona, as well as in England, Greece, Ireland, Italy, and Scotland. It was invaluable to see our partnerships up close.
Post-Event Feedback
Our internal survey conducted after the event showed an overwhelmingly positive view of our time together! Attendees rated it as highly important for them personally, professionally, and important for our organization as a whole. Many felt they got to know their colleagues on a deeper, more personal level, which is translating to better work collaboration. The most appreciated aspects were:
- Connection & Team Building
- Inspiration & Rejuvenation
- Learning & Understanding
- Feeling Valued
Key Themes from our Post-Event Survey
- Organizational Benefit: Improved team cohesion and trust, better cross-departmental understanding and collaboration, increased employee morale and engagement, and a stronger sense of shared purpose. Several comments highlighted how connecting global teams (especially site directors with U.S. staff) was particularly impactful.
- Personal Benefit: Enhanced connections, better understanding of colleagues and different departments, increased motivation, feeling valued, and personal growth (e.g., language practice).
Looking Ahead
Our event reinforced the core values we hold dear at CIS Abroad: relationships, innovation, and a commitment to international education. We celebrated that every partnership is built on trust and a shared purpose of making the world a more connected and compassionate place. We not only celebrated our past achievements but also looked forward to the next 25 years of building global relationships and creating transformative student experiences.
We’re more energized than ever to strengthen our partnerships and continue providing exceptional international education opportunities. Our celebration in Barcelona has reignited our passion and a sense of gratitude within our team, and we’re excited for the continued innovation and dedication in the years to come.