Q&A Spotlight With Program Enrollment Coordinator - Kayla!

Why are you excited to work for CIS Abroad?

Whenever I get to talk about exploring the world I start buzzing with excitement and I cannot wait to share that with people who feel the same. I am thrilled to begin working at CIS Abroad especially connecting with students about opportunities in Italy! From the company culture description, emails from HR, and everyone I met during interviews I just kept thinking “these are my people”! The balance between providing quality programming and support to students with passionate and fun colleagues is embodied by CIS Abroad and I am so excited to be a part of that community.

Describe a memorable moment from abroad?

This is HARD - jeesh there are some great stories from a lot of different places! I’m choosing to describe an utterly fabulous day I had when I was studying abroad in Italy. I living in Genoa and on this particular day we decided to explore Cinque Terre and below I’ve listed the amazing itinerary of (maybe) the most Italian day that ever was:

• A train to Cinque Terre - yay, I love trains! 
• An indulgent pastry, cappuccino, and view in Riomaggiore
• A ferry ride with amazing views coming into Manarola 
• Focaccia lunch on a beach in Vernazza
• A hike on the coast between cities (this was actually exhausting - but amazing!) 
• Gelato in Monterosso 

What has your career path looked like? How did you end up in the field of International Education?

From my initial study abroad experience in 2014 - a semester in Croatia, I just kept needing more! I ended up studying abroad twice more, a summer in Italy, and a faculty-led program in the United Arab Emirates. My senior year of college I ended up working for my school’s global office and knew that would be my future career. After college I spent a year working in Ireland on the Working Holiday Visa, dabbled for a couple years in the service industry, then shifted to working in sales for an active travel company. During March of 2020 I decided to commit to a Master’s program in International Education and just graduated this past August. 

Needless to say, I’ve been wrapped up in International Education for a while!

A typical weekend for me is…

At LEAST one lazy morning including coffee, a pastry, a crossword puzzle, some calm music, and eventually a decadent breakfast. This is very dependent on the season, but maybe some house projects during the day (there are SO many!!) and a campfire and cookout with friends in the evening. An outdoor adventure and maybe a few pints at the local brewery? A cheese board and a movie?

5 words that describe yourself

• Outgoing 
• Helpful
• Quirkily Creative (this is a necessary two-worder) 
• Goofy
• Approachable

Travel Tip:

Create an impromptu picnic. Find some strawberries from a farmers market or some bread and cheese from a little shop or maybe a fresh pastry, make your way to a green space, and just take it all in.

Why should a student choose to study abroad in Italy?

I can say that from studying abroad in Italy and Croatia the pace of life in that region of the world is so much slower. I think there is serious value in exposing young people to that way of living, breathing, and taking things in. Italy is also so easy and exciting to explore, whether it’s your new city or the surrounding area - and you honestly can’t go wrong. Everywhere you go you will find fantastic food, sights, and experiences so come chat to me about Italy!