The Learn from Travel Interactive Webinar Series is meant to connect our partner colleges and universities with our host country collaborators, and to showcase the diversity of experiences we offer as customized virtual international education programs.

Past International Conversations

Justin Tomás Gomez - Cultural Intelligence and Belize

Justin Tomás Gomez is a cultural intelligence consultant.

Cultural Intelligence Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is one’s ability to relate and work in culturally diverse situations. Justin Gomez is a consultant helping clients with enhancing CQ, bias mitigation, and inclusion. Justin is originally from Belize, one of the most diverse countries in the Western Hemisphere. We discussed Belize as a case study on multiculturalism, quantifying the impact of study abroad, and preparing students for “culture shock”.

 

Mayra, Danelia, and Mefalia, are members of a women’s coffee coop in Nicaragua.

Danelia Gamez and Mayra Valasquez - Women’s Cooperativism in Nicaragua

Located in a small coffee-growing community in highland Nicaragua, the cooperative was founded in 1996 when a group of women decided that they deserved the same opportunity as the men to farm and sell coffee. The results of their effort are inspirational! Grace Galloway, lead program developer for Learn from Travel, will meet with several members to hear their story as female farmers and community tourism entrepreneurs.

Shuyun Aguavil - Intercultural Health in Ecuador

Shuyun Aguavil is a healer and community leader of the Tsa’chila.

Healthcare in Ecuador is the hybridization of traditional herbal and spiritual medicine with modern Western medicine. Our lead guide, Ryan Dibala, met with Jose “Shuyun” Aguavil, a respected leader and shamanic healer of the Tsa’chila nationality located in western Ecuador. They discussed the importance of medicinal plants and shamanic healing, and how modern medicine has impacted traditional practices among his people.

 

Regina Montero in her native NGABE-BULGE comarca of Panama

Regina Montero - Indigenous Tourism in Panama

Regina Montero is a high school teacher of sustainable tourism in her native Ngäbe-Buglé region, a semi-autonomous part of Panama. Each year Regina organizes a Tourism Fair, which highlights the cultural, artisanal, and gastronomic treasures of her region. Our founder, Roman Yavich, joined Regina in conversation with a focus on sustainability in tourism, its effect on the local community, and the potential for faculty-led programs in the region.