Meet your Faculty-Led Program Coordinator - Emily Schmith
Learn all about USAC Faculty-Led Program Coordinator, Emily!
The Institutional Relations team works with universities, colleges, and other institutions around the country and travels to many study abroad fairs. The team is ready to answer any questions you may have about USAC and a current or prospective partnership with your institution.
Where did you study abroad?
I spent a semester in Cork, Ireland through USAC during my senior year of college.
How did you get into the field of International Education?
Studying abroad in Cork set me on a trajectory to eventually get a working holiday visa in Ireland after I earned my bachelor’s degree. When I returned to the U.S. after that extra year in Ireland, my immediate future was undecided. I took the opportunity to reflect on what made me happy, what I could see myself doing on a daily basis, and what opportunities were available in my hometown. I came to the realization that studying abroad completely changed my life in a positive way and I wanted to help other students widen their perspective by going abroad as well. It was kismet that USAC is located in my hometown and had an open position at that time.
What's your favorite thing about working for USAC?
My favorite thing about working for USAC is the connections I have made with our partners and staff abroad. Having programs in 25+ countries means I have 25+ opportunities to learn about other cultures directly from people who are living there. Some of those connections have expanded beyond mere colleagues and have morphed into genuine friendships.
What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?
Choosing just one is difficult. For me, there is never just one thing that stands out but a variety of big and small things that combine together to create a lasting impression on me. I’ve traveled extensively throughout Europe and dipped my toes into Asia, Latin America, and Oceania, but questions like these always bring me back to my study abroad semester in Cork.
This question evokes a lot of little memories that make me smile, some appropriate to share in this space and others not quite so much, but two (somewhat related) ones are traditional Irish music and Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral.
I trolled the pubs in Cork to find trad music and was almost always rewarded with it when I went to An Spailpín Fánach. If the name is a struggle for you, just know it took me a while to get the pronunciation down too. There’s no formal stage area in this old pub so the musicians just gathered around a table and played whatever they felt like. Musicians would pop in or out as needed, join a melody or leave it, sometimes sing or not, and generally treated it as a jam session. Sitting near them as they played was such a joy. On my walk home I always went over a bridge that overlooked Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral. I almost always stopped to gaze at it for a few moments, especially at night, as I found it to be a captivating sight. High on life from the trad music, plus a view that took my breath away, still brings me a sense of peace that I feel only Ireland can.
What is your favorite place you have traveled to and why?
The answer to this will always be Ireland. I was obsessed with traveling there as a child, worked my butt off to make it happen as an adult, and was rewarded with the kindest people, most stunning landscape, and a sense of rightness in my soul.
Since you might be sick of me waxing on about Ireland, some of my other top contenders are Portugal, Switzerland, and New Zealand. Porto is enchanting; it’s where I climbed my first bridge and made a vow to climb the other 7(ish) in the world that allow it. Switzerland is full of stunning landscapes and natural beauty. New Zealand feels like a mix of other places I’ve been to and is my current home; I've become fascinated by Māori culture and eager to learn more about it.
If you could go on any USAC program, what would it be and why?
A number of programs come to mind because of the awesome opportunities afforded our students, but ultimately I’d choose the Stellenbosch, South Africa program. I have yet to step foot on the continent and our program there would be a great first experience. Our partners at Stellenbosch University provide a lot of support and opportunities for our students to integrate in the culture, and who wouldn’t want to live in wine country?!
What do you like to do outside of work?
I’m something of a ‘yes’ person so there’s always something happening. I like to hike, play soccer, volunteer, check out new (to me) bars and restaurants, play pool, have game nights, go to the cinema, and I’m a big reader. Fun fact – I'm currently in FIVE book clubs!