Meet Your Institutional Relations Officer - Kelsey Gillett

Learn all about USAC Institutional Relations Officer, Kelsey!

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.

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Where did you study abroad?

Kelsey standing in front of ancient Incan ruins in Ingapirca, Ecuador.

I was fortunate to study abroad in many places, including:

Machala, Ecuador (1 year)
Grenoble, France (1 year)
San Juan, Puerto Rico (Summer)
Kolkata, India (2 week faculty-led program)
Biscarrosse, France (1 year English Teaching Assistant Program)

How did you get into the field of International Education?

Kelsey overlooking the city and coastline in San Sebastian, Spain. When I returned from my junior year abroad, I reached out to the Education Abroad office on my campus and asked if they had any openings for student workers. I started working in the office during my senior year and realized that this could be a career in the future!

I made a few pit stops before landing in the field but my experience as a student worker/ambassador really shaped me and prepared me well.

What's your favorite thing about working for USAC?

I love that USAC values the same things that were important to me as a student when I was looking to study abroad. USAC is all about affordable experiences that allow students to be culturally immersed, usually by choosing locations that are more mid-size, university cities.

When I studied abroad, I was able to do so without taking on debt because of programs like these. So, one of my favorite things is being able to really believe in the work that we are doing every day because I know how impactful it can be!

What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?

Kelsey sitting with a friend overlooking Grenoble, France. In Grenoble, France I lived in a residence hall that was located on the side of a mountain! It was a long hike up (25 minutes if you missed the bus or came home when it wasn’t running) but the views from my window of the city and the Alps were unmatched. Since we were a bit isolated from town, we had a great community of French and international students always cooking and chatting in the communal kitchens together.

What is your favorite place you have traveled to and why?

Kelsey overlooking the city of Lisbon, Portugal. I have taken several trips to Portugal, to both Porto and Lisbon, and most recently on a 10-day trip around the whole country with my mom. It is such a beautiful country with kind people, delicious food, beautiful tilework and ceramics, wine country, the ocean... what's not to love!

If you could go on any USAC program, what would it be and why?

I would love to participate in the San Sebastián, Spain or Pau, France programs to have the chance to learn more about the Basque Country near the Pyrenees Mountains. Not only would there be beautiful views and delicious pintxos, but I am also a big language nerd, and I find the Basque language incredibly interesting. Did you know that the Basque language is unrelated to any other known languages?

What do you like to do outside of work?

I enjoy going for long walks on nature trails alone or with my friends and family. I also love to cook and I’m always trying new recipes.

What's on your bucket list?

Kelsey standing in front of a historic monument in Ecuador. I would really like to return to Ecuador and spend more time in the Sierra. My time in the country was mostly spent on the coast so I didn’t have a lot of time to explore the mountains, culture, and history of that region.