Hannah Benson

Manage portfolio of 30+ undergraduate study abroad programs and partnerships in GU Office of Global Education, including evaluation of onsite programming, curricular integration, disciplinary matters, and student health and safety; serve as primary contact for exchange partners and program providers regarding student concerns, exchange agreements, partnership development, and pre-departure logistics; provide comprehensive support for 75-100 students/semester regarding study abroad program selection, academic/professional goal-setting, application process, and pre-departure preparation; collaborate with on-campus partners to ensure academic appropriateness of approved programs and coordinate credit transfer; lead comprehensive overview and evaluation of program portfolios to identify opportunities for new program development, in tandem with OGE leadership

Serve as main pre-departure contact for a caseload of 100-150 students on non-customized programs, and advise on cultural adaptation, logistical concerns, and application and visa processes; oversee alumni ambassador program, including peer mentoring, re-entry programming, professional development workshops, and development of alumni projects on home campuses; spearhead DEI-related initiatives, including development of a gender-inclusive housing community, and development and implementation of a pre-departure series to support financially aware, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC students abroad; collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the US and Spain to plan pre-departure programming, respond to emergency situations, and ensure smooth program delivery.

Work alongside US advising team to ready students for study abroad and internship experiences in Barcelona, Spain; develop pre-departure resources designed to prepare students for the personal, academic, and cultural challenges of being abroad, including newsletters, student guides and webinars; process incoming student applications and respond to student and family questions and concerns throughout the application process; collect and manage student data; liaise with partner institutions and act as support contact throughout students' time abroad.

Directed three-week French language and hiking trips for American students in Chamonix, France; lead outdoor activities, language instruction, team-building exercises, and guided cultural visits; liaised with U.S.-based operations team to address health, travel, and safety concerns; performed administrative tasks like budget management and travel planning; mentored students on cultural adaptation, language acquisition, and intercultural communication.

Taught English conversation and culture courses to primary and middle school students with an emphasis on pronunciation, comprehension, and conversational skills; developed and implemented pre-departure lessons for students in preparation for a school trip to London; facilitated educational programming on trip to London, including museum visits and walking tours; pioneered pen-pal language exchanges between French and American primary school students to promote cross-cultural communication.

Developed and implemented English conversation and culture courses for high school students with an emphasis on English literature, cultural competency, and cross-cultural communication; designed nationwide English-language curriculum based on experiential learning theory to increase cultural competency; launched international community engagement projects and fundraising campaigns in collaboration with American and Andorran schools, raising nearly $1000 for US and Andorran non-profits; spearheaded language exchanges with American high schools.

Taught English to primary school students, with a focus on natural language learning through English-only instruction, repetition, and frequent play; evaluated students through oral and written tests; collaborated with parents and school director to resolve academic and behavioral issues; generated monthly progress reports for students' families.

Oversaw daily operations of a mountain hut accommodating 50 guests, including meal preparations and service, lodge maintenance, and search and rescue missions; supervised a team of 5 and cultivated a work culture emphasizing collaboration, clear communication, and superior customer service; acted as point person for all customer concerns, including health and safety, travel issues, and trail information; developed educational programming and presented on local history, sustainability and green technology, wilderness ethics, and backcountry safety.

Collaborated with hut manager to manage and train team of 5-10 employees; managed retail and merchandising, consistently exceeding monthly sales goals; maintained a detailed inventory of all products, ordering and coordinating resupply when necessary; directed daily hut operations during hut manager's days off, including supervision of search and rescue missions, coordination of meal preparation and service, and maintenance of employee morale.