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Today’s guest blog is by Mandy Reinig, Founder and Owner of Mandy’s Mashups.  Mandy is one of our field’s social media specialists and is always generous with her knowledge. You can follow her on Twitter at @MandysMashups.

Social Media has grown in recent years and you can find references to it everywhere, from television to radio to college websites.  One of the most interesting features of social media relates to tags and there widespread use.  Tags are mostly associated with Twitter posts.  In Twitter lingo, tags are called hashtags and feature this symbol – #.  Hashtags can now even be found at the bottom of your TV screen during nightly television.  Have you ever wondered what the little bit of text at the bottom of the screen meant and wonder why they would be a pound (#) sign and the name of the show there (ex. #thevoice, #amazingrace, etc.)?  These hashtags play an important role especially for those who are attending events or want to participate in an event without being there.  By searching for a particular hashtag, you can have access to up to the minute information about what is going on at a particular event.

Hashtags are basically search terms without the spaces.  For example, if you will be going to the NAFSA conference in Houston, Texas in May you will want to search for #NAFSA12.  In fact, if you search for it now you will already find posts related to this event.

 There are several ways you can use hashtags to maximize their effectiveness.

1. Use them to find out which sessions or parts of a particular event are must sees
2. Promote your session or event
3. Let others know you are participating in an event (eg. A #MelibeeU on-line webinar) to help create a buzz
4. Be in the know before anyone else (many events use hashtags to announce special events early or only via social media)
5. Access conference or other materials even when you cannot be present
6. Ask questions of presenters and conference attendees without even being there
7. Network with people who have similar interests

All of these ideas can be accomplished simply by using a hashtag.  Additionally, if you are participating in an event and don’t see a hashtag being used, don’t be afraid to create one yourself.  It is always appreciated when you help create a buzz around any topic or event.

Other useful hashtags include:

#MelibeeU

#socialmedia

#studyabroad

#NAFSA12

#ForumEA12

To learn more about how to effectively use social media please join me for my next webinar – Tips for Successfully Using Social Media in International Education on March 13^th at 2pm EST.

About the Author: Mandy Reinig is the Owner and Founder of Mandy’s Mashups, a small company created to train individuals and groups on how to effectively use social media, particularly within the international education field.  Additionally, Mandy is the Director of International Education at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where she works with both incoming and outgoing students wishing to undertake an adventure abroad.

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I think one of my interns said it best:  “It has been wonderful to see how Melibee continually evolves.”  After all, it is MelibeeU (be YOU)…because it really is about being you.

With that in mind, we have added several new workshops to MelibeeU! Please keep in mind that our most recent workshop sold out, so please consider registering sooner than later!

1) International Educators Coping with Stress – Striking a Balance:  Need we say more?  In all seriousness, we know that 90% of us are working too hard and having a hard time saying no.  This creates a lot of stress – and we address this head on!  Through interactive exercises and “real talk,” we are going to transform how you look at your work and your life.  One participant from this workshop said: “This was my first webinar and while the overwhelmingly positive experience I had makes me want to participate in so many more, it will be difficult for future ones to live up to this one!  Very much exceeded my expectations.”  We hope you’ll agree.  Please join us for this event on March 14th.

2) Career: International Student Advising:  This March 21st workshop is designed for anyone who is curious about this career path.  Perhaps you already work in international education but would like to focus on the non-immigrant population.  In typical MelibeeU style, we’re going to be really candid about the work and strategies to enter the field. We’ll have plenty of time for Q&A too. The session will be recorded, in case you can’t join us on that date.

3) Advising Students on Volunteer and Work Abroad with author Zahara Heckscher:  This two part series is designed to build your confidence as you advise on these two “hot” international opportunities.  Zahara will walk you through the advising process and lead us through case studies and worksheets. This will be an interactive session – using our chat, hand raising and phone features, we look forward to hearty dialogue.  If you can’t make the live sessions on March 23 and March 27th, not to worry – we’ll be recording each session.

4)  30 Mosques in 30 Days: An American Adventure with Aman Ali and Bassam Tariq:  The inspiring story of Aman and Bassam’s road trip across the United States will teach you about the diversity of this incredible country.  These two young men visited 30 states in 30 days, breaking fast at a different mosque each day. They share the story of the people that they met through photos and storytelling – and I assure you, your life will be forever changed through their work.  You’ll never look at this country the same way again.  This session will also be recorded if you cannot make the live event.

Don’t forget to explore the other workshops on offer! The MelibeeU family is really grateful for your ideas, feedback and for taking a chance to try something new along with us.  Thank you!

P.S.  Did I mention that we have special rates for full time students for most of our workshops? Email me at info@melibeeglobal.com for the coupon code!

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So many international educators and graduate students are eager to attend international education conferences.  The challenge, of course, is funding.  It has become increasingly difficult, unless you work for a very well funded university or other organization, to receive approval to attend the two main conferences in our field – NAFSA and the Forum on Education Abroad.  They are such outstanding events, but the average educator is challenged with the cost of paying “out of pocket.”

To address this, MelibeeU will be offering several affordable, online professional development workshops during the weeks of both of these conferences.  All you need is a computer and phone line or mic.  There is no hotel charge, per diem for meals, or flights.  In fact, you can even wear your jeans to these events – they are all online – YET interactive (we use chat and voice technology for dialogue.) MelibeeU is also all about participation – so you will have opportunity to communicate, network and learn – even if you can’t be at NAFSA or the Forum this year.  (And if you are attending those conferences and still want to participate – even better!)

Please know that I do understand how hard it is to scrape up thousands of dollars to attend these face to face conferences.  It is important to me to ensure that no one else misses out on professional development because we ALL need it, even if your employer is facing budget cuts or you’re a student and simply can’t swing the additional expense.

I’d greatly value your input about what topics you would like covered online.  Please email me at info@melibeeglobal.com or comment below.  I really do value your input!

If you haven’t heard much about MelibeeU yet, here is some feedback from our first two evaluations of workshop:

“This was my first webinar and while the overwhelmingly positive experience I had makes me want to participate in so many more, it will be difficult for future ones to live up to this one!  Very much exceeded my expectations.”

“The exercises … were very well chosen and implemented.”

“You handle yourself like a pro.”

“…You are obviously people who have thought deeply about these topics. I liked how the sessions were divided. Each one had clear PowerPoint with wonderful examples and other resources/recommendations.”

“Incredibly valuable information from both a philosophical and practical viewpoint.  You did a great job convening and facilitating the discussion throughout.”

“Your little examples here and there were so great – they were thoughtful and a variety of audiences could relate.”

 ”It was obvious that my opinion was heard and valued.”

“Very good presenters and information.  The resources shared are extremely helpful!”

“Resource guide is really great…very helpful…”

Be sure to check MelibeeU in the coming weeks for the schedule!

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After many months of reflecting, research, planning and writing, MelibeeU is launching this month!

Why? Because it is about being you.  (The “beeU“ is intentional!)

Being you = Trained. Informed. Inspired. Creative. Effective. Joyful.

MelibeeU is the new training space for Melibee Global.  It will officially launch next week, but I am so excited about it, I just have to share a tad with you!

MelibeeU will provide training/professional development opportunities that are:

• Unique:  If they’re taught through MelibeeU, they’re original. Period.
• Forward thinking:  We’re trying out new ideas here.  Innovation. Inspiring. Introspective. You won’t find it approached quite this way anywhere else.
• Affordable: We realize how expensive some organizations’ professional development opportunities can be, especially for those of you who are students.  We will be addressing this through our pricing model, making it more affordable to learn, participate, contribute and grow.
• Designed to help you approach your work with more confidence and joy: We have an obligation to uplift you so that you can continue to care for your employer(s), students and clients  - and YOURSELF - every day!

We’ll launch with TWO workshops (one in January, another in February.)  I promise, they’ll be worth waiting a tad longer to hear about!

If you have any ideas about training topics or guest presenters, please email info@melibeeglobal.com with them. We sincerely value your input!  After all MelibeeU is about U (you!)

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Are you anxious for professional development?  Are you so ridiculously busy that you can’t read all of your email?

STOP for one minute and hear me loud and clear:

You must schedule The Global Ed Collaborative Conference into your busy calendar.  MUST!

The 2011 Global Education Conference will be held November 14 – 18,  during international education week – and it is online and free. Sessions will take place in multiple time zones and multiple languages over the five days. The 2010 Global Education Conference had 15,028 unique logins and presentations from 62 countries.  Isn’t that incredible!

Educators from around the world will present on topics from global water issues, K-12 digital literacy, internationalizing the curriculum, connecting the global STEM classroom, service learning and more!

And Melibee’s own, Carrie Wagner, is one of the global keynote speakers! Carrie has had a phenominal career carrying forward what she learned during her six years in Africa.  (By the way, Carrie is helping Melibee Global kick off International Ed Week by being my guest on a free, online book club discussion on November 10th.  You can get more details here.)

International Education Week 2011 is going to be chock full of learning tools and inspiration!  I cannot wait to hear what you all glean from these wonderful free events!  Please be sure to share with Melibee readers, ok?

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I recently presented on the subject of Short Term Study Abroad Program Planning: Top 5 Missteps with Cate Brubaker from Small Planet Studio.  I am humbled that we received such kind feedback and a request for more on the subject.  We aim to please, so developed the following new teleworkshop:

Short-Term Study Abroad Crossroads: Where Planning Missteps

Meet Cultural Blunders

I’m taking the liberty of copying the following information from Small Planet Studio, Melibee’s partner on this teleworkshop. Cate Brubaker and I hope you’ll join us! Please note the special pricing (today and tomorrow only) at the bottom – and you can register via Small Planet Studio.

Does This Sound Familiar? You…

• currently work with short-term study abroad programs or want to do so
• lose sleep at night thinking about the enormity of planning these programs
• were unable to attend this year’s NAFSA or the Forum on Education Abroad conferences
• want to enhance your students’ learning experiences and maximize efficiency

Yes?

Welcome to the…

Short-Term Study Abroad Crossroads: Where Planning Missteps Meet Cultural Blunders {TeleWorkshop}

It was made just for you.

What we have for you:

• Two 90-minute live sessions chock full of practical solutions to the most pressing problems in short-term study abroad programming
• Opportunities to ask questions (via email and during the live calls)
• Recordings of each live session
• A program planning toolkit
• Bonus web resources
• Backchannel for participant idea exchange

You will gain knowledge of vital planning, logistical, and cultural components that must be considered when exploring short-term study abroad program development. You will receive detailed and specific examples of missteps and blunders that will help you to craft actionable steps required to develop and deliver more safe, sound, and sustainable short-term programs abroad.

In two 90-minute sessions, we’ll cover 4 topics. We know we’ll talk about:

• marketing
• culture
• emergency planning
• budgets

We’ll hold the teleclasses on July 12th & 19th (both Tuesdays) from 3:00-4:30pm Eastern.

Can’t join one or both of the live calls? No worries. We’ll post a recording of each session on the class website for you to listen to at your convenience (you can even download them to your iPod). If you submit questions via email before the sessions, we’ll make sure to answer them on the live call.

This workshop is especially useful for study abroad program administrators, faculty interested leading programs abroad, and graduate students entering the field. If your institution’s faculty handbook needs to be resuscitated, this workshop is appropriate for you.

We’re offering all this for only $79. Why such a low price? In short: we’ve been there. We know what’s it like to be asked to do more with less. To not be able to sleep at night because you’re under pressure to deliver the highest quality programs at the lowest price possible. We want to help you get a good night’s sleep.

CLICK here to register!

Thanks for your interest,

Missy and Cate

Melibee Global/Small Planet Studio

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I have spoken with many people this past year who have not been able to afford to attend the national NAFSA conference in Vancouver, or the Forum on Education Abroad’s gathering that recently took place in Boston.  Both are clearly worthwhile professional opportunities, but for so many who have had their office budgets slashed, lost their jobs or are in school hoping to obtain a job in this field, the ability to spend over a thousand dollars out of their own pockets was simply unrealistic. While their absence had nothing to do with lack of interest, but rather funds, I started to think about how Melibee could offer a professional development opportunity to those who are interested in multicultural dialogue. I also thought about what I could offer that could be different.

The result: Melibee Global’s Seminar – A Day of International Inspiration.

This day is planned with a simple objective in mind:  “To inspire us and do so at a rate that everyone can afford.”

I thought about aspects of the two main conferences in our field that I appreciate the most:

1) the inspiring speakers who still have me reflecting on their thoughts and ideas, days after I hear them present. These are the people who have inspired me to return to my work with an extra skip in my step, and who I don’t normally get to hear “live”

AND

2) networking that is organic and offers ample time to exchange cards and have a true conversation.

The inspiration part was easy. I reached out to three people from my speaker series (Carrie Wagner, Aman Ali and Ibrahim Abdul-Matin) who have personally and professionally inspired me and thousands of students/educators this past year to be more conscientious about our planet, more reflective about our perceptions/biases and more aware of how cultures interact, and asked them if they’d speak at a rate that would keep the cost down for participants. They all quickly agreed. I also reached out to the team that made a remarkable documentary called “BUDRUS,” an inspiring true story of non-violent protest ever documented. They, too, agreed to screen the film.

Then I reached out to Purchase College, SUNY - who agreed to partner on this new seminar.  It is largely due to them that this event IS so affordable.

Remembering my friends and colleagues who have literally LOST their jobs because of lay offs, I then created a special rate for any educator who lost a job in education or is underemployed due to budget cuts.  Anyone who falls in this category can contact me at info@melibeeglobal.com to discuss the rate and eligibility.

In an effort to support any student (junior high school – graduate school) who wants to be inspired, but on a budget, I am offering a rate of $59.  Anyone interested in this rate will need to contact me at info@melibeeglobal.com to discuss eligibility.  (You cannot register with these two special rates through the website, hence the need to email me first.)

For a new event like this to run, especially at such an affordable rate, I need to ask each of you to aid in the marketing. Please share this with at least three people who may be interested. Please ask them to share it also with three people also! The marketing budget is low because if I have to pay to advertise, I have to pass the cost on to participants who are already facing enormous financial challenges.  Thanks for your help in spreading the word.

Here is the “Seminar” link that provides all the details  – once on this page you can register via the registration link and pay using a credit card through paypal.

Thank you for helping Melibee offer a great new professional development opportunity at a price that we all can afford!  Please spread the word!  Early bird registration for the general public ends on Friday, May 13th!

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Missy Gluckmann, Melibee Global Ed Consulting

Cate Brubaker, PhD from Small Planet Studio

Please join me and Cate Brubaker, PhD (from www.smallplanetstudio.com) for a free teleclass on “The Top 5 Missteps in Short-Term Study Abroad Programming.” Cate is a talented cross-cultural trainer that I have been working with over the past few months – she, too, is a big believer in collaboration.  Please be sure to poke around her website – it has some great resources!

Here is the information from Cate’s website:

“This teleclass is the third in a year-long series of free classes for intercultural educators. Each class is hosted by Small Planet Studio in collaboration with SIETAR-USA (Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research) and will feature a guest speaker. I’m thrilled that Missy Gluckmann of MelibeeGlobal.com is joining us this month to talk about short-term study abroad.”

According to the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors Report for 2008/09, nearly 55% of study abroad programs were short-term. Although this number decreased ever so slightly from 07/08, short-term study abroad has been, for many years, the fastest growing model of program delivery.

Creating an effective and appropriate short-term program requires a great deal of planning. Unfortunately, the level of attention required often does not take place, resulting in the program not reaching enrollment goals and/or the student, faculty, staff and institution failing to work efficiently, wasting funds and experiencing disappointment.

In this teleclass, Missy will discuss the top 5 missteps in short-term program planning and how they impact faculty, staff, students and institutions, and the reputation and sustainability of short-term program development.

In this 60-minute teleclass, Missy will:

• Frame the discussion to illustrate the unique challenges of short-term study abroad program planning.
• Discuss the top 5 missteps that occur and their implications.
• Offer suggestions for improvement in short-term program development.

This free 60-minute teleclass will take place on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 3 pm Eastern/2 pm Central/1 pm Mountain/12 pm Pacific.

All you need to participate in the live class is a phone.

We hope you’ll join the live session, but since we know some people can’t (time zones, schedules, and all that), a recording of the teleclass (plus a handout + bonus resources) will be posted on the class web page a few days after the live call.

In Summary:

What: 60-minute teleclass + handout + call recording

When: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 3 pm Eastern/2 pm Central/1 pm Mountain/12 pm Pacific

Where: On our teleconference line

CLICK here to register for the TELECLASS!

CLICK HERE for details on the professional development seminar in NY that Melibee Global and Purchase College (SUNY) are hosting in June.

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Today marks the start of the House’s Homeland Security Committee’s “hearings” intended to investigate the radicalization of Muslim-Americans. Representative Keith Ellison, the US’s first Muslim American elected to Congress, wept today as he shared the story of Mohammed Salman Habdani, a young Muslim-American who died at the World Trade Center on 9/11.  I wept along:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Ellison said, “Ascribing the evil acts of a few individuals to an entire community is wrong; it is ineffective; and it risks making our country less secure.”  I could not agree more. He went on to say, “Throughout human history, individuals from all communities and faiths have used religion and political ideology to justify violence.   Let’s think about the KKK, America’s oldest terrorist organization; the Oklahoma City bombing; the shooting at the Holocaust Museum by James von Brunn; and bombings at Planned Parenthood clinics.  Did Congress focus on the ethnic group and religion of these agents of violence as a matter of public policy?  The answer is no.” (Ellison’s entire speech can be read here.)

When this happens, this is the outcome – fearful people directing their misinformation and anger toward the WRONG people, such as CHILDREN and legal citizens who have been born and raised in this country, who have done nothing wrong.  And lets be really clear here – it is NOT ok to call children TERRORISTS.   Take a moment to watch this recent horrific “protest” of Muslim Americans in California.  If you cannot watch the entire thing, I understand. It is sickening:

Click here to view the embedded video.

How can we combat this hatred in our country and this need by many to create a culture of fear?

1) reach out to your Muslim friends, neighbors and colleagues.  Tell them you support them.

2) reach out to your faith community and ask them to facilitate interfaith dialogue opportunities and to share a message of support with the local mosque(s).

3) reach out to your schools.   Ask them to address this issue by developing programming that will challenge the message of fear and hatred.

4) visit a local mosque.  Ask to have a same gender member show you around the mosque.  (If you are a woman,  be sure to bring a scarf to cover your hair and to wear pants or a skirt that reach the floor, and cover your arms. This is a sign of respect in that faith.)

5) write to your local government and ask for their support in educating the community about every day Islam in the US.

6) Melibee offers a couple of different presentations by Muslim speakers.  Contact me for more information at info@melibeeglobal.com if interested.

7) Attend the April 4th screening of the film “Crossing Borders” and participate in the follow up panel discussion afterward. (Here is more information – and I’ll be there so be sure to say hello!)

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Mark your calendar! On Monday, April 4th, 2011 from 5 – 8 pm, the International Beliefs and Values Institute (IBAVI) and the Spencer Center for Civic and Global Engagement will be presenting “Islam and the West Clashing Beliefs or Common Values?” in the Francis Auditorium at Mary Baldwin College (Staunton, Virginia, USA).  I am humbled to be part of the panel discussion after the screening of “Crossing Borders”, along with Nihad Awad (Executive Director and co-founder of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Dr. David Owusu-Ansah, Professor of African Studies at James Madison University and Arnd Wächter, Director of the film “Crossing Borders.”

Many thanks to Nusayba Hammad, Mary Baldwin College class of 2013, for writing up this excellent description of the event:

“Islam and the West: Clashing Beliefs or Common Values?” seeks to deconstruct both the Middle East’s and America’s conceptions of the “Other” by finding common ground to stand on. Samuel Huntington’s theory of the clash of civilizations has dominated our perceptions of the other side of the world, but we must ask ourselves, is it with good reason? Crossing Borders uses the shared experiences of four American and four Moroccan students to bridge the supposedly vast gap between the Muslim world and the West. During their journey through Morocco, these students find that they are not so different after all.

In this age of globalization, understanding the commonalities and differences between Islam and the West is crucial. World politics, and especially the United States’ role in the Middle East, are proving to be increasingly portrayed as “us (the West) versus them (the Middle East/Islam).” But is it fair to pit Islam and the West against each other, implying that they are incapable of coexistence? Delving into the archives of American history, we find this not to be the case. For instance, Morocco was the first nation to recognize the newly formed United States of America, and the two countries have had bilateral relations ever since. The first Muslims to arrive to America did so in the 17^th century, against their will and on slave ships from Africa. There are accounts of Muslims serving in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, and today, there are over 10 million Muslims in the U.S. Islam is not detached and separate from America, and Muslims are not outsiders but an integral part of our society and nation.

History therefore begs a question: Is the perceived conflict between Islam and the West one that can be traced back to irreconcilable differences found in the essence of each, or is it simply the result of the way in which world politics have played out in the last century?

Crossing Borders will be introduced by Arnd Wächter, the film’s director. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Nihad Awad, Dr. David Owusu-Ansah, and Missy Gluckmann. Each will share his or her perspective on the issues presented in the film, framed by unique experiences and expertise in the field.

See larger image The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order (Paperback) By (author) Samuel P. Huntington List Price: $16.99 USD New From: $3.94 In Stock Used from: $0.01 In Stock