Host Zac Macinnes welcomes Ryan Larsen, Ph.D., Senior International Officer and Executive Director of the Office of Global Engagement at Western Washington University, to unpack the history and impact of U.S. State Department Travel Advisories in international education. From their origins and the Lockerbie bombing to today’s Level 1–4 system, Ryan shares insights from his doctoral research and nearly two decades in international education. Together, they explore how advisories influence policy, risk management, and student access to global opportunities - offering context, caution, and best practices for creating safe yet transformative experiences abroad.

In the latest episode of Changing Lives through Education Abroad, we are joined by Dr. Lindsey Aloia, the Associate Dean for International Education at the University of Arkansas. Together, we explore how study abroad shapes workforce development, strategies for supporting underrepresented students, and how to build stronger bridges between international education and career services.

In this episode of Changing Lives through Education Abroad, host Zac Macinnes welcomes back Karin Fischer, Senior Writer for The Chronicle of Higher Education, to unpack the shifting policy and regulatory landscape shaping international education in 2025 and beyond. With her journalist’s perspective, Karin sheds light on what's happening in Washington, D.C., state capitols and beyond - and what it means for our students, institutions and day-to-day practice. Together, Zac and Karin explore how the field is adapting, where vulnerabilities remain, and what opportunities for innovation and growth might lie ahead.