Studying in a foreign country offers incredible opportunities for personal growth and cultural immersion, but it also comes with unique challenges that require proactive measures to ensure students' well-being. This episode is a must for university administrators, study abroad program coordinators, educators, and student advisors who are passionate about providing students with secure and enriching study abroad experiences.
Episode guests:
Elizabeth Brenner
Protect Students Abroad
Elizabeth is the co-founder of Protect Students Abroad, a 501c3 dedicated to developing evidence-based health and safety information for the benefit of education abroad students and their families, schools, and programs. Her professional background is as a maternal-child health nurse practitioner. She also has an advanced degree in creative writing.
Greg Shaffer
Founding Partner, Shaffer Security Group
Greg Shaffer served in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for twenty years, including six years on their elite Hostage Rescue Team, known as the “HRT”, where he conducted tactical operations across the globe. He is the author of the book “Stay Safe – Security Secrets for Today’s Dangerous World", and is the host of Investigation Discovery Channels’ “Body Cam – Behind the Badge.”
He is the founding partner of SHAFFER SECURITY GROUP, a global security and tactical training specialty firm based in Dallas, Texas; and a Principal with the ACTIVE SHOOTER PREVENTION PROJECT, LLC. Greg is recognized worldwide as a subject matter expert on Active Shooters and Terrorism related matters.
Roshni Thackurdeen
Protect Students Abroad
Ros is a mother, former educator, and co-founder of Protect Students Abroad. After her son Ravi Thackurdeen tragically died while studying abroad in 2012, Ros began researching other incidents and collecting information about student deaths. Her dedication led her to compile a comprehensive collection of stories, which she refers to as "the dark side of study abroad," spanning five binders. With a bachelor's degree in human services and a master's degree in school counseling, Ros is a New York State certified school counselor and has worked for the New York City public schools. She is now a passionate student safety advocate and co-founder of Protect Students Abroad, and her efforts resulted in the sponsorship of the first federal study abroad transparency legislation by New York Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney.
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