Antioch Welcomes New Assistant Director of Antioch Education Abroad

By Anne Townsend '04

The Antioch College community welcomed Josielyn “Josie” Inaldo, the new Assistant Director of Antioch Education Abroad (AEA), in August of 2004. Josie, originally from New Jersey, brings to our community a thirst for international education and a strong desire to strategically incorporate AEA practices with The Plan for Antioch College.

Josie Inaldo, Assistant Director of AEA

Soon after graduating from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, with a degree in Communications, Josie headed to New York City and worked for two years with the Modern Language Association (MLA). She then enrolled with the Japan Exchange in Teaching program (JET), and taught English in Mihama, a small town north of Kyoto. "I chose to work in Japan because it really is on the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of American culture. I wanted to experience intercultural communication theory in reality." Her experiences in Mihama sparked a desire to study international education further, and upon her return to the States, Josie enrolled at the School for International Training (SIT) in Brattleboro, VT - a program that led her to Beloit College on a graduate internship working with both American and international students.

On the path to her Master's degree, Josie has met two amazing women who served as transitional mentors and friends. Dr. Martha Merrill, Professor of International Education at SIT, and Dr. Elizabeth Brewer, Director of International Education at Beloit College. "I love watching them work," says Josie. "Both women are extremely passionate about what they do. They bring intelligence and depth to their work...I'm inspired to do the same."

Josie is currently working on her Master's thesis - a look at the peer mentoring program she worked with at Beloit College, enmeshed with an examination of interactions, or the lack there of, between American and international students. This intensive project has added perspective to the work she does at Antioch. "Students who study abroad enhance the culture of our community," she says. "I'd like to see students more aware of the uniqueness and experiential learning component of AEA programs."

Upon arrival at Antioch, Josie felt immediately at home. "This school is a good fit for me because of the mission statement. After working in Japan, attending SIT, and interning at Beloit, I really see myself as an agent of social change. The minute I got here, I got the vibe that Antioch is serious about social change and is likewise aware of a diversity of issues. That's incredibly exciting to me."

Working alongside Dr. Andrzej Bloch, Director of AEA and Professor of Economics, Josie is curious to see how the AEA curriculum lends itself to The Plan for Antioch College. "We're asking questions like 'where are the windows of opportunity for students to study abroad in regards to the new calendar?' It's exciting, and I see AEA thriving as a program in the new curriculum."

An optimistic self-starter, Josie is incredibly excited to be here in this time of change. "It's fascinating to see the charge that Antioch has taken up, and I'm pleased to be a part of it all." Please join us in welcoming Josie to the Antioch College community.