Expertise in Labour Mobility

EAIE GOTHENBURG 2025: ALIGNING INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WITH EMPLOYABILITY: DATA-DRIVEN APPROACHES FOR THE FUTURE.
2025-09-12 09:00 - 10:00 (Europe/Amsterdam) | Svenska Mässan, Gothenburg, Sweden
Join Joanna Kumpula (Tampere University, Finland), Edilio Mazzoleni (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy) and Nannette Ripmeester (Expertise in Labour Mobility, Netherlands) for their panel session about “Aligning international education with employability: Data-driven approaches for the future” on September 12th 2024, at 09:00 – 10:00 CEST at the Svenska Mässan in Gothenburg, Sweden.
More about the session:
In this session, international education experts will discuss the growing importance of employability as a key factor in students’ decisions to study abroad. Speakers will explore how institutions can align curricula better with labour market demands (spoiler alert: discussion needed here) and use data-driven recruitment strategies to meet employer needs. Participants will gain insights into the ideas and the actual steps institutions can take to enhance graduate outcomes.
The European Association for International Education (EAIE) 2025 conference scheduled on September 9-12th will highlight the hard work that propels our community towards a brighter future. This work involves exploring the possibilities of digital technologies, implementing sustainable practices, developing innovative ways to support our wonderfully diverse community and so much more. For more information on the EAIE conference, click here.

CAIE2025 | Transforming knowledge into development: Sharing best practice about managing international student expectations.
2025-10-16 11:30 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Costa Rica Convention Center (CCCR), San Jose, Costa Rica
Join Katie Orr, Margaret Y. Luévano, and Nannette Ripmeester for their CAEI session about “Transforming knowledge into development: Sharing best practice about managing international student expectations ” at the Costa Rica Convention Center (CCCR) in San José, Costa Rica.
About the session:
This session explores key trends from a major global student satisfaction survey (100K+ international students). It highlights how North American institutions excel in satisfaction and reputation while identifying areas for improvement. We will focus on best practice around evolving student expectations, mental health support, and career service management. The session will share data from the largest global data set under currently enrolled students and best practice stories from HEIs interacting with the data. However, we will not shy away from sharing where there is room for improvement and what institutions can do to better support their international students.
The Conference of the Americas on International Education (CAIE) has established itself as the main forum dedicated to international higher education in the Americas and is scheduled for 15 – 17 October, 2025. In keeping with its mandate, CAEI offers a platform where all participants can engage in a broad conversation about higher education in the hemisphere and build networks and strategic alliances at the bilateral, regional, or multilateral levels. For more information about the CAEI program, click here.

CIGL CONFERENCE 2025: “BRIDGING THE GAP: HOW EMPLOYERS VIEW SKILLS GAINED THROUGH STUDENT MOBILITY”
2025-10-20 11:15 - 12:30 (America/Costa_Rica) | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari, Costa Rica
Join Kellie McMullin, Andrew Champagne and Nannette Ripmeester (etio) for their CIGL session about “Bridging the gap: How employers view skills gained through student mobility” on October 20th 2025, at 11:15 – 12:30 AM CST (18:15 – 17:30 AM CET) at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari in San Jose, Costa Rica.
More about the session:
The session will focus on presenting data gathered on employer perspectives regarding study abroad and the effect of mobility experiences on the employability of graduates. The session is built around the outputs of a research project of 5 higher education institutions in Canada. The focus is on the employer’s often-overlooked voice, which provides evidence of how HEIs can help students best articulate the skills gained through their international experiences to future employers.
The Forum’s Careers, Internships, and Global Learning (CIGL) conference scheduled on October 19-21st will explore explore how globally-focused career preparation—through international internships, consulting projects, co-ops, and community-engaged global learning—shapes the next generation of professionals. From fostering career competencies through immersive experiences to addressing challenges in creating impactful global learning opportunities, this conference invites innovative ideas, emerging research, and diverse perspectives. For more information on the CIGL conference, click here.

CIGL CONFERENCE 2025: “EMPLOYER CO-CREATION WORKSHOP: WHAT MAKES AN IDEAL INTERNSHIP?”
2025-10-21 11:00 - 12:15 (America/Costa_Rica) | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari, Costa Rica
Join Kate Moore (Global Career Centre) and Nannette Ripmeester (etio) for their CIGL session about “Employer co-creation workshop: what makes an ideal internship?” on October 21st 2024, at 11:00 – 12:15 AM CST (18:00 – 17:15 CET) at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari in San Jose, Costa Rica.
More about the session:
As part of an Erasmus+ project, we organised a co-creation workshop with employers to understand how best to shape the future of global internships. Based on the knowledge we acquired, we will do a demo of the workshop, asking local employers for their input. The format of the co-creation workshop can be used to bring the employer’s voice into the discussion around skills development in a systematic way.
The Forum’s Careers, Internships, and Global Learning (CIGL) conference scheduled on October 19-21st will explore explore how globally-focused career preparation—through international internships, consulting projects, co-ops, and community-engaged global learning—shapes the next generation of professionals. From fostering career competencies through immersive experiences to addressing challenges in creating impactful global learning opportunities, this conference invites innovative ideas, emerging research, and diverse perspectives. For more information on the CIGL conference, click here.

CBIE2025 | Bridging the Employer Views' Gap on Global Skills gained through Mobility.
2025-11-04 14:30 - 15:30 (America/Halifax) | Centre des congrès de Québec, Canada
Join Kellie McMullin, Andrew Champagne, and Nannette Ripmeester for the CBIE session about “Bridging the Employer Views’ Gap on Global Skills gained through Mobility” on November 4th at 14.30 – 15.30 (20.30 – 21.30 CEST) the Centre des congrès de Québec, 1000 Boulevard René-Lévesque E, Québec.
About the session:
“The session will focus on presenting data gathered on employer perspectives regarding study abroad and the effect of mobility experiences on the employability of graduates. The session is built around the outputs of a research project of 5 higher education institutions in Canada. The focus is on the employer’s often-overlooked voice, which provides evidence on how HEIs can help students best articulate the skills gained through their international experiences to future employers. Participants will gain an understanding of how recruiters interpret resumes and why soft skills are often valued more highly than technical knowledge. Additionally, the session will explore strategies that higher education institutions can implement to better prepare students to leverage their international experiences in the job market.”
CBIE2025 is Canada’s International Education conference and will take place on 2-5 November 2025. This year’s conference will focus on innovation and recalibration in international education looking further into the future than ever before. The theme – The Future in Focus: Advancing International Education in Times of Uncertainty – will provide space for sector leaders, practitioners, and collaborators to share knowledge, forge meaningful partnerships, and explore new ideas to bring the future of international education into focus.
Interested in knowing more? Have a look here.

CBIE2025 | Losing Students, Losing Ground: What Attrition Tells Us About the International Student Experience.
2025-11-04 15:45 - 16:45 (America/Halifax) | Centre des congrès de Québec, Canada
Join Wendy Curtis (Fanshawe College), Haley Shields (Edified), Elyse Pipitone (Edified) and Nannette Ripmeester (Director Expertise in Labour Mobility, Etio) for their CBIE session about “Losing Students, Losing Ground: What Attrition Tells Us About the International Student Experience” on November 4th at 15:45-16:45 (21:45 – 22:45 CEST) at the Centre des congrès de Québec, 1000 Boulevard René-Lévesque E, Québec.
About the session:
“With increasing policy scrutiny and international enrolment recalibrations, Canadian institutions are entering a new era where retention of international students throughout every stage of their journey is no longer just a support issue—it’s a strategic imperative. Yet how many institutions are deeply examining the true cost of attrition? Not only in terms of lost revenue and sunk recruitment costs, but also the human cost to students and families, and the reputational risks to Canada’s brand as a welcoming and high-quality study destination. Every student who leaves early represents a lost opportunity for another learner, a potential ambassador for Canada, and a disrupted journey with long-term emotional and financial implications for the student.
This panel will connect the dots between early student experience, the drivers of attrition, and the multi-dimensional costs to students, institutions, and Canada’s international education ecosystem. Drawing on insights from the 2025 International Student Barometer (ISB) and retention data from across Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, speakers will offer evidence-based reflections on where institutions can intervene earlier, act more deliberately, and design systems that build trust, connection, and resilience.”
CBIE2025 is Canada’s International Education conference and will take place on 2-5 November 2025. This year’s conference will focus on innovation and recalibration in international education looking further into the future than ever before. The theme – The Future in Focus: Advancing International Education in Times of Uncertainty – will provide space for sector leaders, practitioners, and collaborators to share knowledge, forge meaningful partnerships, and explore new ideas to bring the future of international education into focus.
Interested in knowing more? Have a look here.

AIEA 2026 | In data we trust: Pragmatic leadership for international Higher Ed
2026-02-18 19:00 - 20:00 (Europe/Amsterdam) | Marriott Marquis, Washington DC, United States
Join Chad Hoseth, GianMario Besana, and Nannette Ripmeester for their AIEA session titled “In data we trust: Pragmatic leadership for international Higher Ed”on February 18th 2026 at 13:00PM – 14:00PM CDT (19:00PM – 20:00PM CET) at Marriott Marquis in Washington DC, USA.
Session description:
Senior international leaders must do more than run programs—they must unite their campus, focus on what matters most, and ensure their achievements are recognized. This interactive session will share and discuss practical strategies around data-informed pragmatic leadership that turn surveys, benchmarks, and feedback into targeted action. We will ask (the audience and ourselves) How are you doing? How do you know? to embed candid feedback loops through external partners and comparative data.
Key Discussion Points:

Turning data into decisions that unite the campus and influence senior leadership.
Building credibility through transparent, candid assessments of progress and challenges.
Using external markers of success to elevate institutional reputation and secure resources.
Overcoming resistance and aligning diverse stakeholders around shared goals.

AIEA is the Association of International Education Administrations annual conference and will take place on 16-19 February 2026 at the Marriott Marquis, Washington DC. The Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) is the only association dedicated exclusively to senior leaders in the field of international education. Keen to know more about the conference? Click here.

APAIE 2026 POSTER PRESENTATION | BEYOND BORDERS, WITHIN REACH: GLOBAL APPROACHES TO BETTER THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT JOURNEY RELEVANT FOR ASIA-PACIFIC HEI'S
2026-02-24 08:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Amsterdam) | Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Join Nannette Ripmeester (Expertise in Labour Mobility / etio) for an insightful APAIE poster presentation about “Beyond Borders, Within Reach: Global approaches on to better the international student journey relevant for Asia-Pacific HEI’s” at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Poster Information
This poster explores how insights from the International Student Barometer (ISB)—a global large scale dataset of currently enrolled international students—can be used by Higher Education Institutions in the Asia-Pacific region to improve the international student journey. Through a comparative lens, we showcase how institutions across the globe are using ISB data leveraging international benchmarking to design stronger student journeys, delivering the ROI that currently enrolled (and future generations of!) students are expecting from their institutions of choice. We will showcase Good Practice examples that reflect international student needs. Through case studies and visualised data comparisons, the poster will support Asia-Pacific Higher Education Institutions in being active contributors to a global community of good practice.
The Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2026 conference scheduled on February 23-27th will foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing to shape the future of international higher education as we explore the theme, Asia-Pacific Partnerships for the Global Good, from diverse perspectives. For more information on the APAIE conference, click here.

EGM Split 2026 | The Future of Erasmus+ traineeships: what comes next (location A1-1)
2026-04-17 14:30 - 2026-04-20 15:30 (Europe/Amsterdam) | University of Split
Join Wim Gabriels (ESN), Denisa Bulza (UVT), Charles de Groot (EUF), and Nannette Ripmeester (ELM) for their EGM session about “The Future of Erasmus+ traineeships: what comes next” on the 17th of April 2026 at 14:30 – 15:30.
The fifth edition of the Erasmus Generation Meeting, Europe’s largest student-led conference on the Internationalisation of Higher Education, focuses on Shaping Skills through Student Mobility. The event amplifies the Erasmus Generation’s role in shaping how competences are built through volunteering and student-led mobility, while advancing the impact and recognition of student engagement among key stakeholders. EGM 2026 will be held from the 16th to the 19th of April 2026 at the University of Split, Croatia.
More about the session:
Explore the future of Erasmus+ Traineeships and the challenges students face when transitioning from education to the world of work. This interactive session will feature insights from European Commission sponsored DETAS project on improving traineeship quality, including perspectives from students, HEIs, and companies, and a showcase of the new Erasmus Intern job position finder. Participants will engage directly via SLIDO, shaping the discussion with their questions and feedback. Key takeaways from project partners will close the session, highlighting actionable insights for enhancing international traineeship opportunities.
More information can be found here.

EGM Split 2026 | Unpacking the digitalisation of Erasmus traineeship application & support (location F401)
2026-04-17 15:00 - 16:30 (Europe/Amsterdam) | University of Split
Join Sabri Ben Rommane (ESN), Erika Maria Rodriguez Somlyay (LLLP), Anna Sijbrands (ELM), Alexandru Dobrescu (UVT), and Olga O’Sullivan (UL-IE) for the session about “Unpacking the digitalisation of Erasmus traineeship application & support” on the 17th of April 2026 at 15:00 – 16:30.
The fifth edition of the Erasmus Generation Meeting, Europe’s largest student-led conference on the Internationalisation of Higher Education, focuses on Shaping Skills through Student Mobility. The event amplifies the Erasmus Generation’s role in shaping how competences are built through volunteering and student-led mobility, while advancing the impact and recognition of student engagement among key stakeholders. EGM 2026 will be held from the 16th to the 19th of April 2026 at the University of Split, Croatia.
More about the session:
This session focuses on the challenges students face when transitioning from academia to the workplace, particularly in finding high-quality traineeships. Through a fun and interactive Shark Tank-style activity, participants will explore the work of the European Commission sponsored DETAS project and learn about its Quality Labels. By the end of the session, they will have a broader understanding of traineeship challenges, be familiar with the new Erasmus Intern website, and have practised their creativity, communication, and pitching skills.
More information can be found here.

NAFSA 2026 POSTER | HOW DO STUDENTS USE AI? FINDINGS FROM OVER 100K INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
2026-05-28 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Halifax)
Join Nannette Ripmeester (Expertise in Labour Mobility / etio) for an insightful NAFSA poster presentation about “How do students use AI? Findings from over 100k international students” in Orlando, Florida USA on May 28th at 10:30AM – 12:00PM (16:30PM – 18:00PM CEST).
The NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo, scheduled on May 26-29 2026, will focus on how to design the future of our field with purpose, creativity, and imagination. It will also examine how forward-thinking strategies, cutting-edge approaches, and creative partnerships can amplify impact and expand meaningful global experiences.
Poster Information
The role and impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are paramount in our day-to-day lives; hence, knowing how students use and perceive AI is key for educators. With a global survey of over 100K international students, we are trying to understand how AI impacts study and career concerns
according to the students themselves.
Learning Objectives

Demonstrate how currently enrolled students interact with AI.
Make insight-based and informed decisions around whether and how to incorporate AI tools.
Understand the impact of AI on career outcomes for a generation that is ‘global by design’.

More Information can be found here. See you there!

IIC Plenary Session: ¡Vámonos! - Career Readiness at the Speed of Change
2026-06-09 09:15 - 10:15 (Europe/Amsterdam) | Universidad Camilo José Cela
Join Dr. Maureen Manning, and Nannette Ripmeester (Director, Expertise in Labour Mobility) for the IIC plenary session about “¡Vámonos! – Career Readiness at the Speed of Change” on June 9th at 9:15 – 10:15AM at the Universidad Camilo José Cela on the Castellana Campus in Madrid, Spain.
The International Internship Conference (IIC) is an annual event which gathers a collaborative community of program providers, universities & colleges, employers, governments and students. IIC aims to foster and promote best practices, professional development, diversity, equity & inclusion, and partnership in the field of International Internships.
More about the session:
¡Vámonos! is a call to action. In urgent times shaped by geopolitical volatility, labor market disruption, and widening inequities in access to opportunity, career readiness must be understood not as an employability checklist, but as a strategic and moral mandate for higher education. This opening plenary convenes cross-sector leaders to examine what career readiness demands in the current global landscape, and why experiential education, internships, and work-integrated learning are no longer enrichment. They are necessary infrastructure.

Together, panelists will explore how institutions and partners can move from isolated excellence to collective transformation, aligning learning with real-world complexity, preparing students for uncertainty, and strengthening professional identity, adaptability, intercultural agility, and civic responsibility. The question is no longer how students access work-integrated learning. The question is whether our systems will move quickly enough to meet the moment.
More information can be found here.

EAIE 2026 GLASGOW | THE RHYTHM OF REVOLUTION
2026-09-10 11:30 - 2026-09-13 12:30 (Europe/Amsterdam) | Glasgow, Scotland
Join Adriana Perez Encinas (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Marco Comotti (ESN), Wim Gabriels (ESN) and Nannette Ripmeester (Expertise in Labour Mobility, Etio) for their session about “Skills unlocked: Gamifying competence recognition” on September 10th at 11:30AM – 12.30AM in Glasgow.
Session description:
How can we ensure that international experiences translate into recognised, employable skills? This interactive session will showcase innovative tools and approaches to identify, assess and communicate competencies gained through mobility. Drawing on a gamification activity developed for students to reflect on their goals during their mobility experience, we will discuss how to strengthen the recognition of transversal and global competencies.
The European Association for International Education (EAIE) 2026 conference scheduled on September 8-11th will highlight the rhythm of revolution – a call to question, collaborate and create lasting change. Set against the backdrop of a city that lives and breathes reinvention, this conference invites bold thinkers and changemakers to step forward and shape the future of our field. For more information on the EAIE conference, click here.

CIGL Lisbon 2026 | Framework First: Competency Models for Global Learning
2026-10-12 11:45 - 12:45 (Europe/Amsterdam) | Reitoria da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
Join Kate Moore (Principal and Founder, Global Career Centre) and Nannette Ripmeester (Director, Expertise in Labour Mobility/etio) for their session about “Framework First: Competency Models for Global Learning” on October 12th 2026, at 10:45 – 11:15 AM WEST (11:45 – 12:45 CET) at Reitoria da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.
Session description:
This session examines competency frameworks across multiple domains—professional development,
intercultural awareness, geographic contexts, and industry-specific applications—and demonstrates their practical use in global learning.
The content emphasizes a key principle: using a structured framework matters more than selecting a specific model. Participants learn to evaluate diverse competency frameworks based on their professional context, then apply them confidently across program development, coaching, and assessment. The session includes interactive exercises to identify relevant competencies, examples from different contexts, and practical application strategies. This approach addresses the growing need to demonstrate ROI and relevance in competency-based terms. Rather than prescribing a single solution, the session aims to equip participants as they select and implement frameworks appropriate to their institutional needs and professional goals.
The Forum’s Careers, Internships, and Global Learning (CIGL) conference scheduled on October 11-13th will will bring together leaders in career services, international education, and industry to reimagine how we prepare students for a rapidly evolving global workforce. Additionally, this conference will explore how immersive international experiences cultivate career readiness and spark innovation. For more information on the CIGL conference, click here.
