Kristin Thomas

I have approximately eleven years in event and co-curricular program planning and development.  Six of those years, I focused on intercultural student development while working in the University Office of Global Programs and developed the Global Engagement and Leadership Development and the First-year Global Engagement programs. For five years, I served as a guest lecturer and co-leader of a short-term study abroad program for undergraduate students participating in the Leading Edge Academic Program (LEAP) at the Pennsylvania State University.

My research focuses on meaning-making, learning, and motivations and expectations during travel experiences (educational, heritage, and virtual) using qualitative and mixed-methods.  I have presented research findings at national and international conferences including Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium, CIEE, The Forum on Education Abroad, PaCIE, and the Michigan College Student Personnel Assocation. I have three articles in process:  Can Tourism and Education Abroad Mix?; The Awe in Awesome in Education Abroad; Old influences and Blurred Lines:  Student, tourist, and traveler, as needed.