Via’s Blog
Get insights into global experiences, case studies,
and information on what’s happening with Via

What happens when culture shock turns into campus leadership?
From Shanghai to Tulsa, Vivian Wang shares how culture shock shaped her leadership—and how data, connection, and mission keep student success at the center.

International Education Needs a Better Story
Emily Merson shares why global education needs a new story—one that puts advocacy, access, and career readiness at the center.
Recent posts
What happens when culture shock turns into campus leadership?
What does it take to turn a personal journey into a campus-wide movement? For Vivian Wang, Vice Provost for Global Engagement at the University of Tulsa, it started with her own leap—from Shanghai to Oklahoma. That culture shock didn’t just shape her—it inspired her...
How One Campus Protects Global Opportunities in a Divided Climate
When higher education becomes a battleground for political and cultural debates, what’s at stake for international education? In this episode of Via Voices, Kathleen Fairfax, Vice Provost for International Affairs at Colorado State University, shares her perspective...
Old Tech Is Hurting International Ed—Here’s the Solution
International education has been playing a losing game with technology. Universities have to navigate ever-changing policies around compliance while managing the safety and education success of both study abroad and international students. Enter Via TRM, a complete...
What happens when culture shock turns into campus leadership?
From Shanghai to Tulsa, Vivian Wang shares how culture shock shaped her leadership—and how data, connection, and mission keep student success at the center.
How This University Achieves 94% Study Abroad Participation
Girish Ballolla of Gen Next Education explores how AI and tech are transforming global learning and future-ready education in this Via Voices episode.
Where Will the Next Wave of EdTech Take Us?
Girish Ballolla of Gen Next Education explores how AI and tech are transforming global learning and future-ready education in this Via Voices episode.
Emails Keep Coming. Policies Keep Changing. What Now for ISSS?
ISSS professionals walk a tightrope: keeping their institutions compliant while caring deeply for the students and scholars.
200 Connections in 3 Days! Our NAFSA 2025 Retrospective
The Via team is back from NAFSA 2025 in San Diego, and we’re still riding high from an amazing week of connection, collaboration, and inspiration. Whether you joined us for our Good Vibes Happy Hour, stopped by our buzzing booth, or caught a glimpse of the local high...
Lawyers Without Law Degrees: A Day in the Life of ISSS Professionals
ISSS professionals walk a tightrope: keeping their institutions compliant while caring deeply for the students and scholars.
What If Global Learning (Intentionally) Started Outside the Classroom?
Roopa Rawjee shares how Illinois State University drives global student success and belonging beyond the classroom.
How NYU Achieves a 94% ISSS Retention Rate
NYU’s Sherif Barsoum shares how student-focused programming and tech help international students thrive, driving a 94% retention rate.
The Whole Journey, Not Just the Visa
In international education, a student’s story doesn’t end—or begin—with a visa stamp. Every record, every interaction, every update is part of a larger journey: from application, to enrollment, to OPT, to career pathways. Yet for too long, ISSS technology treated...
Beyond Borders, International Education Seeks a Human Connection with Babson’s Amir Reza
Discover how Babson’s Amir Reza champions global, human-centered entrepreneurship through international education and innovation.