After serving 13 years at Nebraska Wesleyan University, Inger Bull, Director of International Education, has said goodbye.
Her last day was Friday, April 15. Bull has accepted a new job as Colorado College’s Director of International Programs.
During her time at Nebraska Wesleyan, Bull has seen several positive changes to the international education program including the addition of a sister school in Estonia and a healthy increase in the number of students who study abroad. On average, 23-29 percent of NWU students have a study abroad experience during their time at Nebraska Wesleyan. In the 1997-1998 academic year, 11 students studied abroad for a semester or year compared to 76 during the 2008-2009 academic year.
Bull attributes the increase to heightened marketing efforts to make students aware of the possibility of studying abroad. She has worked to reach first-year students during their first semester by visiting Liberal Arts Seminars to inform students of the available opportunities both financially and academically.
“The professors have been amazing. They talk with students about studying abroad and work the experience into their schedules during advising,” said Bull. “Every department encourages students to study abroad, including the Registrar’s Office to make it as easy as possible for students to have a study abroad experience.”
In 2008, Nebraska Wesleyan was a recipient of the Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization.
“This award provided us with the sense that we were positively moving in the right direction,” said Bull. “It allowed us to focus on where we had gone and where we were moving toward internationalization.”
She said the award was a highlight of her time at NWU.
The major shift toward internationalization began 20 years ago, with the introduction of programs including the global studies and international business majors.
Bull has also enjoyed watching the paths that former study abroad interns have taken.
“We began having a study abroad intern in the office five years ago,” said Bull. “Many of these students have gotten jobs in international education, which is exciting to see.”
“I will miss working with the students,” she added. “They make me laugh and keep me young. I love working with this age group and knowing it’s many students’ first time abroad. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Nebraska Wesleyan. It has been rewarding to help build up the program and see students through their study abroad experiences.”