A Conversation with Jason Sanderson (Georgetown University), Recipient of the Education Abroad Leadership Award
Interviewer: Dr. Christina "Chris" Thompson, NAFSA EAKC Chair Elect; Founder & Managing Director, COMPEAR Global Education Network
Christina:
First, Jason, congratulations on receiving this year's Education Abroad Leadership Award. Your nomination was incredibly strong and deeply deserving. One of the recurring themes throughout the review process was the profound impact of your long-term leadership on the field of global education. Your work in visa and regulatory affairs was repeatedly recognized as the kind of leadership that often happens quietly behind the scenes—but is absolutely essential to keeping education abroad moving and supporting institutions and students around the world.
I'd love to begin by asking: What people, moments, or disruptions most shaped your path into global education, and how have they influenced the way you lead today?
Jason:
When you've been in the field for a while, there are a lot of people, moments, and definitely disruptions that shape your journey. We all lived through major ones like COVID-19, but there were others long before that.
Interestingly, some of my greatest leadership lessons came from observing leadership styles I didn't want to emulate. Sometimes you learn just as much from seeing what not to do as you do from positive examples.
Having worked on both the provider side and the university side, I gained an appreciation for the different perspectives each brings. That experience taught me to look for solutions that work for everyone, not just one side of the process. I've always tried to be transparent about regulations, explaining not just what the rules are, but why they exist.
One disruption that really stands out was the Icelandic volcanic eruption. It stranded students across Europe before Zoom or many of today's communication tools existed. It forced us to become creative problem-solvers, working with faculty, partners, and institutions to develop acceptable academic solutions under extraordinary circumstances.
Then, of course, COVID transformed everything. We had to bring students home, keep study abroad relevant while campuses were virtual, maintain relationships with overseas partners, and reassure everyone that this wasn't an "if" but a "when." Throughout it all, I learned that regulations often leave room for creativity if you're willing to explore the gray areas rather than viewing everything as simply black and white.
Christina:
Your leadership has been recognized not simply for participation, but for strengthening the infrastructure and stability of education abroad. Why does giving back to the field matter to you at this stage in your career?
Jason:
Visa advising is incredibly complex, especially for professionals who are new to the field or working in one-person offices. They simply can't be expected to keep up with every policy change, every consulate, and every procedural nuance while managing everything else on their desks.
That's why organizations like NAFSA are so important.
I've always believed our responsibility is to gather reliable information, interpret it carefully, and make it accessible so advisors have somewhere they can turn for trustworthy guidance. There is no shortage of information online, but not all of it is accurate or even official.
Being located in Washington, D.C., has given me access to relationships with consulates and embassies that many colleagues don't have. I've always felt a responsibility to use those relationships for the benefit of the profession, ensuring advisors receive timely, reliable information so they can confidently advise their students.
Ultimately, we're helping advisors, who then help students. That's what makes the work meaningful.
Christina:
There are many new professionals entering international education today. What leadership advice would you offer as the field continues to evolve and regulations become increasingly complex?
Jason:
The first thing I would tell anyone is simple:
Take a step back and take a deep breath.
Whenever regulations change, our first instinct is usually frustration, asking why something is happening or why it seems so difficult. But it's important to remember that education abroad exists within much larger national conversations around immigration, politics, housing, and public policy.
Understanding that broader context is essential.
I also encourage professionals to build relationships directly with consulates, liaison groups, and professional associations whenever possible. Behind every regulation is a person making decisions. Regulations may seem bureaucratic, but they're ultimately implemented by people.
Never lose sight of those human relationships. Those connections often become the key to solving problems and understanding change.
Christina:
Professional communities like NAFSA have clearly played an important role in your journey. How have organizations like NAFSA strengthened your work, and how can they continue to evolve?
Jason:
One of NAFSA's greatest strengths is creating relationships before crises happen.
Many years ago, we recognized that significant regulatory changes were coming in countries like France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Rather than waiting to react, we began building partnerships with consulates and government offices early.
Sometimes the improvements were surprisingly small.
I often tell the story of French visa guidance that referred to stays of "up to three months" and "four months or longer." To Americans, that wording suggested there was an unexplained gap. We worked with French officials to rewrite those instructions using days instead of months, 90 days versus 91 days.
That tiny language change dramatically reduced confusion for students and advisors alike.
Those are the kinds of behind-the-scenes collaborations that professional communities make possible.
Christina:
Many people may not be familiar with CAL. Can you explain what it is and why it matters?
Jason:
The Consular Affairs Liaison (CAL) Subcommittee is part of NAFSA's Education Abroad Knowledge Community.
Our primary role is helping education abroad professionals navigate visa processes and regulatory changes around the world.
We maintain country-specific guidance, FAQs, visa resources, and a visa help service where NAFSA members can submit questions about challenging student situations.
When advisors reach out to us, it's often because a student's departure is only days away. Our goal is to connect them with the right expertise as quickly as possible so students can move forward successfully whenever possible.
People sometimes jokingly call us miracle workers, but really we're simply a network of professionals who have built relationships and developed deep expertise over many years.
Christina:
Looking across the field more broadly, where do you think we have opportunities to think differently or improve?
Jason:
As a linguist, I would love to see language learning regain a more central place in education abroad.
We're seeing more programs delivered entirely in English, which certainly expands access, but it can also reduce opportunities for students to truly engage with local communities.
Students don't need to become fluent before they study abroad, but even introductory language learning creates richer experiences. Language helps students understand culture, build relationships, and appreciate perspectives they might otherwise miss.
That cultural understanding becomes incredibly valuable throughout their careers.
Christina:
Looking ahead, where do you see the greatest opportunities for growth in education abroad?
Jason:
I believe one of our greatest opportunities lies beyond Europe.
Europe has been tremendously successful, but in many ways it's becoming saturated. Meanwhile, incredible educational opportunities exist across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and many other regions.
These destinations offer students opportunities to learn not only academic content but also entirely different ways of thinking, living, and engaging with the world.
Study abroad should be about far more than visiting familiar destinations. It should challenge students to build meaningful connections with people from different cultures and understand perspectives beyond their own.
If we can continue expanding those opportunities, we'll prepare the next generation of global leaders far more effectively.
Christina:
Jason, thank you so much for sharing your insights today and, even more importantly, for the leadership you've provided to our profession over so many years.
I've always appreciated not only your expertise, but also your willingness to quietly support colleagues across the field. Congratulations again on this well-deserved recognition, and I look forward to seeing you at NAFSA.
Jason:
Thank you very much. I appreciate it, and I look forward to seeing everyone there as well.