Before working at Tufts, she served in the Peace Corps and taught biology and ceramics in Ghana and India. Behrens' responsibilities at the College will include acting as the Assistant Director of the Career Center and Assistant Dean of Students.
She joined the College's staff last Monday and currently works in a temporary office located in College Hall. She has been getting acquainted with her new surroundings and meeting with faculty and staff throughout the week. Starting next week, she will begin taking appointments from the student body to discuss matters related to study abroad. "I really look forward to meeting the students and getting to know their interests and concerns," said Behrens.
Behrens is easing into her responsibilities under the guidance of William Hoffa, who will stay around until the middle of March. "It's a privilege to have Bill Hoffa helping me out, because he's such a guru in the field of study abroad," said Behrens.
Behrens indicated that she was attracted to the College for a number of reasons. Primarily, she wanted a greater share of responsibilities. "I had a lot of depth working at Tufts, but I wanted more breadth," said Behrens.
Behrens was also attracted by the initiatives the College was undertaking to promote study abroad programs. "I also liked how the College is undergoing a state of transition under President [Anthony] Marx. The CAP Report had a section on the Global Comprehension Committee, and they were looking to expand study abroad opportunities into more nontraditional areas."
The fact that Amherst is a small liberal arts college with an open curriculum also appealed to Behrens when she applied for the position of Director of International Experience.
She stated, "Since there is an open curriculum, students won't have general education requirements to fulfill, and this will make it easier for some students to pursue study abroad."
She also has some ideas up her sleeve about changes she would like to see at the College. Right now she is listening to input from the faculty and the administration. She would like to see different programming for individual study abroad opportunities.
For instance, forming and utilizing a panel of students who had gone to Francophone African countries. She wants to present to all underclassmen information about the wealth of opportunities available in the College's study abroad program.
Behrens also envisions improved pre-departure orientation programs for study abroad students. Aside from having orientations that will be region-specific, she also advocates orientations that will "address issues of identity, such as race, gender, class and so forth." Behrens explained, "Students go abroad to learn about a different culture, but at the same time, they will learn about themselves. Discussing issues of identity is an important piece in personal development." It seems the future of the study abroad program is in good hands.
For all those interested in studying abroad next fall, the deadline is March 15, 2007. Anyone who wishes to travel in the spring must declare their intention to do so by April 15. Please visit the Career Center Web site at for more information.