morning conference sessions | 10:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Big Think: crazy like us Brian Brubaker (Dickinson College), Anne Hubbard (AIFS Study Abroad) Crazy Like Us: The Globalization of the American Psyche by Ethan Watters (New Press, 2010). Crazy Like Us speaks directly to an evolving challenge faced by professionals working with U.S. students: the increase in students studying abroad with diagnosed mental health issues. Crazy Like Us examines how various mental health conditions are diagnosed and treated differently across cultures, and proposes that the U.S. often imposes its conceptions of mental illness in (and on) other countries. Watters’ work has implications for understanding the context of mental illness abroad, especially when working collaboratively with resident staff when student issues arise. This session features a panel of colleagues and experts to address the issues and assumptions in the book, and encourages broad-ranging participant discussion. [NOTE: Crazy Like Us: The Globalization of the American Psyche (Free Press, 2010) is readily available for purchase through online vendors in paperback and e-book formats.] education abroad and u.s. foreign policy Goals Bahareh Moradi (U.S. Department of State), Brian Whalen (Forum on Education Abroad), Rita Moriconi (EducationUSA) The U.S. Department of State, sponsor of the Fulbright and Gilman programs, considers U.S. education abroad a priority directly related to foreign policy goals, including increasing U.S. global competitiveness and engagement. Panelists will discuss the State Department’s interest in education abroad and the practical tools that are available for utilizing government resources to support education abroad. culture in the lab: a Model for undergraduate sTeM research abroad which integrates intercultural competence Jim Galvin (University of California, San Diego), Jason Haga (University of California, San Diego) International research internships for STEM majors represent a new model to expand education abroad to non-traditional groups. At University of California, San Diego, the Pacific Rim Experiences for Undergraduates (PRIME) provides STEM internships along with intercultural learning. This interactive session will focus on program development, partnering with faculty, and assessment. developing Global ambassadors for patient safety Tricia Todd (University of Minnesota), Cathy Huber (University of Minnesota), Aly Dagang (SIT Study Abroad), Laurie Black (SIT Study Abroad), Jessica Evert (Child Family Health International) As pre-health students clamor to gain experiences abroad in health-related settings, they often underestimate the complexities of such contexts, including potential risks to themselves and patients. This session offers tools for advisors and study abroad professionals to proactively raise awareness of and develop global ambassadors for patient safety. 10