Alumnus earns study abroad program honor

A Grand Valley graduate was named GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Alumni of the Year during an international education conference.

Joey Courtade, who graduated in April with a bachelor’s degree in international relations and political science, said his experience in New Zealand helped guide his decision to pursue a master’s degree at New York University in higher education, with an emphasis on international education.

Courtade spent the spring 2012 semester in New Zealand. As GlobaLinks Alumni of the Year, Courtade was able to attend the NAFSA Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, and network with other international education professionals.

Courtade said he enjoyed learning about New Zealand’s culture and how it is engrained in the daily lives of residents. He made a video of his experiences, view it by clicking here.

Courtade learned about GlobaLinks Learning Abroad through Grand Valley’s Padnos International Center.