How to #BeBoldForChange on International Women's Day

To celebrate International Women's Day, our female colleagues at IES Abroad share their advice on how to create real impact, forge a better working world, and #BeBoldForChange.

Here are their words of wisdom:

	#BeBold. Be You. Ask Questions. “Seek contacts and assistance from others in the field, and say ‘yes’ to career opportunities even if you don't feel that the career opportunity is immediately consistent with your career plan. Career opportunity coupled with hard work begets more opportunity.” Dr. Mary M. Dwyer, President & CEO
	#BeBold. Be You. Don't Be Afraid. “Don't let social pressure stop you. Don't be afraid: go, go, go.” Nathalie Lenfant, IES Abroad Paris BIA Center Director
	#BeBold. Be You. Trust Your Intuition. “Be brave. Even if you're the only woman in the room, never underestimate the power of your intuition. Be empathetic. Kindness does not equal weakness—you can be good and be successful. Be smart. If you want it bad enough and work hard enough for it, you'll achieve more than you ever thought possible.” Amy Ruhter McMillan, AVP of Marketing
	#BeBold. Be You. Get Involved. “If you have studied abroad, it is important that you can articulate it in some way. Upon returning, get/stay active in study abroad—peer advising, being an Ambassador, or helping out with orientation.” Chantal Omloo, IES Abroad Amsterdam Center Director
	#BeBold. Be You. Stay Determined. “I suggest that women aim to be as bold, precise, and excellent as possible as they act on their international career aspirations. Men are still the predominant gender in most international careers, so realize that you may need to speak more fluently in multiple languages, understand various cultures more deeply, and be more knowledgeable about the nuances of your field to be as marketable and as competitive in the workplace. We are formidable when we are determined.”  Gretchen Cook-Anderson, Director of Diversity Recruiting & Advising
	#BeBold. Be You. Immerse Yourself. “Study abroad! Start as soon as possible and, if you can, repeat this experience in different locations. Maximize the benefits of study abroad: meet local people, get immersed in the community, and make connections. Stay connected with your international contacts after your return.” Dr. Elvira Muñoz, IES Abroad Madrid Center Director
	#BeBold. Be You. Play Your Game. “You must be nimble and able to adapt to changes in the field.  And, idealistic as it may sound, I believe success in any field comes from having integrity, being genuine, and playing your game.” Hope McClelland-Young, Director of College Relations & Advising
	#BeBold. Be You. Find Your Passion. “Find your passion in life for you need to be passionate about what you do. Be patient for it might take you some time to find yours.” Maria Carmen Cortes Arce, IES Abroad Santiago Center Director
	#BeBold. Be You. Learn Languages. “Learn languages—the more the better.” Barbara Liberatore, IES Abroad Salamanca Center Director
	#BeBold. Be You. Discover Other Cultures. “Read and know as much as possible about the other culture(s) that you’re likely to work with.  Cultural understanding and an attempt to communicate in other languages will speak volumes about your ability to work across cultures and to contribute to a global workplace.” Megan Leff, AVP Academic Affairs & Assessment

Whether it’s by mastering a foreign language, following your passions, or studying abroad, we hope that being bold for change takes you across the globe and back again.

Happy International Women’s Day from IES Abroad!

How will you #BeBoldForChange? We can't wait to find out. Find the best place to study abroad for you, and get out there and be bold.