Knox College's traditional "welcome back" dinner celebrated the return of students who recently spent time all over the world, pursuing academic interests in study abroad or other off-campus programs.

The January 22 event featured guest speaker Aaron Bruce, chief diversity officer at San Diego State University.

Students who study abroad "begin to see the world through a global lens," and employers value that type of perspective, said Bruce.

"Employers want candidates who are globally minded leaders capable of working with diverse groups of people," he said.

Dr. Aaron Bruce Advises: Find the Meaning

As a college student, Bruce completed three study abroad programs. He continued to explore other countries and cultures while he worked on his doctorate.

It's important to find the meaning behind a study abroad experience, Bruce said. He urged students to take time to reflect on what they learned and how they adapted to a new culture -- and then apply some of those lessons to their lives back home.

"Give as much as you've taken," he said. "Be bold. Be brave."

Knox faculty member Robin Ragan, director of the Stellyes Center for Global Studies, encouraged students to share with others their experiences from study abroad.

"Keep telling your stories, in class and across campus," said Ragan, associate professor of modern languages (Spanish). "Try to keep these experiences alive in your life."

Students Say They're More Open, Confident

Students agreed they benefited tremendously by studying abroad.

"I feel so much more confident, not only outside of school, but in the classroom," said Tawni Sasaki, who studied in China. "I find myself volunteering (in class) more. I find that what I have to say represents my own experiences and I want other people to know that."

Kristen Marvin has studied abroad in Dublin, Ireland; Florence, Italy; and London, England. She also participated in Knox's December 2014 trip to Cuba.

"I think what I gained most is the ability to be a sponge for all these different cultures, and not just remain as closed-off as a lot of people like to be because it's comfortable," she said.

(Photo above: Knox student Kathryn Todd's study abroad experiences include studying in Barcelona, Spain.)