This month, French professor Brenda Dyer sat down with Global Studies (Formerly IAS) Alum Andrew Damron to discuss how his Drexel education and numerous experiences abroad gave him the tools to take charge of his destiny. From being the president of a student association, living and traveling around the globe, and all the way to his career helping asylum seekers at the Department of Homeland Security, Andrew urges students to make the most of their world-class education opportunities.

Music for the podcast is written, performed, and produced by Isaac Levy. Episode produced by Cameron Hopkins, Drexel Global Studies '25.

On the Map shares diverse student experiences and career journeys of our global studies and international area studies alumni. We will embark on an exciting adventure across different generations, collective memories and cultures.

Episode 2: From Campus Advocate to Chief Deputy Counsel of Homeland Security

On this episode, French professor Brenda Dyer and 2001 International Area Studies alum Ahaji Schreffler talks about her experiences studying abroad in France and how it led to her work as the Senior Director of Education Abroad, Office of Global Engagement at Drexel University. She also gives advice about how to make the most out the intercultural experiences Philadelphia offers, and how Global Studies can help students embrace the world. 

Music for the podcast is written, performed, and produced by Isaac Levy. Episode produced by Elton Torres, Department Administrator, Global Studies and Modern Languages.

On the Map shares diverse student experiences and career journeys of our global studies and international area studies alumni. We will embark on an exciting adventure across different generations, collective memories and cultures.

Episode 6: From Study Abroad in France to Success at Drexel Global

On this episode, French professor Brenda Dyer and alum Rahat N. Babar, BA international area studies '03, recollect Rahat's experience as a participant in the Organization of American States seminar class. He talks about the arc of his career in public service beginning with law school to becoming a lawyer –both in public and private practice– and going on to serve as a Judge on the Superior Court of New Jersey, the first Bangladeshi American to be a member of the court. Rahat now works with the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) as Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel. NAPABA is a national non-profit association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors and law students.

Music for the podcast is written, performed, and produced by Isaac Levy. Episode produced by Elton Torres, Department Administrator, Global Studies and Modern Languages.

On the Map shares diverse student experiences and career journeys of our global studies and international area studies alumni. We will embark on an exciting adventure across different generations, collective memories and cultures.

Episode 7: From Judge to the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association - Rahat Babar

Even though James Langel, BA international area studies '03, MBA '07, began his freshman year at Drexel as a business major, he says making the change to global studies allowed him to ultimately meet his career goals. James' cultural immersion began with programs like study abroad in Madrid and a co-op in Paris that inspired him to learn many languages and gain cultural competency. To this day, these skills help him better understand people's behaviors and give him vital insight into the global market in his job as the Product Owner of Visual Community Generated Content at IKEA. In this role, James, who earned his MBA from Drexel's LeBow College of Business, develops digital strategies and video technology to promote IKEA's product line across more than 25 different countries.

Music for the podcast is written, performed, and produced by Isaac Levy. Episode produced by Elton Torres, Department Administrator, Global Studies and Modern Languages.

On the Map shares diverse student experiences and career journeys of our global studies and international area studies alumni. We will embark on an exciting adventure across different generations, collective memories and cultures.

Episode 2: From Campus Advocate to Chief Deputy Counsel of Homeland Security

Drexel On the Map

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