Study Abroad Student Assistant

Job Title Study Abroad Student Assistant Department Studies Abroad Terms and Hours Approx. 5+ hrs/wk Job Category Student Employment Hourly Wage Portland Metro Minimum Wage ($16.80)

Job Summary

This position helps to support the initiatives of the Study Abroad Office by guiding study abroad program participants through the pre-departure orientation process (such as coordinating and hosting meetings), by assisting office visitors (answering phones and e-mails), by engaging in study abroad recruitment (info sessions, events, one-on-one peer advising), by providing administrative support for the office (such as processing forms, managing the study abroad portal platform), social media engagement (Instagram, You Tube, and Facebook) and by completing special projects as assigned.

Student Assistants are invited (and encouraged) to propose projects that are aligned with their areas of passion and expertise that support the work of the Study Abroad Office. Student Assistants must maintain confidentiality of all non-public student information. Study Abroad Student Assistants will work collaboratively as a team, and all will do peer advising, but one or two may take the lead on social media management, one or two may take the lead on helping with administration of the study abroad portal, supporting the Study Abroad Ambassador program, etc.

Student assistants will work 5 or more hours a week (usually around 4.5 hours in the office working on projects/tasks and student peer advising) and must commit to attending regular staff meetings (one half-hour each week), which are required. Student Assistants will help coordinate and facilitate events/meetings such as recruitment events and pre-departure sessions and occasionally need to shift their hours to attend events.

Some of the in-office working hours may be spent covering the front desk/reception area of the office. Study Abroad is part of the Office of International Engagement which also includes International Student Services (ISS). Our office shares the same physical office space in Buckley 114 with Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement, so visitors to the office may have questions regarding study abroad, or may have questions which need to be directed elsewhere.

The Study Abroad Office currently has a total of two open Student Assistant positions for the upcoming academic year. Student Assistants will begin training during the first week of classes, with the first event being held on Friday, August 28th. Applications are due by August 12th, 2026, with the goal of holding interview the week of August 17th.

Core Duties

* Depending on expertise and interests, provide broad support for a specific Study Abroad program or programs as assigned, and guide students who are planning to participate in that program through the pre-departure process (coordinating pre-departure meetings, advising, etc.)

* Recruit students from all backgrounds and majors to participate in study abroad programs (Such as through on-campus presentations, tabling, in-class visits, social media, web development, and other means)

* Assist with planning and implementation of various events (such as Study Abroad Fair, Night of Reflection, information sessions, program pre-departure orientation meetings, re-entry sessions, photo contests, etc.)

* Serving as a point of contact for phone, email, and in-person inquiries

* Conduct peer advising through conversations with students considering studying abroad at events and one-on-one appointments

* Support with administration of the study abroad portal platform

* General office work (answering phones, assisting office visitors, processing paperwork, delivering materials to others on campus, scanning/uploading documents, processing mailings, maintaining a clean office, etc.)

* Other tasks and projects as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

* Past UP Study Abroad experience (on any semester or short term/summer program through the UP Study Abroad Office)

* You must be self-motivated and have great organizational skills. Further, we are looking for candidates with a proactive attitude and the ability to work both independently & as a respectful part of a team

* This position requires strong communication skills (speaking one-on-one with other students as well as public presentations to students or UP Families), an awareness and appreciation of cultural differences, and an ability to provide excellent service to all students, visitors, and UP employees

* You need to be comfortable giving presentations and speaking to groups

* You must be punctual and dependable but also willing to occasionally work outside of normal office hours

Preferred Qualifications

* Competence with Microsoft Office suite and the ability to learn new skills and technologies

* It is a plus to have experience managing various social media platforms, with online design platforms (such as Canva) and other online communication tools (blogging, web design, etc.)

Physical Requirements

* Talking, typing, sitting

* Standing during…