Ben Cecil

Are you from Athens originally? If not, where did you grow up?

I grew up outside of Atlanta, GA in the Johns Creek area.

Did you attend college and, if so, where and what did you study?

I went to UGA for my undergraduate degree where I majored in International Affairs with a minor in Spanish. After graduating, I attended Florida State University where I received my Master of Science degree in Higher Education.

Why were you interested in International Affairs? Did you have any interests or hobbies in high school that led you to pursue that major?

I was in the band in high school, where I played the clarinet all four years and was a drum major for three years. I have a cousin who is a professional clarinetist so it drew my interest. I do not think my band experience drew me to my major, but growing up I had always been interested in learning and connecting with people, which band allowed me to do. I have always been curious and interested in all things international affairs — the history of international relations, government, and other cultures. I have always found learning about different cultures, people, and customs across the world so incredibly riveting.

What hobbies do you have now?

It seems simple, but there is something so great about grabbing a bite to eat or going to a concert with close friends. I love cooking, traveling, and reading. I am currently pursuing my PhD at UGA’s Institute of Higher Education, so the majority of my reading is homework-based [laughs], but I still enjoy learning and applying what I am learning in my work. I enjoy running and yoga, also. Even if it is just for an hour or so, the opportunity to meditate and focus on my breathing is wonderful. It is my own moment to focus on me and appreciate everything in the moment.

You mentioned attending Florida State University for graduate school and have since returned to UGA for your current role in International Student Life. What was that transition like to leave UGA, attend a different school, and then come back?

It was incredible. I wanted to make sure that I was rounding out my experiences by attending a different school after finishing undergrad. I still remember visiting [FSU] and thinking that I saw so much potential for me to grow. That is exactly what happened. As I approached graduation, I was nervous about applying here [at UGA] because I did not want it look as if I was not exploring my options. To be honest, the senior coordinator position after graduate school is and was an incredible opportunity. It was directly linked to my two passions — international relations and the student experience. I am glad that I took the leap to apply because it has been an experience that promotes my evolution as a person and a professional. As time has gone on, I have been able to expand my approach from programmatic to big picture thinking.

It sounds like you really enjoy your job. Is there anything you love most about it?

I love getting to do many different things in one role. I appreciate getting to balance between being a specialist in a specific focus area in the field of student affairs and getting a wide array of opportunities to make an impact directly and indirectly in the lives of students. It is incredible to get to see how much our work directly affects student lives. No two days are the same, so it continues to call upon my adaptability to find a solution that is best for our students. In addition, because of the resources international students need to be successful, it calls on me to connect and build relationships across campus to ensure they are getting the best of what UGA can offer.

What might be something other staff do not know about the work your office does?

I think there is a perception that we only work solely with international students. What I love about our work is that we get to encourage intercultural education for all students. International students and non-international students get to explore cool and unique things about different cultures through events and programs. I have grown so much by being able to learn about others across the world so it is great to be able to provide others with that option as well.

If someone wanted to collaborate with you, what would they reach out to you about?

We can incorporate a lot of our information and resources to practically any and every program. Whether it is sharing information about a program or helping provide a broader cultural lens to a program, we love finding new ways to collaborate with staff. Something to keep an eye on would be International Education Week coming up in November where we celebrate the benefits of international education and acknowledge the contributions of international students on campus. Staff can attend and bring their students to International Coffee Hour every Friday from 11:30am-1:00pm in the Memorial Hall Ballroom. We also offer a training for staff and faculty called Global Dawgs where we provide resources to enhance intercultural competency. Of course, we are open to collaborating and would love to learn from others ways in which we could collaborate.

Any advice for newer staff or things that you’d like to share?

I would say, overall, find a way to connect with others. There’s so many incredible people that work here. Find ways in which you can take the time to curate relationships with colleagues around you. It’s important to know the people that you work with beyond just their title and job description. Try new things around Athens to find your community with people at UGA and outside of UGA.

What’s the coolest thing you have ever done and why?

In May 2018, I took fourteen students on a Maymester study abroad program in Costa Rica that focused on geology and culture, where I taught a section of ISL’s class, ECHD 4000 – Global Perspectives in Culture. Not only was it fun to get to connect with students that were studying complex, geological things, but I also got to go zip lining. It was such a humbling and awe-inspiring experience to zip line through the forest canopy. Another cool experience is that I studied abroad as part of the UGA at Oxford program. I spent three weeks there during my last year as an undergraduate student. Spending time abroad taught me a lot. It gave me the chance to learn and grow. Whether it was learning my way around or expanding my perspective on the world, I learned that I am capable more than I thought I was.