Biography

Mélissa Toupin Laforge wearing a traditional
Japanese Yukata
Photo taken by Allison Kwesell

A young professional in the field of international education since 2006, I have had the pleasure of promoting cross-cultural understanding and personal leadership within the context of my position as the Education Abroad Coordinator at Nipissing University.  Within this role, I have coordinated the mobility of numerous students to various parts of the world for the purpose of study, internship, work and volunteer.  Chair of Nipissing University's local World WUSC committee have worked closely with numerous organizations both locally and nationally including World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and the North Bay and District Multicultural Centre and Newcomer Network.  My passion for international education and its potential for intercultural learning, global literacy, and peace building has grown over the years and solidified throughout my experiences.        


Ever since my own study abroad experience, during my undergraduate program, I've been longing for yet another extended educational and cultural experience in a foreign country.  Thanks for the support and encouragement of colleagues, family and friends I decided to apply for the Rotary World Peace Fellowship.  Delighted to be one of 50 Rotary Peace Fellows worldwide, and am currently expanding my knowledge and understanding of peace education, which I plan to apply in the field of international education.  I am currently enrolled the two-year Public Policy and Social Research Masters Program at the International Christian University in Tokyo, specializing in social and cultural analysis.  


Since the beginning of my career at Nipissing University, I have had the multiple opportunities to partake in conferences and training workshops offered by organizations such as  The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE); Queen's University International Educators Training Program (IETP); University of British Columbia's Centre for Intercultural Communication and World University Service of Canada.  In June 2011 was delighted to co-facilitate the "IETP I: Advising and Programming for New Professionals Working with Outbound Students" training program offered through Queen's University International Centre.  My professional development has and continues to be supported by my supervisor, mentor, and dear friend, Karen Strang.        


My educational background in in Business Administration.  In 2006, I graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA - Human Resources Stream) from Nipissing University's School of Business and Economics.  Eight-months of my undergraduate studies where spent abroad.  I studied international business and 
culture for one semester at Rouen Business School in France; Took part in the International Youth Leadership Conference in Czech Republic; and lived in Spain over the summer months to study Spanish language at the Escuela Internacional de Español.  Like many students, my study abroad sojourn sparked within me a deep desire to learn more about the peoples, places, and cultures of the world.