Meet the Team

Sarah Husain - Head of Global Opportunities

I am responsible for the strategic direction of Global Opportunities at Liverpool and overseeing the work of the team. Originally from the Wirral, I studied for a BA (Hons) in German with Portuguese Minor at the University of Leeds which saw me spend a year in Austria and a semester in Portugal.  Following my undergraduate studies I completed an MA in Contemporary European Studies at the Humboldt University of Berlin. After working as an International Officer for Leeds Council I returned to my home turf to lead Study Abroad activities at the University of Liverpool. Outside of Global Opportunities, I enjoy spending time with my young family.

Rich Dunning - Deputy Head of Global Opportunities

rdunning@liverpool.ac.uk

Jo Heaps - Global Opportunities Development Manager

saagree@liverpool.ac.uk

I am responsible for new partnership development, Global Opportunities governance and overseeing the delivery of key Global Opportunities projects. Originally from Bolton,  I hold a BA in Japanese Studies with Japanese Language (University of Winchester), an MA in Advanced Japanese Studies (University of Sheffield) and an MA in Translation and Interpreting (University of Manchester). During my BA, I spent a year studying in Japan as an exchange student and have since lived and worked in Japan for four more years, continuing to develop my love of the language, food and culture (and singing J-Pop at karaoke)! Outside things Japanese, I enjoy swing dancing and travel all over the UK to take part in dance events.  

Edd Barley - Global Opportunities Development Manager

ebarley@liverpool.ac.uk

I am responsible for working with partners who wish to send their students to Liverpool for anything from 3 weeks of summer to a full year of study. I look after relationships which are outside of existing exchange arrangements, as well as find ways to spread the word about the brilliant offer here in Liverpool. Before moving to Liverpool from London I worked at several universities in an international capacity, looked after international students in Oxford, taught English at a university in Oaxaca, Mexico for 4 years, and cleaned skyscrapers in New Zealand, amongst other things. Most of my time is spent with my family, apart from rare occasions when I can escape to mess around on boats or catch some live music- in the best city in the world for both!

Joan Squires - International Summer School Manager

squires@liverpool.ac.uk

I am responsible for managing delivery of all aspects of the International Summer School (ISS), ensuring the provision of an excellent student experience and efficient programme delivery. Originally from the Wirral, I have always worked within the UK higher education sector. Firstly, in widening participation with mature students and then moving onto working on the development of the ISS, welcoming students from around the world to Liverpool. Outside of university life I enjoy finding new coffee shops to visit, spending time with family and friends and going on walks with my dog.

Eleanor Ehlen -Global Opportunities Manager (Outbound Students)

eleanor.ehlen@liverpool.ac.uk

I am responsible for the management of all outbound programmes and growing the opportunities available to students here at University of Liverpool. I am Liverpool born and raised and I studied for a BSc in Accounting and Mathematics at Liverpool Hope University where I also studied at Ball State University (Indiana, USA) for a year. I have previously worked at Liverpool Hope University running their outbound programme and partook in three volunteering trips to India. I enjoy playing and coaching football and I am a FA Level 1 football coach at a local female grassroots club. I also love travelling, meeting new people and exploring new cultures.  

Josh Evans - Global Opportunities Manager (Inbound Students)

Josh.Evans@liverpool.ac.uk

I am responsible for managing our inbound exchange and visiting programme here at Liverpool. I graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a BSc in Events Management and Tourism. While studying I worked at a summer camp in Maryland, USA, and had the opportunity to visit many other states on the east coast. After graduating I worked for Disney World in Florida, it was an amazing experience and I had the chance to work with people from around the world. Prior to my current position I spent 5 years working as an adviser within the Global Opportunities team. I love maps, airports, airplanes and pretty much anything to do with travel!

Rachel Finney - Global Opportunities Adviser

GoUoL@liverpool.ac.uk (Inbound) or goabroad@liverpool.ac.uk (Outbound)

I provide support for students coming to UoL from or going on exchange to Australasia, Austria, Benelux, France, Germany and South East Asia. Originally from the United States, I was born in California but grew up in colorful Colorado. During my undergraduate studies at Colorado State University (Go Rams!), I spent a semester in France and a summer term in Italy. My times abroad were very impactful and lead me to receive a BA in International Studies with a Minor in French. After graduating, I worked for the study abroad program Semester at Sea before moving to the UK. Throughout my studies and travels, I enjoy learning new languages and improving my proficiency. If I’m not traveling, you can also always find me at the cinema or catching up on the latest TV shows. I particularly love watching French films and period dramas. 

Responsible for: Australia & New Zealand, Austria, Belgium, The Netherlands France, Germany, Japan. Malaysia.

Advising Hours: Tuesday 2pm-4pm. Meeting link, HERE.

Melina Fiol - Global Opportunities Adviser

GoUoL@liverpool.ac.uk (Inbound) or goabroad@liverpool.ac.uk (Outbound)

I provide support for students coming to UoL from or going on exchange to North, South & Central America, Denmark, Northern & Southern Europe and India. I studied for a BA Film Studies at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and during my degree I spent a summer working at Walt Disney World in Orlando and took part in a Summer School in China. A big personal goal of mine is to visit every Disney theme park in the world - I only have two more to go!

Responsible for: North, South & Central America, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Italy.

Advising Hours: Thursday 2pm-4pm. Meeting link, HERE.

Lanxin (Lena) Wu - Global Opportunities Adviser

GoUoL@liverpool.ac.uk (Inbound) or goabroad@liverpool.ac.uk (Outbound)

I offer support to students who are either arriving at the University of Liverpool from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan or going on exchange to these regions. Originally from China, I came to the University of Liverpool through the 2+2 program with XJTLU and graduated with a BSc in Applied English. 
Whilst studying abroad, I had the opportunity to explore within the UK and travelled all around Europe to countries such as Iceland, Switzerland and Norway. Having enjoyed this experience enormously, I was inspired to apply for my current role. I would like to help all students with similar aspirations create an experience as memorable and fulfilling as mine.

Apart from my passion for travelling, I am a massive gamer, and I enjoy a wide range of video games from first-person shooters and card games to RPGs such as Baldur’s Gate 3. I am currently teaching myself programming and one ambitious goal of mine is to make my own game some day!

Responsible for:  Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan

Advising Hours: Friday 2pm-4pm. Meeting link, HERE.

Grace Edge - Global Opportunities Adviser

GoUoL@liverpool.ac.uk (Inbound) or goabroad@liverpool.ac.uk (Outbound)

I provide support for students coming to UoL from or going on exchange to South Korea, as well as looking after all short term mobilities. I graduated from the University of Lancaster in 2020 with a BA in Spanish and Linguistics studies. Whilst at university, I worked abroad for a year as a teaching assistant in Spain, and made the most of several other travel opportunities as a student. After graduating, I have worked in a range of roles including the prison service and the NHS, before returning to the world of travel and education. In my spare time I enjoy all things music and singing, learning new things from books and podcasts, and long walks with the dog.

Responsible for: South Korea & all summer programmes.

Advising Hours: Monday 1pm-3pm. Meeting link, HERE.

Niall O'Donnell - Global Opportunities Co-ordinator (Marketing & Events)

niall.o-donnell@liverpool.ac.uk

I am responsible for the coordination of the marketing and events activity across Global Opportunities. I studied Marketing at Sheffield Hallam University and graduated in 2016, having also completed a year working for The Walt Disney Company at their UK & EMEA Head Office in London. After graduating I worked for Everton Football Club within their Media, Marketing & Communications department, which was a fantastic experience as I am a huge Evertonian. Aside from travel and football, my main interest is music, having played bass guitar for over 14 years.

Alicia Shanahan - Global Opportunities Assistant

saenq@liverpool.ac.uk

I am your first point of contact for all general enquiries. I graduated from my undergrad at Keele University in 2017 were I studied American Studies. Whilst at Keele, I spent my second year abroad at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. In my third year, I spent a semester as a Study Abroad Peer Adviser and helped outbound and inbound students make the most of their Study Abroad experiences. I then completed my Master’s degree in Cities, Culture and Creativity at Liverpool John Moore’s University in 2022. In my spare time, I enjoy taking acting classes, reviewing theatre productions, swimming and trying out new restaurants in and around the city. I try to watch a film every now and then to keep up with my passion of film theory.