Ismael Betancourt, the manager of the Office of International Services, is a familiar face to anyone with wanderlust.
Students who have attended his study abroad informational sessions for Saint Louis University’s Madrid program would likely recognize his quick, upbeat, Latin-accented voice; international students from places like China, South Korea and Spain identify him as a welcoming resource far from home.
Betancourt was born in Puerto Rico and came to SLU as an undergraduate student.
“[Puerto Rico is] very different,” he said. “It’s warmer, but not temperature-wise. There is more orientation toward family, people are affectionate and closer to each other . You meet a stranger, ask them to sit down, and they automatically become your friend.”
After earning a bachelor’s degree in international studies and international business from SLU, Betancourt returned to Puerto Rico from 1998-1999 to work as a computer analyst for Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceuticals.
There, he said, he enjoyed spending time with co-workers in and out of the office.
“I think it’s important to spend time with your colleagues. You get to see them in a different light,” he said. “After work Friday [in Puerto Rico], we all went out. Every single Friday. And sometimes Thursdays.”
Since he returned to St. Louis and started working for SLU’s International Services office as a study abroad counselor in 1999, Betancourt said he tries to promote a similar work environment.
Still, the office works hard, said Betancourt.
While SLU’s international student population has increased significantly since he began working at the University, he said, there are still only two counselors to respond to about 400 international students’ needs.
Similarly, the number of students studying abroad each semester is much larger relative to when Betancourt started working at SLU eight years ago.
As a result, Betancourt said he considers the office “maxed out . Everyone here easily puts in about 50-60 hours a week,” he said. “But it’s definitely worth it.”
With his enthusiasm for travel and for introducing students to study opportunities around the world, Betancourt became the office’s assistant director, then interim manager, before reaching his current position as manager, which he has held for two years.
No matter his position, he said he always makes a point of getting student input when setting up new study abroad programs.
“I listen to what students have to say and take these things very seriously. Students really have a voice when it comes to me,” Betancourt said.
Indeed, Betancourt helped to make students’ most-wanted study abroad destinations available as SLU-approved programs during the past few years.
Since he has worked here, he said, SLU has added sites like China, Australia and Ireland to the list of “SLU-approved”-and thus, relatively convenient-overseas-study countries.
Betancourt said he also enjoys the opportunities his position affords to travel to SLU’s partner study abroad sites.
“I go to Spain every semester to talk to students who are interested in coming to study here [at SLU] . and [this Friday, Feb. 1] I will be leaving for Dubai,” he said. “If I had to pick favorites . I love Spain and I love China-but they’re all great. London is great.”
Betancourt also visits his family in Puerto Rico three times a year. He said he has considered returning to live there, but “probably for retirement.”
