State Department Travel Advisories: Evolution and Current Use in International Education (feat. Ryan Larsen, Ph.D.)

Host Zac Macinnes welcomes Ryan Larsen, Ph.D., Senior International Officer and Executive Director of the Office of Global Engagement at Western Washington University, to unpack the history and impact of U.S. State Department Travel Advisories in international education. From their origins and the Lockerbie bombing to today’s Level 1–4 system, Ryan shares insights from his doctoral research and nearly two decades in international education. Together, they explore how advisories influence policy, risk management, and student access to global opportunities - offering context, caution, and best practices for creating safe yet transformative experiences abroad.