Travel Talks and Events
Join Kate Sanders for Travel Talks – a webcast series dedicated to the OSU Alumni Association Group Travel Program.
Topics range from travel tips to information on various destinations and more. All Travel Talks are online at 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time
May 5 | Smoky Mountains & Pigeon Forge and Montréal & Québec City Christmas tour previews. Register.
OSU Alumni Association Executive Director John Valva and alumni group tour company Premier World Discovery will share previews of both trips, including how you can explore during the tour right before the OSU Football game against Appalachian State in October.
May 6 | Travel Talk: Learn about the Aurora Borealis and Solar Eclipse. Register.
Laura Brandt Edson, project manager for SciAct Aurorasaurus Citizen Science Project, illuminates the science behind auroras and solar activity — some of nature’s most mesmerizing light shows.
Recorded Travel Talk Presentations
- April 2 | Travel Talk: Travel to Ireland - Elizabeth Bell, ’90
- Have Sharks, Will Travel — Studying Sharks Around the Globe with OSU’s Big Fish Lab
- How Will Traveling Change in Our New Political Climate? David Bernell, associate professor of Political Science at Oregon State University.
- Traveling through time: Did medieval people go on vacation? Tekla Bude, Associate Professor in the School of Writing, Literature, and Film.
- Essence of India: A Global Perspective on Ecology & Culture
- Tips for taking your best travel photos with Julia Bradshaw.
- Sustainable Travel: Travel Talks partnered with the College of Health on their Our Health& online series to discuss sustainable travel.
- The Kingdom of the Netherlands: Agricultural Innovations and Culture for the World, presented by Dave Stone
- 2023 post-trip tour review: Uganda and the Gorilla Trek
- Colorado's Historic Trains tour preview with Sandy Doss of Mayflower Cruises and Tours.
- Italian Wine and Coffee with Elizabeth Tomasino, associate professor, Department of Food Science and Technology
Additional recordings are linked below.
Travel Talks | Travel to Ireland
Apr 02, 2025
Why is Ireland such a popular tourist destination? Explore the natural beauty, stunning landscapes, culture and more in this stirring and informative webcast with Irish native Elizabeth Bell, ’90.
Travel Talks | Have Sharks, Will Travel — Studying Sharks Around the Globe with OSU’s Big Fish Lab
Mar 11, 2025
This Travel Talk offers a unique lens into the interconnectedness of travel, conservation and the marine world we all love to explore with our guest speakers from the Big Fish Lab.
Travel Talks | How Will Traveling Change in Our New Political Climate?
Feb 27, 2025
Global travel is evolving in real time. How will recent executive orders and policy changes — on tariffs, health agency reporting and foreign aid — and shifting international sentiment toward the U.S. shape the way we move across borders?
Travel Talk | Traveling Through Time: Did Medieval People Go on Vacation?
Jan 14, 2025
In this Travel Talk, you’ll find out how, where and why people went on vacation in the medieval period, and how you can incorporate the top medieval vacation destinations into your own travels.
Travel Talk | Essence of India: A Global Perspective on Ecology & Culture
Nov 12, 2024
Discover India’s rich cultural tapestry, its evolving role on the global stage and its impactful conservation efforts through Khanna’s personal stories and insights.
Travel Talk | Italian Wine and Coffee
Mar 21, 2023
Discover the science behind the magic of wine and coffee in Italy with Elizabeth Tomasino, associate professor, Department of Food Science and Technology
Travel Talk | Croatia Coast
Feb 21, 2023
Dive into the culture and marine life of the Croatia Coast with Selina Heppell, department head of fisheries, wildlife and conservation sciences
Travel Talk | Greece and a Journey Through The Mediterranean
Nov 16, 2022
Explore Greece and Turkey's historical and cultural highlights with Gary B. Ferngren, emeritus professor of history.
Travel Talk | The Art and Science of Yellowstone National Park
Jun 01, 2022
Topics include the history and ecological research of Yellowstone, re-introduction of wolves and conservation efforts.
Travel Talk | Mekong River Cruise Tour Preview with Mayflower
Apr 19, 2022
Walk through the cities along the banks of the Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam including Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, Tan Chau, My Tho, Ho Chi Minh City and more.
Travel Talk | Alaska and the Inside Passage
Apr 08, 2022
Alaska's Inside Passage is one of nature's most unforgettable sights.
Travel Talk | Gorilla Trek Tour Preview with Mayflower
Mar 23, 2022
Talk with Sandy Doss, business development manager for Mayflower and OSU mom, to learn about this great tour.
Public Health Insider | A guide to navigating the return to travel
Feb 10, 2022
As the world continues to transition from the pandemic to the endemic, what does traveling look like post-vaccines?
Travel Talk | Discover Iceland through geology and mixology with Anita Grunder
Nov 16, 2021
Join the OSU Alumni Association Alumni Group Travel Program and OSU Professor Anita Grunder to learn about the land of fire and ice through the eyes of a geologist.
Tour Preview | Cruise the coastlines: French & Italian Rivieras with Corsica
Aug 04, 2021
Join us for an evening of tasting red wines from Italy and France with Elizabeth Tomasino, associate professor in OSU Department of Food Science and Technology.
Travel Talk | Tulip Time with Mayflower
Feb 24, 2021
Tulip Time on the Jewels of the Rhine Cruising the Rhine River is considered by many a must-do and 2022 may be your year.
Travel Talk | India and the Galapagos Islands with Holbrook Travel and OSU professor Sunil Khanna
Feb 10, 2021
Join us online Feb. 10 as we hear from Kevin Van Dien with Holbrook Travel about OSU alumni group tours to these areas in 2021, featuring close-up wildlife encounters, magnificent palaces and rich cultural traditions.
Travel Talk | Channel Islands with Lindblad Expeditions
Jan 20, 2021
The five Channel Islands off the southern coast of California have the designations of a national park, national monument and a national biosphere reserve.
Travel Talk | 2021 Travel Previews
Nov 18, 2020
Ready to start planning your next tour?
Travel Talk | 2021 Travel Preview with Go Next and Orbridge
Nov 18, 2020
Join us for a special travel preview event with Go Next and Orbridge Travel
Travel Talk | The New Way to Travel with Kate Sanders
Aug 13, 2020
So much has changed in the world of travel. As new information comes out about COVID-19 safety and prevention, our friends in the travel industry are working hard to develop new precautions and travel experiences that keep everyone healthy.
Travel Talk | Cuba and its People
Feb 19, 2020
Join the OSU Alumni Association Alumni Group Travel program and OSU Professor David Bernell to learn about Cuba and what it is like to travel to this wonderful country.
Travel Talk | Spain and Portugal - a look into the Iberian Peninsula's culture and cooking
Dec 10, 2019
Join the OSU Alumni Association Alumni Group Travel Program and OSU Professor Anuncia Escala to learn about Spain and Portugal’s history and culture, and an introduction to the April 2020 Paradores and Pousadas tour.
Travel Talk | Travel 101: Travel tips and the important items you don't want to forget
Sep 20, 2019
Join the OSUAA Alumni Group Travel Director Kate Sanders and Associate Executive Director Julie Schwartz for a conversation on traveling 101 – the important items you don’t want to forget.
About Kate Sanders
Director II, Alumni Programs and Alumni Group Travel
Kate Sanders is the director for academic enrichment and Alumni Group Travel at the Oregon State University Alumni Association, where she is responsible for the travel program as well as the association’s signature events and educational programming. Kate joined the alumni association in 2013 after planning presidential and university-level events at Oregon State University and has a professional background in project management, event planning, writing and environmental education. Travel and tourism have always been part of her life, from family trips when young, to living abroad in Australia, to work and personal travel today.
Kate has been to almost every state in the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico. She has hosted alumni group tours to destination such as Costa Rica, Scotland, Alaska, French Polynesia, the Channel Islands, Peru, Galapagos Island, the Grand Canyon and the Kentucky Derby. She has also visited Norway, Denmark, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Croatia, Ireland, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and Caribbean Islands, among others.