The Office of Education Abroad is a member of the Forum for Education Abroad (Forum), Institute of International Education, and Association of International Educators (NAFSA). The Office of Education Abroad is guided by the Forum's Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad, 6th Edition, to support high-quality programs.
UAB Education Abroad administers, establishes, and sends UAB students on high-quality education abroad opportunities to prepare them for success in the globalized world.
Visit our Office
UAB Office of Education Abroad
Suite 222M | Sterne Library
917 13th Street South
Birmingham, Alabama 35294
(205) 975-6611
Get to Know Our Staff
Mason Simmons, Faculty-Led Program Coordinator
Mason Simmons graduated from UAB with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in Chinese Language in 2021. Currently, she is the Faculty-led Program Coordinator, however, she has also been the Passport Agent, and a Peer Ambassador here in Education Abroad. While still a student, she studied abroad in Chengdu, China for fall 2019 and Montevideo, Uruguay for spring 2020.
Mason’s love of adventure has been present since she was a child. She visited 17 states and Mexico before graduating high school and has not stopped exploring since. Her goal is to eventually visit all 50 states and all 7 continents. After her study abroad experience as an undergraduate, she found a passion for making education abroad obtainable for all students.
When it comes to time-off, Mason enjoys exploring new local coffee shops, taking long drives with the top down, and singing off-key karaoke. On sunny days and long weekends, you can find her curled up with a book or at the park enjoying a picnic.
As the Faculty-Led Program Coordinator, Mason collaborates with faculty to develop short term education abroad programs across the world and recruit students across campus. She looks forward to growing and diversifying the faculty-led portfolio.
Rachel Bailes, Associate Director Education Abroad and Passport Office
Rachel Bailes graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2018 and a master’s degree in Counselor Education in 2021. Prior to working at UAB, she was a One Stop Advisor at Samford University. She has a passion for serving students and is excited to have the opportunity to support UAB students as they explore and experience more of the world through Education Abroad.
In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, trying local coffee shops and restaurants, and exploring Birmingham with her rescue dog, Zoe.