Our top tips if you’re attending your very first EAIE Conference
Attending the EAIE Conference and Exhibition for the first time can often feel like stepping into a living, breathing map of global education. Everywhere you turn, there are new faces, new ideas and new possibilities. It’s thrilling, but it can also be a little overwhelming, especially if you’ve never experienced a conference of this scale before.
Keeping this in mind, we reached out to first-time attendee Angeline Li Wah Thong (Assistant Professor, Multimedia University), who shared some of her must-dos for making the most of the experience.
So, if you’re preparing to join us in Glasgow this September for EAIE Glasgow 2026, we’ve put together our top first-timer tips to help you feel grounded, confident and ready to make the most of your time with us. Let’s jump in!
Give yourself permission to ease in
The first morning at the conference has often been described as a swirl of sessions, signage and thousands of adrenaline-fuelled fellow participants. Angeline shared that if your first morning also shapes up to be something similar, you’re not alone.
Give yourself permission to ease in. Wander a little. Ask questions. The organising committee and our dedicated team of volunteers are wonderfully supportive and genuinely want you to feel at home. A quick chat with them can turn uncertainty into clarity faster than you’d expect. You can also browse the conference programme to get a taste of what you can expect on your first day.
Plan your days but keep space for surprises!
Having your schedule ready for the week is helpful, but the magic of the conference often happens in the in‑between moments:
– A spontaneous conversation while grabbing coffee
– A session you join on a whim
– A recommendation from someone you just met
For Angeline, it was essential to leave room for curiosity. Some of your most meaningful encounters at EAIE Glasgow 2026 are likely to take place when you step away from your original plan.
Focus on quality connections, not just numbers
The EAIE Conference and Exhibition is often described as "travelling the world without leaving the conference halls’’.
Instead of trying to meet as many people as possible, focus on genuine conversations, ones where you exchange stories, challenges and ideas. Those connections have the most potential to grow into collaborations and friendships that continue long after the conference ends. Angeline shares that if you’re shy or unsure how to start, try attending one of our many networking events or simply introducing yourself to the person sitting next to you. Everyone is here to connect!
Looking back, what made the experience so meaningful was not only the content, but the connections, support and sense of shared purpose that unfolded over the four days.
Step outside your comfort zone
It’s tempting to stick to sessions that align closely with your role, but EAIE Glasgow 2026 is a rare chance to explore the full spectrum of international education. According to Angeline, some of the sessions you attend "just to see" could end up reshaping your understanding of internationalisation and opening doors to collaborations you wouldn’t expect. Pick at least one session that feels new or unfamiliar; you might be surprised by what resonates.
Reflect on what you want to carry forward
When the conference ends, your experience doesn’t. Take a moment to reflect on what inspired you, what challenged you and what you want to carry forward. Then reach out to the people you met. A tip from Angeline; a simple message like "It was great meeting you at EAIE" over LinkedIn or our Conference App can be the start of a long‑term partnership or friendship.
Lastly, it’s important to keep in mind that EAIE Glasgow 2026 is more than a conference. It’s a celebration of ideas, shared purpose and the global international education community we’re all part of. For many people in our community, their first conference experience has been a defining moment in their professional journey, and we hope yours will be just as meaningful.
I left with a deeper appreciation of the international education community and great anticipation for future EAIE conferences.
If you’re feeling excited, nervous, curious or all of the above, you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. Feeling the anticipation already and can’t wait for everything Glasgow has to offer? Connect with your fellow conference-goers on our Community Platform. A big thank-you first- timer Angeline for sharing these invaluable tips with us!
