Mónica Pérez-Bedmar is a double national Spanish-American. Upon completion of primary and secondary school in her hometown of Madrid, she received a scholarship to study in Florida Tech University, where she completed a BS in Oceanography and thereafter a M.Sc in Coastal Zone Management with a research assistantship which entailed environmental assessment programs. Upon completion of the Masters she was appointed Environmental Project Coordinator of Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Protection Department of the Marine Resources Council of Central Florida.
Since her return to Spain in 2000, she has taught oceanography and environmental science in Saint Louis University, Madrid Campus, and Syracuse University, Madrid Program, nd during the past four years has directed a travelling seminar on Marine Ecology with extended field trips to the Mediterranean coastline and participation in activities and conferences with Mediterranean NGOs. She also has participated in the creation and implementation of environmental education programs in several Spanish institutions and NGOS, serves as the adviser for the Environmental Club in SLU Madrid, and at present is the Secretary for the European Chapter of CANIE (Climate Action Network for International Educators).
Monica also holds the position of Executive Director the Association of North American Study Abroad Programs in Spain, a non-profit organization whose main purpose is to assist the 87 member programs based throughout Spain, partner institutions, sponsors and honorary members with academic and bureaucratic issues while promoting academic and cultural exchange between Spain and the United States.
Monica is pursuing her doctorate thesis on environmental education and environmental responsible behaviour is in progress under the direction of the Ecology Department at the Autonomous University in Madrid, and is determined in greening the Study abroad sector in Spain. Furthermore, she is an active member in several NGOs dedicated to environmental education and awareness in her home town of Madrid.
