NEW YORK, April 8, 2019 – The Institute of International Education (IIE) recognized 31 U.S. colleges and universities with the IIE Seal of Excellence for achieving their Generation Study Abroad goals at the IIE Summit 2019: The Future of International Education in February.
In 2014, IIE launched the Generation Study Abroad initiative to increase and diversify the cohort of U.S. students studying abroad by the end of the decade. According to the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, U.S. study abroad numbers grew by 2.3 percent in 2016/17, with 332,727 Americans studying abroad for academic credit at their home institutions. One in ten U.S. students studied abroad during their degree program.
Since 2016, IIE has recognized the U.S. colleges and universities that have made strategic commitments to the Generation Study Abroad initiative and achieved their goal of increasing the number of U.S. students studying abroad from their campus before the end of the decade. Based on the IIE Generation Study Abroad Commitment Partner’s annual progress report submission, partner goals are analyzed based on the stated goal of number or percentage of U.S. students studying abroad within or before the end of this decade. IIE previously recognized 43 U.S. institutions at past IIE Summits.
Lindsay Calvert, Lead of the Generation Study Abroad initiative, notes that study abroad cultivates global citizenship and introduces students to diverse cultures and perspectives. Study abroad participation also contributes to career success, helping students develop soft and hard skills attractive to prospective employers.
“Study abroad is essential for cultivating a global mindset in students and teaching them new life skills that will enable them to succeed when they enter the job market,” she said. “In today’s globalized economy, it is essential that students are prepared to work with businesses, communities, and individuals across the world.”
To date, over 800 colleges and universities, organizations and companies, and governments from around the world have signed on as Generation Study Abroad Commitment Partners, of which 450 are U.S. colleges and universities. By setting specific numerical goals around study abroad participation, institutions can take proactive measures to expand study abroad access, particularly among students who have historically been underrepresented in study abroad. The number of students who identify as racial or ethnic minorities who studied abroad in 2016/2017 was 29.2 percent, up from just 17 percent in 2005/06.
The campuses recognized by IIE for meeting their Generation Study Abroad commitments and successfully increasing the numbers of students participating in study abroad were:
Agnes Scott College, Albright College, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Case Western Reserve University, Chatham University, Coastal Carolina University, Dalton State College, Eckerd College, Elon University, Florida State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Mercer University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Pima Community College, Spelman College, Stevens Institute of Technology, Stockton University, SUNY Farmingdale State College, Temple University, Texas Christian University, University of Maine at Farmington, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, University of Michigan, University of New Haven, University of Pittsburg at Greensburg, University of South Florida, University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech, Wenatchee Valley College.
About IIE:
The Institute of International Education (IIE) is a world leader in international education, creating more peaceful and equitable societies by advancing scholarship, building economies, and promoting access to opportunity. As a not-for-profit organization with 18 offices and affiliates worldwide, IIE collaborates with a range of corporate, government, and foundation partners across the globe to design and manage scholarship, study abroad, workforce training, and leadership development programs.
For more information, contact:
Catherine Morris, cmorris@iie.org, (202) 326-7765
For more information on IIE’s Generation Study Abroad initiative, and a complete list of commitment partners, visit: www.generationstudyabroad.org
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