Endicott Joins the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad Initiative
Endicott College has joined the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad initiative to help more Americans to gain international experience through study abroad programs. Endicott is now one of more than 800 members of a partner network headed by IIE.
IIE’s Generation Study Abroad seeks to mobilize resources and commitments with the goal of doubling and diversifying the number of U.S. students studying abroad by the end of the decade. Under the new partnership, Endicott will take concrete, action-oriented steps to expand opportunities for study abroad. Endicott aims to increase the number of students studying abroad within its eight academic schools on campus, with a goal of 50% participation within each academic program, and from majors not traditionally served by study abroad programs. This increase will be achieved by aligning curricula for all new programs offered with international partners, providing financial incentives and scholarships to make study abroad more accessible to all students, and by increasing the number and scope of short-term opportunities and faculty-led trips.
“Endicott has long had a commitment to international education and feels strongly that international travel prompts unique, life-changing growth that students can’t get any other way,” said Warren Jaferian, Dean of International Education at Endicott. “We believe in this mission that Generation Study Abroad has taken on, and hope that our contribution will improve the college experiences of both our students and students around the world. We are a global society and all students should have access to global educational opportunities.”
Earlier this year, Endicott announced a new study abroad relationship with the Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) in Cork, Ireland -- a larger volume agreement than any international partnership Endicott has had -- which will see a dual-sided exchange of students and visiting faculty. Combined with 14 other partner programs in locations such as Australia, China, Denmark, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates, the study abroad options open to Endicott students will now be more varied and more accessible than ever.
Generation Study Abroad partners to date include 450+ colleges and universities of all sizes and types across the country and around the world, as well as 20+ governments, 50+ education associations, 100+ international partners, and 100+ study abroad, K-12, and social network organizations who have committed to specific goals to increase the number of U.S. students studying abroad. Commitments include actions to diversify the population of students who participate in study abroad and provide additional financial resources to make this possible.
IIE launched Generation Study Abroad in the belief that the number and proportion of today’s students who graduate with an educational experience abroad is far too low. Currently, fewer than 10 percent of all U.S. college students study abroad at some point in their academic career, according to the Open Doors Report on International and Educational Exchange published by IIE with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Generation Study Abroad aims to grow participation in study abroad so that the annual total reported will reach 600,000 by the end of the decade.
“Globalization has changed the way the world works, and employers are increasingly looking for workers who have international skills and expertise,” says Dr. Allan Goodman, President of IIE. “Studying abroad must be viewed as an essential component of a college degree and critical to preparing future leaders.”