As a Generation Study Abroad commitment partner, Sias International University has generously offered to provide up to 100 scholarships covering full tuition for one semester or one academic year for students from Generation Study Abroad commitment partner institutions in the United States. Sias International University is an accredited liberal arts institution located in China’s historic Henan Province. Offering more than 76 undergraduate programs and a diverse population of internationally recruited faculty, Sias International University provides students with strong academic training and a competitive edge in the global economy. 

Institutions can apply to receive up to five scholarships for their students and must demonstrate a willingness and ability to cost share for their students’ travel and housing expenses. Institutions must also explain how the Sias scholarship will help them expand their Generation Study Abroad commitment and how the institution will reach out to potential student applicants. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 11, 2014. For additional details and the Generation Study Abroad Member Institution application, please visit the Resources for Commitment Partner Network webpage and login with your Generation Study Abroad credentials. If you have questions or are unsure of your login details, please contact Nikki Davis at ndavis@iie.org.

The Institute of International Education is pleased to announce the publication of the 2014 edition of IIEPassport: The Complete Guide to Study Abroad Programs. The IIEPassport study abroad directory has been the industry standard for more than 60 years, helping thousands of students identify and select study abroad programs. 

The 2014 directory includes in one convenient volume both short-term and long-term programs and is divided usefully into four world regions: Asia & Oceania, Africa & the Middle East, the Americas, and Europe. It contains thousands of study abroad program listings offered by U.S. and foreign universities and study abroad providers, along with key information on funding opportunities for study abroad experiences. In addition, the directory features key tips on how students can have a successful study abroad experience. 

The study abroad designee at each IIENetwork member institution will receive one complimentary copy of the publication.

The outcomes from IIE’s first ever "Generation Study Abroad Think Tank," have been documented in the first Generation Study Abroad "green paper," so titled because it has been created, not as a final product, but as a living document to which additional ideas will be added. This green paper lays the foundation for an ongoing discussion around how to increase the number of students studying abroad in the short term and how to shift the paradigm over the long term. We encourage you to share your insights and best practices with the community by commenting on the 11 Big Ideas outlined in the green paper. Please comment by September 1, 2014. 

We invite Generation Study Abroad partner institutions and organizations to serve as presenters for the monthly Generation Study Abroad Webinar Series and to suggest topics for the webinar series. The goal of the series is to be as collaborative as possible by bringing in strong thought leaders and motivated commitment members to share their knowledge, insights, and action steps with the rest of the community. Please apply through the Resources for Commitment Partner Network webpage, where you can also find a schedule of dates and sample list of topics. If you are unsure of your login, please contact studyabroad@iie.org.

Thank You to those of you who visited us at the NAFSA Conference in San Diego and took part in our #generationstudyabroad Social Media Campaign. To get an impression of the various reasons why institutions are supporting study abroad, please visit the Generation Study Abroad Tagboard.

On the heels of Secretary Kerry’s visit to Mexico, the Associated Press ran an article highlighting how the U.S. and Mexican governments are trying to encourage exchanges and student mobility. 

Time recently published an article highlighting the benefits and growing support for students taking time off to work, travel, or volunteer before embarking on their college careers. 

 

A new report from the British Council highlights factors that motivate or keep students from study abroad.

Arizona State University recently signed on to the Generation Study Abroad initiative with a commitment to increase their student study abroad participation by 20 percent. They plan to achieve this through increased funding for study abroad students, comprehensive curriculum integration, the creation of a faculty advisory committee dedicated to integrating study abroad into all academic disciplines, and by engaging their community of advisors through various trainings and resources. To announce their commitment, the ASU News ran a story highlighting the importance of global engagement on campus. View their article and see how ASU is showcasing their commitment. 

Beloit College joined Generation Study Abroad with a highly integrative action plan for increasing study abroad participation. Through their commitment Beloit plans to diversify their study abroad portfolio by increasing bilateral partnerships and exploring alternative study abroad options, modifying current financial aid policies to remove potential barriers to study abroad, and introducing post-study abroad activities into regular campus life. Beloit College has also created a signature Cities in Transition project aimed at helping students move beyond their comfort zones and engage more deeply with their host communities. See how Beloit College has promoted study abroad on their campus by using press, videos, and student stories to promote study abroad on their campus.  

Study Abroad Europe, an organization with 9 host institutions across Europe offering over 30 study abroad programs and more than 15 graduate degree programs, has pledged to support Generation Study Abroad by increasing the diversity of students participating on their programs and offering generous financial support through scholarships to their applicants. In their recent press release, Study Abroad Europe announced their offering of a Generation Study Abroad Scholarship, providing more than $100,000 for students to participate in their semester and summer programs. View their press release and learn more about their commitment to the initiative.

Below are two new open calls for proposals from at the Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Education (SIU): 

Application Deadline: November 5, 2014, at 3:00 PM CET

The High North Programme supports collaboration between higher education institutions in Norway and institutions in Canada, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States in order to increase knowledge about the High North. Projects can apply for up to NOK 2 million (USD 335,000) over a period of four years.

Application Deadline: September 16, 2014, at 3:00 PM CET

Norwegian institutions of higher education are invited to apply for funds for projects related to higher education collaboration with institutions in the US and Canada. The collaboration must include an element of collaboration with the public or private sectors. Projects may apply for funding up to NOK 200,000 (USD 34,000) over a period of 18 months.