New data from the Open Doors® Report on International Educational Exchange will be released on Monday, November 16, 2015, and the new data will be published on the Open Doors website on that day. Open Doors provides the most comprehensive data and analysis available on international students studying in the U.S. and Americans studying abroad. It is published annually by IIE in partnership with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. 

As a benefit of IIENetwork membership, members have special advance access to selected data, so they can prepare their own communications in advance of the embargoed release date. Login with you network password to access your data today. If you are unsure of your login credentials, please contact membership@iie.org. 

November 16 marks the start of International Education Week, a joint activity of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education. We recommend that campuses work with their media relations offices to highlight their international activities, including efforts to expand U.S. students studying abroad and progress toward Generation Study Abroad goals. Generation Study Abroad Partners are also encouraged to use the International Education Week Partner Toolkit, press template and social media tools to spread the word.

The IIE-AIFS Foundation Generation Study Abroad Enrichment Grants Program recognizes U.S. secondary level teachers (grades 6-12) who have shown to be outstanding advocates for study abroad. The program is a professional development opportunity for those teachers who have taken the Generation Study Abroad pledge and taken innovative actions in preparing their students for global citizenship and study abroad. Fifty (50) enrichment grants of $1,000 each are available to secondary school teachers and administrators to conduct any learning activity in the U.S. or abroad that enhances their international outlook and global experience.

The career readiness of college graduates is an important issue in higher education, in the labor market, and in the public arena. Yet, up until now, "career readiness" has been undefined, making it difficult for leaders in higher education, work force development, and public policy to work together effectively to ensure the career readiness of today's graduates. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), through a task force of college career services and HR/staffing professionals, has developed a definition, based on extensive research among employers, and identified seven competencies associated with career readiness. 

NACE is also currently accepting proposal submissions for its 2016 conference taking place October 21-23, 2016, in Chicago, IL. The submission deadline is November 23, 2015.

The Diversity Abroad Access, Inclusion, and Diversity in International Education (AID) Roadmap is now available in both a free and comprehensive version. The AID Roadmap is both a set of diversity and inclusive good practice guidelines as well as an intensive self-assessment tool that examines the current state of diversity and inclusion across eleven strategic areas within education abroad. 

Registration is now open for the 4th Annual Diversity Abroad Conference. The 2016 conference, "From Outreach to Support: Navigating Expansion and Inclusion," will take place April 3-5 in Atlanta, Georgia. Early registration deadline is February 1, 2016.

The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) reported significant progress toward its Generation Study Abroad pledge to increase study abroad opportunities for students from all academic majors and from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Since January 2015, CIEE has awarded $5,965,000 in scholarships and financial aid; reinvented study abroad with the launch of the CIEE Global Institutes in Berlin, London, and Rome; increased short-term program options to 301 sessions available during January, May, and three summer sessions; and more—all with the goal to make study abroad accessible to more U.S. students. 

The University of Auckland’s goal to see one in four students graduating with overseas experience by 2020 has been advanced through its new partnership with Generation Study Abroad. Signing on last month, the University of Auckland has pledged to offer 100 scholarships worth NZ $1275 each for students coming from the University’s partner institutions; travel discounts through US travel agency Student Universe and Air New Zealand; and more short-term opportunities for international students. These will include short courses run over the northern hemisphere summer break, research opportunities and internships. 

Arizona State University (ASU) recently received a grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) to create and implement a MOOC (massive open online course) on Building Study Abroad Capacity at U.S. Higher Education Institutions. Now, as ASU works to develop the course curriculum, in collaboration with IIE, the Diversity Abroad Network, UT Austin, Ohio State University, University of Kansas, and the Maricopa Community College District, they are seeking your input on key topics, as well as barriers your institution might face relating to study abroad programming and participation. The goal is to address the larger themes of study abroad within the MOOC and provide relevant and helpful information to assist all MOOC participants. Please take a moment to complete the 9 question, confidential survey.

Two Generation Study Abroad partners are teaming up and will host "Embark to Excel: A Virtual Conference on Study Abroad & Global Leadership." The first annual Embark to Excel Conference will provide those interested in study abroad with the necessary information and resources to help realize that study abroad is within their reach. Sessions will feature students who have already studied abroad sharing their experiences getting to and through study abroad. There will also be guest speakers from the study abroad industry offering advice for navigating the study abroad process.

Project GO (Global Officer) gives student credit and supports overseas semester or summer abroad language study for ROTC students. There are 25 higher education institutions that offer Project GO scholarships. Students receive credit from the higher education institution and, depending on the program, can receive anywhere from 6 to 12 language credit hours for their summer language study.

Project GO is an initiative of the Defense Language and National Security Education Office and administered by IIE. It provides fully funded scholarships to students commissioning through Air Force, Army and Navy ROTC to study critical languages domestically and abroad. Since 2007, Project GO has awarded scholarships to more than 3,500 ROTC students. Students can apply to study the following languages in summer 2016: Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu.

 

The annual Victor J. Goldberg IIE Prize for Peace in the Middle East recognizes outstanding work being conducted jointly by two individuals, one Israeli Jew and one Arab Muslim, whether or not a citizen of Israel, working together to advance the cause of peace in the Middle East. The two individuals whose work is judged to be most successful in bringing people together and breaking down the barriers of hatred will share a $10,000 prize. Nominations may be submitted by the individuals themselves or by a third party. Nominations are due on February 1, 2016, and the winners will be announced in the spring.

The online applications for 2016 Whitaker International Program awards are now open. Administered by IIE, the Whitaker International Program provides funding for biomedical engineering and bioengineering students and post-docs to conduct a field-relevant activity abroad. All students/post-docs/junior faculty who are considering a period of study or research abroad are encouraged to apply.

U.S.-based graduate students can now apply for two doctoral-level fellowships for study and research in China, provided by Hanban, a public institution affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Education. The fellowships, managed in the United States by IIE, will begin in fall of 2016. 

The newly launched Ph.D. in China Fellowship, part of the Confucius China Studies Program, will provide funding for U.S.-based students to enroll in and receive a degree from one of 15 participating universities in China in a China-related field in the Arts, Education, Humanities, or Social sciences. To be eligible, applicants must have a master’s degree by the fall of 2016. 

To learn more about these fellowship opportunities, you are invited to attend an upcoming webinar. Interested applicants, faculty, and advisers are encouraged to register to learn more about the CCSP Fellowship program including application details and eligibility and award benefits.