Spring has arrived to the northeast and the Generation Study Abroad network is growing rapidly. 

We are onboarding new commitment partners daily and will announce our second round of commitment partners and some exciting new activities shortly. We are also proud to announce that the Generation Study Abroad logo won a design award from the Graphic Design USA Inhouse Design competition!

In addition to study abroad related news and announcements, this second issue of the Generation Study Abroad newsletter offers a glimpse into the actions pledged by commitment partners and the awareness that Generation Study Abroad has initiated since our launch.

We hope that you enjoy reading these highlights and look forward to hearing from you.

-The Generation Study Abroad Team

On April 24, 2014, President Obama announced in a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Abe in Tokyo to double the number of two-way student exchanges between the U.S. and Japan by 2020 to ensure the future strength of the U.S.-Japan relationship. 

President Obama: "I’m proud to announce that we’re launching a new program that will help even more Japanese students come to the United States to improve their English-language skills and gain valuable experience working in American businesses and organizations. And that’s part of our effort to double student exchanges by 2020—bonds among our young people that can bring us closer together for decades to come."

Generation Study Abroad is honored to have Japan as a government partner with the Japanese Student Services Organization (JASSO) serving as the primary agency.

 

An article in TIME by Annie Murphy Paul shares research highlights from INSEAD, Singapore Management University, and University of Florida on the effect of study and work-abroad experiences. "Research shows that experience in other countries makes us more flexible, creative, and complex thinkers," writes Paul, "and you may be professionally more successful as a result."

 

Commitment Partners Monmouth College and Western Illinois are getting their students excited about Generation Study Abroad. We encourage you to take a photo and become "I am #Generationstudyabroad.’’

As part of its commitment to Generation Study Abroad, UCEAP will focus enrollment efforts on developing five new programs that are strategically designed to collectively deliver at least 200 new enrollments in AY-2015 16. UCEAP is also committed to developing a new comprehensive alumni and development program that will raise funds for scholarships and program support. 

The program’s efforts involve helping low-income, first-generation college students learn about the benefits of studying abroad and provide assistance in achieving this opportunity.

Articles about the IIE Generation Study Abroad initiative appeared in Army Times, Air Force Times, Marine Corps Times, and Navy Times last week, highlighting how some of the colleges and universities have pledged to ensure that student veterans and students with disabilities get an opportunity to study abroad.

IIE is seeking article submissions that highlight best practices and explore bold new ideas for doubling the number of U.S. students who study abroad by the end of the decade for its fall edition of the IIENetworker magazine, "What will it Take to Double Study Abroad?"

Proposed articles should identify and examine ways to break down barriers (perceived and real) hindering students from participating in an international experience, such as obstacles related to cost, curriculum, and culture; share successful strategies and best practices in increasing study abroad; or discuss ideas for improving study abroad experiences for students already taking part. Articles on expanding diversity in race and ethnicity, academic disciplines, and gender are strongly encouraged. We also encourage contributions from professionals outside the strictly higher education structure, including those in K-12, language learning, and the private and government sectors. 

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program would like to invite you and your students to participate in our most recent webinar in our Gilman Web Symposium Series for the 2013-2014 academic year, "International Exchange Opportunities in China" on Monday, May 19, 2014, at 1:30pm EST/12:30pm CDT.

This online forum, moderated by Gilman Program staff, will bring together panelists to discuss the importance of China as a study abroad or internship destination for U.S. students and best practices for advising for programs in China. Panelists will include: Conrad Zeutenhorst, Advisor at Education Abroad at the University of Maryland, College Park; Steven Dale, IIE Program Officer for the Confucius China Studies Program; and a Gilman alumna.

Stay tuned to the Gilman Program's Multimedia page at www.iie.org/gilman to find postings of previous web symposiums and future announcements for the scheduled web symposium topics each month.

Berkeley Study Abroad is pleased to announce that registration is now open for its 27th annual Study Abroad Fair. The Study Abroad Fair is UC Berkeley's showcase for study, work, intern, teach, and volunteer abroad opportunities. The Study Abroad Fair takes place on the Berkeley campus each September and attracts over 1,200 students and 60 exhibitors, making it one of the largest events of its kind on the West Coast.

Who Should Exhibit?

• Organizations offering study, work, intern, teach, and volunteer abroad opportunities that wish to reach the UC Berkeley campus community.

How Will You Benefit? The Study Abroad Fair is the premier opportunity for your organization to:

• Gain access to over 1,200 students interested in international opportunities
• Highlight your organization in campus web, social media, and print outlets
• Network with other exhibitors and professional colleagues

The GREEN Program will be hosting faculty and staff from Pennsylvania State University, the University of Maryland, and Drexel University on an educator's program in Iceland to finalize curriculum development for courses that embed the program and solidify partnerships. The GREEN Program invites you to join the educator's program in Iceland from June 16th - June 20th to learn more about the experiential learning program for future clean energy and sustainability leaders.

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) invites submissions for proposals to the 11th International Conference. Please consider submitting panels on study abroad and international education. 

HACU’s 11th International Conference will offer an exceptional opportunity to discuss the latest trends, model programs, and cutting-edge research on international higher education. The conference will attract an internationally renowned roster of keynote speakers and an extraordinary gathering of participants representing higher education, government, business, community and philanthropic sectors.

If you have questions or need additional information regarding the Call for Presentations process, please contact International Affairs Coordinator Lourdes Bird at (210) 576-3228 or e-mail lourdes.bird@hacu.net.

Register Online

Advancing global education for Nebraska teachers and students, the Malaika Foundation will support two upcoming events in Nebraska. The first event is a Summit on Teacher Engagement in Global Education at Nebraska Wesleyan University on May 14, 2014.  The second is a panel at the Nebraska Social Studies Conference on Global Education on June 26th in Omaha. The panel, "Teaching for Global Competencies: Multiple Perspectives and Resources" will encourage educators to "think globally and act locally" by enriching the curriculum scope through multiple perspectives and plugging in to global experiences afforded Nebraska educators and students. 

For more information regarding these events, contact malaika@malaikafoundation.org.