EdOdyssey joins the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad initiative
EdOdyssey has joined the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad initiative to help more Americans to gain international experience through study abroad programs. EdOdyssey joins an impressive list of more than 740 other organizations, universities and schools that have already committed to 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. EdOdyssey has pledged to work with alumni and young professionals to share stories of study abroad, host events and forums to discuss international travel and increase the number of scholarships it offers to students to study abroad. Earlier this year, EdOdyssey also implemented a new financial aid policy that guarantees funds for all students with demonstrated need.
Peter McGovern, President & Global Founder of EdOdyssey, is enthusiastic about this new partnership. Officially announcing the partnership to his colleagues Peter talked about how, study abroad changed his life and noted his enthusiasm to "work alongside a coalition of great schools, universities and organizations to promote a common goal: help more students discover the world.”
Generation Study Abroad partners now includes over 400 colleges and universities of all sizes and types across the country and around the world, as well as 19 governments, 50 education associations, more than 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 diversity 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.”
About Generation Study Abroad
IIE’s Generation Study Abroad seeks to significantly increase study abroad participation by bringing employers, governments, associations, and others together to build on current best practices and find new ways to extend study abroad opportunities and resources to tens of thousands of college students whose needs are not currently served by existing programs. Generation Study Abroad will sustain an ongoing dialogue about the need for more students from all backgrounds and in all fields to gain international experience. This will include research to identify and break down barriers hindering students from studying abroad, communications to share strategies and best practices to increase study abroad, and fundraising to mobilize additional financial resources. IIE will also hold a Summit on Generation Study Abroad on October 1-3, 2017 in Washington, D.C. to engage stakeholders in higher education and all commitment partners.
About EdOdyssey
EdOdyssey custom designs educational programs for students around the world. The organization creates amazing student immersion in Peru, China, Spain, the USA and beyond for grade 6-12 students. In addition, EdOdyssey offer a semester and full year study abroad program in Lima, Peru for undergraduate students in addition to a briefer summer term. Founded in 2014, EdOdyssey is a team of educators passionate about sharing the world with students. To date, its team has flown just shy of 1,000,000 miles with students, spent more than 13,450 hours in the classroom led 896 days and counting of programming.
About the Institute of International Education
The Institute of International Education is a world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. An independent, not-for-profit organization founded in 1919, IIE has a network of 19 offices and affiliates worldwide and over 1,200 member institutions. IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government agencies, foundations, and corporations. IIE also conducts policy research and program evaluations, and provides advising and counseling on international education and opportunities abroad.
