Academic Programs International Joins Generation Study Abroad Coalition

AUSTIN, TX, April 10, 2014 (Press-News.org) Academic Programs International (API) has joined the Institute of International Education (IIE)'s Generation Study Abroad initiative to double the number of American students who study abroad by the end of the decade. API has committed to increasing the number of its own undergraduate students who study abroad by 10% per year over the next five years.

Leading up to IIE's centennial celebration in 2019, Generation Study Abroad will engage educators at all levels and stakeholders in the public and private sectors to drive meaningful, innovative action to increase the number of U.S. students who have the opportunity to gain international experience through academic study abroad programs, as well as internships, service learning and non-credit educational experiences. API is among the lead partners who have committed to specific, measurable actions that will help reach this ambitious goal; the result will be thousands more American students graduating with the international experience necessary for success in a globalized world.

Building on its nearly 100-year commitment to study abroad, IIE has committed $2 million of its own funds to this initiative over the next 5 years. API has also committed to increasing the number and type of scholarship opportunities available to its students.

"At API, we believe that a study abroad experience enhances a student's overall education by providing the opportunity to increase global awareness and inter-cultural competence," said API President Jennifer Attal Allen. "We take pride in offering our students comprehensive and diverse study abroad opportunities within 18 countries and 40 cities around the world. A growing percentage of our students receive study abroad scholarships, and we have long supported students choosing to use financial aid to fund their program abroad. We remain committed to increasing the number and diversity of our participants by increasing outreach, offering more diverse program options and providing additional funding opportunities."

More than 150 higher education institutions from 41 U.S. states had already signed the Generation Study Abroad Commitment when it was launched in March, including large state and private universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and historically black colleges and universities and other minority serving institutions. The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and several foreign governments, as well as key higher education associations and study abroad provider organizations, have also pledged to support the goals of the initiative. Recognizing the importance of an internationally focused workforce, IIE is also actively seeking the participation of corporations and the business community. The next round of commitment partners will be announced by IIE in May.

"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."
IIE is launching Generation Study Abroad because 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 released by IIE last November with support from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 295,000 students studied abroad in 2011/12 in credit-bearing and non-credit programs. 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.

With 2.6 million students graduating with associates or baccalaureate degrees each year, it is clear that major segments of America's young people are not getting the international experience they will need to advance their careers and participate in the global economy, or to work together across borders to address global issues.

To learn more about API, contact Jeramy Johnson at jeramyj@apistudyabroad.com or visit http://www.apistudyabroad.com.

For more information on IIE's Generation Study Abroad initiative, and a complete list of commitment partners, go to: http://www.iie.org/generationstudyabroad.

API is recognized within the field of international education for offering comprehensive college study abroad programs for a diverse array of academic interests that are both high quality and affordable. API also offers study abroad and international service projects for high school and gap year students through our Aspire by API division, as well intern, teach, volunteer, and work abroad opportunities for participants of all ages through Cultural Embrace by API division.