World Learning to Implement U.S. Department of State Program to Expand Study Abroad at U.S. Higher Education Institutions

Publication Date: November 12, 2018
Publication Location: WASHINGTON
Contact: Amy Fisher Bruey   |   [email protected]

The U.S. Department of State has selected World Learning to implement a program supporting U.S. higher education institutions (HEIs) as they develop and expand their capacity to administer study abroad programs for Americans.  The Capacity Building Program for U.S. Study Abroad is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government.

The U.S. Department of State is committed to expanding study abroad opportunities for American students to ensure they gain critical skills in support of our national security and economic prosperity.  The Capacity Building Program for U.S. Study Abroad is directed by USA Study Abroad, the branch of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) focused on supporting American students who represent the rich diversity of the United States for study or internships in a wide variety of international destinations.  In addition to providing direct scholarship opportunities for U.S. students, USA Study abroad offers resources for higher education institutions to strengthen their own study abroad offices and programs.

“We are pleased to add this Capacity Building Program for U.S. Study Abroad program to our suite of initiatives aimed at supporting the study abroad community. We look forward to coordinating with World Learning to make this program available to a diverse array of U.S. higher education institutions looking to expand opportunities for American students to gain overseas experience,” said Heidi Manley, the chief of USA Study Abroad at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.  She notes that more information about USA Study Abroad’s free resources is available at www.studyabroad.state.gov.

“Studying abroad allows students to gain the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in an increasingly globalizing world,” said Lisa Posner Olocco, World Learning’s vice president for global programs.  “This program will help U.S. higher education institutions expand access to study abroad opportunities and improve U.S. student mobility abroad.”

The program will broadly advance U.S. foreign policy goals in support of economic prosperity and national security.  It will provide sub-awards to accredited HEIs to support initiatives that increase the number of U.S. undergraduate students studying and interning abroad, especially those from underrepresented groups, and diversify study abroad destination countries.  Through these initiatives, selected institutions will help refine best practices in study abroad, including advances in programming, institutional partnerships, and technology.

Under the direction of ECA and with input from the U.S. higher education community, World Learning will create resources and implement workshops and trainings for the wider U.S. study abroad community to showcase these best practices and continue expanding study abroad opportunities on campuses across the United States.

For inquiries, please contact Amy Fisher Bruey at [email protected].