NJCU joins institute of international education coalition

NJCU JOINS INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION COALITION TO DOUBLE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO STUDY ABROAD BY END OF DECADE

Jersey City, N.J., May 20, 2014—New Jersey City University (NJCU) has pledged to join 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. The initiative is also focusing on increasing the diversity of the students who study abroad, ensuring quality, and removing barriers to participation. NJCU has committed to increasing the number of students who study abroad by tripling international study abroad participation over the next five years.

NJCU will engage students in international education early in their academic careers by increasing the success and visibility of international education opportunities, including study abroad programs, international internships, service learning experiences, and faculty and scholar exchanges in all fields of study. Academic departments will be encouraged to develop relevant international education goals and initiatives. NJCU will increase access to study abroad programs for traditionally underrepresented student populations, first-generation college students, students who struggle financially, and students with high financial need.

Two months after the official launch of Generation Study Abroad, the Institute of International Education has announced significant progress in advancing the major goals of the initiative. IIE’s Generation Study Abroad initiative now has over 300 commitment partners -- double the number who had signed on by the March launch date. The 150 new partners who have committed to specific, actionable goals to increase the number of U.S. students studying abroad include colleges and universities of all sizes and types across the country, as well as study abroad organizations, foreign governments, and associations. Noteworthy commitments to action in this round include new scholarships and financial assistance to help students pay for study abroad, and new initiatives to reach out to underserved groups and increase the diversity of the student population that goes abroad.

A total of 308 partners have joined Generation Study Abroad to date. They include: 241 U.S. colleges and universities from 46 states; 9 non-U.S. institutions; 13 education associations; 34 study abroad organizations; 11 U.S. and foreign government entities, including the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Recognizing the importance of an internationally focused workforce, IIE is also actively seeking the participation of corporations and the business community.

Dr. Sue Henderson, NJCU president, says that cultural exchange and global scholarship are central to education at the University. “NJCU is fully committed to preparing its students to be effective world citizens who are poised to assume leadership roles and launch successful careers around the globe.” 

NJCU’s strategic plan, “Transforming Lives 2013-2018,” emphasizes the importance of global awareness across the curriculum on campus. The University believes that a study abroad experience enhances a student’s global outlook and overall education and is often life changing. NJCU offers a College Without Borders program which provides numerous study abroad experiences throughout the year. NJCU initiated a new program this academic year which allows all students in the NJCU Honors Program to have the opportunity of a study abroad experience. The University has been selected to participate in the American Council on Education (ACE) international laboratory for the academic years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 in order to develop a University-wide plan for the internationalization of the campus. 

This academic year, The University partnered with the NJCU Foundation to provide stipends to support short-term and semester abroad experiences for students who would otherwise be unable to cover the cost of study abroad.

  
Located in Jersey City – New Jersey’s second largest city – NJCU serves students from culturally diverse backgrounds. Although rich educational opportunities are offered on campus in an environment where diverse cultures and ideas converge, study abroad opportunities add an unparalleled dimension to personal development and success.

“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 Exchangereleased 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. Commitment partners are working to ensure that students from all backgrounds and in all fields of study have the opportunity to gain this important experience.

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. 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 five years.

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