BOONE—Appalachian State University was selected to receive $7,500 to support new study abroad scholarships as part of its commitment to the Institute of International Education’s (IIE) Generation Study Abroad® initiative to increase the number and diversity of students who study abroad by the end of the decade.

Appalachian will match this funding, making available a total of six student scholarship awards of $2,500 each. These scholarships will be used by students toward the cost of tuition, books and travel related to study, service-learning or internships abroad between Fall 2016 and Summer 2017.

Appalachian is one of 14 colleges and universities selected based on its notable progress toward meeting its Generation Study Abroad commitment.

Appalachian will use the IIE Generation Study Abroad scholarships to help make study abroad opportunities accessible to all students, especially those typically underrepresented in U.S. study abroad.

“Global learning brings a rich diversity that greatly enhances a worldwide understanding of sustainable practices through new dialogues, diverse perspectives and research. Appalachian will continue to deepen the accessibility to international experiences for students and strengthen the international interaction here at home,” said Chancellor Sheri N. Everts.

Appalachian has increased the number of students who study, intern, conduct research or participate in service-learning experiences abroad by 20 percent in the last three years and is committed to doubling the number by 2020 as well as diversifying the types of students who participate in such programs. The Office of International Education and Development (OIED) is collaborating with academic, administrative and student development offices and organizations to increase the number of students from underrepresented populations who have access to resources, information and the assistance they need to realize their education abroad goals.

“It is imperative that Appalachian offers every student on our campus the opportunity to develop competitive advantages and cross-cultural competences that are crucial for increasing personal and long-term professional opportunities to students. Education abroad programs provide exactly what students need to compete on a global scale and to live their lives as global citizens,” said Dr. Jesse Lutabingwa, associate vice chancellor for international education and development.

“OIED is committed to making sure that different types of affordable programs are available to all students, including but not limited to: students with financial need, first generation, non-traditional, underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, disabilities, underrepresented academic disciplines, gender, sexual orientation, veterans, student-athletes and students who have never traveled abroad,” he said.

IIE Generation Study Abroad grants are made possible through IIE’s Study Abroad Fund, with the support of IIE, STA Travel and individual donors, to award scholarships for study in any destination that the college approves. IIE will award a total of approximately $200,000 in scholarships for campuses to provide as scholarships to their students. This is IIE’s second round of grants to support campuses’ efforts to provide scholarships to expand study abroad participation among American college students.

Less than 10 percent of American college students study abroad, and few of those students come from underrepresented groups. Appalachian joined the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad initiative to take action to make it possible for more U.S. students from a broad range of backgrounds to participate in an academic, internship, or service-learning experience abroad.

“All college students need international educational and work experience in order to compete and thrive in a global workforce,” said Allan E. Goodman, IIE’s president and CEO. “But students need financial resources to go abroad. That’s why IIE is dedicated to supporting its Generation Study Abroad commitment partners’ goals to provide more students with international education opportunities.”

In addition to Appalachian, this year’s IIE Generation Study Abroad Scholarship grants are being awarded to Case Western Reserve University, Central Piedmont Community College, Elmhurst College, Hawaii Pacific University, Johnson & Wales University, Lamar University, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Peralta Community College District, Rochester Institute of Technology, Salve Regina University, University of South Carolina Upstate, Utah State University and Washington and Jefferson College.

Launched in March 2014, the Generation Study Abroad network continues to gain momentum and now has over 600 partners from the U.S. and abroad. As part of their commitments, Generation Study Abroad partner campuses have pledged to raise money and give scholarships, and a number of study abroad program providers and host campuses outside of the United States have pledged to award scholarships toward the cost of their programs.

About Institute of International Education

The Institute of International Education is a world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. 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. An independent, not-for-profit organization founded in 1919, IIE has a network of 19 offices and affiliates worldwide and over 1,400 member institutions.

About Generation Study Abroad®

Generation Study Abroad is a five-year initiative of the IIE to mobilize resources and commitments with the goal of doubling the number of U.S. students studying abroad by the end of the decade. Generation Study Abroad seeks to significantly increase 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 study abroad programs.

Generation Study Abroad also provides resources for students, campus advisers, and parents. IIE’s latest publication, “A Parent Guide to Study Abroad,” provides practical and comprehensive advice for parents on clarifying the value of study abroad, figuring out the financials and identifying the right study abroad program for their kids. Additional resources for parents and students include IIE’s online directory of study abroad programs, IIEPassport.org, and its database of grants and scholarship opportunities, StudyAbroadFunding.org.

For more information on Appalachian’s IIE Generation Study Abroad Scholarships, visit http://international.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the state of North Carolina, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls more than 19,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.