In the USA, the number of students from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds who studied post secondary courses abroad decreased relative to domestic students from the same group between 2000 and 2009/10. Numbers increased just 5.7% compared to 6.3% for domestic courses.

“Given the potential academic and career benefits afforded through study abroad, it is essential that all students have access to these opportunities”

“Study abroad has become an integral part of a well rounded college experience,” Andrew Gordon, Founder and President of Diversity Abroad, told The PIE News. “Given the potential academic and career benefits afforded through study abroad, it is essential that all students have access to these opportunities.

“The FLS will bring together professionals who are committed to developing innovative methods to removing the structural barriers that preclude more students from pursuing study abroad.”

Twenty “highly engaged” participants will be selected later this month to attend the one-day training events that will feature lectures, case studies and break-out sessions on increasing access to overseas study, diversity and inclusion for education abroad on campus.

“Virtually every college president in America has expressed a vision to internationalise—to increase access to life-changing international programs—and yet we know how hard it is to overcome these barriers,” CIEE Vice President and CEO David Fougere said in a statement.

“We know that a single intervention, like more scholarships, is not sufficient to make a difference. We need to harness the power of multiple interventions and coordinate our efforts if we are to be successful in helping university leaders achieve their vision.”

Offered three times a year, each workshop will be fully funded by CIEE and Diversity Abroad to ensure all schools, regardless of available resources for training and development, have the opportunity to participate.