Cultural Vistas Joins the Generation Study Abroad Initiative

NEW YORK - Nov. 17, 2015 - PRLog -- Cultural Vistas has joined the Institute of International Education’s (IIE) Generation Study Abroad initiative to double the number of U.S. students who study or work abroad by the end of the decade.

As part of this commitment, Cultural Vistas has pledged to triple the participation rate of U.S. students and young professionals across its portfolio of professional exchange programs by the year 2020.

"We are very excited to join IIE in this substantive effort to prepare and train the next generation of global leaders," said Robert Fenstermacher, President & CEO of Cultural Vistas. "International professional experiences are an invaluable investment in one's education and career, as well as our shared future. Together with partners around the world, we are determined to work toward removing financial barriers and other obstacles that are preventing a more diverse range of students from reaping the life-changing benefits of these programs."

In 2014, 334 Americans took part in Cultural Vistas' international internships, professional study tours, and work abroad programs in 25 countries around the world.  More than 85% of those participants received paid internships, received full or partial funding, or were awarded scholarships from Cultural Vistas to support their experiences.

As part of its new five-year strategic plan, Cultural Vistas has already begun to take concrete, action-oriented steps this year to raise those figures, including establishing a new department of philanthropy, representing a pivot point in its capacity to take programs to scale. This fall, the organization has also expanded its program portfolio to offer customized internships to U.S. students in Brazil and Ireland, and will be administering a new, fully-funded short-term program in India focused on the urban arts.

To date, more than 600 partner organizations, including 350 U.S. colleges and universities, and 100 from outside of the United States have committed to the initiative. Study abroad organizations and education associations as well as 14 country partners around the world have also joined. In addition, 500 K-12 teachers from 50 states have pledged to take action to encourage their students to develop a global perspective and consider studying abroad when they are in college.

According to the Open Doors Report on International and Educational Exchange (http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open-Doors/D...) released by IIE this week with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, while study abroad by American students has more than tripled in the last two decades, reaching a new high of 304,467, still 90 percent of all students enrolled in U.S. higher education are graduating without an international experience.

With 2.7 million students graduating with associates or baccalaureate degrees each year, it is clear that major segments of the U.S. population are not gaining the international experience necessary to advance their careers and participate in the global economy, or to work together across borders to address global issues. Generation Study Abroad aims to grow participation in study and work abroad so that the annual total reported will reach 600,000 by the end of this decade.

About Generation Study Abroad
Generation Study Abroad is a five-year initiative of the Institute of International Education to mobilize resources and commitments with the goal of doubling the number of U.S. students studying abroad by the end of the decade. It is engaging educators at all levels and stakeholders in the public and private sectors to drive meaningful, innovative action to increase the number and broaden the population 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. – Learn more at iie.org/generationstudyabroad.

About Cultural Vistas
Cultural Vistas is a nonprofit exchange organization promoting global understanding and collaboration among individuals and institutions. We develop international professional experiences that create more informed, skilled, and engaged citizens. Our programs empower people to drive positive change in themselves, their organizations, and society. – Learn more at culturalvistas.org.