CEA Announces Partnership to Offer New Options for Study Abroad in London

April 3, 2008 - PRLog -- Tempe, Arizona—Despite the falling value of the U.S. dollar against European currencies, American college students are still clamoring to study abroad in Europe and immerse themselves in the global culture in which they’ll operate as professionals. Now, a partnership between CEA and the Foundation for International Education (FIE) offers new options for studying British culture and the global marketplace.

CEA, the leading global provider for quality study abroad programs for university and college students in the U.S. and Canada, is seeing a continued interest from students in a wide variety of disciplines who are eager to study abroad in Europe. Through its partnership with FIE, a non-profit educational organization, CEA will now be able to offer students two additional courses of study in London, beginning with the 2008 fall semester.  

CEA formed the partnership in response to continued demand from students seeking new European study experiences and increased curriculum options, despite the rising costs that accompany the dollar’s devaluation.

“Even though the dollar fell 10 percent against the euro last year, the drop hasn’t dampened enthusiasm from young adults eager to soak up as much information and insight as possible about the global economy in which the majority will spend their working lives,” says Dr. Geoffrey Bannister, CEA president and chief academic officer. “Through this partnership, students will find new and relevant options within the context of globalization themes, which will be predominantly present throughout their future careers.”

With the partnership, students can choose between two new courses of study in London:

1. British Life & Culture—Designed to enable students to develop an understanding of British society as an integrated whole which is more than the sum of its parts, this course of study also includes an internship or service learning experience and two English electives, for a total of 12 credits. The aim of the semester is to encourage critical discussion and reflection about the differences between U.S., British and European cultures and an understanding of the collective relationship that individuals have with their own societies.

2. Global Futures: Research & Discovery— This course of study includes core classes in environmental economics and urban futures, as well as one or two English electives and a research course in business, humanities or social sciences. The semester is designed to immerse students in the study of some of the global issues they’ll face as they launch their careers. Students opting for this course will earn between 12 and 15 credits.

“The objective of the partnership is to give participants the opportunity to engage with one of the most radically reformed cities in the world through creative and innovative curriculum and experiential educational opportunities, says Dr. Michael Woolf, president of FIE. “CEA’s focus on London as a global city empowers students to explore elements of the future while developing transferable research skills. CEA’s program reflects new urban realities rather than the quaint stereotypes of history.”

The partnership with FIE is one of several CEA has formed to further enrich the curriculum it offers students. Other new partners include the Berlin School of Economics in Berlin, Germany, and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

CEA students participate in full curriculum programs, gaining access to courses from a truly robust portfolio of disciplines including marketing, accounting, business, engineering, art, liberal arts, history, bio sciences, political science, and psychology. CEA is now enrolling for the 2008-2009 academic year.

About CEA
The nation’s premiere study abroad organization, CEA offers an unparalleled suite of global education opportunities for college and university students in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1996, CEA has forged partnerships with international universities in 15 countries to offer study abroad in Spain, Italy, China, France, Germany and England, among many other study abroad destinations, including CEA’s newest location for study abroad in South Africa. In addition, CEA has partnered with the University of New Haven to create the CEA GlobalCampus Network, an exclusive collection of campuses worldwide designed to provide university and college students with active, hands-on, experiential learning opportunities. For more information, visit http://www.GoWithCEA.com.

About FIE
Founded in 1998, the Foundation for International Education has study centers in London; Dublin, Ireland; and Madrid and Elche in Spain. FIE is an independent, non-profit educational organization that works with university partners to develop and deliver educational experiences appropriate to U.S. study abroad students. FIE’s primary study center, Foundation House, is centrally located on Cromwell Road, one of London’s main arteries leading into the heart of the city. For more information, visit http://www.fie.org.uk.