“International experience is one of the most important components of a 21st century resume, ” says Dr. Allan E. Goodman, President of The Institute of International Education. Their new initiative is to double the number of students who study abroad by 2019.
Generation Study AbroadTM seeks to address that shortfall by bringing employers, governments, associations, and others together to build on current best practices and find new ways to extend study abroad opportunities to tens of thousands of college students for whom traditional study abroad programs aren’t working.2 million dollars is being invested in this initiative in order to provide scholarships and grants to students. The Institute recognizes the importance of study abroad in our increasingly globalized world. Our technology has advanced us closer in cyberspace, but too many students are forgoing the unique opportunity to obtain real world experience abroad that will benefit them throughout their life's work.
The site provides pretty convincing arguments for why students should study abroad. Employees are seeking skills such as "critical thinking, problem solving, time management, and communication," all skills fostered by study abroad. The numbers show that students who studied abroad are highly employable: 90% of students who studied abroad found employment within 6 months of graduating, and 97% within 12 months.
It's easy to run the numbers and see why study abroad is a good choice economically (Study abroad students starting salaries are 25% higher), but even more so it is necessary to consider why study abroad is a good choice socially. Students who go abroad will have their minds opened to other cultures and other ways of life. Trends imply that the current generation is becoming more and more accepting of differences between cultures. This is critical for national and global prosperity.
For more information visit:
www.iie.org/Programs/Generation-Study-Abroad
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