UW Joins Institute of International Educations Generation Study Abroad Initiative

The University of Wyoming is among more than 800 entities committed to the Institute of International Education’s (IIE) Generation Study Abroad initiative to help more Americans gain international experience through study-abroad programs.

Generation Study Abroad seeks to mobilize resources and commitments with the goal of doubling and diversifying the number of U.S. students studying abroad by the end of the decade. Under the new partnership, UW’s Education Abroad Office (EAO) will expand opportunities for study abroad by:

-- Continuing to build short-term, faculty-led initiatives and encouraging faculty from all disciplines across campus to participate.

-- Developing the UWyoAbroad brand by creating more engaging marketing materials and using returning students as part of UWyoAbroad Ambassadors program.

-- Increasing research and internship opportunities abroad.

-- Increasing access to study abroad for underrepresented student groups through creative funding models, outreach and programming.

-- Using the availability of scholarship resources that exist on campus to make a greater impact for a larger number of students. 

“The university wants our graduates to leave Wyoming having gained not only a solid educational foundation in a particular discipline, but also a global perspective allowing them to be competitive in our increasingly global society,” says Shelley Jewell, EAO director. “Although we have seen an increase in student and faculty participation in experiences abroad, we recognize that we have a long way to go.”

She says UW is excited to work with IIE and join the network of committed universities and colleges around the world.

“We believe that this commitment will further motivate and propel us toward the goal outlined in the most recent university strategic plan of sending 650 students and faculty abroad each year,” she adds.

She says UW is committed to increasing study-abroad participation for all students, but particularly for those from underrepresented groups, including first-generation students, veterans, adult learners and students of color.

Generation Study Abroad partners include more than 450 colleges and universities across the country and around the world; more than 20 governments; more than 50 education associations; more than 100 international partners; and 100-plus study-abroad, K-12 and social network organizations committed to specific goals to increase the number of U.S. students studying abroad.

Commitments include actions to diversify the population of students who participate in study abroad and provide additional financial resources to make this possible, according to IIE.

IIE launched Generation Study Abroad because of the low number of students who study abroad. Approximately 10 percent of all U.S. college students study abroad at some point in their academic careers, according to the Open Doors Report on International and Educational Exchange published by IIE with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Generation Study Abroad hopes to grow participation in study abroad so that the annual total will reach 600,000 by the end of the decade.

About UW’s Education Abroad Office

The EAO connects UW with international study, volunteer and internship opportunities through more than 400 programs worldwide in 83 different countries. The EAO hosts exchange students from more than 40 partner institutions overseas. Students earn UW credit towards major, minor or general education requirements on academic year, semester, January-term, summer and faculty-led short-term programs. The EAO also provides more than $315,000 in annually awarded study-abroad scholarships. UW has the largest study-abroad scholarship endowment of any public college or university in the nation.