More than doubling the number of Castleton students taking advantage of study abroad opportunities, the Castleton Study Abroad Office was recently awarded the Generation Study Abroad Seal of Excellence from the Institute of International Education’s global organization Generation Study Abroad.
Castleton, along with 32 other institutions, made strategic commitments to the Generation Study Abroad campaign, with the goal of accomplishing their commitments by the end of the decade to help double the number of U.S. students who study abroad. Beginning with 5 students in January of 2016, the University not only met, but exceeded, their goal with 23 students who took advantage of study abroad opportunities during the 2017-18 academic year.
“Castleton works very hard to make sure that students have the opportunity and resources to student abroad,” explained Study Abroad Office Coordinator Ana Alexander, adding the office coordinates monthly study abroad promotional booths and hosts several study abroad fairs throughout the academic year. “We always work to have a strong presence on campus.”
Generation Study Abroad is an initiative, launched in 2014, of the Institute of International Education (IIE) to mobilize resources and commitments with the goal of doubling the number of U.S. students studying abroad by the end of the decade. The initiative highlights IIE’s commitment to study abroad and encourages purposeful, innovative action to get more Americans to undertake a meaningful international experience through academic study abroad programs, as well as internships, service learning, and non-credit educational experiences. As of May 2017, the Generation Study Abroad network has grown to more than 800 partners.
This academic year Castleton has students studying abroad in a variety of international locations including Argentina, Australia, China, Ireland, New Zealand, England and Costa Rica. Alexander hopes that in coming years the Castleton Study Abroad Office will continue to grow, while helping students fulfill their dreams of studying abroad.
“I jump with excitement at the chance to help a student who is interested in studying abroad,” she finished. "It's a very rewarding experience."