During the 2012 NAFSA Conference and Expo, the GoAbroad Team was pleased to announce the winners of the 2012 Innovation Awards. As part of a continued effort to recognize the hard work and dedication this year’s nominees, GoAbroad will be sharing individual features of the 2012 GoAbroad Innovation Awards finalists over the coming weeks. This week, we are thrilled to bring you the Innovation in Access & Equity finalists!
Please join us in congratulating the following Finalist of the Innovation in Access & Equity Award:
IES Abroad
“Chicago Scholars Abroad”
The Institute for the International Education of Students (IES Abroad) has developed a strategic initiative, Chicago Scholars Abroad, piloting successfully in Chicago that begins to expose traditionally underrepresented students – namely, racial and ethnic minorities and students from disadvantaged backgrounds — to college-level study abroad at the high school level. The initiative serves two key purposes: 1) to create a pipeline of underrepresented students who will be prepared, supported, and eager to pursue study abroad through IES Abroad during college, and 2) to help nurture a home-grown talent pool of diverse, globally-sophisticated Chicago professionals who will contribute toward strengthening the city’s reputation and appeal as an international mecca for business, education, technology, the arts, and other interests.
Chicago Scholars Abroad helps address prime barriers that deter many underrepresented students from studying abroad, including exposure; lack of adequate funding; and insufficient parent support. At-a-glance, the initiative provides scholarship aid on a first-come, first-served basis in the amount of $4,000 per student for tuition/fees, plus a $1,000 transportation and living stipend, for up to 20 Chicago Scholars students each academic year.