As international educators, we aspire to make going abroad possible for talented students who believe that it’s out of reach. With initiatives like Generation Study Abroad (GSA) placing emphasis on removing barriers for underrepresented students, it’s a prime time to think about how we can effect change within our own spheres of influence, large or small.
That’s why attendees of this year’s annual CIEE conference in Berlin are encouraged to attend the session, “The New Champions for Inclusion: Paving the Way for Students with Disabilities Abroad.”
Presenters include a CIEE alumnus with a disability who studied in Alicante, Spain, as one of the recipients of CIEE’s “Access the World” scholarship, which it awarded in partnership with MIUSA to recognize the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The student’s Alicante-based resident director from CIEE will share innovative approaches to breaking down everyday barriers.
Chairing the session is MIUSA CEO Susan Sygall, a person with a disability who will elaborate on efforts to advance overseas opportunities for students with disabilities at the leadership level. In anticipation of the conference and in reference to the GSA initiative, Susan states:
“What an exciting time this is as we all work together to double the number of American students studying abroad. This is also an exciting time for people with disabilities throughout the United States to realize that their participation is crucial, not only to meet this ambitious goal, but also to contribute their talent to create a powerful pipeline of leaders with intercultural competency.”
Wir sehen uns dann – See you in Berlin!
