Quotes from NCDE’s Stakeholders
“As a wheelchair user who needs personal assistance, information like this makes me happy…I have always felt that overseas experiences were so far out of my reach and now I know what is possible.” —Person with a disability from the U.S.
“I am thrilled to share that I was offered the Watson fellowship this week! I am so grateful for your immense support and wisdom throughout this entire process. Attending the Access to Exchange Summit this past summer and all your help sharing connections made a world of difference. Thank you so much for helping me access such a transformative opportunity.” —Person with a disability who attended NCDE’s Access to Exchange Summit
“After talking to NCDE staff and receiving many resources and contacts, I feel confident that we are on the right track to support our visiting international fellows to thrive during their program.” —Senior Project Director of IREX
“Thank you so much for the presentation that inspired thought and action in our group. The team is eager to get the resources and make progress. We are very appreciative of your work and the impact that it has in our own shared world, we will do our part to contribute.” —Chief Programs Officer of AFS
“We were able to add your information to our web page dedicated to advising students with disabilities who are interested in study abroad, a great resource for our students. We appreciate the services you provide.” —Staff from a DePaul University’s Study Abroad Program
“I got information about the Regan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program through the e-newsletter and few other sources. I’m grateful to [NCDE] for creating this very strategic information hub. I’ve found it very resourceful. I’ll keep you informed as things progress.” —International exchange alum with a disability from Nigeria
In the Words of International Exchange Alumni with Disabilities
“I encourage others with disabilities to look for these kinds of educational opportunities because we have the right and the ability to make our dreams come true.” —English as a Second Language (ESL) student from Guatemala studying in the U.S.
“All my life, people told me my disability would not stop me from doing whatever I wanted to do. Successfully completing a trip abroad allowed me to really believe that.” —Disability rights champion and exchange alum from the U.S.
“As a person with a disability, I want to show the world how much we can accomplish.” —Teach abroad exchange alum from the U.S.
This article is part of the AWAY Journal – NCDE’s 30th Anniversary Issue