Moving Ahead: Education Abroad from 2008-2010

This report is the culmination of two consecutive summer retreats by members of the Knowledge Community for Education Abroad (EA) leadership and members of NAFSA’s board of directors and will guide NAFSA’s work in education abroad over the next three years. The EA leadership has identified five strategic initiatives, along with two priorities that weave through these initiatives, which will serve as the basis for the formulation of EA work plans in the coming years.

The EA leadership welcomes you to read this report and engage in discussion with the team – either directly or through the EA network discussion forums – on your specific needs.

Special Initiative #1:

Develop a service package for education abroad professionals at institutions not previously involved in education abroad (in a major way).

Special Initiative #2:

Develop a service package that fosters greater integration of study abroad into the curriculum, where study abroad is part of the natural progression of courses, and courses in successive years build on the study abroad experience.

Special Initiative #3:

Develop a service package to assist institutions in increasing diversity of participation in education abroad.

Special Initiative #4:

Develop a service package for professionals outside the U.S. who will start receiving U.S. students and/or expand U.S. student participation in their programs.

Special Initiative #5:

Develop a service package that prepares EA professionals to responsibly send students to new, non-traditional destinations.

Priority Focus #1:

Develop an information/outreach package to educate campus administrators about the profession of education abroad.

Priority Focus #2:

Educate EA professionals about the resources NAFSA already has.