As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Office for Global Engagement, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the transformative journey and significant contributions of one of its key units, the Center for Education Abroad (CEA). Although CEA only joined the Office for Global Engagement in 2024, the synergy between them has always been natural. This partnership will continue to profoundly shape the landscape of international education at the University of Rochester, enhancing global opportunities and experiences for our students.
A Decade of Growth and Support
From its very beginnings, CEA has been pivotal in advancing student mobility through an extensive array of education abroad programs and comprehensive student support services. CEA’s footprint and progress will be strengthened due to this strategic collaboration with the Office for Global Engagement. One of the many advantages of this partnership is that OGE fosters a more centralized approach to international education, pooling resources to reinforce and extend our global outreach.
Responsive and Proactive Development
CEA has actively collaborated with various schools within the University to both bolster and become better-informed about global initiatives, ensuring that its programs meet not only the academic but also the cultural needs of our students. Following a temporary halt due to the pandemic, CEA has not only rebounded but thrived, introducing innovative programs and expanding to new locations, thereby diversifying the opportunities available to our students.
Empowering Through Scholarships and Support
A major stride for CEA has been the establishment of the Education Abroad Scholarship Committee, composed of faculty and staff. This committee plays a critical role in allocating need- and merit-based funding, making study abroad more accessible by assisting with expenses like airfare and program fees. Furthermore, the committee manages the impact letters from scholarship recipients, ensuring continued communication and engagement with the Office of Advancement.
Enhancing Student Competencies and Experiences
The recent launch of the Pre-departure & Re-entry Education Abroad Competencies Self-Assessment in Spring 2024 underscores our commitment to ensuring that our students’ international experiences contribute significantly to their personal and academic development. These assessments parallel the UR College competency assessments, which form a framework for assessing whether co-curricular experiences meet a comprehensive set of learning outcomes. These assessments allow us to gauge and enhance what our students learn from their international experiences..
Fostering Global Perspectives
In February 2024, CEA hosted its inaugural Story Slam event, which brought together students, faculty, and staff for an evening of storytelling that transcended geographical and cultural boundaries. This event not only enriched our community’s global perspective but also celebrated the diverse narratives that shape our collective experience.
Commitment to Access and Inclusion
CEA was honored to receive an IIE American Passport Project grant, which will provide essential funding for up to 25 students to acquire their first U.S. passports, paving the way for their study abroad journeys. This is an important marker and step forward in CEA’s continuing dedication to making international opportunities more accessible.
Engaging Faculty and Enhancing Programs
With a firm belief in the importance of faculty involvement in global education, particularly those interested in leading or organizing student programs, CEA supports faculty, staff, and student leaders in the development of international programs and courses. These include innovative initiatives such as a multi-faculty biology program in Ecuador and a Russian language immersion program in Tallinn, Estonia.
A Future of Collaboration and Innovation
As a vital part of the Office for Global Engagement family, and in collaboration with the International Services Office, the Center for Education Abroad is committed to remaining at the forefront of transformative global education experiences.
This anniversary is not only a reflection of a decade of meaningful and important achievements but also a commitment to future endeavors that will continue to enhance global education at our university. We at CEA, as part of the University of Rochester’s Global Engagement team, look forward to many more years of equipping our students and faculty to navigate and contribute to a complex and increasingly interconnected world.