At this year’s White House Conference on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, one of the sessions focused on “Going Global” and giving African-American students opportunities to study and work abroad. As research demonstrates, students who participate in study-abroad experiences during college are more likely to graduate (see the Georgia Learning Outcome for Students Studying Abroad Research Initiative report). Moreover, students who have international experience are more likely to learn a second language, more accepting of other cultures, and more comfortable with new and challenging experiences. Specifically, African-Americans who participate in study-abroad programs are 13 percent more likely to graduate from college in four years and have higher grade point averages than their peers who do not venture abroad (http://www.iercef.org/Home.asp).
Unfortunately the number of African-American students who study abroad is tiny and the number of HBCU students who have international experiences is even smaller (Institute of International Education, 2009). Lack of access to global opportunities puts Black students at a disadvantage. Unfortunately, cost prohibits many HBCUs from offering international exchange. It would be advantageous for the federal government to invest in study-abroad programs at HBCUs, as these institutions graduate 20 percent of the nation’s African-American students—students who would benefit from an international experience, global exposure, and enhanced language skills.
Also at the White House Conference on HBCUs were representatives from a new nonprofit organization specifically focused on increasing HBCU student participation in study-abroad programs. The International Education Resource Council Education Foundation (IERCEF) seeks to act as a clearinghouse for HBCU study-abroad programs. Since many HBCUs do not have the infrastructure to support large-scale international programs and partnerships with colleges and universities abroad, the IERCEF offers a central location through which HBCUs and their students can access such programs. Consortia are an innovative idea for strengthening the education of HBCU students. One need only look at the United Negro College Fund and its long history of pooling resources as an example of how HBCUs have united to overcome a lack of funding. Through programs such as IERCEF and additional support from the federal government for international opportunities, HBCU students can gain a competitive edge and enjoy richer academic experiences.
5 Responses to Going Global: Pushing for More Study-Abroad Programs at Historically Black Colleges
gilman_staff - September 17, 2010 at 10:15 am
Thank you for sharing your insight from the conference. We would like to make sure that all readers and advisers know about the Federal funding for study abroad that is available through the Gilman International Scholarship Program, sponsored by the US Department of State. This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. The program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go by supporting undergraduates who might otherwise not participate due to financial constraints. This includes students in STEM fields, those attending community colleges, first-generation college students and more. 20 per cent of this year’s cohort were from HBCUs or other minority serving institutions. In addition, over 57% of the receipients are ethnic minority students. Please visit http://www.iie.org/gilman for details. We encourage HBCUs and universities with students who have high financial from all background need to become more involved with the Gilman Program.
11140525 - September 20, 2010 at 2:22 pm
thanks gilman_staff.the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) encourages applications from students of diverse backgrounds as well. The DAAD Undergraduate Scholarship is the German equivalent to the Gilman Scholarship, concentrating on Germany as the destination for study abroad. (http://www.daad.org/?p=47220)
shstonecenter - September 21, 2010 at 3:48 pm
What HBCU’s need by way of government support for international study is more programs that focus on careers and interests outside of the State Department, CIA, Military and other defense-security-intelligence agency related vocational paths. Since so much federal aid is oriented towards these careers there tends to be few alternative possibilities including focusing on peace related and NGO work that emphasizes a broad array of responses to the world’s most pressing issues. A good number of HBCU’s have built their entire international focus around the availability of grants to attract and recruit students of color to intelligence related fields which is both a short-sighted strategy and one that has the potential of discouraging those who have other interests. We should understand that these programs are often the only choices for HBCU’s who neither have the funds or the administrative structure necessary to build international programs that offer multiple options for their students.If the federal government really wants to be helpful, it should push as hard to provide programs for students to work in non-defense and intelligence related agencies, and free HBCU’s and other minority serving institutions from being forced into these one-track strategies.
gloverparker - September 23, 2010 at 11:27 am
Appreciate comment regarding the “steering” of HBCU students into military/intelligence careers – as opposed to advising students about the same range of career options as are open to all students…This is needless to say a balance for students who, in today’s uncertain job market, need to know how they can best leverage their college degree and related experiences – international and other – to their best advantage in their job searches. Students will gravitate to those roles where they see themselves as having greatest advantages to distinguish themselves from other job applicants no matter the sector. And if there is promise for advancement, all the better.
swjones828 - December 15, 2010 at 1:33 am
http://www.iercef.org has established the NC Study Abroad/Global Engagement (SAGE) Consortium to address the woeful imbalance you indicated in your article.
A consortium model becomes a network and a vehicle for disseminating information that otherwise would not be shared due to a lack of an official study abroad office and staff whose job it is to promote education abroad opportunities.
The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship Program funding is a good place to start. The State Department’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs administers of the Gilman have done a superb job helped to diversifying study abroad, but they too admit that there are a lack of applications from the HBCU community outside of a handful. Schools like: Spelman, Bennett, NCAT and Howard seem to be in the know and as of the fall of 2010, over half of Gilman HBCU awardees came form these four schools.
IERCEF and the SAGE Consortium network will not only advocate and promote study abroad and global engagement’s academic outcomes value, but offer high value, high impact programs, like InteRDom http://www.interdominternships.org international summer internships to the HBCU community, a first. Above the diverse, hands-on experience to various career fields, students can earn up to four-credits during the summer of 2011. Gilman funding, if approved– they have a 65% acceptance rate, can award up to $5,000 which will cover the cost of such a program.
IERCEF is committed to offering service-learning, NGO peace-related intiatives. These experiences are part preparing students for a global society and more than Military/Intelligence work. In the spirit of reciprocity we are putting the finishing-touches on a one-semester, Botswana program in the spring of 2012. It will be a program that will benefit students and Batswana alike. Financial aid travels and this is priced below most public, out-of-state tuition costs making it a more affordable and enriching way to spend a semester.
In short, there are opportunities, but with an organized consortia committed to education abroad and international service-learning as the Study Abroad/Global Engagement Consortium is, HBCU students will find a supportive and informed framework driven to increase their accessibility to an invaluable educational opportunity. Also, as a consortium, HBCUs can speak with a clearer voice when it comes to internationalization initiatives, have something new to market and a vital new educational program to invest in.
Steven W. Jones
President/CEO
IERC Education Foundation
http://www.iercef.org
“Preparing a New Generation for a New World”