The White House and its staff has been focusing on a goal to raise awareness of the benefits of cross-cultural education and cultural exchange through study abroad. This goal will boost international student mobility across borders and will broaden students’ visions about the world. As an important driver of public opinion, the media have the ability to use their influential voices to educate readers about the importance of study abroad and encourage more U.S. students to engage in meaningful travel. This was the goal of the White House Summit on Study Abroad and Global Citizenship which occurred on December 9th, 2014.

A key point also in focus at the summit was that “Right now, only 1% of U.S. students study abroad each year. To enhance America’s economic vitality, future security, and global leadership, we must exponentially increase study abroad opportunities for all students”.

Study abroad is one of the best ways to provide students with the foreign language and cross-cultural skills necessary to compete and thrive in today’s global economy.

For more information on the White House Summit on Study Abroad and Global Citizenship visit the NAFSA blog post and the blog posted by the White House.

For more information on our programs, visit SPC’s Study Abroad Programs.