CIEE 79th Annual Study Abroad Conference – Day 1 Highlights
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The CIEE 79th Annual Study Abroad Conference opened Wednesday in Cape Town, South Africa. International educators, university leaders, entrepreneurs, and community partners gathered to explore the theme Leaders of Change and Innovation Across Africa.
Africa is the world's youngest continent and an increasingly important center of innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. By 2050, Africa is projected to account for 85% of the growth in the world's working-age population. Yet only 3% of American students who study abroad choose destinations in Africa.
The three-day conference will explore how to expand study abroad opportunities across Africa and prepare students to engage with a continent that is shaping the world's future.
CIEE Cape Town Open House
Wednesday morning, attendees had the opportunity to attend an open house at CIEE Cape Town, where they toured classrooms, met local staff, and learned about CIEE's academic programs and student support services. Guests enjoyed a drum circle, bead making, and an activity exploring proverbs across cultures.
Pre-Conference Workshop: CIEE First Year Abroad
The morning workshop, Rethinking the First Year: How First-Year Programs Drive Enrollment and Student Success, demonstrated how first-year study abroad can help colleges address enrollment challenges while improving student success.
Lisa Chesney Leeke, CIEE Director of College First Year Abroad Partnerships shared that 96% of CIEE College First Year Abroad participants continue their education the following semester.
Representatives from Arizona State University, the University of Colorado Boulder, and Colorado State University shared results from their first-year programs abroad. Their experience showed how integrating global learning into students' first year of college strengthened student retention, fostered belonging, and attracted new students.
“We know that study abroad is very high impact,” said Sylvie Burnet-Jones, Director of Education Abroad, University of Colorado Boulder. “Students are more engaged. They're more likely to stay. They're more likely to graduate. They're more likely to have better GPAs.”
Pre-Conference Workshop: CIEE Global Internships
Global internships are among the most impactful study abroad experiences for students. CIEE's global internship network currently includes opportunities with 1,700 employer partners across 44 locations.
During the workshop, Global Internships in Transition: Student Success, Emerging Trends, and Strategic Partnerships, two former interns shared how their placements shaped their career goals. Pranav, a UC San Diego student, described how working at a Cape Town medical clinic changed his understanding of public health and the communities he hopes to serve. “[My global internship] fully changed my life trajectory, career trajectory, honestly, everything,” he said.
The workshop explored how colleges and international partners can create meaningful global internships that strengthen career readiness and connect students with local communities. Presenters emphasized that successful internships depend on strong local partnerships, careful student placement, and ongoing mentorship.
Opening Plenary: A Conversation with Leaders of Change and Innovation
From L to R: Anthony Munroe, President of Borough of Manhattan Community College (Moderator); Luvuyo Rani, Founder of Silulo UluthoTechnologies; Sidee Dlamini, President and CEO of African Leadership University; Brandon Collier-Reed, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the University of Cape Town; Roslyn Artis, President of Benedict College (Moderator)
The conference officially opened on Wednesday evening with a plenary featuring leaders in higher education, technology, and entrepreneurship who are helping shape Africa's future.
CIEE President and CEO James Pellow highlighted Africa's growing influence in technology, entrepreneurship, science, and the creative industries. Africa remains an underrepresented study abroad destination and he challenged international educators to consider new scholarships, internships, leadership programs, and community partnerships that would introduce more American students to the African continent.
CIEE Senior Vice President of College Study Abroad Patrick Moran introduced the opening plenary by highlighting the African philosophy of Ubuntu, emphasizing how study abroad fosters shared humanity, mutual understanding, and meaningful connections with local communities. “Together we must listen and learn from leaders across Africa, the practitioners of change, and amplify their voices to our students and to our partner institutions,” he said.
Panelists included Sidee Dlamini, President and CEO of African Leadership University; Brandon Collier-Reed, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the University of Cape Town; and Luvuyo Rani, South African entrepreneur and founder of Silulo Ulutho Technologies. The discussion was moderated by Roslyn Artis, President of Benedict College, and Anthony Munroe, President of Borough of Manhattan Community College, both of whom lead CIEE Pledge to Lead Change in Study Abroad partner institutions.
Panelists shared examples of African entrepreneurs developing solutions to challenges in healthcare, energy, education, and economic opportunity. They reinforced the benefits of introducing students to Africa's emerging industries, arts scene, and innovative approaches to solving global challenges
“Africa is the place to understand the future,” said Brandon Collier-Reed. “If you want to understand what's going to happen in the future, you need to be in Africa to do so.”
Sidee Dlamini emphasized how study abroad prepares young people to adapt to an unpredictable world. It builds resilience and helps students engage with a diverse range of individuals from different backgrounds and cultures in a world where diversity is being challenged.
“You're putting students in unfamiliar environments. You are forcing them to be vulnerable and understand that there's a whole world that is much bigger than them,” Dlamini said. “What we are actually working towards is beyond peace. It's beyond bringing people together. It is about how do we create a global community that truly understands each other and can solve problems together.”
Meet CIEE Reception
The day concluded with the Meet CIEE Reception, where attendees connected with CIEE Center Directors from around the world to learn more about CIEE's global programs and meet the staff who support students throughout their study abroad experiences.