CIEE Access Grant Program Highlights

CIEE: Council on International Educational Exchange today credited the success of its inaugural Generation Study Abroad Access Grant (GSAAG) recipient’s program, and shared highlights from the Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC) J-Term, STEM-focused, and faculty-led Global Maritime Academy program in Sharjah and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“NTCC’s Global Maritime Academy program was a great success, and truly supported our goal to recognize innovative programs that increase access to study abroad on every level,” said Kellie Sullivan, executive director of Faculty-Led and Custom Programs at CIEE. “We are excited to launch the 2017 campaign on April 15 and look forward to supporting more of these innovative programs that prepare students to succeed in today’s globally competitive environment,” she said. Sullivan also noted the key role that Abu Bakr Al Ani played in the program. The resident director of the CIEE Study Center in Sharjah, Al Ani skillfully applied his professional experience as a translator, eight years’ experience in the UAE, and his welcoming style to help create and maintain a thriving learning environment and make the experience a success.

CIEE’s first-ever GSAAG grant last year of $20,000 supported NTCC’s Global Maritime Academy program for freshmen and sophomores majoring in science, technology, engineering, math, industrial maintenance technology, drafting and design, industrial electrician, or welding. As participants, the students, many of whom had never had the opportunity to travel or study abroad before, received workforce training, industry credentials relevant to future employment, and intercultural skills training. Program highlights included:

• Site visits to STEM-focused industries
• Riding through the desert
• A tour of Dubai

"The Global Maritime Academy’s first Generation Study Abroad program has had a profound impact on the lives of participating students and faculty at Northshore Technical Community College,” said Dr. William S. Wainwright, NTCC Chancellor. “The robust curriculum ensured relevant industry exposure in the field of maritime studies coupled with meaningful cultural immersion activities. CIEE provided flexibility for the construct of an innovative curriculum that has captured the interest of key stakeholders interested in supporting future international study abroad," he said. NTCC’s Global Maritime Academy proposal was one of nearly 50 submitted by schools across the United States during CIEE’s inaugural GSAAG campaign to recognize innovative programs that increase access to study abroad, particularly in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math.

The grant program is part of CIEE’s commitment to Generation Study Abroad™, a national challenge initiated by the Institute of International Education to double the number of students studying abroad to 600,000 by the year 2020.

For more information about CIEE’s commitment to Generation Study Abroad, visit: ciee.org/generation-study-abroad.