CIEE to Sponsor Florida Atlantic University’s 8th Annual Paradise Invitational Women’s Collegiate Golf Tournament in Boca Raton, Florida

The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), the nation’s leader in study abroad and international exchange, is partnering with Florida Atlantic University Women’s Golf to present the 8th Annual Florida Atlantic Paradise Invitational, taking place Sunday, February 1, through Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Osprey Point Golf Course in Boca Raton, Florida

The 8th Annual Paradise Invitational Tournament

The four-day event will bring together sixteen NCAA Division I women’s golf teams, including 90 student athletes, as well as hundreds of college and high school students, local families, and golf enthusiasts to celebrate the global spirit of the game of golf. 

Events include a skills competition open to any college students, high school students, or parents in attendance; a Greeks Are Global Glow Golf Competition for college students representing fraternities and sororities; and three days of exciting women’s golf competition. Attendees are invited to enjoy tournament play, participate in interactive challenges, and experience how golf connects people and cultures around the world.

All events are free and open to the public.

Universities competing in the 8th Annual Paradise Invitational Tournament are:

• Clemson University
• Colorado State University
• Florida Atlantic University
• Florida International University
• Indiana University - Bloomington
• Mercer University
• Rutgers University
• Texas Tech University
• Tulane University
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Denver
• University of Georgia
• University of Kentucky
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Oklahoma - Norman
• University of Tennessee- Knoxville

The “Links” between International Education and the Game of Golf 

Some may ask why CIEE, the oldest and largest nonprofit dedicated to advancing peace in the world through international exchange programs, is sponsoring a women’s collegiate golf tournament. The answer is quite simple. 

Both international education and the global game of golf transcend borders and ideologies, offering platforms where mutual respect, cultural exchange, and peaceful collaboration flourish. Together, they demonstrate how shared experiences, whether in classrooms or on fairways, can break down barriers and build bridges between people of different nations. 

The connections between golf and study abroad are many. For example, when studying abroad, students engage with unfamiliar perspectives, learning to respect traditions and viewpoints different from their own. As a game rooted in etiquette and sportsmanship, golf demands mutual respect, regardless of nationality or background. International tournaments bring players and fans together in a spirit of fairness and admiration. Both study abroad and golf cultivate character traits essential for world peace, including patience, humility, and understanding.

Also, when studying abroad, students live and learn side-by-side with peers from around the world, forming bonds that often outlast borders. The same is true for golfers from vastly different cultures who meet on the course, navigating the same fairways and challenges despite their different backgrounds, cultures, or native language. This shared experience fosters unity and mutual appreciation. Whether in a global university program or an international golf match, participants realize how much they have in common, laying a foundation for mutual respect and advancing peace.

In addition, immersive education abroad helps individuals see themselves as global citizens, with responsibilities beyond their home countries, while the international nature of the game of golf – tournaments on every continent, diverse champions, multicultural fans – exposes people to a variety of customs and ways of life. Both environments nurture a mindset of inclusion, cultural curiosity, and cooperation.

Most often, students who study abroad return home with a deeper understanding of global issues and a desire to contribute to a more peaceful world. Likewise, golfers competing in international competitions like the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup, the Olympics or collegiate tournaments, turn athletes into informal ambassadors who represent not only skill but diplomacy and grace under pressure. Both students and golfers can act as “soft power” forces for peace, bringing people together where politics might otherwise divide.

In summary, in a world often divided by difference, both international education and the global game of golf offer hopeful models for cooperation. They remind us that peace is not only achieved through treaties and policy, but through relationships, shared passions, and mutual respect born from people-to-people experiences.

CIEE to Award 10 Full Scholarships for Study Abroad Programs

In appreciation of the rising popularity of women’s golf and global learning, CIEE will award 10 scholarships for study abroad programs throughout the event – giving students the chance to take their education international. 

CIEE will award the following study abroad prizes:

• 2 CIEE High School Summer Study Abroad Program
• 2 CIEE High School Semester Study Abroad Program
• 1 CIEE GAP Year Abroad Program
• 1 CIEE College First Year Abroad Program
• 4 CIEE Summer Global Internships in Athens, Greece

“CIEE is proud to sponsor Florida Atlantic’s 8th Annual Paradise Invitational Woman’s Collegiate Golf Tournament. It is the perfect opportunity for us to demonstrate the global intersection between golf and study abroad as we also promote women’s collegiate sports,” said James P. Pellow, Ed.D., President and CEO of CIEE. 

CIEE’s Golf is Global™ initiative celebrates the intersection of sport and purpose – using the universal values of golf to promote understanding across cultures. For more than 75 years, CIEE has created life-changing experiences for students around the world through international education and exchange programs.

Tournament Event Highlights

• CIEE Golf is Global Skills Challenge
   Sunday, February 1, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
  Test your swing in a fun, all-ages golf challenge featuring contests like long drive, glass breaking, flop wall, and chip shots. Participants earn entries for prizes, including CIEE High School and College Study Abroad programs in 45 global destinations.
   
• CIEE Golf is Global Welcome Reception & Prize Drawing
   Sunday, February 1, 4:00–5:00 p.m.
  Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments while learning about CIEE study abroad opportunities. Prize drawings for Skills Challenge participants will take place during this reception.
   
• CIEE Greeks Are Global Glow Golf Competition
   Sunday, February 1, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
  The fun continues under the lights with Greeks Are Global Glow Golf, an after-party for college students who are members of fraternities, and sororities. Teams of four (two fraternity members and two sorority members) will compete for the chance to win four CIEE Summer in Athens, Greece, study abroad programs. The event is free to pre-registered teams, but space is limited to 25 teams.
   
• 8th Annual Paradise Invitational - NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Competition
   Monday, February 2 – Wednesday, February 4
  Fans can walk the course and cheer on top Division I programs including Florida Atlantic University, Clemson University, University of Notre Dame, University of Georgia, University of Oklahoma, and University of Tennessee, among others. The FAU Women’s Golf Team, led by Head Coach Heather Bowie Young, represents the American Athletic Conference with top talent from across the U.S. and abroad.

About CIEE’s Golf is Global™ Initiative

CIEE’s Golf is Global™ initiative unites sport and global purpose – where the shared values of golf and study abroad build bridges between people, countries, and cultures. For more than 75 years, CIEE has expanded access to international exchange and experiential learning, empowering future leaders to make the world a more connected and peaceful place.

For more information about CIEE and the Florida Atlantic's 8th Annual Paradise Invitational in Boca Raton, Florida, visit ciee.org/GOLFisGLOBAL. The first 100 registrants will receive a complimentary  CIEE’s Golf is Global™ swag bag at the event.