Highlights from the 78th Annual CIEE Study Abroad Conference

Below are some highlights from the 78th Annual CIEE Study Abroad Conference held earlier this month in Buenos Aires on the theme Leading Change in Study Abroad in Latin America. 

Latin America has historically been perceived as a location where students go to study language, culture, or history, but Latin America has something to offer students from every academic major. From sustainability and public health to business, technology, and the arts, the region offers diverse experiential learning opportunities that connect directly to today’s global challenges.

During our conference, international educators and thought leaders exchanged ideas and shared best practices for shaping study abroad and internship experiences in Latin America that inspire and empower the next generation of global changemakers, and discussed how institutions can motivate more students to pursue the rich learning opportunities available in the region. 

On our website are detailed highlights and photos from:

• Day One – CIEE Buenos Aires Open House; Pre-conference workshop on Leading Change Through Custom Programs; Opening plenary on Latin America and the Global Changes Ahead; Meet CIEE Reception
• Day Two – Panels on sustainable travel, Latin America’s innovation ecosystem, and more; Networking event focused on internships in Latin America; CIEE Leading Change in Latin America Partner Awards; Offsite reception at the Palacio Duhau
• Day Three – Closing Plenary on AI, Education, and Learning in Latin America; and a panel featuring  students from the CIEE Leading Change in Latin America Student Fellowship and the campus-based study abroad champions who helped make their participation possible

Below is a video of highlights from the event.

Increasing Access to Global Experiences through Paid Internships 

At the conference, we announced that that applications are now open for CIEE Business & Marketing Internships starting in spring '26. Students or recent graduates chosen for this competitive opportunity will be paid to work alongside the CIEE team at one of 20+ CIEE Centers around the world.

These internships are part of CIEE’s pledge of $1,000,000 to fund 100 paid global internships that will equip students with the invaluable skills needed to launch their professional careers. The pledge was CIEE’s response to what we heard from many of you during the 13th annual CIEE Global Internship Conference about the need for paid internships to increase access to global internship opportunities. 

More details about the 12-week paid CIEE Business & Marketing Internships that start in January 2026 can be found on the application.
 

Announcing the CIEE Community Impact Initiative 

As international educators, our mission is not just to advance individual lives through transformative experiences, but also to advance peace by building bridges between different people, communities, and cultures.

Just as feedback from you inspired our investment in paid global internships, your belief that mission matters has inspired CIEE to increase our commitment to public service and community impact work in CIEE host communities around the globe. 

Our new CIEE Community Impact Initiative will ensure that students on any CIEE program can participate in community-focused projects and engage with our local partners while studying abroad. Our students will contribute to long-term projects that have meaningful impact in their host communities, volunteering alongside members of their local community as they support the efforts of local nonprofit organizations.

79th Annual CIEE Study Abroad Conference in Cape Town

We are delighted to announce that next year’s CIEE Study Abroad Conference will be held in Cape Town South Africa, November 11 – 13, 2026. Hope to see you there!