IIE American Passport Project to help students pursue their study abroad plans
Institute of International Education (IIE) in the US has announced the IIE American Passport Project which aim is to increase participation and diversity in studying abroad and to widen the benefits of international experiences for all students, regardless of socioeconomic status.
The project will allow 1,000 students from 40 selected IIENetwork member institutions to obtain their US passports to pursue their studies abroad.
Its plan is to help 1,000 college students each year to obtain U.S. passports by awarding funds to the chosen colleges and universities that can apply for the students in their first year of studies. The students with limited means will be given the opportunity to the passport project as their participation in studies abroad involves long term planning of the finances.
IIE believes that education plays important role in solving global problems and answering worldwide concerning questions. The international experience is vital for students to connect and communicate with other peers and gain new skills and opportunities therefore the support in the form of the passport is a helpful tool and step forward for many students with financial struggles.
For the colleges and universities involved, the project means also restarting the international initiatives and starting new projects with institutions abroad after the impact of the pandemic on international university relations and exchanges.
The institutions that can participate have been selected considering various factors but the majority fall into the category of institutions that are expanding their diversity, equity, access, and inclusion of students in financial need, students from racial/ethnic minorities and those who have never travelled abroad or first-generation students.
