The Institute of International Education (IIE) has chosen the University of Kentucky (UK) among 45 higher education institutions around the country to get the much sought-after American Passport Project award in 2024. Designed to assist up to 25 Pell-eligible UK students engaged in Explore First: Career, Cultures, and Connections, a creative career-readiness education abroad program, The program seeks to remove a major financial barrier by covering the cost of acquiring their first U.S. passports, therefore increasing access to overseas study opportunities for students from low-income backgrounds.
Expanding Access to Global Experiences
With an eye toward underrepresented and underserved student populations who historically have lower participation rates in study abroad programs, the IIE American Passport Project is a nationwide endeavor aimed at increasing the number of American college students who hold valid passports. Aiming to promote world learning and cross-cultural interaction, the program has given funds to 220 colleges spread across 40 states and the District of Columbia since its founding.
The cohort this year consists of seven community colleges—the most recognized in a single year—two cooperative institutional partnerships, and a special recipient serving the deaf and signing community at both national and international levels. The collection of institutions is varied. UK’s inclusion emphasizes its shown will to increase study abroad participation among Pell Grant recipients, first-generation college students, and those who have yet to travel overseas for academic or personal reasons.
“Study abroad can be a life-changing event,” stated Sue Roberts, Associate Provost for Internationalization at UK. For many students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, the first outlay for a passport can be a major obstacle. This grant is a great tool that removes that obstacle so students may start life-changing overseas adventures early in their academic paths.
Explore First: A Signature Program for First-Generation Students
Designed especially to help first-generation college students by combining study abroad with career readiness and cultural immersion, UK’s Explore First: Career, Cultues, and Connections is a hallmark program All of which are vital for career success in an increasingly linked world, the program gives students a special chance to acquire global competences, improve their academic learning, and build professional networks.
By means of Explore First, Pell-eligible students acquire access to foreign learning opportunities normally unattainable owing to financial restrictions. By paying for the first U.S. passport, a required step for all study abroad participants, the American Passport Project award magnifies this even further.
“This grant aligns perfectly with what we are doing with Explore First,” said Associate Provost for Internationalization Sue Roberts. “We are committed to making study abroad accessible because we understand the impact it can have on a student’s academic success and career readiness, and this grant helps students directly by covering the cost of obtaining their first U.S. passport. This is an important step — with practical and symbolic significance and we are very proud UK was selected to receive this grant.”
The Importance of Early Intervention
The American Passport Project’s fundamental approach is giving students early in their higher education path top priority. Early passport acquisition encouragement of students will help institutions raise the possibility of those students engaging in study abroad programs before graduation. First-generation and Pell-eligible students, who sometimes encounter several financial and social obstacles to overseas travel, especially need on early help.
Studies repeatedly reveal that students who study abroad gain from more academic interest, better intercultural skills, and better job results. IIE and UK are creating routes towards these transforming advantages by supporting students in starting the journey—getting a passport.
Broader Impact of the IIE American Passport Project
The American Passport Project promotes the more general objectives of international education in the United States: to equip students to succeed in a globalized economy, foster cross-cultural understanding, and enhance international partnerships, so preparing them for life in the United States. Global competency has never been more important in a society with difficult issues such migration, climate change, and geopolitical concerns.
The variety of universities getting the funding points to a dedication to fairness and inclusiveness in global education. From major research institutes like UK to community colleges and specialized universities catering certain communities, the honorees this year span a broad spectrum of schools and universities. This inclusive strategy guarantees that the advantages of foreign education can be reached by more students on a wider spectrum.
A Call for Greater Participation
The fact that the University of Kentucky received this award emphasizes how committed the university is to provide study abroad options to historically underrepresented students. UK invites Pell-eligible students interested in Explore First and study abroad options to call out early, maximize this funding, and start worldwide experiences that will enhance their education and future professions.
For further information and application policies, students interested in learning more about the American Passport Project grant, Explore First, or other study abroad options at UK should visit the university’s international education office website or contact program coordinators.
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