TBG Foundation has joined the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad initiative to help more Americans to gain international experience through study abroad programs. This is one of more than 450 new commitments announced by IIE.

IIE’s Generation Study Abroad seeks to mobilize resources and commitments with the goal of doubling the number of U.S. students studying abroad by the end of the decade. TBG Foundation will work closely with American universities to offer its summer and other study abroad programs to US students.  

Under the new partnership, TBG Foundation will take concrete, action-oriented steps to expand opportunities for study abroad.  We will be creating special grant and scholarship opportunities to assist American students who want to participate in one of our flagship study abroad programs - the Balkans Peace Program.  

"Creating opportunities for more students from the US and Canada to come to the Balkans is an essential component of our work. We believe that by the end of the decade, we will more than double the number of US students we will bring on study abroad programs through our Foundation. Exchange of ideas and experiences between American and our European students is crucial to building new bridges of understanding and cooperation for the future," said Faton Bislimi, founder and president of TBG Foundation. "Being the first educational non-profit organization from the Balkans to join this IIE initiative clearly shows our Foundation's leading role in international education in the region," added Mr. Bislimi.   

As of November 2014, Generation Study Abroad partners to date include over 300 colleges and universities of all sizes and types across the country and around the world, as well as 13 governments, 16 education associations, 67 international partners, and 56 study abroad, K-12, and social network organizations who have committed to specific goals to increase the number of U.S. students studying abroad. Commitments include actions to diversity the population of students who participate in study abroad and provide additional financial resources to make this possible.

IIE launched Generation Study Abroad early this year in the belief that the number and proportion of today’s students who graduate with an educational experience abroad is far too low. Currently, fewer than 10 percent of all U.S. college students study abroad at some point in their academic career, according to the Open Doors Report on International and Educational Exchange published by IIE with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Generation Study Abroad aims to grow participation in study abroad so that the annual total reported will reach 600,000 by the end of the decade.

“Globalization has changed the way the world works, and employers are increasingly looking for workers who have international skills and expertise,” says Dr. Allan Goodman, President of IIE. “Studying abroad must be viewed as an essential component of a college degree and critical to preparing future leaders.”

About Generation Study Abroad

IIE’s Generation Study Abroad seeks to significantly increase study abroad participation by bringing employers, governments, associations, and others together to build on current best practices and find new ways to extend study abroad opportunities and resources to tens of thousands of college students whose needs are not currently served by existing programs. Generation Study Abroad will sustain an ongoing dialogue about the need for more students from all backgrounds and in all fields to gain international experience. This will include research to identify and break down barriers hindering students from studying abroad, communications to share strategies and best practices to increase study abroad, and fundraising to mobilize additional financial resources.  IIE will also hold a Summit on Generation Study Abroad on October 1-2, 2015 to engage stakeholders in higher education and all commitment partners.

About TBG Foundation

TBG Foundation is a non-profit organization, founded in 2006, headquartered in Prishtina, Kosovo, with offices (points of contact) available in the United States and Canada, as well. The mission of TBG Foundation is to help in the building of peaceful and prosperous societies through quality education opportunities offered to students and professionals. In fulfilling this mission, we strive to help educate young generations and enable them to experience learning in a way that empowers them as well as their peers and societies.

About the Institute of International Education

The Institute of International Education is a world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. An independent, not-for-profit organization founded in 1919, IIE has a network of 19 offices and affiliates worldwide and over 1,200 member institutions. IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government agencies, foundations, and corporations. IIE also conducts policy research and program evaluations, and provides advising and counseling on international education and opportunities abroad.