New Zealand's growing presence in US study abroad

The Forum on Education Abroad

Held in Seattle, Washington, this year’s conference was an opportunity for New Zealand providers to meet with existing and potential partners in the US, and to participate in professional development sessions on standards in study abroad. The University of Auckland exhibited, and the University of Otago co-presented a session. Representatives from Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, University of Canterbury and Victoria University of Wellington also attended as did ENZ’s US Director of Education, Amy Rutherford, and ENZ’s US Field Director, Alanna Dick.

The conference capped off at a luncheon plenary where Shanna Law, a former study abroad student, gave a talk about her year at the University of Otago. Shanna won the ‘Award for Academic Achievement Abroad’ for her research project on geology in Central Otago, which she presented to 1,000 conference attendees.

The Forum on Education Abroad is accepting nominations for next year’s Award for Academic Achievement Abroad. The deadline is 30 August 2017. The next conference will be in March 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Institute of International Education Best Practices conference

Alanna Dick also represented ENZ at the Institute of International Education (IIE) Best Practices Conference, in Florida, in March. The event showcased the 2017 winners of the IIE Heiskell awards, which acknowledge international partnerships, internationalising campuses and study abroad.

Monash University and Macquarie University were the only non-US award recipients to present their programmes. Awardees were given 15-minute speaking slots at the event, while their institutions were recognised through IIE press releases, a cash prize and an awards ceremony.

As the awards are a great way to showcase the innovative practices on campuses, Alanna hopes to see New Zealand institutions involved in future.

“New Zealand institutions have several innovative initiatives that could fit the Heiskell award categories, including the unique ways they run international partnerships with US institutions to meet the needs of students.

“The awards are self-nominated, and it’s never too early to be thinking about next year’s award selection,” Alanna said.

IIE Heiskell Award applications are due in October 2017. Winners are notified in December, giving ample time to prepare for the conference in March.

Get involved with the IIE

IIE aims to double the number of US students studying abroad by 2020. New Zealand institutions can partner with the IIE by becoming a participating university in the Platform for Education in Emergencies Response programme or hosting a professor or researcher from the Scholarship Rescue Fund.

For more information, contact Alanna: alanna.dick@enz.govt.nz.