(Entertainment-NewsWire.com, December 16, 2014 ) Washington, DC -- Study abroad and gaining international experience are critical to citizens of the world today. According to Dr. Jessie Voigts of Wandering Educators, in order to compete in the international economy, the US needs to have an educated, well-traveled, resilient population. This comes directly from international experience.
The recent White House Travel Blogger Summit on Study Abroad and Global Citizenship reinforced those beliefs - and then some. The White House invited 100 of the top travel bloggers and digital influencers (#WHTravelBloggers) to the summit to discuss international education, promote #StudyAbroadBecause, and to reinforce the economic importance of travel, tourism, and connection, and to reiterate, as Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Evan Ryan noted, "one of the goals at the State Department is to help ensure that young Americans--our next generation of leaders--have the international skills they want and need for a globalized 21st century workforce."
"As a career international educator, I was honored to be invited to the White House Summit, and excited to develop more opportunities to talk about, teach, and promote study abroad and international education," noted Dr. Voigts, who has a PhD in International Education. "From teaching about the world to promoting study abroad and international opportunities for all populations (including underrepresented minorities, ages, genders, and abilities), this new push for global education from the Obama Administration is more than welcome."
Speakers at the Summit included the Chief of Staff to the First Lady, the Chief of Staff to the President, the Deputy National Security Advisor, the Assistant Secretary for Education and Cultural Affairs, the Director of Social Innovation, and the Secretary of Commerce. The Summit focused on three key areas to increase participation in international education. Why this push for study abroad, now?
A recent MetLife survey found that 65 percent of Fortune 1000 executives identified global awareness as "very important" or "essential" in order to be ready for a career. As Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker remarked, "This is why we should work together - in business, government, and academia - to afford more young Americans the opportunity to travel, to deepen their cultural fluency, so they can better compete and succeed in the 21st century."
The Administration is also opening a US Study Abroad Office, and holding the first-ever Virtual US Study Abroad Fair on February 25, 2015.
Look for study abroad information, timely articles on student experiences, scholarships, programs, and more at:
If you'd like more information about Study Abroad, International Education, how to reach both college students and lifelong learners, cross-cultural exchange and student mobility, or to schedule an interview, please contact Dr. Jessie Voigts at 616.914.4112, jessie[at]wanderingeducators.com
About Wandering Educators:
Wandering Educators is the world's largest travel library for educators, students, and intelligent travelers.
