The International Education Fund

About IEF: The International Education Fund (IEF) is a nationally recognized 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that raises funds for first-generation college students facing economic barriers to study abroad.

The International Education Fund (IEF) aims to diversify US Study Abroad programming by making it inclusive of students who are typically under-represented in US study abroad programs. By offering opportunities to experience learning abroad, IEF hopes to ease the critical personal and career challenges of life in the global 21st century for this increasingly diverse US population of students.

The need for IEF:Beyond foreign language competency gains, research shows that study abroad fosters self-confidence, maturity, and academic motivation, informing career choice and shaping a world view characterized by a high degree of cultural understanding and civic engagement. More equitable access to overseas learning can reinforce and enrich school persistence, academic success and college admissions initiatives geared to high-need students.

By multiplying the impact of society and the student population at large, students who have been granted these opportunities will receive competitive advantages in their career fields, become leaders, and fight for improved access to equal opportunities for all.

Additional privileges typically awarded to students who have studied abroad are:

• Development of valuable career skills – making them increasingly marketable to competitive employers and graduate school programs.
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Increased self esteem, and confidence
• Increased academic motivation
• Higher rates of graduation.
• Motivation and leadership
• Increased independence
• Adaptability to stressful and challenging situations
• Creativity
• An expanded world view and multicultural competency

IEF Mission and Vision: “Our hope is to build connections between people of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds, because it is that diversity that truly will change the face of our relationships. So we believe that diversity makes our country vibrant and strong. And our study abroad programs should reflect the true spirit of America to the world.” – Michelle Obama

IEF strives to create equitable access to international learning opportunities abroad. Our study abroad scholarship programs offer international learning opportunities to highly motivated, first generation, college students facing financial barriers. The study abroad experience has been known to promote student success, academic engagement and motivation, boost self-esteem and confidence, inspiration and community involvement.

Students who engage in the life changing experience that studying abroad offers take these invaluable lessons with them and apply them to the rest of their lives – creating cultural awareness, understanding, and bonds. They become engaged civically and in their local communities - reaching out, giving back, and encouraging and motivating other to do the same.