Promoting Inclusion in Education Abroad: A Handbook of Research and Practice

Co-published with 
While education abroad – including studying, volunteering, researching, and interning abroad – is increasingly emphasized as a critical factor in preparing undergraduates for a globally interconnected world, diversifying the pool of participants in such activities has proven challenging. Framed within the concept of “inclusive excellence” with the objective of promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in higher education as foundational to educational excellence, the contributors present research and practices that have been proven successful in improving participation among groups of students traditionally underrepresented in education abroad.

Broader participation in education abroad programming has been a perennial concern at numerous higher education institutions in the U.S., having prompted countless discussions in professional organizations and across campuses among faculty, staff, and students. Many have come to recognize that overseas opportunities are no longer a luxury and instead are a necessity for job seekers entering a more diverse, globally interconnected workplace.

The volume offers a combination of research-based chapters and case studies from leading experts on the barriers that disproportionately impact specific groups of students, including: students with disabilities; first-generation college students; undocumented students; racial and ethnic minorities; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors; and males. The authors illuminate the issues which may inhibit education abroad participation, from individual to institutional, and present strategies reflecting a broad range of institutional contexts, resources, and needs.

While there has been significant discussion and action to promote broader inclusion in education abroad, this is the first volume focusing on research and practice to achieve these ends, and is intended as a critical resource for practitioners and scholars alike.

Nick J. Gozik is Director of Boston College’s Office of International Programs and McGillycuddy-Logue Center for Undergraduate Global Studies. Previously, he held positions in education abroad at the University of Richmond, New York University, and Duke University. He has also taught courses in research methodology, international studies, and international education at New York University, Boston College, and Lesley University. Gozik has conducted research on identity, race, and education in France. He has contributed to research at the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) on internationalization, interdisciplinarity, and boundary-crossing in U.S. higher education, looking at areas studies centers. More recently, his research and publications have focused on outcomes assessment in U.S. higher education. Additionally, Gozik has been active in a number of professional organizations and currently serves as Chair of the Forum Council for The Forum on Education Abroad. Gozik holds an MA in French Language and Civilization and PhD in International Education from New York University.

Heather Barclay Hamir is President and CEO of the Institute for Study Abroad, Butler University (IFSA-Butler). Over a career spanning two decades, she has led education abroad offices at three universities with an orientation toward issues of access and inclusion. In 2014, The University of Texas at Austin received awards from NAFSA: Association of International Educators and Diversity Abroad in recognition of broad based, innovative strategies which increased participation in education abroad among multiple under-represented groups. Barclay Hamir’s research focused specifically on the relationship between study abroad participation, degree completion, and time-to-degree. She has led multiple workshops and sessions on topics related to access and inclusion over the last decade and has been an invited speaker at universities and conferences on best practices to diversify study abroad participation. She currently serves on Diversity Abroad’s Advisory Council, the Forum Council of the Forum on Education Abroad, and is a Director Emeritus of the Fund for Education Abroad. Barclay Hamir holds a PhD in Educational Leadership in Higher Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a master’s degrees in College Administration and Interdisciplinary Studies from Oregon State University, and a bachelors in literature from Pomona College.

Esther D. Brimmer currently serves as the executive director and chief executive officer of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Dr. Brimmer’s distinguished career includes three appointments within the U.S. Department of State, serving most recently as the assistant secretary for international organization affairs from April 2009 to 2013. Prior to joining NAFSA, Dr. Brimmer was professor of practice of international affairs at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs where she served a two-year term as the J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Professor. She was also an adjunct senior fellow for international institutions at the Council on Foreign Relations, and a senior adviser at McLarty Associates.