Study Abroad Day – The Celebration Continues

We have come a long way in the eight years since the first Study Abroad Day celebration in 2020. Our goal was simple, yet ambitious: We endeavored to create a space to celebrate global learning – including alumni stories and outcomes, cross-cultural engagement and exchange – and showcase the lasting footprint these experiences leave us with. Each year it grows bigger and better, and it’s incredible to see celebrations taking place around the world. I continue to be overwhelmed with gratitude for how our global community has embraced, expanded, and joined in our efforts to continue celebrating together.

From the very beginning, we never wanted this to become just another item to dread on the ever-packed to-do list. It was designed (and we work to ensure it remains) an open sandbox for international educators, institutions, alumni, and champions of global learning to pull memories and stories out of the figurative “shoebox in the closet” and share them with the world. Seeing how you all take this day and make it uniquely your own remains one of the coolest parts of leading and serving this organization.

These eight years have not been without challenges. Knowing we launched in February 2020, the obvious difficulties those first few years go without saying. And the ever-changing landscape of higher education certainly continues to bring new obstacles we are all doing our best to meet with adaptability and resilience. While there is much that feels like it’s becoming more complex in the world, it remains a constant that global learning is deeply impactful, so needed, and so worth celebrating as we navigate the future.

As an organization, we have also adapted and grown. While the core mission remains unchanged, we have gone from a small effort led by a few people to a dedicated Board of Directors. We announced last year that we established ourselves as an official 501(c)(3). In doing so, one thing I’m very excited about is that this year we were able to launch sponsorship opportunities to create space for partners to support the even bigger dreams we have for this day, and everyone who celebrates. As a currently self-sustaining operation, your assistance helps ensure our resources remain open and available for anyone who needs them. Check out our Sponsorship page for more information!

We feel that these efforts will allow us to bring together even more colleges and universities, providers, organizations, and champions of global learning. Celebrations are amplified each year thanks to incredible social media engagement and the continued use of accessible resources in our toolkit. And now we plan to engage sponsors to meaningfully support celebrations and make great ideas come to life. We know how important storytelling is, along with making and holding space to really acknowledge the worldwide impact of experiential learning. And of course, we’ll continue having a lot of fun along the way.

To all who have celebrated with us before, as well as to those joining us for the first time – thank you. We have truly built this together. We look forward to continuing this great tradition in 2027, and in the years to come.

Erin