The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Education Abroad has been awarded the 2024 IDEAS (Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students) Grant.

Created by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and funded with the support of the U.S. Government, this competitive grant aims to expand and diversify U.S. student participation in study abroad programs, helping schools across the country offer more inclusive international experiences.

"We’re very excited about the opportunity for staff to go abroad and have a study abroad experience, something which is largely limited to students and faculty," said Emily Krueger, UNO assistant director of global learning. "We’ve seen the impact staff advocates can have in helping students, especially underrepresented students, to study abroad through campus communities like the Goodrich Scholarship Program. We want students to learn about studying abroad in the campus communities they trust and are familiar with, and to be that extra layer of support for students who think it’s not a possibility for them."

The IDEAS Program aims to help U.S. higher education institutions create more inclusive and comprehensive international experiences. The grant funding is not intended for direct student scholarships but rather for projects that will expand study abroad opportunities and participation in the long run.

UNO's proposal, titled “We’ll Meet You Where You Are: Training and Mobilizing Study Abroad Advocates Serving Underrepresented Student Groups at UNO,” focuses on training eight diverse UNO staff members who work with underrepresented students. Through the $35,000 grant, these staff members will gain study abroad experience and expertise, enabling them to become advocates for study abroad participation.

The “We’ll Meet You Where You Are” program is designed to give participating staff a similar experience to students studying abroad. They will go through the entire process, including application, pre-departure sessions, and a study abroad trip to Türkiye. During their time abroad, staff will visit partner universities—Sabanci University and Bilkent University—and tour cultural sites in Türkiye, a country underrepresented in U.S. study abroad programs. They will also receive specialized training in study abroad programs and policies specific to UNO.

The international experience will provide staff with firsthand knowledge of studying abroad, including learning about various program components such as STEM courses, research opportunities, transfer of credits, scholarships, and affordable housing options. Upon their return, these staff members will develop and implement follow-on activities that promote study abroad within their campus communities, extending beyond the grant period.