Overseas Study is now Education Abroad

August is always an exciting time for our office as we prepare to welcome students back to campus and open the application cycle for spring semester international experiences. But this year is particularly invigorating as we begin this month with a new name: the Office of Overseas Study is now IU Education Abroad!

For over 200 years, Indiana University has connected tens of thousands of students with transformative global experiences, with the Office of Overseas Study being officially established in 1972. However, the office and committees overseeing global activity have long served more than the specific interests of students studying abroad.  Over the years, global opportunities have expanded to include numerous intern, research, service, teach, and volunteer opportunities abroad, as well as medical residencies – all of which provide critical insights and experiences for emerging professionals navigating an interconnected world. 

The new name, Education Abroad, reflects this wide variety of high impact practices students can engage in abroad and signals our dedication to fostering career competency development and transformational intercultural experiences for Indiana’s future leaders.

“Our objective is to ensure that every Hoosier has the chance to study, work, live, learn, teach, volunteer, and grow across the globe,” said Interim Vice President for International Affairs Hilary Kahn. “This new name reflects our commitment to supporting the broad range of international opportunities available to students, opportunities which will propel them toward achieving their personal and professional goals.”

Traditionally, one in three graduating seniors have engaged in an international experience as part of their time at Indiana University.   Over the decades, thousands of Indiana high school students have advanced their language and culture learning as part of the IU Honors Program in Foreign Languages.  We now move forward with a name that reflects the diversity of international experiences we support and our holistic commitment to a globally engaged, future-ready IU community.