A Global Good Commitment Grounded in Our Roots

The goal of our Global Good Commitment is to ensure that we are doing all that we can to be an active participant in bettering the world. We take this work seriously. We are conscious that our actions are interconnected and have impact, and we know that this is a continuous journey towards change. We continue to learn, adapt, and assess to ensure we are an informed participant in doing more good than harm.  

Since the first IES Abroad students arrived in Vienna in 1950, we have seen study abroad as a catalyst for peace and change. Alongside this belief, we know that our work, and the values that drive our work, require constant assessing, learning, and adaptation. In 2021, facing a range of crises around the world, from climate issues to systemic racism and inequities within our communities, we saw the need to highlight and elevate our mission, initiatives, and programming in global good.

Thus, the Global Good Commitment was borne. Drawn from the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, this multifaceted approach to creating a more sustainable and just world grounds who we are and what we do within four key categories: People & Equity; Education, Academics, Curriculum, & Career-Readiness; Engagement & Resources; and Sustainable Operations & Services. 

People & Equity

This is how we, an international education provider, break down our efforts in big and small ways to create global good for a more sustainable and equitable world, today, tomorrow and for the future. 

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Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism

Cultivating and educating global citizens who reflect the world’s rich diversity is complex. At IES Abroad, we’re invested in the complexity of human connection that inclusive excellence requires.

Our Diversity Statement
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Inclusive Hiring Practices

Just as we are strongly committed to increasing the diversity of our student body, we are also committed to increasing the diversity of our global workforce. We’re aspiring to be a workplace family that is highly reflective of our headquarters city of Chicago and of our world.

Careers
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Guided by Ethical Principles

IES Abroad is committed to placing the interests of our students first, to the delivery of superior academic programs and to providing excellent service to our students and educational partners around the world. These are our highest priorities.

Who We Are
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Health & Safety

With more than 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management.

Health & Safety
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Study Abroad Scholarships

As a not-for-profit, any income we generate goes right back into our programs and students. It's not just a business model, it's a belief system. Our High-Impact Aid Commitment designed to increase accessibility to study abroad—awarding the financial aid where it matters most.

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Global Pillars Courses

Offered on many of our programs, “Designing the Sustainable City” and “Intersectional Equity” are grounded in sustainable and equitable living respectively, connecting a cohort of students and faculty from a variety of academic backgrounds to discuss, assess, and contribute to solutions for global issues. 

See Programs

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IES Abroad Freiburg

Education, Academics, Curriculum & Career-Readiness

We are dedicated to developing courses, curriculum, experiential learning, and co-curricular programming rooted in sustainable practices in alignment with our three Global Pillars: Sustainable Living, Equitable Living, and Human Wellbeing. Our courses “Designing the Sustainable City” and “Intersectional Equity” are grounded in sustainable and equitable living respectively, and connect a cohort of students and faculty from a variety of academic backgrounds to discuss, assess, and contribute to solutions for global issues. 

We are not only committed to sustainability within IES Abroad but also without, which is why we are committed to growing a network of internship partners working towards a more sustainable world. For example, we place students in internships with Education 4 Nature Galapagos and Amazonia Onlus.

Hugo Valdebenito Headshot
“In order to teach these kind of classes and courses, you have to became very broad and not just teach environmental issues but social issues.”
Dr. Hugo Valdebenito • Professor at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito

Subject Matter Experts: Our Faculty

Not only do our Faculty work directly on the ground with our students to teach and inspire, they also work and research on the cutting edge within their fields.

Dr. David Neita

Adjunct Professor at IES London

Dr. Dave Neita is a lawyer, published poet, lecturer, and international speaker specializing in cultural leadership.

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Professor Jorge Castro

Chair Professor of Ecology at the University of Granada

Professor Jorge Castro Gutiérrez is a Chair Professor of Ecology at the University of Granada.

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Dr. Hugo Valdebenito

Professor at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito

Hugo has been associated with IES Abroad Quito & Galápagos Island Center since 2007 teaching courses concerning the Environmental Diversity of Ecuador.

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Dr. Alex Walker

Associate Center Director & Dean of Faculty

Dr. Alex Walker is a longtime valued member of our IES Abroad Barcelona leadership team, most recently serving as our Assistant Director, and Dean of Faculty.

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Engagement & Resources

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Global Leadership SerIES

Our Global Leadership SerIES shares with you our incredible community of academics, artists, scientists, innovators, change-makers, philanthropists, justice seekers, and visionaries who are leaders in their respective fields.

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Center of Excellence in Teaching & Learning Abroad

The Center of Excellence in Teaching and Learning Abroad (CETLA) was established in July 2022 to promote and facilitate the tradition of academic excellence that IES Abroad is well known for.

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Alumni in Action

Stuart Reigeluth, IES Madrid 99-00 Alum and founder of Revolve Media joined Dr. Alex Walker for a discussion on Embracing Sustainable Living for the Global Good.

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Sustainable Operations & Services

Students In Action

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Dr. Michael Adewumi headshot
“At IES Abroad, our work is to shape the global leaders of the future. To accomplish this goal, we need to consider the concerns that loom largest in the minds of today’s students about the world they will inherit. Developing relevant, impactful academic initiatives around our Global Pillars is our highest priority so that we may give our students the platform, opportunity, and tools to engage in finding real-world solutions for a more sustainable, equitable, and kinder way of life for all.”
Dr. Michael Adewumi • Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at IES Abroad

Ready to put the Global Good Commitment into practice?

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