First Lady Obama’s Support for Study Abroad

I recently received an email from the LinkedIn group Study Abroad Faculty and Professionals and an article highlighting Study Abroad and First Lady Michelle Obama was the first article listed and I got excited. After reading the article I was overjoyed to learn more about President and First Lady Obama’s encouragement and support for studying abroad.

Last year First Lady Obama spoke to a thousand young people at Howard University (shout out to a fellow HBCU) in Washington D.C. and discussed the importance of Studying Abroad and the 100,000 Strong Initiative. The 100,000 Strong Initiative, which was revealed during President Obama’s visit to China in 2009. The goal of this initiative is to increase the diversity of American students who choose to study abroad in China. This is definitely a cause after my own heart. After all I am such the supporter of increasing the diversity of Americans who study abroad, whether it be in China or another country of the student's choosing.

I wholeheartedly agree with the following statement by First Lady Michelle Obama.

“The fact is, with every friendship you make, and every bond of trust you establish, you are shaping the image of America projected to the rest of the world.  That is so important.  So when you study abroad, you’re actually helping to make America stronger.... That’s why it is so important for more of our young people to live and study in each other’s countries. That’s how, student by student, we develop that habit of cooperation, by immersing yourself in someone else’s culture, by sharing your stories and letting them share theirs, by taking the time to get past the stereotypes and misperceptions that too often divide us.”

I can definitely attest to this statement. Studying Abroad has not only opened my mind and helped to shape the person that I have become; it has also shaped my career path and goals. I know that studying abroad has positively affected others who have taken the opportunity to go for the experience as well.

Knowing that President and First Lady Obama supports and promotes study abroad initiatives gives me yet another reason to admire them.

To see the entire White House Blog click on the title “First Lady Michelle Obama: When You Study Abroad, You’re Helping to Make America Stronger" by Kori Schulman

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/01/19/first-lady-michelle-obama-when-you-study-abroad-you-re-helping-make-america-stronger?utm_source=wh.gov&utm_medium=shorturl&utm_campaign=shorturl&goback=.gde_158718_member_183579891

To read more about the 100,000 Strong Educational Exchange Initiative see the link below:

http://www.state.gov/100k/

Amy Wu,  journalism educator at Shue Yan University and Huffington Post Contributor  recently wrote an interesting article about the 100 Strong Initiative entitled, "Pushing for Global Campuses a la US-China. Check it out here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-wu/study-abroad-china_b_2183306.html 

Thanks for reading!

Hasta el Proximo Vez,

KoMiSa