Plus 3 Program from the University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh's Plus 3 Program wins the IIE Heiskell award

Pitt's Plus 3 study abroad program was among the winners of the fourth annual (2005) Andrew Heiskell Awards for Innovation in International Eduation. Jointly organized and led by faculty from the College of Business Administration (CBA) and the School of Engineering and with support from the University's Study Abroad Office.The Plus 3 study abroad program is a three credit, optional addition to freshmen courses required in each school. Plus 3 targets students who have little to no international experience. The students participate in a two week international research course at the end of their freshmen year.

The Plus 3 program includes preparatory lectures and lessons in survival language skills. While overseas, students participate in company visits, study the host country's history, language and culture. They learn about cross cultural management and the industries and fims they have been assigned to analyze. The program is designed to whet students appetites for additional foreign language instruction and longer study abroad excursions. Field study options for 2005 included Sao Paulo, Brazil; Beijing, China; Rouen, France; Valparaiso, Chile and Augsburg, Germany.

The Institute of International Education is the world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. Founded in 1919, the Institute is the world's most experienced global higher education and professional exchange organization. IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government and private sources. These programs include the Fulbright and Humphrey Fellowships, administered for the U.S. Department of State, and The Global Training for Development program administered for USAID. IIE also conducts policy research and provides advising and counseling on international education and opportunities abroad.




The IIE created the Andrew Heiskell awards in 2001 to promote and honor the most outstanding initiatives being conducted in international higher education by IIE Network member universities and colleges. By recognizing excellence and innovation, the Institute hopes to support IIE Network members in their endeavors and to signal a new and important role for international education on campus.

Since the creation of the awards, fifty percent of the winners of the Best Study Abroad Programs have been from CIBER schools. (Pitt and SDSU) The winning programs, are noteworthy for their success in removing institutional barriers to international study and broadening the base of participation in the international elements of teaching and learning on campus. They are among the "best practices" in internationalization, with the hope they will encourage and inspire other campuses.

Testimonial:
Scott Hunter, a sophomore studying civil engineering commented "I invested nearly two thousand dollars into the trip, and I feel as if I received ten thousand dollars-worth of education and experience in return."

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