RADNOR, Pa. (June 4, 2018)—Cabrini University has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund. The grant will help develop a cross-institutional program that brings students from Cabrini and Universidad del Salvador (USAL) in Buenos Aires to live and study together at their respective campuses and abroad.
Supported by Santander Bank, the grant competition named Cabrini one of only nine new partnerships named by the U.S. Department of State, Partners of the Americas, and NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
“Since coming to Cabrini four years ago, it has been a priority to further expand our international partnerships with diverse universities and fellow Catholic institutions abroad,” said Cabrini University President Donald B. Taylor, PhD. “This one-of-a-kind collaboration enhances the typical study abroad experience to offer a cohort of students from both Cabrini and Universidad del Salvador a transformational study experience.”
The program will create a bilateral exchange program that will engage students across disciplines as well as those underrepresented or with limited resources that are traditionally required to participate in study abroad programs. The program will focus on experiential learning and encourage students from Cabrini and USAL to reflect on themes of social justice education, social responsibility, and social change while incorporating language-learning and cultural competencies as they travel and take classes together for three weeks at each of the partnering universities in a six-week summer program.
During the first three weeks at Cabrini, students will be part of a Living and Learning Community which focuses on inspiring cross-cultural competence while prioritizing experiential learning. Students will then travel together as a learning community to Argentina to continue their collective efforts at USAL.
“This program creates the opportunity for students in the cohort to be both the newcomer and the mentor—providing a way to encourage unity of purpose and diversity of perspective,” said Director of the program Paul Wright, PhD, Assistant Provost for International Affairs. “We’re doing more than simply broadening students’ horizons—we’re confronting alienation and misunderstanding by bringing students into close contact with their peers and faculty in a way that highlights the enduring power of overcoming shared challenges in a collaborative community.”
After the six-week program, students will then participate in virtual exchanges throughout the semester following their travels to continue building their connections.
Established in 2014, the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund is the dynamic public-private sector collaboration between the U.S. Department of State., U.S. Embassies, Partners of the Americas, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, corporations, and foundations working together to stimulate connectivity and strengthen regional education cooperation and competitiveness throughout the Americas.
About Cabrini University
Founded in 1957 by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Cabrini University is a Catholic institution that empowers students to become advocates of social change through an Education of the Heart, focusing on academic excellence, community engagement, and leadership development.
Cabrini enrolls 1,650 undergraduates in more than 35 majors, pre-professional programs, concentrations, and minors on its serene 112-acre campus located 30 minutes from Philadelphia. The University also enrolls nearly 800 students in graduate, doctoral, and professional studies programs at its main campus in Radnor, PA, online, and at several off-campus locations.