Press Release For Immediate Release July 27, 2010	Media Contact: Mike Liberty American Institute For Foreign Study River Plaza, 9 West Broad St. Stamford, CT 06902-3788 (203) 399-5187 mliberty@aifs.com www.aifs.com

LEADERS IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION TO HOST DIVERSITY WORKSHOP

AIFS, Others Hoping to Increase Minority Study Abroad Participation

Washington, D.C. – The American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) and Diversity Abroad will host a unique hands-on educational workshop entitled Diversity in International Education on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

AIFS (www.aifs.com), a leading study abroad and cultural exchange provider, and Diversity Abroad (www.diversityabroad.com), a leading global education organization, are organizing the free event, which runs from 10am to 4pm, includes lunch, and features an address by Alina Romanowski, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Academic Programs from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Participation is limited to study abroad advisors and study abroad directors. Interested parties can RSVP to Paulette Aguirre at paguirre@aifs.com or online at www.aifs.com/education_workshop.asp. Any participant interested in being a discussion facilitator to share their knowledge and help lend to the discussion can let Ms. Aguirre know when responding.

“According to the Institute for International Education’s Open Doors report, approximately 82 percent of study abroad students are Caucasian while participation by minorities continues to increase at very low rates,” states William L. Gertz, President and CEO of AIFS. “This workshop will look at what is currently being done to increase diversity and more importantly, come up with new and creative initiatives that can further spark participation by students of all backgrounds.”

Workshop discussions will include current research, the utilizing of returning students to increase diversity, the role of location as it relates to diversity, available scholarships, additional funding opportunities and outreach strategies among others.

The workshop is co-sponsored by the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), the Institute for International Education (IIE), and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and is funded by a grant provided by the AIFS Foundation, a not-for-profit public charity established in 1967 to help young people from many nations and diverse cultures to better understand one another.

For more information about the Diversity in International Education workshop scheduled for September 21, 2010, in Washington, D.C., please contact Paulette Aguirre at paguirre@aifs.com.

About the American Institute for Foreign Study
Founded in 1964, the American Institute For Foreign Study is one of the oldest, largest, and most respected cultural exchange organizations in the world. With global offices in 15 countries, AIFS organizes cultural exchange programs for more than 50,000 participants each year. AIFS programs include college study abroad, au pair placement, camp counselors and staff, gifted education, high school study/travel, and insurance services. Since 1964, more than one million students and teachers have participated in AIFS programs worldwide. www.aifs.com