We are thrilled to be recognized as finalists for these awards.
GoAbroad.com's Innovation Awards acknowledge institutions, organizations, and individuals moving the field forward, and commend leaders in the community for their efforts to go beyond the conventional. They showcase the best in innovation, originality, creativity, and exceptional ideas in international education.
CIS Abroad is proud to be nominated as finalists in two GoAbroad.com Innovation Award categories this year: Most Innovative Student Video and Most Innovative Intern Abroad Program.
Most Innovative Student Video
Japan video by Mikey Johanson, Semester in Tokyo - Toyo University
This award recognizes a student-created video that captures the true essence of an international education program. Videos should demonstrate highlights of the program, an understanding of global awareness, and active student participation. Unlike the other Innovation Awards, the student video is selected based on the number of votes it receives through an online poll. Nominees will also be evaluated on the quality of video content, creativity, and artistic merit.
Watch the video and VOTE HERE!
Most Innovative Study Abroad Program
Intern in Chiang Mai with Working Across Culture Micro-Credential
The Intern in Chiang Mai program is an incredible opportunity for students to take part in a meaningful internship and apply their classroom knowledge to real work experiences, all while immersing themselves in Thai culture in a historic and beautiful city. This program shines due to its location, affordability, cultural immersion opportunities, and because students enhance their career readiness through the Working Across Cultures Micro-credential.
Location & Affordability
Available during the summer and semester, with program fees from $4,390 - $5,690, this program offers 6-12 week placements in education, environmental sustainability, health, NGOs, and nonprofits. A few sample placements are a health educator at a government-run clinic, environmental protection intern in a Thai village, or an NGO support intern at a local equal rights organization. Chiang Mai is a medium-sized culturally rich city surrounded by greenery, mountains, and small villages. Whether students want to stroll through the local markets, explore historic temples in the Old City, go on trekking adventures, or easily travel to other destinations in Thailand, Chiang Mai is truly a special city.
Cultural Immersion
Two hours of Thai language instruction is included each week as well as CIS Abroad’s Local Life cultural co-curriculum designed to help students engage with the local culture. Students enjoy a day of friendly appreciation of elephants at one of Thailand’s most respected elephant sanctuaries. They learn about the sanctuary’s role in the protection of these great creatures, and usually get to take a swim with them! Students also do a trekking excursion to visit the mountains and national parks surrounding Chiang Mai. They have the chance to visit hilltribe villages in person and in a respectful and sustainable way. Students also take a Thai cooking class where they visit the market, learn all about Thai fruits, vegetables, and herbs, and then make a few dishes of their own. Students in more rural areas stay in a warm and welcoming homestay five days a week (with meals included) and travel to the city of Chiang Mai every weekend, staying in a guesthouse. This enables them to meet the other interns and participate in excursions. Interns with placements in the city will stay in an apartment.
Working Across Cultures Micro-credential
Students can earn internship credit as well as a Working Across Cultures Micro-credential. This micro-credential documents that participants have developed certain key competencies that NACE has designated as being essential for new college grads in the areas of critical thinking, equity and inclusion, professionalism, and technology. Students are able to add this micro-credential to their resumes and LinkedIn profiles, enhancing their employability. To qualify for the micro-credential, students must successfully complete the online curriculum, complete internship hours, receive a positive evaluation from their supervisor, and submit an elevator speech, final LinkedIn profile, and a video, blog, or similar creative deliverable which presents the outcomes of the internship experience.
