Empowering Future Success Through Study Abroad at the Global Educator Summit

On October 18-20, 2024, 77 educators from 71 U.S. high schools joined CIEE in Washington D.C. to explore how programs like High School Summer Abroad prepare students to become global leaders. A venue for teachers, department chairs, and secondary school administrators to discuss best practices in global education and study abroad and to gain actionable strategies for promoting global experiential learning at their high schools, this year’s Global Educator Summit included a panel on how study abroad programs – such as the Leadership & Service in Public Health program held at CIEE Santiago de los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic – impact students’ college pathways. Attendees also participated in interactive workshops drawing from the experience of our staff in the U.S. and around the world. 

In his compelling keynote, Hon. Henry F. De Sio, Jr., Chief Operating Officer at the United Nations Foundation and author of Changemaker Playbook: The New Physics of Leadership in a World of Explosive Change, shared his own experiences as an exchange student in Sweden and described how his early interest in leadership guided his career into roles in political campaigns and union organizing. An unexpected call in 2007 prompted a move to Chicago, where Hon. De Sio joined the Obama presidential campaign. He described the challenges of scaling the campaign from a small team to thousands of volunteers, illustrating the chaotic early days and the need for adaptive leadership. As the campaign grew and a siloed approach proved ineffective, Hon De Sio quickly realized that all individuals within an organization must be empowered to take on leadership roles. 

Reflecting on his experiences, Hon De Sio highlighted the lasting impact of these leadership lessons on his worldview, particularly through his work with Ashoka, focusing on social entrepreneurship and the concept of "everyone a changemaker." To create the next generation of leaders who embrace change, Hon. De Sio argued, educators must help young people to develop four critical skills: the ability to lead with empathy; the ability to engage in lifelong learning about their passions; the ability to bring people together around an opportunity or a challenge; and the ability to thrive in a constantly changing world. An innovative mind, a service-oriented heart, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a collaborative outlook – these are the necessary components of a global leader, according to Hon. De Sio. 

The speaker's journey emphasizes growth, adaptability, and an inclusive approach to leadership, providing valuable insights into collaboration and empowerment for educators and leaders alike. His remarks set the stage for a weekend of discussion about promoting study abroad experiences to high school students, expanding opportunity through fundraising, and helping students use their study abroad experiences in the college admissions process. We thank Hon. De Sio and our high school partners for all the work they do in cultivating a more global mindset and spreading the culture of study abroad in their schools and communities.