Global Institute Alumni Contest

About the Global Institute

Calling all Global Pillars alumni! Because of your participation in one of our Global Pillars courses (Designing the Sustainable City or Equitable Living: The Human Right to Migration, Nantes Green Capital: A Model for Understanding the Green Economy) with IES Abroad, you’re eligible for the chance to join us in Milan, Italy from June 3-5, 2026 to present your final project from the course, speak on your experience, and gain valuable connections in the field of international education.

Don't miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime!

Applications will be accepted until January 2, 2026  at 4.30 p.m. CDT

More Information

What is the Global Institute?

The Global Institute is an initiative designed by IES Abroad to empower educators and faculty to reimagine global learning. Through immersive workshops, collaborative exchanges, and a focus on addressing real-world challenges, the Institute offers a vibrant platform to advance education’s role in developing students’ understanding of IES Abroad's Global Pillars—sustainable living, equitable living, and human well-being—from a global perspective.

Why should I apply?

Other than receiving a free trip to Milan, participants in IES Abroad's Global Institute will:

Network and connect with experienced leaders in the global education field.
Have the opportunity to speak as an expert in their subject matter.
Gain invaluable experience to showcase in their résumés.
Receive a fully funded opportunity to immerse themselves in Milan's rich culture, world-renowned cuisine, and vibrant arts scene.

What will I do there?

The finalists will be invited to participate, present, and share their experience as Global Pillars students at the Global Institute and spend some time enjoying Milan.

You will:

Present your final project from your Global Pillars course.
Answer questions from Institute attendees (faculty).
Talk about what developments have been made since project completion.
Participate in a Q&A panel about this style of course.
Participate in breakout groups and workshops for educators.

All finalists are expected to be available to attend all three days of the Global Institute, commit to attending certain pre-identified key sessions, and complete a brief following the Global Institute to identify tangible learning outcomes from their attendance, and to provide feedback for both the Global Institute and the Global Pillars project as a whole.

The goal of your participation in this event is to provide educators and administrators with firsthand accounts of the impact of the unique design of these courses. In order to develop stronger and more effective curriculum, institute members will use insights gained from course alumni to workshop ideas for future course development.

What do I need to apply?

All applicants must have:

Completed and earned a passing grade for “Designing the Sustainable City,” “Equitable Living: the Human Right to Migration,” or “Nantes Green Capital: A Model for Understanding the Green Economy”*
Recently graduated or are currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university.
A willingness to be interviewed on-camera and speak in front of an audience.
Submitted a contest application on or before the January 2nd deadline.

*Eligibility for the Nantes Green Capital course is limited to students enrolled from the Fall 2024 term and after.

You will need:

To answer questions about the Global Pillars course experience.
To submit a copy of your final project.
To provide clear goals for time spent at the Global Institute and in Milan.

Submission Period

To be considered for the initial review, you must enter the contest before the deadline (January 2, 2026). Be sure your submissions meet all the requirements!

How will the winners be selected?

The panel will rank each application based on 1) measure of thoughtful engagement with application questions; 2) strength of final project; and 3) clarity of goals for time spent in Milan.

Initial Review

A panel of IES Abroad staff and faculty review student submissions and select those with the best responses as semi-finalists.

Instructor Feedback

The selection panel will contact the instructor of your course to hear feedback on your time as a student and academic.

Phone Screening

Semi-finalists will be asked to participate in a short phone screening to get a sense for their ability to present information and thoughtfully reflect on their time in a Global Pillars course.

Leadership Selects Finalists

Our Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs will review all semi-finalists and select the three finalists.

What is included?

Access to the Global Institute
Round trip international flights to Milan, Italy
Ground transportation
Accommodation
Meals
Travel insurance for the duration of their 5-day stay (3 days of events; 1 day ahead for arrival, and 1 day afterwards for departure)

IES Abroad will not pay for additional partners or guests of selected applicants.

IES Abroad reserves the right to set a maximum amount per alumni.

What happens after I apply?

IES Abroad will notify the winners via the email address entered on the application entry form on a rolling basis and in any event, no later than three weeks following the submission deadline. If a selected winner does not respond within seven (7) calendar days of an initial notification, an alternate winner may be selected and the initial winner will forfeit their award. IES Abroad may also announce the winners publicly on its website at www.IESAbroad.org and on IES Abroad’s social media profiles, including without limitation, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok.