The IES Global Institute (“Global Institute”) is a transformative initiative designed by Institute for the International Education of Students (“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 develop innovative pedagogy informed by our three “Global Pillars” of Sustainable Living, Equitable Living, and Human Well-Being.
IES Abroad is hosting the Global Institute Forum in Milan in June 2026. To provide a holistic perspective of the Global Pillars model of learning, 3 seats at the Global Institute will be held for exceptional alumni who have taken a Global Pillars class and meet the other requirements listed herein. IES Abroad will select 3 contest entrants to participate in the Global Institute to be held in Milan, Italy from June 3-5, 2026. Selected alumni are expected to arrive on June 2 and depart on June 6, 2026.
IES Abroad will select winners from applicable submissions submitted by alumni participating in the IES Abroad Alumni Contest (“Contest”). Participation in the Contest is free. By submitting an application, you agree to be bound by the following Terms and Conditions. A entrant’s entry may be deemed void, in IES Abroad’s sole discretion, if it does not comply with these Terms and Conditions.
Eligibility
No purchase necessary to enter or win. Entry is void where prohibited by law.
Entry open only to legal residents of the United States who are at least 18 years of age at the time of entry.
Entry is open to any alumni that meet all three of the following conditions:
(1) completed an IES Abroad semester (or year-long) program during which time they completed and earned a grade for:
i) ES/SO360 Designing the Sustainable City (any term it was offered),
ii) ES/SO/PO363 Equitable Living: The Human Right to Migration (any term it was offered), or
iii) ES/EC/PP364 Nantes Green Capital: A Model for Understanding the Green Economy (starting from Fall 2024);
(2) graduated or are currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. university and/or college; and
(3) submit a Contest application within the Contest Period indicated below.
Applications will be accepted from November 24, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. CDT until January 2, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. CDT (“Contest Period”).
How to Enter
To enter, please submit a Contest application. Limit one (1) entry per person. Each person is an entrant.
Nature of the Contest
A panel consisting of certain IES Abroad staff members and faculty will review alumni submissions and select as Semi-Finalists, those applications the panel deems, in its sole discretion, best encompass the factors described below. IES Abroad Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs will review all Semi-Finalists and select the 3 Finalists, in their sole discretion.
The panel will rank each application based on 1) its thoughtful engagement with application questions, 2) the strength of the final project that was completed while studying abroad with IES Abroad, and 3) clarity of goals for their participation in the Global Institute in Milan. Chance plays no role in determining the winners.
Prize
Each Finalist may be considered a contest Winner, and accept the invitation to participate, present, and share their experience as Global Pillars students at the Global Institute, attend Global Institute sessions, and spend some time enjoying Milan. Contest Winners that accept the invitation and meet all the Terms and Conditions listed herein, shall receive complimentary access to the Global Institute and the Travel Expenses listed below (together, the “Prize”).
Contest Prize has no cash value, is non-transferable, and may not be redeemed for cash or any other substitute except at IES Abroad’s sole discretion. Winners are responsible for all taxes, fees, and expenses not expressly included in the prize description, and may be required to sign and return an affidavit of eligibility, a liability release, and, where lawful, a publicity release within the time period specified by IES Abroad. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.
In addition to complimentary access to the Global Institute, IES Abroad will provide selected Winners with international flights, ground transport, accommodations, meals, and insurance, subject to caps set by IES Abroad, for the duration of their 5-day stay (3 days of Global Institute events; 1 day ahead for arrival, and 1 day afterwards for departure) ("Travel Expenses”).
All Travel Expenses will need to be pre-approved and booked through IES Abroad, and subject to IES Abroad travel policies and procedures. IES Abroad will not pay for additional days of travel and accommodations, or additional partners or guests of selected entrants.
In order to receive the award, the selected entrants must be available to attend all three days of the Global Institute, commit to attending certain pre-identified key sessions across all three days, complete a brief written report following the Global Institute that identifies tangible learning outcomes from their attendance, and provide feedback on the Global Institute and Global Pillars Courses as a whole.
Winner Notification
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, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok and by submitting their application, entrant gives IES Abroad permission to do so.
Publicity
IES Abroad reserves the right, and all entrants give IES Abroad permission, to use the name, likeness, image, educational background, institutional affiliation and details regarding the winning alumni and their submission in its marketing efforts, including without limitation, on its public website and social media sites. The selected Winner(s) will be required to participate in two verbal or written pieces for IES Abroad’s marketing purposes. These may include, but are not limited to, participating in videos or interviews or submitting blogs or short essays written by the winners. All entrants grant IES Abroad and its affiliates a world-wide, perpetual, royalty-free license to use such application submissions, videos, interviews, essays or similar content.
Limitation of Liability
By participating, entrants agree to release and hold harmless IES Abroad and its affiliates, employees, and agents from any liability arising out of participation in the Contest or acceptance, use, or misuse of the Prize.
Governing Law
The Contest and these Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising out of or related to the Contest shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located within Illinois.
Privacy
Information collected from participants will be handled in accordance with IES Abroad’s privacy policy, available at https://www.iesabroad.org/privacy-policy.
General Conditions
IES Abroad also reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the Contest, or amend these Contest Terms and Conditions at any time. Contest dates, terms, and quantity per year are subject to change. IES Abroad is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, or incomplete entries, or for any technical or human errors. All submissions are considered authorized for use in future IES Abroad website content, social media posts, and print materials.
