Dear Friends,
If you’re like me, you remember your study abroad experience like it was yesterday. Arriving in Beijing in 1987 was unforgettable: the late night bus ride from the Capital Airport to our campus; the sound of cicadas as we unloaded our luggage; the warm welcome of our Chinese hosts as we ate unexpected bowls of spaghetti. Whether you studied in Beijing, Florence, or Amman, the memories are strong because the experience was so formative—it shaped the way you see the world, the way you engage with it, the way you see your place in it. You remember your days abroad because there was never a time before or since when you felt so overwhelmed—or learned so much.
I’m proud that 2022 marks forty years since CET began operating study abroad programs. Our first “CET-Wellesley” group landed in Beijing in June 1982, and since then we’ve sent more than 25,000 abroad to Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. We’ve been through a lot, especially these last two years! But like CET students, we’ve learned so much, and we are emerging stronger and more sure of who we are than ever. Forty is an important milestone, a time to remember our past and look ahead to the future.
And the future looks bright! As we rebuild our programs abroad, we have a unique opportunity to incorporate all we’ve learned. We are focusing our energy now on building back better—centering Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in our work; building sustainability into our program models; incorporating new technologies and new pedagogies. We’re more committed than ever to making study abroad a more equitable endeavor, both for our students and for our hosts.
To celebrate our 40th anniversary, we invite you to join us for a series of celebrations throughout this year. We’ll reflect on our history and celebrate the many partners, staff members, and students who have helped us get here. We’ll also showcase the best innovations we’ve adopted as we prepare to serve the next generation of study abroad students. Please sign up for emails to stay in the loop. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Mark
Executive Director
CET Academic Programs
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We’re celebrating with in-person parties, virtual panels, and alumni stories all year long. Sign up for emails so you don’t miss out!