High-touch support. Transformative learning. Global reach.
During 2025–2026, the Center for International Programs supported students across the complete global-learning journey: from early exploration and financial planning through applications, travel, academic participation, immigration compliance and career preparation.
The CIP team combines visible student programming with substantial individualized and behind-the-scenes work. This coordinated support removes barriers, protects students and the College, strengthens international partnerships and helps students translate global experiences into academic and professional growth.
2025–2026 at a glance
578
student contacts through outreach events
244
Study Abroad applications from 199 applicants
$349K+
in student funding and support allocations
1,500
estimated staff hours supporting applications
79
students assisted with airfare coordination
38
pre-departure and preparation sessions
These figures represent different forms of engagement and should not be added together as a count of unique students. Funding figures represent awards and support allocations; some students received more than one form of assistance. Staff-hour figures are estimates based on the documented average time required to support an application.
Personalized support from exploration to departure
Studying off campus is not a single transaction. Students must navigate program selection, academic approval, financial planning, applications, travel, health and safety requirements and unfamiliar administrative systems. CIP staff provide sustained, individualized guidance so students can move forward confidently and required steps do not fall through the cracks.
Application support
- 199 students began the application process.
- 152 applicants remained active after melt.
- Each application requires an estimated six hours of advising, review, follow-up and processing.
Advising beyond appointments
- Staff averaged approximately 50–60 scheduled appointments each quarter.
- Peer Advisors held 31 additional student appointments.
- Students received continuing assistance through email, Teams, walk-ins and informal conversations.
- Staff helped resolve login, document-upload, questionnaire and Hornet Passport process problems.
Much of this work happens through quick questions, repeated follow-up and problem-solving that are not captured by appointment totals. This responsive support keeps complex processes moving safely and accurately.
Expanding access through financial support
Financial assistance transforms off-campus study from an aspiration into an attainable part of the K-Plan. During 2025–2026, CIP distributed $349,698 through 386 awards and support allocations.
$139,246
113 travel subsidies
Assistance with required round-trip international airfare.
$83,050
89 work-study replacement awards
Credits for eligible students participating in Study Abroad.
$26,580
85 supplemental awards
Support for additional costs associated with Study Abroad.
$40,928
25 Kopecky awards
Need-based travel and associated Study Abroad support.
$31,160
10 Beeler awards
Support for eligible overseas Senior Integrated Projects.
$6,116
24 passport and visa fee awards
Assistance with required documentation expenses.
External scholarship support: Ten students applied for the Gilman Scholarship and two received awards. CIP promoted the opportunity through classroom visits, student-organization conversations, tabling and application workshops.
Safe, prepared and supported travel
CIP’s work protects students and the College. Staff coordinate travel, maintain required records, support higher-risk travel and prepare students to manage the academic, cultural, health and logistical realities of studying away from campus.
Travel coordination
- 79 students received airfare-booking support.
- 25 cases involved complex itineraries or group travel.
- Staff tracked airfare estimates, bookings and travel-subsidy documentation.
- Repeated follow-up resolved missing information and outstanding flight details.
Preparation and risk management
- 13 higher-risk travel applications received additional monitoring and support.
- 30 program-specific orientations were coordinated.
- Three mental-health preparation sessions were offered.
- Three health and safety sessions were offered.
- Two Global Hornets preparation programs were coordinated.
2025–2026 accomplishments
This year, CIP strengthened the programs and preparation that help students see themselves as global learners, build confidence and participate successfully in unfamiliar environments.
Global Hornets continues to expand access
Twenty-two first-generation students participated in the Global Hornets Program, continuing the program’s record of strong enrollment.
Global Hornets provides a cohort-based pathway into Study Abroad through early preparation, individualized advising, peer support and dedicated financial assistance. More than half of the participating first-generation sophomores are expected to study abroad as juniors.
Returning Global Hornets also remained involved by sharing their experiences and serving as Peer Advisors, extending the program’s impact to future cohorts.
More preparation before departure
CIP coordinated 38 pre-departure and student-preparation sessions during the year.
Preparation included 30 program-specific orientations, three mental-health sessions, three health and safety sessions and two Global Hornets programs. These sessions addressed the academic, cultural, logistical and personal dimensions of living and learning away from campus.
Student feedback indicated that the increased preparation helped participants feel more informed, confident and ready to navigate their upcoming experiences.
Faculty-led learning in the Dominican Republic
Twenty-three students participated in K’s second faculty-led program in the Dominican Republic during winter break.
Developed in partnership with the Spanish department, the program connected academic study with language practice, cultural learning and engagement in the Dominican Republic.
Its short-term format created another entry point into global learning, including for students who may face academic, financial or scheduling barriers to longer programs. Financial assistance helped reduce the cost of participation and international travel.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate how early outreach, cohort support, intentional preparation, faculty partnership and financial assistance create multiple pathways into global learning.
Career readiness through international experience
CIP helps international students and Exchange Visitors connect their academic experience with internships, employment and professional development while maintaining federal immigration requirements.
11 CPT opportunities
International students received authorization for new curricular practical training opportunities, including approximately four community-based internships.
7 OPT applications
Graduating international students received advising and application support for post-completion Optional Practical Training.
2 Academic Training placements
Two Exchange Visitors secured opportunities to apply their academic learning through authorized professional experience.
CIP also supported one Severe Economic Hardship work-authorization application and continued advising graduates already participating in STEM OPT, including required employment reporting and employment changes.
International students strengthen the K community
International and exchange students bring global perspectives into classrooms, student organizations, residence halls and the wider community. CIP supports their immigration compliance, academic success, career development and sense of belonging.
Exchange Visitor impact
- 16 J-1 Exchange Visitors represented 10 partner institutions across six countries.
- Thirteen served as Teaching Assistants in Spanish, French and German.
- Five participated in Model United Nations.
- Two attended social-justice leadership programs.
Belonging and student success
- A weeklong orientation prepared students for academic and community life at K.
- More than 15 international-student events were offered.
- Twelve students were matched with nine local host families.
- Students received check-ins, employment workshops and community-building opportunities.
- Staff moved immigration-document timelines earlier to help address visa-processing delays.
Reciprocal partnerships extend K’s global reach
K’s exchange relationships create two-way opportunities for students and strengthen long-standing institutional partnerships in Spain, France, Kenya, Germany, Mexico and China.
37 K students
participated in long-term programs at reciprocal partner institutions, representing approximately 21% of Study Abroad participation.
16 visiting students
brought knowledge of their home institutions to K and served as cultural ambassadors, peer resources and language-learning partners.
Exchange Visitors helped renew student interest in partner programs with previously low participation by sharing firsthand academic and cultural perspectives with prospective Study Abroad participants.
Early outreach creates pathways to participation
CIP recorded 578 student contacts through outreach events, an increase from the 400 touchpoints reported in 2024–2025. Programming helped students connect global learning with their academic interests, identities, financial circumstances and future goals.
317
Fall contacts
137
Winter contacts
124
Spring contacts
Outreach included seven First-Year Seminar visits, financial-aid and scholarship promotion, student-organization collaborations, Peer Advisor appointments, identity-centered conversations, fairs, information sessions and pre-departure programming.
What high-touch global learning requires
CIP’s work extends well beyond placing students in programs. The team maintains an interconnected system of advising, operations, financial administration, regulatory compliance, risk management, partnership development and student programming.
Student success and access
Individual advising, application guidance, financial planning, identity-centered support, peer mentoring and preparation for academic life away from campus.
Operations and stewardship
Application systems, funding administration, student accounts, airfare coordination, program records, budgets, data reporting and relationships with campus and external partners.
Compliance and institutional care
Immigration advising, federal reporting, travel registration, health and safety preparation, higher-risk travel review and responsive support when circumstances change.
Building for the future
During 2025–2026, CIP continued improving the structures that make global learning accessible, academically meaningful and sustainable.
- Finalized a two-quarter structure for the New York Arts Program.
- Developed new learning outcomes for off-campus study.
- Created an advising guide to help faculty support students considering Study Abroad or Study Away.
- Strengthened tracking of student engagement, applications, funding and endowment expenditures.
- Continued collaboration with employers and campus partners to expand career opportunities for international students.
- Moved Exchange Visitor nomination and application deadlines earlier to reduce the impact of visa-processing delays.
- Developed a Study Abroad Readiness Framework and revised application materials to balance student support with opportunities to build independence and resilience.
Global learning succeeds because students are supported at every step.
CIP will continue using data, student feedback and institutional partnerships to expand access, strengthen preparation and help every student connect global learning with their academic, personal and professional future.