A Year of Firsts!
As 2022 comes to a close, we look back on the many ways that our year astonished, changed, and motivated us!
In Educational Travel
- We operated over 40 programs in 2022, and 14 were with new partners! These included Wondrium, Boca Grande Community Center, ArtNews, Zagat, Decanter, Chautauqua, Road & Track and The First Division Museum.
- The Rhone Valley’s diversity of wines attracted an international audience ready to taste the rich Viogniers of Condrieu, the wild Syrahs of Cornas, and the glorious Grenaches of Gigondas. (Decanter magazine)
- Two trips—to Iceland and New Orleans—showcased the resilience and adaptation of local populations in the face of climate change. (Chautauqua Institution)
- An epic, four-country performing arts patron trip arrived in London two hours after Queen Elizabeth’s death was announced, and travelers were treated to a unique experience unlike anything they could have ever planned. (The Philadelphia Orchestra)
- A group of very lucky history aficionados followed in the footsteps of the US Army’s heroic 1st Infantry Division to the World War II battlefields in France. (First Division Museum)
In Study Abroad
- After two+ years of program closures and interruptions, many of our programs came roaring back with record-setting enrollment to Florence, Czech Republic, Taiwan, and Japan.
- This fall, in cooperation with the University of Minnesota, a review committee comprised of faculty and study abroad professionals traveled to Jordan and evaluated every aspect of our Arabic language program, from orientation to faculty development and support. We’re pleased that their final report gave the program such high marks, particularly in the areas of academics and student services!
- Four of our US-based staff recently hosted a well-attended webinar that focused on the future of study abroad in Greater China. When will the mainland open to study abroad, and what will be the health/safety concerns once students can return? Our experts shared their thoughts on these timely questions!
New Relationships
We welcomed the following new partners to the ATA family in 2022:
Our Priorities in DC: JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) and Sustainability
On the JEDI front
In 2022, we spent time reflecting on the first two years of our Anti-Racist Action Plan—what worked well, what didn’t, and who’s voice was left out—and internally launched a new JEDI Action Plan that continues to involve all staff. We hosted three “Food for Thought” discussions and a JEDI book club and attended Diversity Abroad’s conference.
On the Sustainability front
We’re thrilled to announce that our decarbonization fund, in partnership with Cool Effect, is investing in three projects this year in Honduras, Indonesia and Tennessee. We also participated in the US Tour Operator Association’s inaugural “Sustainability is Responsibility” Summit in Bodo, Norway.
Our Incredible Team
The hybrid office model we introduced in the spring balances flexibility with the in-person togetherness we seek from each other. Next year, we will be piloting a new reduced hours work schedule. Heartened by data coming from organizations such as Four Day Week Global, we are eager to join other firms who see the social, economic and climate benefits of this move.
With fresh passion and commitment to our partners, students and travelers in 2023, we send you our heartfelt thanks and best wishes for the year ahead.
Chase Poffenberger
