2023 Year in Review
A Normal Year, Finally!
I’m heartened to report that 2023 felt as close to a “normal” year as possible, and that is cause for celebration! Here are a few highlights from a busy year!
In Educational Travel
- Duolingo tasked us with curating a series of “adult study abroad” programs to Mexico for nearly 50 lucky Duolingo employees who use the Duolingo app to learn Spanish.
- Cuba remains an emotionally impactful experience for travelers. Our inaugural post-pandemic trip with the Chautauqua Institition focused on Havana’s vibrant performing arts scene and the emerging entrepreneur class.
- Food and wine trips took off this year! Michelin starred chefs Stefano Secchi and Nancy Silverton, bestselling cookbook author Suzy Karadsheh, food critic Ruth Reichl, award winning sommelier Victoria James and food journalists Laurie Ochoa and Alec Lobrano led immersive culinary journeys. Travelers were dazzled by delicious meals, meeting with friends and family of the chefs and hosts, and special access visits in Piedmont, Puglia, Champagne and Provence.
- It was our honor to serve 130 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution who traveled to Rome this fall. Highlights included an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican and an official wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate Filippo Mazzei, who played an instrumental role during the American Revolution.
In Study Abroad…
- Our programs on the Chinese Mainland resumed this year, and we currently have students studying in Beijing and Shanghai. They are having wonderful experiences.
- We hosted Group Site Visits for Study Abroad Administrators and Faculty in Colombia, Brazil, and Jordan this year. Visitors had the chance to observe classes, meet with current students, chat with local roommates, and see how our programs take advantage of their host cities.
- In May, CET brought our entire US-based team and senior staff members from our program sites abroad to DC. This was the first time we had all been together since January 2020. We were able to have two days of team meetings and trainings followed by participation in the NAFSA: Association of International Educators Conference held immediately following.
- CET Prague hosted the Overseas Security Advisory Council Academic Sector Committee’s meeting. This group, comprised of 35 US institutions, 7 study abroad providers, and OSAC officials met in Prague to discuss issues at the intersection of health and safety, security, and student exchange. CET Prague Program Director, Jiří Bukovinský, offered remarks at the opening session at the U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic’s residence.
- This fall, in cooperation with the University of Minnesota, a team of faculty and study abroad professionals traveled to CET Prague to formally review our offerings there. The feedback was exceptionally positive. One faculty member wrote, “CET Prague does an excellent job of integrating the city and its history and culture into the academic program.”
New Relationships
We were thrilled to launch inaugural trips and welcome new partners to the ATA family in 2023!
Our Priorities in DC: JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) and Sustainability
On the JEDI front
We created a paid, part-time JEDI Coordinator position this year and hired CET staffer Malika Watson. On her watch, Malika formalized a volunteering partnership with the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) to deepen the impact and accessibility of the company’s collective community service efforts. FEA provides scholarships and ongoing support to students with financial need who are underrepresented among the US study abroad population. Starting next year, more ATA staff will be trained to assist with the application review process. Malika also led a series of watch parties and discussions around Hulu’s adaptation of The 1619 Project and coordinated ATA’s participation at Diversity Abroad’s Global Inclusion conference and Tourism Cares’ Power of Partnership Stewardship Summit.
On the Sustainability front
This year, we increased our donation to Cool Effect through our our decarbonization fund. We are supporting three of Cool Effect’s projects: For Peat’s Sake (a community development and peatland protection in Indonesia), A Bearadise (a forest protection project in Alaska) and Doo Doo Does More (methane capture in India). When staff offset their personal travel, ATA matches their donations, too.
A Year of Reduced Hours Work
In January we piloted a new reduced hours work schedule. We are testing our theory that work/life balance can be improved without sacrificing business results if managed well. Staff retained their full-time salaries and benefits while reducing their hours to 30-per-week, whenever possible. This was a year of adjustments to workflows, meeting schedules and expectations. We recently asked staff to offer their best advice on how to adapt to a reduced schedule. We also asked how their personal lives changed. Read more from staff in their own words here.
We are so grateful to work with a group of people who are deeply committed to our core belief: that learning through travel is an enriching, life-changing experience.
With fervent hopes for peace, we wish you safe journeys in the year ahead.
