CIEE Launches the Rainbird Scholarship to Bring International Students to US
February 4, 2005 -- CIEE, a world-leader in international study abroad and work exchange programs, has established the Rainbird Scholarship to support international university students coming to the U.S. for Summer Work/Travel exchanges. The scholarship, created in memory of long-standing CIEE senior staff member Ann Rainbird who passed away unexpectedly in October 2004, will cover the full program fees for up to 10 students who otherwise would not be able to participate on CIEE's Work & Travel USA program because of financial constraints. In its inaugural year, the Rainbird Scholarship will be offered to students from Poland, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, and in subsequent years recipients will be chosen from three new countries on a rotating basis.
In announcing the launch of the Rainbird Scholarship, CIEE President and CEO Dr. Stevan Trooboff commented, "Ann Rainbird had dedicated her career at CIEE to expanding the number of countries and students able to partake on an exchange program in the US and we are pleased that the CIEE Ping Foundation has agreed to set up this scholarship in Ann's name. Student exchange programs such as this play a critical role in the increasingly important public diplomacy efforts of the United States."
In agreeing to offer the scholarship to students in the Czech Republic, Toni Brandi, CEO of GTS Travel Group, stated, "Concerning this initiative, I can only congratulate CIEE on such a good and worthy cause."
The first Rainbird Scholarship participants will arrive in the U.S. in June after the selection process in their home country and the U.S. Embassy interview to obtain the J1 Summer Work/Travel visa.
The CIEE Ping Foundation was established to honor CIEE Former Board Chair, Dr. Charles Ping, President Emeritus of Ohio University, who served as Chair of the CIEE Board of Directors from 1992 to 2004. His vision and leadership was instrumental in helping CIEE grow and develop. The Foundation administers grants such as the Rainbird Scholarships in furtherance of the goals to which he helped the organization aspire.
Established in 1947, CIEE's mission is to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. With US offices in Boston, MA and Portland, ME, CIEE is a world-leader in work exchange and study aboard programs and related services.