Matt Clausen's article about study abroad

Many of the Minnesota-Uruguay chapter members of Partners have had the good fortune to meet Matt Clausen over the years (see photo and bio below).

Matt has made swings through the state of Minnesota (ice skating like a pro with Uruguayan Youth Ambassadors on Centennial Lakes in Edina) and has welcomed many Minnesota volunteers in the Partners of the Americas' K Street offices in Washington.

Now a vice president and senior director with Partners in Washington, Matt penned an article that was published in New Global Citizen this month that we think speaks deeply to a lot of us who studied abroad ... or aspire to do so.

Nicely done Matt! This is really inspiring.

Matt Clausen

Matt Clausen (@matthewclausen) is Vice President for Partnerships and Leadership Programs and Senior Director of President Obama’s 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund at Partners of the Americas. Matt leads exchange and fellowship programs, including youth leadership, professional government, business, educational and cultural, and climate change fellowship programs. Matt is Chairman of the Building Bridges Coalition, the organization that emerged from the Brookings Initiative on International Voluntary Service.

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About 100,000 Strong...

Expanding and Enriching Study in the Americas

President Obama launched 100,000 Strong in the Americas to underscore the critical relationship between broader educational opportunity and greater regional prosperity. Expanding study abroad opportunities for students, our future leaders and innovators, strengthens bi-national relations and better prepares young people for the 21st century global workforce. In today’s interconnected, technology-driven world, quality education alone is not enough. We need to be more internationally-aware and cross-culturally adept. We need a generation of leaders who can reach across borders. For this, students need a broad base of skills and experiences, including exposure to other countries and cultures. That is the vision of 100,000 Strong in the Americas.

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