Published on: Wednesday, 07 November 2018

Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) has announced a new Study Abroad partnership with the US College, Endicott, which will see an exchange agreement of students and visiting faculty. During the academic year 2016/2017, Ireland attracted close to 12,000 Study Abroad students and today Ireland ranks as seventh most popular global destination for US students.

Dr Orla Flynn, Vice President of External Affairs at CIT said, ‘’we extend a warm welcome to the students from Endicott College who are the first cohort to come to CIT as part of a Study Abroad exchange agreement. This is exciting new ground for CIT and we are also thrilled that Endicott is hosting CIT Culinary Arts students at its magnificent campus just north of Boston. It is vital that our students acquire a global perspective during their education and the opportunity to engage daily with international students will stand them in good stead. We look forward to strengthening this relationship in the future and welcoming many more students from Endicott College in the years ahead.”

Building on its reputation for high quality education, CIT provides an extensive range of programmes leading to internationally recognised accredited qualifications for international students. The influence of industry which is apparent at every level of CIT’s educational system attracts students from the US and around the globe. Globalisation has changed the way in which we live and work. The Study Abroad Programme at CIT, and its partnership with Endicott College, will ensure that students will be equipped with the international skills and expertise they require in today’s world.

"Endicott College is very proud to partner with CIT, an institution of global prominence and reputation. Both share a common commitment to world-class academics, innovation, entrepreneurship and the importance of experiential learning and work placement for students to obtain professional experiences in their fields of study,” said Warren Jaferian, Dean of International Education at Endicott. “Our partnership with CIT affords students from both institutions to study abroad for a year, and to conduct work placements in Cork and Boston, leveraging existing institutional ties to industry, healthcare, education and professional sports teams, for example. At the outset of our partnership, we are pleased that 18 Endicott students are studying at CIT in our inaugural term, and we look forward to growing that number to 50 or more in the coming years. Cork is a natural destination for Endicott students, given our historical and cultural ties to Ireland, our common language, and outstanding educational opportunities. We look forward to exchanging both students and faculty between our campuses, and to developing a strong and vibrant partnership that benefits our communities, counties and countries in meaningful ways."

Preparations are currently underway in CIT for the next group of Study Abroad students from Endicott College who will arrive in Cork in January 2019. Speaking at the Study Abroad launch, CIT President, Dr Barry O’Connor said, “Endicott College students are making a fantastic impression right across the CIT community and are great ambassadors for their country, college and families. We are confident that on their return to the US they will carry a very positive message of the welcome they have received here in Cork and the profession-focused education they have experienced in CIT. We look forward to growing our exchanges with Endicott over the coming years.”