Program Regions
IIE offices in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa bring knowledge of the local context and extensive higher education networks in country/region. In regions where IIE does not have an office, we partner with refugee-led and refugee-serving organizations, community- based organizations, and universities in each region, inviting them to nominate a select number of candidates for consideration. These organizations and universities are most proximate to refugee and displaced populations and understand the needs, challenges, and how to fill important gaps to customize the program accordingly.
Read more about where IIE offices and partners support IIE Odyssey Scholars around the world:
The Americas
In Latin America, IIE’s office in Mexico City identifies talented refugees from Latin America and provides them with comprehensive support to pursue their higher education goals in Mexico. In the United States, IIE partners directly with a number of four-year universities and community colleges supporting students primarily from Afghanistan while they pursue bachelor’s and associate’s degrees.
Asia
In Southeast Asia, through IIE’s office in Bangkok, we partner with a number of learning centers to identify talented displaced people from Myanmar, supporting students to apply and succeed at the bachelor’s and master’s level at various partner institutions in Thailand and Cambodia. In Bangladesh, IIE partners with Asian University for Women, supporting Afghan women pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Middle East and North Africa
In Lebanon, IIE partners with Jusoor to support Syrian youth to pursue their bachelor’s degrees. Jusoor’s holistic approach encompasses mental health services, professional development workshops, mentoring from established alumni and access to a global professional network of Syrian alumni.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Through IIE’s office in Addis Ababa and Jesuit Refugee Service, we support refugee students in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Chad. Students come from many different countries of origin, including Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Yemen, and others.