Kentucky Institute for International Studies
The KIIS is a consortium of colleges and universities dedicated to providing quality international education. KIIS is founded on the conviction that an international experience should be part of the education of as many people as possible.
KIIS programs have four primary objectives:
- to establish high-quality, low-cost, academically sound international study programs for students;
- to provide faculty from member institutions a means for professional growth;
- to create language and culture programs for professionals and develop links with their counterparts in foreign countries; and
- to promote the study of foreign languages.
KIIS also seeks to develop new opportunities for international experiences which meet the needs of students, faculty, academic institutions, and community organizations, always taking into consideration the changing times and shifting demands of a global society.
Consortium Members and the History of KIIS
The Kentucky Institute for International Studies is a consortium formed by Murray State University, Ball State University, Bellarmine University, Berea College, Bryan College (affiliate member), Campbellsville University, Centre College, Eastern Kentucky University, Georgetown College, Middle Tennessee State University, Midway College, Morehead State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, Union College, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Kentucky State University, and Western Kentucky University which organizes and coordinates a group of summer and semester study-abroad programs for college students. Since 1975, when the first group of students spent two months in Europe, the Institute has grown to include individual programs in Bregenz, Austria; Salzburg, Austria; Brazil; Cameroon; China; Costa Rica; Denmark; Ecuador; France; Germany; Greece; Italy; Japan; Mexico; Spain; and Turkey.
Despite the diversity of the Institute’s offerings, a common philosophy forms the foundation of each program. The Institute strives to offer students not only strong academic programs in which various aspects of international cultures are examined, but also opportunities for independent learning and travel while abroad. Most programs are designed to help students improve their command of foreign languages, although the programs are not limited to language study.
Each year professors from consortium member schools come together to plan the summer programs. New courses are designed to reflect the interests and the needs of their students. New field trips are arranged in order to take full advantage of special events and the faculty’s various fields of expertise.
The Institute also strives to minimize cost in order to enable as many academically qualified students as possible to benefit from study abroad. Every attempt is made to ensure the lowest possible fees, without compromising the quality of the programs.