Our Vision

ieiMedia’s vision is to provide our students with the confidence and sense of purpose needed for a life in global communications as emissaries of truth who are inspired to pursue a future as ethical and professional global storytellers.

Our Mission

ieiMedia is a community of educators and media professionals dedicated to providing life-changing and immersive educational experiences abroad for our students. Through mentoring and cultural immersion, students learn to tell the world's stories.

Our Story

For more than two decades, the Institute for Education in International Media (ieiMedia) has prepared students to master the media skills necessary to distinguish themselves as the best in the industry. We’re dedicated to journalism, communication and all forms of media education with study abroad programs that provide tailored learning experiences and foster diverse perspectives through close collaboration with our professors and students worldwide. 

Our founder Professor Andrew Ciofalo created his first project as a university study-abroad program in 2000 at Loyola University Maryland. In 2005 he established ieiMedia to achieve his goal of operating with educators from across the U.S. Over the years, Professor Ciofalo’s visionary leadership attracted faculty that has grown to include distinguished professionals and academics (including Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists) from more than 20 accredited universities.

Our deep passion for excellence in journalism education is evident throughout our organization. As pioneers and leaders in converged media and backpack journalism, we continue to respond quickly to the continually changing international media landscape. Now under the leadership of Professor Ciofalo’s son David, we look forward to expanding our programs across the globe and helping students integrate new technologies and cutting-edge tools into their studies, ensuring they remain at the forefront of digital storytelling and global media communication.

ieiMedia has sent hundreds of university students abroad for month-long programs in communications and journalism since our inception. We welcome you — students, professors and professionals — to join us on this exciting journey in telling the world’s stories!