The U.S. Department of State will launch a study abroad branch that will "push for diversity among study abroad participants, promote non-traditional destinations and build partnerships with foreign governments" reported Sarah Custer in The PIE News. Last year, U.S. study abroad grew by just 2 percent. "It will take 35 years to double numbers and that’s unacceptable," said Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Evan Ryan at the Forum on Education Abroad last week.