The University of Notre Dame has the sixth-highest percentage of students participating in study abroad programs among American research universities, according to a recently released report from the Institute of International Education (IIE).
In 2004-05, the most recent academic year for which statistics are available, 57.9 percent of Notre Dame students had participated in study programs in other countries.YeshivaUniversityinNew Yorkranked first in the report with a 76.7 percent participation rate.
Notre Dame offers semester and year-long international study programs in 19 nations worldwide:Australia,Austria,Brazil,Chile,China,Ecuador,Egypt,England,France,Germany,Greece,Ireland,Israel,Italy,Japan,Mexico,Russia,SpainandUganda.This summer, students will have additional options, including special programs in Auckland, New Zealand, Rome and Paris.
“Year after year, Notre Dame students prove their mettle by diving into new socio-cultural milieus and tackling linguistic challenges in a daily, sustained manner as citizens of our host communities abroad,” said Julia Douthwaite, Notre Dame’s assistant provost for international studies.“We are delighted with the ongoing high rate of interest in international study, especially with our emphasis on local cultural integration.This outcome is the result of much collaboration among faculty, administrators and students anchored in the excellent language and area studies curriculum, as well as programs that allow students to receive credit and continue progress toward graduation while studying in one of 19 countries worldwide.”
The IIEs report, titledOpen Doors 2006,showed an overall 8 percent increase in students participating in international study programs from the previous year.
International study should be a part of every student’s education," said Allan E. Goodman, president and chief executive officer of the IIE.American colleges areproviding more opportunities for students to have an international experience and are beginning to address some of the barriers to participation in study abroad, in order to prepare their students to be global citizens.
While Western Europe traditionally is the most popular destination for American college students, there were major increases this year for other non-traditional destinations, including a 35 percent increase in students going to China (now the eighth leading host destination for American students and the only Asian country in the top 10).There also was a significant increase in the number of students going to South American countries, includingArgentina,BrazilandChile.
The leading destination for Notre Dame students is London , with some 130 participating each semester at the University’s facility next toTrafalgar Square.
* Contact: * Julia Douthwaite, assistant provost for international studies, 574-631-5203, _ douthwaite.1@nd.edu
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TopicID: 20202