Americans Study Abroad In Increasing Numbers
A record number of U.S. students are choosing to study abroad, reflecting a strong commitment to the value of an international academic experience to prepare them to live and work in a more global society. Open Doors 2009 reports the number of Americans studying abroad increased by 8.5% to 262,416 in the 2007/08 academic year. This latest increase builds on decades of steady growth, with four times as many U.S. students participating in study abroad in 2007/08 than in 1987/88. Open Doors 2009 is published annually by the Institute of International Education with funding from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. These findings will be discussed at a briefing today at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, in conjunction with the nationwide observance of International Education Week.
Open Doors 2009 reports that the number of students going to nearly all of the top twenty-five destinations increased, with particularly strong rises seen in students going to less traditional destinations for study abroad. Notable increases among leading destinations were in the numbers students going to China, Ireland, Austria and India (up about 20%), as well as Costa Rica, Japan, Argentina and South Africa (up nearly15% each). While this data reflects academic year 2007/08, prior to the economic downturn, it is likely that trends toward less expensive destinations and shorter stays will continue, reflecting the effects of the economy. Anecdotally, student interest in study abroad has remained high in the past year despite financial challenges that might keep some from participating, and campus leaders have expressed an interest in trying to make sure that international opportunities remain available. Many are placing an emphasis on sustaining financial assistance for study abroad.
"Today more than ever before, study abroad can help our students to understand our interconnected world and to participate productively in the global economy," said Judith A. McHale, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. "The State Department strongly supports study abroad through such programs as the Fulbright Program, which is sending its largest number ever of U.S. students abroad this year, and the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program -- which in two years has doubled the number of U.S. undergraduates with financial need whom we support for study abroad. I congratulate all the U.S. students who are taking advantage of these and other opportunities to study abroad."
Allan E. Goodman, President and CEO of the Institute of International Education, noted that the experiences afforded through study abroad provide American students with the skills needed to live in today's increasingly inter-connected world. "More students are eager to study in newly popular study abroad destinations such as China, India, and the Middle East. The language and cultural skills they acquire along with their academic experience will have a profound effect on their lives and careers." According to Dr. Goodman, it is important for colleges and universities to make it possible for students from diverse backgrounds and in diverse fields to take advantage of study abroad opportunities.
While the four countries that are perennial leaders in hosting U.S. students -- United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and France -- are in Western Europe, Open Doors reports that fifteen of the top 25 destinations are outside of Western Europe and nineteen are countries where English is not the primary language. In 2007/08, students electing to study in Africa increased by 18%, those going to Asia increased by 17%, and those going to Latin America increased by 11%. This growth is fueled in part by new program opportunities, strategic partnerships between higher education institutions in the United States and abroad, and a range of fields and program durations that have expanded to accommodate the needs of an increasingly diverse study abroad population.
About 40% of students studying abroad do so through mid-length programs, while 56% of U.S. students choose short-term programs (including summer, January term and any program of 2 to 8 weeks during the academic year). Short-term programs serve the largest number of Americans studying abroad, including community college students and others whose financial or academic needs preclude a longer stay; 68% of students at Associates Degree granting institutions who studied abroad did so for 8 weeks or less. Mid-length programs (one semester, one quarter or two quarters) allow for deeper immersion into host cultures and increased opportunity for language acquisition. A little more than 4% of study abroad students spend a full academic or calendar year abroad.
While large institutions dominate in terms of absolute numbers of their students going abroad, many smaller institutions send a higher proportion of their students abroad. Open Doors 2009 data on study abroad participation rates show 23 institutions that reported sending more than 80% of their students abroad at some point during their undergraduate careers.