December 8, 2005

Purdue study abroad growth surpasses national trends

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – According to a recently released report on international education, Purdue University is more than keeping pace with national trends in study abroad growth rates.

The "Open Doors" report, which surveys 2,700 accredited institutions of higher education in the United States, is compiled each year by the Institute of International Education, the leading not-for-profit educational and cultural exchange organization in the country. The latest report, released in November, surveyed trends for 2003-04, the most recent numbers available.

The numbers for the 2003-04 academic year show that national participation in study abroad increased by 9.6 percent, reaching a new high of more than 191,000 students. Purdue's participation increased by 27 percent during the same period, with a total of 881 students going on Purdue-sanctioned study abroad experiences, said Brian Harley, director of Purdue Programs for Study Abroad.

As for countries chosen, Purdue students also mirrored national trends. The destination most popular with students at Purdue and nationwide was the United Kingdom, with Italy and Spain coming in second and third, respectively. The next most popular countries with students at Purdue and around the country were France and Australia.

Harley said Purdue students also seem to be contributing to the national trend in choosing how long to spend abroad, opting for shorter visits rather than stays of a semester or longer.

Nationwide, more students are going abroad for less than a full semester, instead choosing programs that run in the summer or during spring break. Forty-four percent of students spent a semester or longer abroad and 56 percent chose programs of shorter duration. Purdue's numbers are in the same neighborhood, with 33 percent going for at least a semester and 67 percent for shorter terms.

Harley said he expects participation in study abroad programs to continue to increase.

"Looking ahead, the data for the 2004-05 academic year will show another substantial increase in participation, with more than 1,000 students going abroad during that reporting period," he said.

Increasing the numbers of students who study abroad is a priority and part of Purdue's strategic plan, he said.

"President Martin Jischke has set a goal for us to send 1,250 students abroad each year, so we are re-examining our program offerings and promotional efforts, looking for ways to help more students have this experience."

Harley said Programs for Study Abroad also is working with various groups within the university and beyond to make study abroad more affordable for Purdue students.

Newsletter Links: [Current Articles] [Archived Articles]

[Sign up] to receive newsletter updates in your email.