UW-Madison students above national average in study abroad

UW–Madison students continue to study abroad in record numbers, according to figures released by International Academic Programs, the office responsible for tracking study-abroad statistics campuswide.

According to IAP, the number of students studying abroad in 2001-02 increased 6.6 percent from the previous year, above the national figure of 4.4 percent cited in “Open Doors,” the Institute of International Education’s annual report, released Nov. 17 in conjunction with International Education Week.

In 2001-02, 1,340 UW–Madison students studied abroad in UW–Madison programs offered through the schools of Business, Engineering, Law, Education, Medicine, Nursing, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the International Institute and IAP, or non-UW-Madison programs for which the students received transfer credit.

Nationally, 160,920 students studied abroad, according to the Institute of International Education. UW–Madison’s national ranking also increased from eighth to sixth among research universities.

While the growth rate nationally in study abroad isn’t as steep as the previous year’s 7.4 percent increase, the Institute of International Education reports that current figures indicate a “tremendous interest in study abroad, especially given the challenging economic and geopolitical context in which students were making their study-abroad decisions.”

“The numbers demonstrate that 9/11 has not discouraged UW–Madison students from going abroad and learning firsthand about the world,” says Joan Raducha, associate dean of International Studies and International Academic Programs director. “Their future and ours will be enhanced with increased knowledge of current events and greater engagement in the world.”

The percentage of UW–Madison students on yearlong programs continues to be greater than the proportion of students nationally on yearlong programs, 14.9 percent to 8.3 percent.

Unlike many of the top ranking institutions that have high numbers of study-abroad participants due to large enrollments in short-term programs, UW–Madison sends most of its students abroad for one or two full terms during the academic year. Campuswide, 59.9 percent of students participated for one full term in 2001-02, compared to the national average of 39 percent.

UW–Madison students received credit for courses offered in more than 50 countries on six continents. Consistent with national trends, Europe continues to be the most popular destination, accounting for 65 percent of all UW–Madison study-abroad participants. But, UW–Madison sent a greater proportion of participants to programs in Europe, Latin America, Oceania and Africa than the national averages the Institute of International Education reported in 2001-02.

Raducha says that the university continues to expand the number and type of study-abroad options available to students, from yearlong to weeklong programs. She adds that UW–Madison statistics have shown that study abroad does not necessarily delay “time to degree,” the amount of time it takes a student to graduate.