A weakened global economy and international security concerns have not dampened student interest in study abroad programs, according to "Open Doors 2003," the annual report on international education published by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The number of university-level U.S. students receiving credit for study abroad in 2001-02-the most recent data available - increased 4.4% from the previous year, reaching a record nationwide total of 160,920.
Syracuse University is among the national programs to show an increase in study abroad participation, with 947 students - 86 more than the previous year - enrolling through SU's Division of International Programs Abroad (DIPA). More than half the students enrolled through DIPA come from universities across the U.S. and from almost all major fields of study. This includes programs ranging from intensive sojourns lasting a few weeks to cultural immersion programs that run for an entire academic year. Nationally, DIPA is the 28th leading sender of students abroad.
The countries hosting the most U.S. students are the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy and France. From Syracuse University, the most popular destination is London, with Madrid just edging out Florence for the second-most popular choice.
According to the report, the increase in U.S. students abroad in 2001-02 is not as as steep a growth rate as the previous year's 7.4% increase, but it is still a strong indicator of the tremendous interest in study abroad, especially given the challenging economic and geopolitical context in which students were making their study abroad decisions.
Jon Booth, deputy director of DIPA, says the increase reflects a response to Vice Chancellor and Provost Deborah A. Freund's initiative to increase the numbers of SU students going abroad.
"DIPA staff are actively working with deans and college committees to identiy ways to increase levels of student participation and create new programs to enable more students to study abroad," says Booth. "We are in the process of creating the long-term goals to ensure that more opportunities continue to develop."
According to Sue Shane, DIPA's associate director for administration and program development, there is a slight dip of about 2 percent in DIPA applications from SU students for Spring 2004 study abroad.
Complete study abroad program and travel information can be found at DIPA's website, http://suabroad.syr.edu/default.asp.
