Miami students set more records in study abroad programs

Among public doctoral institutions nationwide, Miami University had the highest rate of undergraduate student participation in study abroad programs, with 42.9 percent (1,671) of students studying abroad by the time of graduation. This, according to the just released Open Doors 2010 report by the Institute of International Education, which covers the academic year 2008-2009.

Miami’s study abroad rate increased by 16 percent from the previous academic year — placing Miami 23rd nationally among comparable universities in undergraduate participation — in a year when, for the first time in 25 years, the total number of U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit did not increase, according to the report.

Miami is the only doctoral institution in Ohio in the top 40 for undergraduate participation in study abroad.

Miami also ranked 17th nationally among doctoral institutions in the total number of study-abroad students — undergraduate and graduate — up from 24th the previous year, with 1,932 students in 2008-2009, an increase of 19.5 percent from the previous year.

“Miami was the only doctoral-level public university that increased the number of its study abroad participants over 2007-2009 during this ‘economic crisis’ period,” says David Keitges, director of Miami’s office of international education.

Keitges added this is due to the efforts faculty and staff in the offices of lifelong learning, international education, Farmer School of Business international programs, financial aid and Miami University's John E. Dolibois European Center.

Miami has been among the top 30 nationally among doctoral institutions for both the number of students and undergraduate participation for the past 15 years.

Study Abroad Destinations
Open Doors 2010 reports that while the total number of U.S. students studying abroad in 2008-2009 modestly decreased over the previous year (0.8 percent), there were notable increases in the number of U.S. students studying in less traditional destinations. The United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, France and China continue to lead in hosting U.S. students. The number of U.S. students studying in Africa increased by 16 percent, and those in South America increased by 13 percent.

At Miami, the top study abroad destinations for 2008-2009 were Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Italy, China and Belize, according to Miami’s office of international education.

International Student Enrollment on U.S. Campuses
Data reported by the Open Doors 2010 report for international student enrollment are for the 2009-2010 year. The number of international students enrolled at U.S. campuses in 2009-2010 increased 2.9 percent over the previous year. The top five countries of origin (which comprise 50 percent of all international students) are China, India, South Korea, Canada and Taiwan.

At Miami, the number of international students enrolled in fall 2009 increased 26.6 percent over the previous year, from 553 to 700 international students enrolled. The top five countries of origin for international students enrolled fall 2009 were China (410), India (50), South Korea (24), Kenya (16) and France (16). Miami’s international enrollment for fall 2010 has increased by an additional 140 students.

Miami Initiatives
At Miami, students are able to apply their Miami scholarships and federal financial aid to sponsored, exchange, or co-sponsored programs with other, non-Miami semester study abroad providers. Students may choose from among approximately 350 co-sponsored programs that permit scholarship transfer. Special airfare grants are available to financially needy students.

Students interested in study abroad at Miami can attend “Study Abroad 101” information sessions held 4-4:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays in 225 MacMillan Hall.

For more information about study abroad at Miami, go to www.studyabroad.muohio.edu.