An increased number of studentsplan to study abroad this year, andnumbers are predicted to grow as studentexpectations of the college experiencechange.
Study abroad numbers for engineeringand other science students are alsoincreasing, but, in proportion to thenumber of Arts & Sciences studentsstudying abroad, the increase is minor.
In the 2002-2003 school year, 213students studied abroad. In 2003-2004,the number of students increased to 245.Though last year's numbers are not complete,the current tally is 263, a numberwhich may be higher once calculationsare finished. This fall 115 students areabroad, up from last fall when 88 studentswent abroad. For fall and spring oflast year, six engineers and 18 naturalscience majors went abroad.
According to Study Abroad CoordinatorDr. Ruth Aranow, changes instudent opinions about what collegeentails also seem to have contributedto the greater number of studentsstudying abroad.
"The students are coming in withthe idea that study abroad is part ofwhat they want to do," Aranow said.
Alumnus Joe Chung, who studiedabroad in China last fall, said, "I thinkstudents are more interested becausethe U.S. in general is beginning to realizemore and more the importanceof understanding other cultures, countries, policies, and their implications ... especially post 9-11."
It was previously believed that students in the Whiting School of Engineering were unable to go abroad, especially those taking on the difficult Biomedical Engineering program. However, Stephanie Schreckinger , senior academic adviser at the Whiting School said, "BMEs can study abroad; however it is a bit more difficult than for other majors -- it just requires planning."
She explained that the problem with engineers going abroad is that courses must be taken sequentially.
"We are working on making this process somewhat easier by looking at curricula in advance," Schreckinger said.
However, Freshman Derek Leong, a BME student, said, "I might think about it, but I wouldn't do it while I'm in college...because all the resources are here and it wouldn't make sense for me to study abroad."
The Whiting school is finding available opportunities for their students to go abroad. "Since I've been at Hopkins (4 years), a lot of school have shown interest in having Hopkins students study there -- for instance, the Schools of Engineering and Arts & Sciences recently hosted visitors from the National University of Singapore to discuss study abroad, and next week visitors from the University of Melbourne will be here to talk specifically about engineering and science study abroad opportunities," Schreckinger said.
Johns Hopkins also offers the Vredenburg Scholarship, which allows outstanding engineering students to study abroad over the summer and learn more about engineering in an international setting.
Students from all fields participate in Study Abroad programs. Anna Cotter, a freshman International Studies major, said that she will study abroad: "we live in a global economy now and knowing about other cultures is important." Humanities and social sciences dominate the program, but there are still engineers who go abroad.
In 2003-04 students studied in many different countries, but the most popular were Cuba, Italy, and the United Kingdom with 27, 37, and 26 people traveling to each country respectively. Students may study in any country that does not have a U.S. State Department travel warning. In some cases, such as Israel, which would normally be off limits, there are exceptions. If students have family in Israel they are allowed to study abroad there.
Many undergraduates feel that they do not have the time during the academic year to study abroad and they choose, instead, to go abroad during the summer or Intercession. The number of students choosing this option is increasing. In 2002-03, 39 students went abroad during the summer compared to 44 in 2003-04.
According to The Institute of International Education, which releases statistics about Study Abroad nationwide, the first year after September 11, 2001, the number of students studying abroad rose 8.5 percent. From 1991-92 to 2002-03 the number of students who went abroad increased from 71,154 to 174,629. Universities around the country are sending an increased number of students abroad.
At the University of Chicago 406 students went abroad in 2004-05. With 4,400 students at the school that is around 9% of the student body that travels abroad. Johns Hopkins sends about 5% of its students abroad.
Goucher College has recently announced a new program which requires all incoming undergrads to participate in some international experience, whether it be a three week intensive or a longer course abroad. Goucher is giving $1,200 in vouchers to each student to help them complete this requirement.
"You don't have to look any further than the front page of the nearest newspaper to see that global events have a direct and immediate influence on all of our lives," said Goucher College President Sanford J. Ungar in a press release. The short programs occur during university breaks, allowing students to study abroad without disrupting their class schedule.
