Schools rank 2nd in study abroad

By Amy Bowen (St. Cloud Times, Nov. 14, 2006)

ST JOSEPH — The College of St. Benedict's and St. John's University's study-abroad programs continue to attract national attention.

The schools ranked second nationally for student participation in the Institute of International Education's annual report for 2006. In recent years, the schools have ranked in the top three among baccalaureate institutions for the total number of study-abroad students.

Combined, 569 students from St. Ben's and St. John's traveled abroad during the 2004-05 school year, according to the study. More than half of students at the schools study abroad.

St. Olaf College in Northfield ranked first.

"Minnesota is really well known for international education," said Kristi Kremers, St. Ben's and St. John's global education coordinator. "We have some amazing programs."

St. Ben's and St. John's are taking advantage of the popularity in study-abroad options.  Nationally, participation jumped 7.7 percent last year, and it doubled in the past 10 years, according to the Institute of International Education.

St. Ben's and St. John's have 17 semester-long programs in 13 countries and a variety of five-week trips in the summer. This year, the schools introduced four shorter trips aimed at first-year students.

In addition, students can enroll in the WorldStar program, which encourages participants to complete a number of global education activities, such as classes and partnering with international students.

"It's really become an essential experience for college students — to reach out and to understand new perspectives," Kremers said.