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CSB and SJU ranked No. 2 nationally in semester-long study abroad participation
November 16, 2008
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University are ranked No. 2 nationally among baccalaureate institutions with students who participate in semester-long study abroad programs, according to Open Doors 2008, the annual report on international education published by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The report was released Monday, Nov. 17.
The two schools had 375 students study abroad in what the report called “mid-term duration” programs during the 2006-07 school year, according to data released by the IIE. Colgate University ranked first in the mid-term duration poll, with 405 students who studied abroad.
The IIE defines mid-term duration as study abroad programs that take place during one semester, one quarter or two quarters. CSB and SJU operate on the semester system.
The report also found that CSB and SJU ranked No. 5 nationally among baccalaureate institutions for total number of study abroad students, with 495 students who studied abroad in 2006-07.
Fully 62 percent of CSB students and 55 percent of SJU students from the class of 2008 studied abroad. Over the past 25 years, CSB and SJU have developed 16 semester-long study abroad programs in 13 countries and six continents almost exclusively led by its faculty, very unusual among baccalaureate colleges like CSB and SJU. In addition, the colleges mount dozens of short-term and service learning overseas trips.
Saint Benedict and Saint John’s have been among the top five undergraduate liberal arts colleges nationally in the number of students participating in international study programs for each of the past four years, according to IIE.
“Our high rankings in this report reflect that our students see a study abroad experience as an integral part of their liberal arts education,” said Joe Rogers, interim director of Education Abroad at CSB and SJU. “We’re pleased to be able to send so many students abroad each year and then welcome them back as they bring to campus everything they’ve learned and encountered. It becomes a transformational experience for both the students and our campuses.”
Although Minnesota colleges and universities saw a slight decrease in the number of students studying abroad, from 8,614 in 2005-06 to 8,484 in 2006-07, five other Minnesota schools besides CSB and SJU are ranked among the top 20 in total number of study abroad students among baccalaureate institutions.
Open Doors 2008 also found that CSB and SJU ranked No. 16 among baccalaureate institutions, with 216 international students for the 2007-08 school year. This year, CSB and SJU have 223 international students enrolled, the highest figure in the schools’ history.
For the complete listings, see the Open Doors 2008 Report.