Jillian Kouri, MSU senior in nursing, shows a local child in Accra, Ghana how to use a camera. Kouri was taking a study abroad course, "Health Care in Ghana," during the summer of 2007. Photo by Kyle Martin, MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine student.

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EAST LANSING, Mich. — For the fourth year in a row, Michigan State University leads the nation in study abroad participation among public universities in the United States, according to Open Doors 2008, the annual report on international education released today by the Institute of International Education.

During the 2006-07 academic year, the most recent year for which data are available, 2,801 MSU students studied abroad. They participated in more than 250 programs in 60 countries on all continents. 

In addition, MSU ranks ninth in the nation among public universities in total international student enrollment with 4,244 students, according to data from the 2007-08 academic year. Among all universities, MSU ranked 15th in international student enrollment.
 

“MSU has long been a globally engaged university and a leader in enhancing the educational experience for our students through study abroad programs and interaction with international students on campus,” said MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon.  

“Our consistently strong performance in the Institute of International Education’s annual rankings recognizes MSU’s commitment to preparing our students to be successful in the competitive global marketplace and to strengthening our collective futures in an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world.”

MSU also led all universities – both public and private – in the number of undergraduates studying abroad, with 2,411 in 2006-07. Nationally, the Institute of International Education data reflect a growth in study abroad participation to 241,791 students – an 8.5 percent increase from the previous year.

“We want all MSU students to have opportunities and experiences that contribute to becoming global citizens,” said Jeffrey Riedinger, dean of International Studies and Programs. “Today it is not only important to know about what goes on in the world, but also to develop an appreciation and understanding of different cultures. Our study abroad programs and recruitment of international students strive to do just that.”

 
Study abroad at MSU helps students stay on track for graduation by offering credits in a diverse selection of courses, including unique programs such as international credit-bearing internships, comparative study of disability and related services, and intensive master classes for clarinetists and pianists. In addition, MSU was the first U.S. university to introduce Freshman Seminars Abroad, a program that takes place the summer before first-year students arrive on campus.

MSU is successfully diversifying its study abroad program locations. Nationally, 29.5 percent of study abroad students went to nontraditional locations in Africa, Asia and Latin America in 2006-07. At MSU, that number was 38 percent, including 244 students studying in Africa.

In terms of fields of study, MSU also sends a larger proportion of “nontraditional” majors abroad than the national average. In 2006-07, 46 percent of MSU study abroad participants were majors in business, engineering, science and agriculture. Nationally, only 31 percent of study abroad students came from those fields.

The study abroad program at MSU received additional recognition from U.S. News & World Report, when it earned a spot among a select number of universities on the 2009 “programs to look for” list. The listing placed MSU alongside Columbia and Georgetown universities, which were also noted for outstanding academic programs that are linked to student success.

MSU has long been a national leader in attracting international students to its campus. This year, 1,291 students came from China, 951 from Korea, 404 from India, 330 from Europe and 248 from Taiwan.

Although the university is pleased with the study abroad rankings, MSU has set a priority to strengthen, improve and expand its approach to and philosophy behind study abroad.

“We are currently acting upon a series of recommendations, which followed a comprehensive review of our program,” said Cindy Chalou, acting director of MSU’s Office of Study Abroad. “The review has provided a set of suggestions that will help us manage future growth and ensure high quality, affordable study abroad programs into the future.”

It’s estimated that the presence of international students contributes as much as $97 million to the local, mid-Michigan economy.

The Open Doors report is published by the Institute of International Education, the leading not-for-profit educational and cultural exchange organization in the country.

For more on the Open Doors report, go to http://opendoors.iienetwork.org.

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Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research and outreach for more than 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 17 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving.