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St. Olaf College ranks No. 1 in students who study abroad

By Carole Leigh Engblom
December 29, 2006

Minnesota's private colleges are leading the way in undergraduate study abroad participation, according to the latest Open Doors report published by the Institute of International Education. The report indicates that in 2004-05, of Minnesota students studying abroad 58 percent attended the 17 institutions of the Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC) compared to 30 percent at the University of Minnesota and 12 percent at state universities.

IndiaCLL06
A snapshot from a recent St. Olaf program to India.
A leader in international education, St. Olaf College retains its position as the number-one baccalaureate institution in the United States in the number of students who studied abroad in 2004-05. The Open Doors 2006 report was issued in conjunction with the nationwide observance of International Education Week.

"International study should be a part of every student's education," says Allan E. Goodman, president and CEO of the Institute of International Education. He notes that American students are increasingly studying in countries such as China and India that will provide useful language and cultural skills for their future careers. "American colleges are providing more opportunities for students to have an international experience and are beginning to address some of the barriers to participation in study abroad, in order to prepare their students to be global citizens," says Goodman.

Outstanding leadership

According to the MPCC, the strength of its study abroad programs can be attributed in part to the liberal arts emphasis on global diversity and awareness as well as a commitment to preparing its students to be good citizens and exemplary leaders through international education.

St. Olaf College has long been recognized as a pioneer in international education. For more than 40 years, St. Olaf has invested the resources necessary to provide its students and faculty with the opportunities necessary to engage in a global perspective, a major objective in the mission statement of the college. Study abroad experiences allow students to build on communication skills and better understand people whose culture is different from their own. These international skills are essential in preparing students to work and serve in a globally interdependent world. St. Olaf students participate in more than 120 International and Off-Campus Studies programs at universities in Western and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, Scandinavia, the Middle East, Central America, North and South America, and Australia.

Many of Minnesota's private colleges also lead the nation in study-abroad participation. Of the top 20 baccalaureate institutions, five MPCC were listed. First-ranked St. Olaf, with 657 students who studied abroad in 2004-05, is one of four Minnesota baccalaureate colleges recognized, followed by the College of St. Benedict-St. John's University in St. Joseph, Minn., ranked No. 2 with 569 study abroad students; Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., is ranked 7th with 461 study abroad students; and Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter, Minn., is ranked 17th with 397 study abroad students. Additionally, among the top 20 research institutions, the University of St. Thomas ranked third overall and was the only Minnesota school to appear on the list.

Contact Carole Engblom at 507-786-3271 or leigh@stolaf.edu.