USU Study Abroad Program Seeks to Double Size

Utah State University typically has less than 400 students per year studying abroad. A number USU’s Study Abroad Program Director Kay Forsyth feels is far too low.

USU, in partnership with the Institute of International Education’s (IIE) Generation Study Abroad program, has committed to doubling the number of students who have significant international education experience.

IIE’s Generation Study Abroad seeks to mobilize resources and commitments among universities to increase study abroad participation. Currently fewer than 10 percent of all college students in the United States study abroad during their academic career and, according to Janis Boettinger, vice provost and director of Global Engagement, less than 2 percent of USU’s annual enrollment participate in these programs. With this new partnership in place, backed by President Albrecht, USU will take several steps that will increase funding to support student participation in study abroad, better match specific USU academic programs to those of our the international exchange partners and assist students returning from abroad to apply their experiences both personally and professionally. Along with those steps USU has committed to having   800 students studying abroad by the end of the decade.

“Studying Abroad was the most significant and rewarding experience of my life,” USU student Daniel Adams said. “It was like I fell in love for the first time, and then over and over again.”

Adams’ experience although unique, echoes the sentiment of other USU students who study abroad.

Claire Hubbard spent her fall semester at the University of Sacro Cuore, in Milan, Italy.

“My study abroad experience gave me a new set of skills I didn’t have before,” she said. “I came back more confident in myself and my abilities. I have an eagerness to be more outgoing, to learn more about the people and places surrounding me, and a yearning to dive into the unknown.”

Through USU’s international institutional partnerships and through USU’s participation as a member institution of the ISEP consortium of universities around the world, USU’s Study Abroad programs offer more than 50 countries and more than 150 universities worldwide.

Although most locations offer classes in English, the variety of places and opportunities means chances to learn a secondary language.

“I grew in the language immensely because I experienced complete and total immersion,” said Hannah Schill who studied abroad at the University of La Rioja, in Logrono, Spain.

According to Forsyth, this is also a very economical way to travel and do school. Most semester experiences are based on USU tuition and fees and USU recognized credits.

To showcase the possibilities of study abroad, the USU Study Abroad Program, Office of Global Engagement, is holding a Study Abroad Fair at the TSC International and Sunburst Lounge Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair will have faculty representatives from upcoming programs and student representatives to talk about their study abroad experiences.

USU has seen a significant increase in short-term faculty led programs and anticipates more than 20 programs in 2016 alone. Students can study Arabic in Jordan, Chinese in Taiwan, health in Sweden or Thailand, culture and community in Mexico, politics and society in Armenia and Georgia, cuisine in Create, art in Germany, race and politics in Brazil and creativity and sustainability in Cuba.

Scholarship opportunities and information for faculty who wish to set up a short-term program will also be available.

For more information about Study abroad, contact USU Study Abroad Program, located in Military Science, Room 118. To make an appointment with a Study Abroad Advisor call Study Abroad at (435) 797-0601 or email studyabroad@usu.edu. Information can also be found on its website.

Contact: Kay Forsyth, kay.forsyth@usu.edu

Writer: Jackson Murphy, jackson.murphy@usu.edu