Holy Cross ranks second among baccalaureate institutions in the United States for long-term study abroad programs, according to a new report released by the Institute of International Education. This is the fifth straight year that the College has held one of the top two positions on the list.
Long-term study abroad programs are defined as taking place during a full calendar or academic year. Though Holy Cross offers single semester, month-long summer programs, and faculty-led study tours during school vacations, the majority of programs require students to learn overseas for the entire academic year.
“Studying abroad for the academic year allows students to become more fully integrated in their host culture,” said Brittan Smith, director of study abroad at the College. “From the outset, year students set down more roots, establish relationships, and even seek employment or volunteer options.”
With 91 students studying abroad for the full academic year, Holy Cross is one of just two baccalaureate institutions in the country with more than 90 participants, according to the report.
The national results were published in Open Doors 2013, the annual report compiled by the Institute of International Education. The institution, which was founded in 1919, is an independent not-for-profit organization that receives funding from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
The report relies on data from the 2011-12 academic year — rather than the 2012-13 academic year — to find the total number of U.S. students who study abroad because these numbers are reported only after students receive credit for their academic programs.
“Even those students who originally wanted to go abroad for a semester are, in the end, very glad they went for the year,” said Smith. “Don’t believe me? Ask them.”
Get a first-hand account of the Holy Cross Study Abroad experience from our student bloggers.
View the Open Doors 2013 report.
Related Information:
Holy Cross Ranks Second in Long-Term Study Abroad Participation
Read Time
1 Minute
