Holy Cross Ranks First in Long-Term Study Abroad Participation

The College of the Holy Cross holds the number one ranking 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 sixth 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.

With 108 students studying abroad for the full academic year, Holy Cross is the only baccalaureate institution in the country with more than 100 participants, according to the report.

“When you study abroad for a semester, you feel the need to ‘see it all’” very quickly. You really never get beyond being a tourist,” says Brittan Smith, director of study abroad at the College.

However, when you stay for the year-long program you become much more than a tourist says Smith: “If you study abroad for the year, you start with a completely different attitude--you put down roots; you buy plants for your room; you make local friends. You have time to settle into the culture and become a part of it. You volunteer in the community; you join an intramural (or even varsity) sports team; you land an internship. You become an insider in your host country--you ‘belong’ there; you make it your second home. And that stays with you for life.”

The national results were published in Open Doors 2014, 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 2012-13 academic year — rather than the 2013-14 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.

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