Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Increasing global understanding: More USI students studying abroad
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More USI students are studying abroad in more diverse countries. Last academic year, USI students studied in 17 countries, including Spain, Uruguay, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Switzerland. This fall, USI student Robert Hipple will study in China and Hong Kong. Hipple, an English major from Corydon, Indiana, is USI’s first recipient of a prestigious Gilman International Scholarship, established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000. The scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving federal Pell Grant funding at a two- or four-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. It is meant to broaden the student population that studies abroad by supporting undergraduates who might not otherwise participate due to financial constraints. According to Heidi Gregori-Gahan, director of International Programs and Services, USI has seen a 75 percent increase in the number of students studying abroad in the last four years. “I think there are several factors which have contributed to the steady growth in study abroad at USI,” she said. “The word is definitely getting out to our students even before they matriculate, due to improved marketing materials and new outreach initiatives. In addition to being able to apply their financial aid toward program fees, many students have received additional funding through the new Honors study abroad scholarship program. We also have seen an increasing number of faculty members in a variety of disciplines who are interested in sponsoring short-term programs.” The Association of International Educators (NAFSA) maintains that Americans who study abroad are far better prepared for the demands of the twenty-first century. A lack of language and cultural skills adversely affect national security, economic security, and foreign policy. NAFSA’s Strategic Task Force on Study Abroad concluded, “If American students are to be able to function effectively in the world into which they will graduate, it must become the routine – not the exception – for them to study abroad in high-quality programs. For that to happen, the United States requires a policy to promote global learning which recognizes that providing Americans with opportunities to acquire the skills, attitudes, and perceptions that allow them to be globally and cross-culturally competent is central to U.S. security and economic interests in the twenty-first century.” NAFSA is supporting the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act of 2007, which would provide opportunities for at least one million students to study overseas annually. Introduced by Senators Richard Durbin and Norm Coleman in March 2007, the legislation specifically cites the foreign policy and national security challenges facing the United States as central reasons for the need to increase Americans’ knowledge of other cultures and languages. International study is receiving attention on the state level as well. Lobbied by Indiana NAFSA members including USI, Indiana Representatives Dennis Avery and David Orentlicher and Senator Glenn Howard introduced a resolution recognizing the importance of international education. It was adopted by the House and Senate in April 2007. Similar to the international education resolutions passed in other states, Indiana’s resolution recognizes the cultural and economic benefits of retaining globally competent college graduates and of attracting talented international students. Indiana ranks eleventh in the nation for the number of students studying abroad. For more information about study abroad opportunities at USI, go to the International Programs and Services Web site . |
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