A national survey recently named Notre Dame third in the percentage of its undergraduates who study abroad.
According to a report by the Institute for International Education, 50.6 percent of Notre Dame students participated in some type of foreign study program for 2001-2002, the most recent year for which statistics are complied. These numbers mark an 11 percent increase from the previous year.
"In this time of political turmoil our Notre Dame students are not flinching from engagement on the international scene," said Julia Douthwaite, assistant provost for international studies. "We're particularly delighted in this continuing trend given [University President Father Edward Malloy]'s call for a bilingual student body."
Douthwaite cited opportunities for internships and service programs at foreign study locations as key reasons for the high interest in international programs among students. Such broad-ranging opportunities distinguish the Notre Dame's programs from other national universities, according to Douthwaite.
The number of students studying abroad would likely continue to increase, although students majoring in technical subjects would always be limited by tight course sequencing.
"We would like for every student to have the opportunity to study abroad if it is relevant to his or her field of study," Douthwaite said.
Yeshiva University was ranked first, with 75 percent of its students studying abroad, and Georgetown University ranked second with 52 percent. Last year Notre Dame was ranked first.
