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Thursday, March 28, 2024
The Observer

ND study abroad programs expand

The University's popular study-abroad programs have expanded again, with students now offered participation in a cooperative Bologna, Italy program and a year-long option in London.The Bologna Cooperative Study Program, administrated through Indiana University in Bloomington, will have students from the Universities of Chicago, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin-Madison and Northwestern University. "We're sending two students next year," said Tom Bogenschild, director of the Notre Dame's International Studies Programs. He said the program's students will likely be "people concentrating in Italian or something closely related to Italian studies."Notre Dame's most popular study-abroad program in London has also been modified. "London is expanding this year with a year-long option," Bogenschild said. "We'll see how that goes but it's certainly something we'd like to try."Notre Dame still ranks in the top five universities in its class that send students to study abroad, said Bogenschild. "It's hard to tell" how many students apply, he said, "since we allow students to apply to more than one program at the same time.""The number of applications has definitely risen," he said. As the numbers increase, the application process has become more selective. "We look for academic potential and orientation, but it's not just simply a matter of academics," Bogenschild said. "It's about academic merit, academic potential, but above all, in my mind, it's motivation."The screening process is also designed to prevent students who simply are looking for a travel opportunity from being chosen."It's an expensive way to travel," Bogenschild said. "If students are simply looking to travel around Europe or Southeast Asia, we try to screen those students or orient them in a different direction."According to Bogenschild, the programs are "constantly adapting." He does not, however, see any additional programs opening in the immediate future.