March 11, 2014

By Lakshna Mehta

MU hopes to see more students studying abroad in years to come.

According to MU, 23 percent of current undergraduates have participated in a study abroad program.

But MU wants to see the number rise to 30 percent participation by 2018. The national average of students studying abroad is 2 percent.

“Given our current participation rate, MU’s goal … is ambitious but attainable with the full support of the university,” Director of Study Abroad Barbara Lindeman said.

Lindeman also said a plan to reach this goal is still in the beginning stages of formulation.

Senior Joshua Foley said he was excited to hear the study abroad program is getting an upgrade.

“The first time I studied abroad was to Japan,” he said. “I am now looking for programs in Russia, but the university doesn’t have its own Russian program that I know of. So I’m hoping they develop one of their own because I know that that would be really popular.”

Gay Albright, director of International Programs for the College of Business, said the college will be adding more short-term study abroad programs because those are the most popular types of programs for business majors.

“We are working to develop a winter intersession program in South America for 2014-15 and a 2015-16 winter intersession program in Asia,” she said. “We expect to offer more full-semester and even full-year programs in the future.”

Albright said it was important to help students realize the importance of broadening their global mindset.

“As international markets continue to develop, our students need to continue to be prepared for working in a global business setting,” she said.

A concern for some students considering study abroad options is program cost.

Freshman Shannon Johnson said she would study abroad if it were cheaper or if the university provided more scholarship opportunities to study abroad.

Tiffany Sciara, also a freshman, said she would love to see more funding particularly for year-long programs.

“I’m in that awkward place where I don’t have financial needs like a lot of other students, but I would need financial assistance to study abroad,” Sciara said.

Depending on the type of program and the school sponsoring the program, there are a limited number of scholarship opportunities available for students.

Jim Scott, director of the International Center, said he is hopeful the university can fund more scholarships for study abroad programs of all types.