Purdue's best summer for study abroad
August 24, 2015
 |
|
Jennifer Hwang, a senior in speech, language and hearing sciences, from left, and Kate Russell, a doctor of audiology student, screen a child at Kabulonga Cheshire Homes during the 2015 SLHS two-week service-learning program in Zambia, Africa. Purdue saw an increase in student participation in study abroad programs this summer, thanks to more funding available through Purdue Moves. (Photo provided) |
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University saw an increase in student participation in study abroad programs this summer, thanks to more funding available through Purdue Moves.
This summer, 1,132 undergraduate students studied abroad compared to 987 students in summer of 2014 and 748 students in 2013. Purdue Moves awarded 1,010 scholarships this summer.
"This financial support means students can commit more confidently to incorporating a program as part of their plan of study," said Brian Harley, associate dean of international programs and director of programs for Study Abroad. "This summer Purdue students participated in more than 80 programs in 37 countries."
Some of the more popular Purdue summer study abroad offerings include internship experiences, such as the "Sydney Internship Program" and the "London Internship Program." Other popular program destinations were in Italy, Spain, Germany and China. Also, 148 members of Purdue's "All-American" Marching Band traveled to Medellín, Colombia, for performances in August as part of a study abroad program.
As part of the study abroad initiative launched in 2013, Purdue offers up $1,000 for qualified undergraduate students who participate in a shorter-term, formalized credit-bearing study abroad program. For summer programs of at least six credits and six weeks, awards up to $2,000 are offered. Larger scholarships up to $3,000 are available for semester and yearlong program participation.
 |
|
Engineering student Mark Adams studied abroad in Medellin, Colombia, at Universidad EAFIT during the 2015 spring semester. Overall, participation in study abroad programs has increased at Purdue. (Photo provided) |
Purdue Moves is a range of initiatives designed to broaden Purdue's global impact and enhance educational opportunities for its students. The study abroad goal is for one-third of all undergraduate students to participate in an international study, internship or research credit-bearing experience before graduation. Currently, about 20 percent of recent graduates have participated in a study abroad program compared to 18 percent when the Purdue Moves support was initiated.
Study abroad is up in general at Purdue, and this also includes the semester-long programs in the fall and spring. Usually about 300 undergraduate students participate in semester-long programs each year, but last year that number increased to 373. Almost all were supported by a Purdue Moves scholarship.
Fall semester traditionally has the fewest number of students study abroad, Harley said. This year there is an increase from 85 to 110. Information about study abroad opportunities or scholarships is available online. The deadline for application for spring semester study abroad programs is Sept. 15.
Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu
Source: Brian Harley, bharley@purdue.edu
