Purdue completes another record year for study abroad

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The number of Purdue University students studying abroad has increased four years in a row.

“The increase continues due to the emphasis on global experience across various careers and Purdue Moves scholarships making that possible,” said Brian Harley, associate dean of international programs and director of programs for study abroad. “Last year’s increase led the university to being recognized as one of the nation’s top 25 universities for study abroad. Purdue, one of the top universities for international student enrollment, is very well known for offering American students a global experience, and encouraging more study abroad is key to that mission as we help prepare students for the global workforce.”

From fall 2016 through summer 2017, some 2,409 undergraduate students studied abroad, compared with 2,201 in 2015-16, 1,964 students in 2014-15 and 1,666 students in 2013-14. From this past year’s graduating class, 1,643 out of 6,379, or 26 percent, of the undergraduates studied abroad. In 2013-14, the year during which the Purdue Moves study abroad initiative was announced, that number was 18 percent, which was 1,138 out of 6,275.

Purdue students who studied abroad this year studied in 58 countries, including “Sustainability Across Sectors, Sweden.” (Photo provided) Download image

Purdue Moves is a range of initiatives designed to broaden Purdue's global impact and enhance educational opportunities for its students. The aspirational goal is for one-third of all undergraduate students to have participate in an international study, internship or research credit-bearing experience before graduation.

Purdue offers up to $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 of up to $3,000 combined are available for qualified spring semester 2018 program participants.

In November 2016, the Institute of International Education ranked Purdue as 24^th nationally in sending students to study abroad. It was the first time the university placed in the top 25.

The students who studied abroad this year studied in 58 countries and some of the most popular study programs included Ancient Greece, Baltic Discoveries through Culture and Music, and a student exchange with Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Purdue also offers programs that focus on industry partnerships and workplace visits. Some of those programs were the London and Sydney internship programs, as well as agriculture industry in Ireland, engineering projects in Uganda and an internship experience in India.

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