Greetings Colleagues!
As the College’s associate dean for academic affairs, one of my areas of responsibility is international programs, including study abroad. Current possibilities cover many opportunities in Europe, South Africa, Vietnam, India, China, and Central and South America. But we want to do more, because our students’ futures lie in a truly global community.
According to articles in the August 18, 2014, issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education, the number of American college students studying abroad grew nationwide by 76 percent from 2001-2 to 2011-12. That sounds quite impressive, but balancing this number with the fact that “only 1.4 percent of all American college and university students studied abroad in 2011-12, the most recent year data are available” shows how far we as a nation have to go to help students gain experiences to be competitive in a future global economy.
Figures for K-State show we more than doubled this national average with roughly 3.1percent of the 19,385 undergraduate students at K-State participating in study abroad programs for the 2011-12 academic year. Of the 612 students who did a study abroad program in 2011-12, 126 were in Arts & Sciences. Today, those figures are higher.
Obviously, the College wants to increase this number and has set a 2025 goal to “create flexible study abroad programs that complement majors and minors…” But these study abroad programs need leaders – faculty leaders. If you’d like to initiate a study abroad program, please attend the International Programs’ proposal workshop on October 15 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the International Student Center’s conference room. International Programs’ study abroad advisors will walk you through the proposal process.
Another College 2025 goal is to “provide scholarships for all A&S majors who desire the (study abroad) experience,” so that “every major in A&S will have access to a funded study abroad experience” by 2025. While we build this scholarship fund, other sources can help students wishing to study overseas. Please tell your advisees that they may qualify for the Office of International Programs (OIP) Student Government Association study abroad scholarships. These awards range from $500 to $1,000 for a semester or academic year and $250 to $400 for summer programs. More information and application materials are available in OIP, 304 Fairchild Hall.
K-State also has program study-abroad affiliations, so students may use federal loans and grants for these programs. Students should contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance in 104 Fairchild to determine a financial aid package that suits their needs.
So, please encourage your students to study abroad, and if you or they want more information on Study Abroad opportunities, please visit the Study Abroad website at http://www.k-state.edu/studyabroad.
Have a great October,
Louise Benjamin
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs