Campus Life

IIE Ranks Texas A&M No. 1 Public University For Number Of Students Studying Abroad

November 16, 2017

Texas A&M No. 1 for study abroad

By Sam Peshek, Texas A&M University Marketing and Communications

More than 3,600 Texas A&M University students studied abroad last year, ranking first in the nation among public universities and second among all universities in a study conducted by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs.

“A robust study abroad program is essential to a university’s ability to provide high-impact learning experiences to students, and it is heartening to know Texas A&M is among the best in the nation at providing these invaluable opportunities,” Texas A&M University President Michael K. Young said.

The 2017 Open Doors Report on International Exchange found that Texas A&M ranked second with 3,683 students abroad on credit-bearing programs during the 2015-2016 academic year behind New York University, a private university, which sent 4,481 students abroad.

The total number of Aggies earning credit abroad last year increased by more than 450 students from the 2014-2015 academic year, with 3,219, and more than 650 students from the 2013-2014 academic year, with 3,021.

A broad base of support

When both credit and non-credit bearing activities abroad are taken into account, Texas A&M sent more than 5,300 students abroad during the 2015-2016 academic year. For a more comprehensive overview of the study abroad activities of Texas A&M Students, visit the Texas A&M Accountability website.

Study Abroad Director Jane Flaherty said the study abroad program’s success is the result of campus-wide collaboration.

“The Study Abroad Programs Office has a broad base of campus support through the dedication of faculty who lead programs abroad or direct research who commit to creating and supporting high impact experiences, and the efforts of the study abroad staff who provide support both in College Station and 24/7 for all Aggies studying abroad,” Flaherty said. “The steady increase in the number of students who participate in study abroad programs is directly attributable to this collaborative effort, and ensures the program’s success in the future.”

The study also found that Texas A&M was a leading host institution for international students with 6,960, ranking No. 24 among all U.S. universities.

In determining the number of international students who study at Texas A&M, the Open Doors study used data from the 2016-2017 academic year. The most recent report saw an increase from 6,690 during the 2014-2015 academic year and 6,940 during the 2015-2016 academic year.

An exchange of ideas

Texas A&M Vice Provost Michael Benedik said the strong presence of international students at Texas A&M benefits the entire university community.

“When an exchange of students occurs at the undergraduate and graduate student levels, an exchange of ideas follow,” Benedik said. “This benefits not only the students who take part in these educational opportunities, but the thousands of students, faculty and staff they interact with every day at Texas A&M.”

Study abroad opportunities are available for students in all majors – freshmen through doctoral candidates. The different types of study abroad programs can last from a week to a year and students can study individually or in large groups, according to the Study Abroad Programs Office website. In 2015-16, Texas A&M University awarded over $1 million in scholarship support to Aggies studying abroad.

“Study abroad is accessible, affordable and an enriching experience for all Texas A&M students,” Flaherty said.

Students interested in studying abroad have access to a step-by-step guide on the Study Abroad Programs website, which walks them through defining their objectives while studying abroad, and determining financial aid needs and travel information. The Study Abroad Programs Office, located on the first floor of the Pavilion, offers walk-in advising every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Media contact: Sam Peshek, Texas A&M Marketing and Communications, 979-845-4680, sam.peshek@tamu.edu.

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