College of Charleston Ranked Top Public School For Study Abroad

You don’t have to travel far to find a school that excels in international education.

The College of Charleston is ranked No. 1 in the U.S. among public master’s-level institutions for the total percentage of undergraduate students who study abroad, according to the latest Open Doors report by the Institute of International Education (IIE). (Among both public and private master’s-level institutions, CofC ranked No. 27 behind 26 other private colleges and universities for undergraduate student participation in study-abroad programs.) More than 900 undergraduate Cougars studied abroad during the 2016-2017 school year. This is the third year in a row that the College has led public institutions in that category.

“The College of Charleston is a recognized national leader in providing transformational study-abroad experiences for our students,” says College Provost Brian McGee. “Our outstanding academic programs traverse the globe and have the benefit of significant scholarship support. We are proud of our significant and lasting commitment to giving students these life-changing opportunities. Our success with study abroad is the direct result of the hard work of our faculty and staff and the willingness of our students to be bold and adventurous as they seek out new ways to grow and learn.”

The College’s Center for International Education offers over 70 programs that students can enroll in, giving them educational opportunities across five different continents. The College offers study abroad opportunities for fall, spring, and summer terms, as well as semester-break programs, with courses taught by its own professors, as well as exchange and affiliate programs.

According to the New York-based Institute for International Education, the number of U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit increased last year by 2.3 percent to nearly 334,000.

“Studying abroad offers some major advantages,” says Andrew Sobiesuo, the College’s associate provost for international education. “A student who participates in a study-abroad program gains knowledge and skills that cannot be imparted in a classroom and ends up better equipped and empowered to address major challenges as a citizen of the world.”

Source:  College of Charleston Today