Study Abroad

Study abroad is more popular than ever before on campuses throughout the United States and at the institution that created America's first overseas-study program almost 80 years ago--the University of Delaware.

In the 2000-01 school year, 154,168 U.S. college students received credit for study abroad, a 7.4 percent increase from the previous year, according to a report released in November by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The findings are based on a survey of more than 2,700 accredited institutions.

For the same year, the institute ranked UD sixth in the nation among large research institutions, up from 12th the previous year, in the percentage of students studying overseas. In 2000-2001, 1,064 University students enrolled in study-abroad programs, for a participation rate of more than 25 percent.

"We're seeing a growth in student participation and also in faculty participation, which gives us more breadth in our offerings," says Lesa Griffiths, director of the University's Center for International Studies, which coordinates the programs.

Throughout the nation, participation in study abroad dropped immediately after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. But, according to an online IIE survey, interest quickly picked up again. UD experienced the same dip, followed by renewed growth.

"After 9/11, the number of students enrolled in overseas programs declined, but this is a bumper year," says Marion Bernard-Amos, who coordinates study abroad for the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. "The numbers are way up, and we have had to turn students away."

Study abroad for American students began in July 1923, when eight UD juniors and Prof. Raymond W. Kirkbride boarded the steamer Rochambeau in New York to spend a year in France. The program, known then as the Delaware Foreign Study Plan and later as Junior Year Abroad, was initiated by Kirkbride, who launched it with the support of University President Walter S. Hullihen and benefactor Pierre S. du Pont.

UD's overseas programs were discontinued in 1948 but resumed in 1972 with the creation of a Winter Session, then called "Winterim," between fall and spring semesters.

"Winter Session programs are by far the most popular now," Griffiths says. "That seems to be the right amount of time for most students."

The University's study-abroad programs run the gamut. Some travel in the summer, and others offer a full semester abroad. Many of the full-semester programs are sponsored by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures and enable students to immerse themselves in the language and culture of a particular country.

Overall, UD is offering more than 65 study-abroad programs to more than 25 countries this school year, with courses in 30-plus subject areas. With a groundbreaking trip this Winter Session to Antarctica, the University's students will have traveled to all seven continents. Students can study politics and literature in Argentina, traditional martial arts in China, economics in Australia, entomology and applied ecology in Costa Rica, theatrical costuming in London, materials science in Germany or education in South Africa.

"UD faculty deserve a lot of the credit for developing academically strong, innovative, well-run and exciting programs," says Bobby Gempesaw, UD vice provost.

"There are very few hard and fast rules in study abroad, because the programs are so individualized," says Lisa Chieffo of the Center for International Studies. "There's as much variety in study abroad as there is on campus."

In addition to earning academic credit for required or elective courses, students broaden their views of the world, form bonds with fellow students and, often, learn more about themselves, according to faculty members experienced in study abroad.

"It's an extremely worthwhile experience for students and faculty alike," says Griffiths, who regularly leads a program to New Zealand, where she teaches an animal science course. "Students tell us that the impact on their lives is tremendous."

All Summer and Winter Session study-abroad programs are created by faculty members. Many have two faculty directors, who share teaching and organizational responsibilities.

"Interdisciplinary programs are popular and can be very successful, because they have a broader appeal and can recruit from a more diverse group of students," Griffiths says.

All programs require students to enroll for academic credit in at least one regular, graded UD course. Most programs include some free time for students to have fun, "but they're not travel programs; they're academic programs," Chieffo says. "The activities should have a strong academic base."

Some groups hold class sessions before and after the trip itself. Carter Broach, professor of business administration, has led programs to several European countries, where students visit businesses and meet with corporate leaders.

"Our students research the companies before we go and make presentations to the class," he says. "They also write a report after we return. So, we warn them ahead of time that they'll have extra work the semester before and the semester after they travel."

Students say study abroad can be a safe way to venture far from home for the first time or to explore a place that seems exotic.

"It was always a dream of mine to go to Africa, but it's so far away, and I wasn't sure what to expect," says Michelle Guobadia, HNS 2003, who took part in the South Africa program last Winter Session. "Now, I think everyone should go, because it was such an amazing experience."

--Ann Manser, AS '73, CHEP '73