Grand Valley study abroad program ranks 10th

ALLENDALE, Mich. -- The number of Grand Valley State University students who study abroad continues to grow, pushing the university into the top 10 in terms of student participation.

Grand Valley is ranked 10th among U.S. master's degree-granting institutions for total number of study abroad students, according to the Institute of International Education in New York. IIE issues an annual Open Doors report that tracks international education. For reporting year 2006-07, the latest statistics available, Grand Valley had 600 students study abroad. Elon University in North Carolina was ranked first, with 1,063 students.

In the 2007 Open Doors report,  from the 2005-06 academic year, Grand Valley was ranked 12th, with 499 students who studied abroad.

Mark Schaub, executive director of Grand Valley's Padnos International Center, said while the increase is encouraging, he is more pleased with the number of students who participate in semester-long or longer programs. In March, the IIE recognized the Padnos International Center with a best practices award for its innovation in encouraging long-term and independent study programs.

"When students go abroad for five or six months, or longer, they are on their own and can enjoy a richer, broader cultural experience," Schaub said.

For 2006-07, 85 Grand Valley students spent at least a semester abroad. The previous year, 71 students participated in long-term study programs.

Regardless of program length, the top destinations remain the same for Grand Valley students: Spain, Italy, Great Britain and Australia.

For more information about Grand Valley’s international education programs, contact the Padnos International Center at (616) 331-3898 or visit www.gvsu.edu/pic.